Krakow

[seabod91]

Me and the wife are flying out to krakow in a couple of weeks for a long weekend without the kids. We will be visiting auschwitz as well as the salt mines. Is there anyone who has been before and any recommendations on what else to see or go. Food and places to have a drink all recommendations welcome. Cheers.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

We were there in September and absolutely loved it.

1)Definitely do the walking tours, there were two when we were there, one was a general history of Krakow and the second was a world war two tour. I wish we had done these on our first rather than last day as it highlighted lots of things we had missed.
2)The Wodka bar is a must visit, it is tiny and can get busy at times.
3)There are from memory 22 Michelin stared restaurants in Krakow. We went to Karakter and it was excellent, had a main course, desert, a couple of drinks each and it was £52
4)We went to the Steakhouse Mucca Kraków and that was also excellent, a little pricey for Krakow but around half London prices.
5)Try and avoid the tourist trap restaurants in the old town where you sit outside. You can go to a Michelin star restaurant for the same cost.
6)Uber is crazy cheap, it cost us around £12 from the airport to the old town where we were staying.
7)If you want to fire a gun there are numerous shooting ranges to do it. We went to CSK which was excellent, I think it was £80 to fire six different guns
8)You will definitely need to go on a tour for Auschwitz as it is around an hour and a half minibus ride away. We used KrakowDirect and they were excellent, they will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. It is a long day, around 8 or so hours, take lunch with you.
9)We also paid for the salt mine tour, but it isn't actually that far away from the old town and you could easily save yourself some money and get an Uber there instead. I thought the salt mine tour was incredible, definitely a highlight. Wear decent shoes, it isn't a difficult walk but three people from our tour had to drop out as it was too hard going for them.
10)Avoid the scam people in the old town square who are trying to get you to donate money to Ukraine.

Other than the Ukraine scam I found the place completely safe, clean, not too touristy and nobody bothered you, I would 100% go back again.

[RichFN2]

It was over 10 years ago when we went but looks like some of the venues are still going strong that we enjoyed
Another vote for Wodka bar, not sure if it was the owner but the barman had great knowledge and all his recommendations were great.
Just up the road you have the House of Beer, awesome bar if you enjoy a good beer
https://houseofbeerkrakow.com/menu/
For food I can recommend this place located in the Kazimierz district, reviews suggest its still fantastic and the walk takes you past the breath taking castle
https://restauracjalesu.pl/
You also have the Absynt Cafe & Bar almost opposite, its worth checking out for the absinth based cocktails in an old quirky house.
I cant be 100% but from memory Szewska street was fairly rowdy at night, I suspect it got worse as Krakow has become more popular so might be worth avoiding it.

[pidsy]

There’s a long running thread somewhere on Krakow.

Fantastic city and one of my favourites in Europe.

Eswaria is a great little bar in the old town. I’d avoid anything in the square and new town personally - there are too many lovely places in the old Jewish Quater.

The Schindler museum is recommended- a nice walk along the river through the original ghetto.

The pinball “museum” is worth a look - loads of old machines as well as a bar.

Did a Segway tour as well - wonderful way to see the city before you go back and explore the bits you saw while wheeling your way through.

Zapienaki from the old slaughterhouse is a bit of a tourist tradition but cheap as chips and very tasty.

[Gary29]

All of the above. Plus it'll be cold most likely, really cold.

[pavarotti1980]

I put this on a previous Krakow thread. One tip. Don't attempt to do Auschwitz and the Salt Mines on the same day

pavarotti1980 said:

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Any suggestions for where to stay and things to do in Krakow in October?
We’ll be staying 3 night and a trip to Auschwitz is top of the list - suggestions for a group or private tour would be helpful.
Thanks

We have done multiple trips to Krakow and just returned from a week there on Friday. Great quirky city and loads to do

First up is to decide which area you would like to stay in. In the Old Town (Market Square) or Jewish District (Kazimierz). There is probably a good 15/20 minutes walk between the two districts so may be worth looking at both. Other option is to pick somewhere in the middle and there are a few options worth considering. I did a list of hotels for a colleague last year which may be of some use. In addition we just stopped at the H11 Aparthotel last week and Queen Boutique Hotel previously and these were fantastic for location and the rooms as well

Old town

• Hotel Senacki
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Senacki+Hotel/...
• Anqtique Apartments
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Antique+Apartm...
• Rezydent Hotel
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Rezydent...

Jewish District

• Hotel Ester
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Ester/@5...
• Hotel M29
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+M29/@50....
• Spatz Aparthotel
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Spatz+Aparthot...
• Hotel Perfect
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Perfect+Hotel/...
• Golden Tulip Kasimierz
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Golden+Tulip+K...

In between

• MR67 Mayera Rapaporta
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/MR67+Mayera+Ra...
• Wawel Queen
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Wawel+Queen/@5...
• Hotel Wyspianski
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Wyspia%C...

Auschwitz - you can either arrange it yourself or get it all done through a company. Personally to save hassle book it through a company. We used Krakow Direct through the hotel but other people have done it through a guy called Michael Krupa who runs a Facebook Group, Krakow/Poland Travel it's so easy. https://www.facebook.com/groups/335202463770354/

In terms of things to do in your other days/nights:
Schindlers factory (less about Schindler more about the occupation during WWII), Eagle Pharmacy. Both very close
Wieliczka Salt Mine - 25 minute train journey from Krakow. Normally takes 2-3 hours and is really interesting with some unexpected views.
Churchs - plenty to see and definitely St Marys Basillica in the main square.

