Krakow

Introduction

Krakow, Wawel Castle

© Gelli

Having been lucky enough to escape the worst of the bombing during the second World War, Krakow has an edge over most other Polish cities when it comes to the amount of historic buildings still standing. The preserved city centre with its cobblestoned streets, dozens of churches, monasteries and abbeys still holds an old world charisma that has helped make it one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations and in the summer buses full of tourists crowd the city centre.

Located at the south end of the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland, on the banks of the Vistula river (in Polish: Wisła), in the southern part of Poland. The 'new Prague' was originally the home of Polish royalty from 1038 to 1596, so after Gniezno and before Warsaw became the country capital. Throughout the centuries as Poland was under Habsburg, Prussian and Russian rule, Krakow, specifically the central market square of Rynek Glowny, was the rallying point for independence. From the Middle Ages the city is well-known scientific center and one of the most important centers of Polish culture.

History

Kraków is one of the oldest cities in Poland, with evidence showing settlements there since 20,000 BC. Legend has it that it was built on the cave of a dragon whom the mythical King Krak had slain. However, the first official mention of the name was in 966 by a Jewish merchant from Spain, who described it as an important centre of trade in Slavonic Europe.

Through trade with the various rulers of Europe, it grew from a small settlement in 1000 AD to a large wealthy city, belonging to the Vistulans. However, through the 9th and 10th centuries, it fell under the influence of the Great Moravians, then the Bohemians, before being captured by the Piast Dynasty of Poland. In 1038, Kazimierz the Restorer made Kraków the capital of Poland.

In 1241, the city was almost entirely destroyed by Tatars. It was rebuilt to a design that remains largely unchanged to the present day. However, after more successful attacks by the Mongols in the late 13th century, Kazimierz the Great set about defending the city. Walls, fortifications, and the original Wawel Castle were added. The University was also established. King Kazimierz established the district of Kazimierz for Jews to live in free from persecution. This area remained mainly Jewish for centuries until the Nazi occupation.

The 16th century was Kraków's golden age. Under the influence of the joint Polish-Lithuanian Jagiellonian dynasty, Kraków became a centre of science and the arts. In 1569, Poland was officially united with Lithuania and as a result government activity started to move to Warsaw. King Zygmunt III officially moved the capital in 1609.

However, the 17th century was a return to troubled times for Kraków and Poland. After being invaded by Russians, Prussians, Austrians, Transylvanians, Swedes, and the French, it went through a phase of various forms of political control. These included being part of the Duchy of Warsaw, established by Napoleon, and becoming an "independent city". However, it mostly fell under the sphere of influence of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, in the province of Galicia.

In the First World War, Józef Piłsudski set out to liberate Poland and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) established an independent sovereign Polish state for the first time in more than 100 years. This lasted until the Second World War, when Germany and the USSR partitioned the country, with German forces entering Kraków in September 1939. Many academics were killed and historic relics and monuments were destroyed or looted. Concentration camps were established near Kraków, including Plaszow and Auschwitz; see Holocaust remembrance. After German withdrawal, the city escaped complete destruction and many buildings were saved.

In the Communist period, a large steel work factory was established in the suburb of Nowa Huta. This was seen as an attempt to lessen the influence of the anti-communist intelligentsia and religious communities in Kraków; see Cold War Europe. In 1978, UNESCO placed Kraków on the World Heritage Sites list. In the same year, the Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła, was made Pope John Paul II.

The communist government collapsed in 1989 and Kraków has undergone another period of regeneration, with historic buildings being restored, but many of the dull post-war buildings still remain.

Districts

• The Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the area inside the old town walls
• Kazimierz District is the traditional Jewish area
• Wawel Hill makes up the Castle and Cathedral
• Zwierzyniec is the old royal hunting ground containing Blonia Meadow
• Bronowice
• Kleparz (north of the city)
• Wesola
• Podgorze
• Nowa Huta is the communist showpiece town

Sights and Activities

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Situated about 70 kilometres away from Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau is one of the most important museums in this part of Poland. The journey takes about 1.5 hour. You can get there by public buses departing from Krakow's bus station. Do not take the train as the journey is a bit longer and you have to get from the station to the museum as the buses go directly. There are also lots of tour companies, providing cheap visits, but sometimes you end up rushed along on a crowded coach. Getting a private taxi/tour is the easiest option, usually with no time limits and reasonable prices, and comfortable cars. The driver very often helps you to avoid the lines at cash desks. In the summer season it's recommended to join a guided tour (available at the museum). There's no admission for the entrance, however a charge of 40 zlotys per person is taken for participating in a guided tour and transport between the Auschwitz I and Birkenau site. The total time for the tours over the two sites takes around 3.5 to 4 hours. The only way to enter the Auschwitz I site without having to join the tour is to arrive before 10:00am. The Auschwitz II site can be visited without a guide.

