Following my visit I have a few tips for anyone thinking of visiting;
What to wear?
Surprise, surprise Krakow really is cold in December! Bring your layers and your thermals and your woolly jumpers! Luckily while I was there it was crispy cold but snow is a regular feature in the winter.
How to get around?
Everything is walking distance and it is the best way to really get to know this small city. Walking to whatever sites you decide to see means you discover plenty of other sites along the way! The city feels pretty safe as well so getting back to your accommodation late at night is no problem! Trams and buses run quite late but to an Irish person the boarding methods of Krakowians seems deranged at best, with people just jumping on and off trams, and running across the road at traffic lights as well as stops!
Word of warning, non polish student cards are not acceptable on public transport as there is a specifically Polish student travel card. Be especially aware of this on the train to/from the airport!!
What to see?
The city is divided into numerous districts with the main tourist areas being the Old Town (or Stare Miasto in Polish) in the centre of the city, Kazimierz and Podgorze to the south.
Stare Miasto is a beautifully conserved medieval city with cobbled streets winding into a new square, castle or church with every turn! Rynek Glowny the main market square is well worth a visit especially when the christmas markets are on. The Cloth Hall in the centre of the square is magnificent and a centrepiece of the New Years celebrations. Wawel the castle hill is a massive fortification slightly to the north of Rynek Glowny, this is a major attraction that makes the grade as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Kazimierz is a desolate looking area in some parts but this all the more reminds you of the history of the city. Kazimierz was originally a separate settlement that was mainly Jewish with a small Catholic contingent. This is evident from the majestic old buildings on every corner. Much of the film Schindler's list was filmed here as there are plenty of pre war buildings intact. Well worth a wander for what appears to be a revival led by cute cafes and bars that buzz with life after dark. Plenty of cutesy graffiti to spot too!
Outside Krakow.
Seeing as you have flown all the way to Krakow there is no way you cannot visit the nearby site of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. It is a harrowing and heartbreaking experience but it is something we must do to commemorate all those it has affected.
There are many package tours covering both sites with a tour guide and bus pick up from your hotel. I would recommend this as Auschwitz is an hours drive from the city and the tour can take 6-7 hours total.
All I can say about this is be prepared to walk a lot, bring some tissues as you will most likely cry and it will take most of a day so try to go early.
Overall
Krakow is a beautiful city for a weekend break. So easy to wander around and find things to do and places to see. There are so many historical sites and natural attractions you wont run out of things to do and see! The Polish people we came in contact with were super helpful, with immaculate English and the city constantly had a really fun vibe! We stated in the Qubus hotel in the Podgorze area. 20 minutes walk to the Stare Miasto, beautifully situated on the banks of the Vistula and with all the facilities you could want. I would especially recommend the in house restaurant for spectacular food!
Polish food has to be tried, its a little stodgy but the flavours are amazingly deep (Pierogi are delicious!) and Polish vodka is one for the duty free. Cheap and so good especially Wyborowa!
I couldn't recommend Krakow more and would definitely go back again as I didn't see half of it!
So lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo long I haven't been there, I should go and visit again ... Maybe during the Krakow Tattoo Fest ! ;)
ReplyDelete