Otherwise soak up the culture and people watch in the hundreds of cafes/bars restaurants. Notable mentions for restaurants
Pimiento, Starka, Old Town Restaurant, Morskie Oko, Plac Nowy (Zapiekanki), Judah Food Market, Pod Wawelem

[toon10]

Despite not normally going to the same place twice, I've been 4 times now over the years.

As mentioned, the Schindler's factory/museum is worth a visit if you're interested in history.

In terms of bars, I like...
The Buddha Bar for a chilled drink although it's tiny so avoid if busy
House of Beer
Black Gallery Pub for the cellar pub vibe

Pop to the Jewish quarter and try...
Alchemia. This was my favorite place but seems more studenty these days so depending on your age, you may feel old in here now. It has a secret bar which opens up at a certain time (behind a wardrobe door)
Eszerwaria Bar which had a lovely, chilled vibe

[seabod91]

Wow. Some absolute cracking replies. Thank you everyone it’s much appreciated. Rather excited.

[pidsy]

Used

https://www.thousandmiles.pl/

For the Auschwitz tour - very well organised with pick up from the hotel.

[RichFN2]

pidsy said:

The pinball “museum” is worth a look - loads of old machines as well as a bar.

Ah I forgot about this place, spent a few hours in here drinking some beer and playing on the old pinball machines

It's just past the castle on the way to Kazimierz, so you will be passing it anyway.

Plus it's an ideal introduction into how Krakow has many bars and restaurants setup in old tunnels and cellars. So don't be put off if you see a simple doorway leading down the dark stairs, always worth going downstairs and having a quick look. We found a few gems in the very centre like this.

[FunkyGibbon]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2...

for simple yet delicious Italian food.

[Tickle]

We went mid December a few weeks ago.

We last did the Auschwitz and Birkenau tour about 12+ years ago, booked through a private tour operator with pickup etc. How things have changed.

Be very careful how you book, we tried the same this time, only to have a cancelled tour email when we landed. Our tour was for the following day. We ended up having to book again and claim the cancellation back. Our pick up for re-booked tour was 4:30 in the morning, this enabled us to queue for 3 hours to get tickets and in. It was a farce! Avoid GR8WAY and Viator (who use GR8WAY). Speaking to others, you need to book direct with Auschwitz. Read recent reviews before booking.

Schindler's factory is a nice walk there and back from the old town where we stayed. Lots to take in.

We ate mainly just outside of the old town, picking small restaurants selling Polish, traditional food to eat in the evenings. We also had the markets close by as it was close to Christmas, similar to UK Christmas markets to be honest.

Edited by Tickle on Saturday 25th January 15:53

[dirky dirk]

Someone mentioned hotel senacki i second that
Also micheal krupa for his aushwitz trips

Id thoroughly recommend the plane museum lots of cold war stuff there

[Hugo Stiglitz]

pidsy said:

There’s a long running thread somewhere on Krakow.

Fantastic city and one of my favourites in Europe.

Eswaria is a great little bar in the old town. I’d avoid anything in the square and new town personally - there are too many lovely places in the old Jewish Quater.

The Schindler museum is recommended- a nice walk along the river through the original ghetto.

The pinball “museum” is worth a look - loads of old machines as well as a bar.

Did a Segway tour as well - wonderful way to see the city before you go back and explore the bits you saw while wheeling your way through.

Zapienaki from the old slaughterhouse is a bit of a tourist tradition but cheap as chips and very tasty.

Yup. I posted one up from my visit in September.

Personally I would not do a walking tour of Auschwitz. In part because I couldn't do with selfies, chattering etc etc.

I went and lingered in certain parts. In the old infirmary I was in there all alone. I leant against a bannister on the first floor for 20mins in utter silence. It sounds an odd comment but it was very peaceful.

Hard to explain.


A fantastic place.

Marchewka z Groszkiem
[phone]

https://g.co/kgs/9acpZU6

And for coffee



https://g.co/kgs/e9uFTYi

Both backstreets and not tourist coffee place etc.




One thing, as I landed at Auschwitz I felt a huge range of emotions. Firstly disgust at myself for visiting as though I was a tourist looking for morbid fascination.

I them quickly felt anger, then sadness, then disgust, then bizarrely disgust at the Polish people, then disgust at myself.

It was draining.

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Sunday 26th January 05:48

[andrew85]

I've been a couple of times.
Bolt was great for getting about, we found it quicker/cheaper than Uber.

The arcade museum was fun, around 10-15 mins away in a Bolt. Pinball museum also good but on a smaller scale.

Milkbar Tomasza in the old town and Herve in the Jewish quarter for an excellent breakfast. In fact everything we are and drank in the Jewish district was enjoyed.

Avoid the food in the little square market, we got well and truly tourist trapped. Average food from the stall, charged by weight. It was the worst and most expensive meal of the trip

[pavarotti1980]

If you have time and want a good laugh for an hour try the waxwork museum on Florianska St. I won't say too much but you won't regret it