Oskar Schindler Factory

The Schindler factory is located on Lipowa 4, just across the river when coming from the city centre. It houses a museum on how the population of Krakow lived through the years of World War II. Special attention is there for the conditions of the Jews that were forced to live in the ghetto. In the museum there is a film shown about the company Oskar Schindler started here, and his office is displayed together with an art installation made from pots and pans as the factory produced, together with the names of the people of the famous Schindler's List.

Walking tours

Several walking tours are organized through the town. Some for free (you pay what you like at the end), some paid, and also private tours are possible. Especially popular and recommended is the tour around the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. In general the tours leave several times a day from the main market square.

Wawel Castle and Cathedral

Located to the south of the city center, lies Wawel Hill, on which the Castle and Cathedral were built. This used to be the spot where the Kings and Queens were crowned and burried. On of the most important places of Polish history and tradition, nowadays partly a museum. In addition to being the main center of royal power in entire Poland, the castle and the towns of Krakow and Sandomierz were also the main centers of power for Lesser Poland in the Middle Ages.

The most important location of the former Kings was undamaged in the war, as the Nazis regarded Krakow to be a German town, and therefore didn't wanted to destroy what was German to begin with. At the end of the war they retreated a day before the Soviet troops arrived.

The entrance to the cathedral is protected by the bones of the dragon, that once lived under the hill. The cave of the dragon can be visited from an entrance on the hill, and a fire breathing statue of the dragon is found at the bottom of the hill next to the river.

The Main Market and St. Mary's Basilica

The Main Market in Krakow (in Polish: Rynek Główny), built in the 13th century, is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. There are a few buildings on this square: the Romanesque Church of St. Adalbert from the 10th century, the Town Hall Tower from the 14 century and the Cloth Hall (in Polish: Sukiennice) built in 1257 and after several reconstructions known as a pearl of the Renaissance style. It is possible to buy traditional Polish souvenirs on the ground level and on the upper-floor there is the Sukiennice Museum, a part of the National Museum in Krakow. In the Eastern part of the market there is Adam Mickiewicz Monument from the year 1898.

The square is surrounded by historic townhouses and the St. Mary's Church, which was built in the Gothic-style and completed in 1347. It is mostly famous for its Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss. At every full hour, a trumpet signal Hejnał mariacki is played from the top of the taller of Saint Mary's two towers. The plaintive tune breaks off in mid-stream, to commemorate a famous trumpeter who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before Mongols' attack on the city in the 13 century.

On March 24, 1794, the Supreme Head of the National Armed Forces, Tadeusz Kościuszko, took the oath to the nation, beginning the uprising, nowadays known as Kościuszko Uprising, against the occupying powers - Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. In later years, the market was a place of further national liberation struggles.

In 1940, the German Nazi occupiers renamed the Main Square the Adolf-Hitler Platz. After the liberation of Krakow on January 18, 1945, the old name Rynek Główny was restored.

The entire medieval old town of Krakow was among the first sites chosen for the UNESCO's original World Heritage List (Cracow's Historic Centre). It is a popular place for meetings, among others Cracow Nativity Scene Competition (cribs), Christmas markets (December), Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (January), Easter markets and Lajkonik Parade Finale (on the first Thursday after the feast of Corpus Christi).

National Museum and other museums

The National Museum in Kraków has 12 divisions:

The Main Building, at 3 Maja Street, modern art.
Gallery of the 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice, the collection of paintings of the Young Poland Movement.
Czartoryski Museum, Library and Arsenal, world-famous for Leonardo's painting of Lady with an Ermine and dramatic landscape by Rembrandt.
EUROPEUM with Western European paintings inaugurated in 2013.
Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace with Polish gothic, renaissance and baroque art.
Stanisław Wyspiański Museum.
Jan Matejko House on Floriańska Street.
Józef Mehoffer House - artist's house.
Szołayski's House - temporary exhibitions.
Emeryk Hutten-Czapski Museum - numismatic collection.
Karol Szymanowski Museum at Villa Atma in Zakopane.
Cracovia Hotel.

Other museums are among others:

• Archaeological Museum of Krakow (3 Senacka street, website: ma.krakow.pl/en/main-page)
• Ethnographic Museum of Krakow (1 Wolnica Square)
• John Paul II Cathedral Museum (Wawel)
• Galicia Jewish Museum (Kazimierz)
• Rynek Underground, the Old Town-Main Market
• 50 Shades of Sex Exhibition of Erotic Art in Krakow, the Old Town-Main Market (23 Rynek Główny, www.musement.com/us/krakow/50-shades-of-sex-exhibition-of-erotic-art-in-krakow-161461)
• Museum of Municipal Engineering in Krakow (św. Wawrzyńca 15 street)
• Aquarium and Natural History Museum in Krakow

Mounds

• Krakus Mound (in Polish: Kopiec Krakusa) - a tumulus of the legendary King Krakus
• Wanda Mound (in Polish: Kopiec Wandy) - a tumulus of the legendary princess Wanda (in Mogiła in Nowa Huta district)
• Kościuszko Mound (www.kopieckosciuszki.pl/en)
• Piłsudski's Mound

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Situated just outside from Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine takes you to a beautiful journey to the underground chappels and chambers. You can get there by public bus no. 304 from the centre of Krakow. The other option is to get a private tour - in the season there are lots of people lining up to the cash desks so it's better to get someone who'll help you to avoid it. You have to join a guided tour which takes about 2-3 hours. Tickets cost 70 zlotys per person.

Zakopane, Tatra Mountains

Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains is situated about 105 kilometres away from Krakow, the Polish winter capital. The journey takes about 1.5 hour. There are regular bus connections from Szwagropol, but it's better to get a private tour and cut the hassle on getting between each parts of the town. Beautiful views both in summer and winter, really worth visitting.

Events and Festivals

Christmas Market

Christmas Markt at the Market Square in Krakow includes traditional handcrafts, ginger bread, hot wine, Christmas tree decorations and many other things can be bought in little wooden shops created for this occassion annually on the Market Square.

Cracovia Marathon

During the springtime month of April, Krakow hosts the continental Cracovia Marathon. There is the full marathon for hardcore runners, and shorter distances for others to participate in.

Crossroads Festival

The Crossroads Festival is held in the city of Krakow every year in July. The event is famous for bringing a range of music from around the world, including the unique likes of Mongolia, Israel, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

All Souls Jazz Festival

Located in the city of Krakow each November, the All Souls Jazz Festival pulls in large crowd throughout its operation. The event has grown into one of the country’s largest and most famous musical events.

Weather

Krakow has a continental climate with generally warm summers and cold winters. Average summer temperatures are around 23 °C or 24 °C from June to August, around 21 °C along the coast. Nights are mostly around 15 °C during this time. Winters last from December to early March, with generally temperatures around zero during the day, and around -5 °C or -6 °C at night. Alltime highs and lows are 35 °C in summer and -27 °C in winter. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed througout the year, although June to August is significantly wetter with around 100 mm of rain a month. Usually there is about 10 to 15 days of some rain or snow during most months. In winter, it is mainly snow that falls.

Getting There

By Plane

There are two options:
1. Arriving at John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) which is only 15 kilometres from the city centre. There's a cheap (about 10 zlotys per person) train connection with the city centre (15 minutes) walking to the main square, or 25 minutes to the Kazimierz area). You can find a shuttle bus outside the terminal that takes you to the platform for free and then you enter the train. There are no stops en-route so you arrive in the centre. The other option is to use a taxi. There's a line oustside the terminal but it sometimes gets busy, also not all of the taxi drivers speak English. Be sure to agree on the price, because using the meter may be a worse option as you'll be using an city-outside zone. Also you can prebook an airport transfer - you'll find your driver waiting for you in the arrivals hall, after assisting with your luggage he'll take you to your destination address (about 20-30 minutes). The transfers starts from 70 zlotys which is about €20.

2. Arriving is also possible at Katowice International Airport (KTW) which is 100 kilometres from the city centre. Many travel agents advertise it as a Krakow airport, but of course this is not the case. But there's no need to worry as there are direct bus/minibus connections to the bus station in Krakow. The price is about 40 zlotys perperson per run and unless you're travelling extra heavy, there shouldn't be any problems with fitting your luggage. There are airport transfers as well, but relatively expensive.

By Train

The train station is situated in the centre and there are lots of bus/tram connections to all parts of the city. There are also a lot of taxis, but be awared of cheaters, it shouldn't cost more than 40 zlotys to get to your hotel in the centre.

Main connections to popular turist destinations are: Wieliczka, Bochnia, Tarnow, Rzeszow, Przemysl, Kiev, Kielce, Warsaw, Grodno, Suwalki, Olsztyn, Lodz, Gdynia, Poznan, Slupsk, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Berlin, Czestochowa, Wroclaw, Katowice, Oswiecim, Ostrava, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Vac, Budapest, Zakopane, Nowy Sacz and Krynica-Zdroj.

By Bus

The bus station is situated just next to the train station so the directions are the same. Buses go to most of main Polish cities and mountains area. Detailed information is available on the website mda.malopolska.pl/en.home.html.

Getting Around

By Car

Prepare for problems with traffic and parking your car. The area inside the old city walls is restricted for cars, and in a wider circle around you will need to pay for parking. A good option might be to use one of the free parking lots at one of the shopping centers, and continue by tram from there.

By Public Transport

Easy and reliable, tickets are the same for both trams and buses. There are machines on most of the stops as well as on board (if not you can get tickets from the driver). Tickets are available for different durations, so it is best to know how long your trip will take upfront. Just remember to stamp your ticket after entering the vehicle.

By Foot

The centre is all in walking distance, and it's really an enjoyable walk. The Wawel Castle and the Jewish quarter of Kazamierz are about a 15 minutes walk from the main square.

Eat

U Babci Maliny, ul. Szpitalna 38, ul. Sławkowska 17. The name literally means "At Grandma Raspberry's". Genuine Polish food that might be served by your grandmother which is cheap and delicious. The two branches are different in character. The one at Sławkowska is self-service, featuring communal seating at long wooden tables and benches. Make your order at the counter, then listen for your number to be called (or look for it on the wall display) to go and pick up your food. The menu is in Polish but there are English menus available - ask. The street sign is on the wall of the Polish Academy of Crafts - enter the big doors, go to the end of the hall, turn left, go out into the courtyard, then left again and downstairs. The one on Szpitalna, in addition to a small self-serve area, also has a cellar which is all tablecloths, candles and drapes, with hearty traditional meals in the evenings served by waitresses wearing traditional dress, and live piano music. The menu, while more elaborate, is still on the affordable side. From €2.
Green Way, ul. Mikołajska 14 (just off the Small Square), ☎ +48 12 431 10 27. 10AM-10PM. Quite wide variety of vegan and vegetarian food, with amazing huge smoothies (labelled cocktails) for under €1. Self-service, friendly staff, and a huge variety of products from soups to samosas to enchilladas to satisfy anyone who typically eats meat too. from €2.
Gospoda Koko, ul. Gołębia 8, ☎ +48 12 430 21 35. Quite small, quirky self-service restaurant. The menu is in Polish and English. The fare is typically Polish, the daily deal is a soup followed by a main served with a side salad at a fixed price of 14 zł. Half of this for less hungry costs 9.5 zł. 14zł.
Charlotte, pl. Szczepański. French bistro.
Chimera, ul. św. Anny 3. Restaurant with traditional Polish cuisine located in a cellar and an inexpensive salad bar (with big variety of salads) located in the yard of a Renaissance house. Beer garden and wine cellar.
C.K. Dezerter, ul. Bracka 6, ☎ +48 12 422 79 31. a very warm and friendly place - the posh side of rustic in atmosphere and decor. The food is a great blend of traditional Polish and mainly central European cuisine, large portions, and exceedingly good value. 50-60 zł, including wine. edit
Da Pietro, Rynek Główny 17, ☎ +48 12 422 32 79. Daily 12:00—00:00. Italian cuisine, very good pizzas.
Glonojad, Plac Matejki 2. 9AM-10PM. Home made vegetarian meals, pastries, fresh juices, shakes, and smoothies plus great view of Matejko Square. Free WiFi and PC. Inexpensive.
Invito Pizza&Pasta, ul. św. Tomasza 33, ☎ +48 12 421 30 92. Mostly pizza and pasta, but a huge selection of each, with chicken, soup and other dishes too. Pizza is great value, but you cannot physically eat a small pizza alone, and a large is best shared between two very, very hungry people, or three. Pasta dishes are also large but single portions. Staff speak English, with English menus available, though mostly frequented by locals. Football often showing. starters from €1.50, mains from around €4.
Paese, ul. Poselska 24. Corsican cuisine, a lot of fish dishes.
Cyrano de Bergerac, ul. Sławkowska 26. Very good wine and French cuisine. Expensive.
Ed Red, ul. Sławkowska 3. Restaurant with meat. Fridges with seasoned beef are part of the interior.
Miód i Wino, ul. Sławkowska 32, ☎ +48 12 422 74 95, e-mail: [email protected]. Restaurant with amazing medieval times interiors. Food is very good (try the duck) and often served after a little chivalry show by young waiters. €20 to get filled.
Trzy Rybki, ul. Szczepańska 5. Arguably the best fine dining restaurant in Kraków, recommended by Michelin and Gault&Millau. Located inside Hotel Stary.
Wentzl, Rynek Główny 19, ☎ +48 12 429 52 99. Polish, European cuisine.
Wierzynek, Rynek Główny 15, ☎ +48 12 424 96 00. Daily 13:00—23:00. Traditional Polish cuisine, according to the legends, the oldest restaurant in Poland. Mikołaj Wierzynek invited several kings and the German Emperor in 1364 to a feast there and gave them the golden dishes they ate from.

Drink

• Cafe Bunkier, pl. Szczepański 3a. Big patio open to Planty park right next to Bunkier Sztuki gallery of contemporary art.
• Cafe Lody u Jacka i Moniki, ul. Sławkowska. They have one of the best ice cream in Kraków in the summer and good coffee in the autumn and winter time. They offer very good cakes, especially the traditional kremówka - a vanilla flavored cream cake or a warm apple pie with whipped cream. Try out their hot chocolate and fruit cocktails.
• Café Malaga, Rynek Główny 11, courtyard. A cozy, small café where you can enjoy a Krakowian iced coffee, huge Polish cheesecake and a variation of hot and cold drinks. It specializes on wines from the Spanish Malaga district, but offers a large variation of Polish beverages and cakes. Even though it might be tricky to find, it's worth checking out for the atmosphere alone!
• Cafe Mozaika, ul. Gołębia 5. Artistic interior.
• Loch Camelot, ul. św. Tomasza 17. Naive art pictures and good szarlotka (apple cake). Klezmer music and cabaret Loch Camelot. edit
• Jama Michalika, ul. Floriańska 45. The most famous cafe in Krakow, with secession interior. The legendary cabaret Zielony Balonik (Green Balloon) was there in the 19th century. Most Polish artists of Young Poland met here and left some pieces of art. frequented and decorated by artists of the Young Poland (Młoda Polska) movement. Plenty of art nouveau style and original paintings.
• Massolit, ul. Felicjanek 4/2, ☎ +48 12 432 41 50. A cafe is only a part of a great English-language used book store. You can browse the shelves and read English-language newspapers. They also have some American style bagels. 5 - 7 zł.
• Nowa Prowincja, ul. Bracka 3-5. Artistic atmosphere, check out the hidden room on the first floor (guess how to get there).
• U Literatów, ul. Kanonicza 7. Very cultural cafe, meeting point of poets and writers.
• Wedel Cafe, Rynek Główny 46. A cafe with a beautiful medieval courtyard, on the main square. Wonderful chocolate drinks and cakes.
• Ambasada Śledzia (Herring Embassy), ul. Stolarska. 24/7. Nice outside patio and interesting interior with poetry written all over the walls. Every drink (coffee, tea, beer, vodka shot) is 4 zł, most of the food 8 zł and if you want to try some typical Polish dishes eaten for lunch as well as between vodka shots this is the place.
• Banialuka, pl. Szczepański 6. 24/7. Another example of the 4/8 zł type. Quite popular among Erasmus crowds.
• Betel, pl. Szczepański 3. Great beer garden in a courtyard.
• Bomba Na Placu, pl. Szczepański 2/1. Interesting interior, free concerts on weekends.
• Harris Piano Jazz Bar, Rynek Główny 28. A packed underground jazz bar with great music - 6.5 zł for a beer, get there early to get seats. Live concerts every day.
• Klub RE, ul. św. Krzyża 4. Underground bar with alternative music concerts. In summer they have one of the nicest beer gardens in the city.
• House of Beer, ul. św. Tomasza 35 (entrance from św. Krzyża). It has the widest selection of beer in all of Krakow. Over 150 beer labels from all over Europe and 8 beer taps.
• Pauza, ul. Floriańska 18. Kind of a culture centre with a club in the basements and long-time trendy bar on the first floor. No sign on the street.
• Pergamin, Bracka 3-5. Chill-out music bar.
• Pierwszy Lokal na Stolarskiej po lewej stronie idąc od Małego Rynku (The First Place on the Left Side of Stolarska if You Come from Small Square), ul. Stolarska 6/1. Best name ever! They have really good beer on tap called Smocza Głowa (Dragon's Head) which is made locally and hard to get.
• Weźże Krafta, ul. Dolnych Młynów 10/3. Great selection of local and international craft beers. Located in the area of old tobacco factory called Tytano.
• Wódka Cafe Bar, ul. Mikołajska 5. Small place with around a hundred different vodkas to be tasted.

Sleep

• Atlantis Hostel, ul. Dietla 58, ☎ +48 12 421 08 61, e-mail: [email protected]. Check website for discounts. Dorms from €8.
• Cracow Hostel, Rynek Główny 18, ☎ +48 691 659 407, e-mail: [email protected]. Dorms from 40 zł (18-bed room).
• Dizzy Daisy, ul. Pędzichów 9, ☎ +48 12 292 01 71. 30-90 zł.
• Flamingo Hostel, ul. Szewska 4, ☎ +48 12 422 0000, e-mail: [email protected]. Dorms from 40 zł.
• Football Corner Hostel, ul. Wróblewskiego 3/4, ☎ +48 12 633 95 17, e-mail: [email protected]. Dorms for 4, 6 and 8 persons. Free breakfast, Wifi and live broadcast of football matches 40 - 65 zł.
• Let's Rock Hostel, ul. Grodzka 34, ☎ +48 12 430 30 53, e-mail: [email protected]. Part of the famous Good Bye Lenin Hostels in Poland. Dorms from 30 zł.
• Greg and Tom Hostel, ul. Pawia 12, ul. Zyblikiewicza 9, ☎ +48 12 422 41 00, e-mail: [email protected]. Clean and friendly hotel. Events and tour everyday. Dorms from 55, 60 zł.
• Hostel Rynek 7, Rynek Główny 7, ☎ +48 12 431 16 98, e-mail: [email protected]. View on the Market Square from every window. 40 -150 zł.
• Mama's Hostel, ul. Bracka 4. Next to Main Square. 6, 8, and 10 person/room. Free breakfast. 40 - 90 zł.
• Mundo Hostel, ul. Sarego 10, ☎ +48 12 422 61 13, e-mail: [email protected]. Between Old Town and the Jewish City. Spacious, themed rooms (mainly double ones). Clean and modern. 60 - 90 zł.
• NF Hostel, ul. Westerplatte 7, ☎ +48 12 422 77 66, e-mail: [email protected]. Free WiFi, breakfast and TV. Single from 70 zł.
• Old Town Hostel, pl. Wszystkich Świętych 8, ☎ +48 12 429 59 64, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-out: 12:00. Nice and clean. 50 zł dorm, 150 zł app.
• Tutti-Frutti Hostel, ul. Floriańska 29. If you get a lower dorm, expect A LOT of noise until gone midnight as reception is directly outside the door of your dorm, as are the bathrooms! Definitely not for people who want to go to sleep early. Dorms from 50 zł.
• Hostel Yellow, ul. Dunajewskiego 6, ☎ +48 12 4441170, e-mail: [email protected]. 45 - 90 zł.
• Hotel Batory, Ul. Sołtyka 19. Three star hotel located downtown Krakow, just minutes from the Old Town, train, and railway stations, as well as, main shopping centers. Batory is known for its ambiance and family atmosphere.
• Hotel Logos, Ul. Szujskiego 5. Is a cozy and elegant hotel of three star category with location in the center of the Kraków - Old Town recommended by the Polish Hotel Association. Logos is known for its excellent food and wide range of extra services.
• Poselska 20, Ul. Poselska 20, ☎ +48 513 158 056. Elegant hotel rooms in a renovated apartment house located on beautiful Poselska street.
• Tango House Bed & Breakfast, Ul. Szpitalna 4. Boutique style lodging right around from the Main Market Square. Tango House is a cozy bed and breakfast with a Tango theme, warm staff while offering modern rooms, stylish bathrooms, wireless internet, daily maid service, and satellite TV.
• Blue Aparthotel, ul. Westerplatte 12/7, ☎ +48 12 429 59 34.
• Hotel Copernicus, Kanonicza 16, ☎ +48 12 424 34 00, fax: +48 12 424 34 05, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 1PM. Tucked away on one of Krakow's most beautiful streets, Kanonicza. If you're looking for an authentic European feel, while maintaining a five-star experience, this is the place.
• Hotel Grand, ul. Sławkowska 5/7, ☎ +48 12 424 08 00, fax: +48 12 421 83 60, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: Noon. Traditional luxury secessionist palace belonging once to the Czartoryski Family, who founded the Czartoryski Museum in the 18th century not far away.
• Hotel Pod Różą, ul. Floriańska 14, ☎ +48 12 424 33 00, fax: +48 12 424 33 51, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: Noon. The oldest, and one of the best hotels in Poland. It showcases a very good restaurant and wine cellar. Tsar Alexander I and Franz Liszt stayed here. A Renaissance building with a beautiful gate. Read the Latin writing above the entrance.
• Hotel Wentzl, Rynek Główny 19, ☎ +48 12 430 26 65, fax: +48 12 430 26 64, e-mail: [email protected]. One of the best known high class hotels in Kraków and the only one located right on Rynek Główny. Set in a 15th century house, John Wentzl opened the Wentzl restaurant in this building in 1792. €159+.
• Ostoya Palace Hotel, Ul. Piłsudskiego 24. A four star hotel in a 19th century mansion about 5–10 minutes walk from Rynek Główny. The rooms are beautifully furnished in pastel colors with custom-made furniture. If possible get a ground or first floor room; the second floor rooms (while still very nicely apportioned) have skylights rather than windows. Staff are very friendly and helpful; the buffet breakfast is also good, with tasty pastries, cheese and ham, and proper coffee.
• Radisson Blu, Ul. Straszewskiego 17. Situated within walking distance from Main Market Square and Royal Wawel Castle.
• Sheraton Krakow, Ul. Powiśle 7. A big, ugly, five star hotel located right on the Vistula river with a great view of the Wawel castle.
• Venetian House Aparthotel, Rynek Główny 11. A new and luxurious apartment hotel located directly on Krakow's Main Market Square.

Keep Connected

Internet

In the cities there are more and more Wifi Hot Spots, so if you have your own mobile device, you can connect. Best chances of finding one are at airports, railway stations, in cafés, shopping malls and universities. Places like McDonald's and Starbucks usually have unlimited free wifi. In some hotels you can find free wifi, though you might have to pay as well or maybe just use it for a limited amount of time. Internet cafes become less popular recently as people prefer to use internet at homes.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

To call to Poland from abroad, dial the Polish country code,48, then the number without the leading 0, as if calling from a domestic mobile phone.
The general emergency number is 112. Police (997), Ambulance (999) and Fire (998) have phone numbers as well, and municipal police has 986 as a number.

Mobile phones work almost across the whole country. There are four mobile phone operators in Poland: Plus, T-Mobile, Orange and Play. About 98% of the country is covered by the standard European GSM 900/1800 MHz network, the remaining 2% are wildlife reserves or high mountains. 3G is available in almost every town.
Domestic call rates are roughly the same across all services. Prepaid starter kits with SIM card (called starter in Polish) are widely available in reasonable prices (PLN5-20, most of which is available for calls), in most of the shops, supermarkets and news agents.

Just about every shopping centre has at least one independent cellphone shop, the guys who run them are usually knowledgeable and have a range of cheap handsets which you can use as a local / travel phone. This may be a good option since juggling SIM cards is always a pain.

Post

Poczta Polska is the Polish public post service. Post offices are generally open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Some offices are open on Saturday until 2:00pm and the main post offices in major cities are open daily, 24 hours. Services are generally ok, but don't expact it to be fast and it is not always reliable, though most letters, postcards and parcels will arrive at its destinations after a week or two. You can find the red post boxes dotted throughout the country. You can check this postal website to see how much sending a letter, postcard or parcels costs, both domestically as well as internationally. For sending packages internationally, you can also check FedEx, TNT, DHL or UPS, as they have fast and reliable services and generally competitive prices as well.

External Links

• Official Website of Kraków
• Discover Cracow