Krakow Guide

Great city for sure. Was there several times. I would also recommend Warsaw, Gdansk and Szczecin. Awesome atmosphere, a lot of clubs, friendly people and really a lot to do. Last time I was in Poland was Szczecin in Hotel Dana. One of the "must see" places. Read some about it and go there. Cheers, Einar

My favourite city for a weekend break...! So many pubs and clubs, and lots of things to do.... cheap as well !

An awesome city!

I love Krakow so much that I'm bringing a group of friends with me to celebrate a birthday.

Krakow is a fantastic place. Been there 6 times and going back next week. Prices are fairly cheap for most things and people are generally helpful and friendly. There will always be the dodgy ones in any major tourist destination, just use common sense or you could get scammed, but its really not a major problem there. Another tip, dont hand your passport over to anyone, offer to pay up front for accomodation instead and get a receipt. Just avoid obvious traps and have a great time, I know I will, again.

We will be in Krakow 15th - 22nd Sept 2012. Can anyone suggest things to do other than the advertised tours...we have already been made aware of static balloon, River Rafting, zoo, water park. Soooo excited

myself and three male friends will be visiting Kracow for 5 nights in september, just read a coment about old city appartments trying to rip you off upon departure, i notice this was a comment from old, anyone else had any problems??

I have been to Krakow 15 times and I am going again this week. I love Krakow and the people. I have found them friendly and helpful and polite. I believe you treat people as you want to be treated. I have made some nice friends there and I always stay at the same hotel and they are fantastic. There is plenty to see there and the shopping is great and the prices reasonable. There are some wonderful restaurants. Yes to Krakow amazing city.

DONT GO TO 'HARD CANDY' BAR!! It's in a prime location just off the main square, past Mcdonalds, in a basement, but the mean-looking bouncers on the door tell you all you need to know. 4 of us (2 couples) went in for a drink at about 8pm. There was no-one else inside. Instead of letting you order at the bar they insist you order from the drinks menu at one of the very-badly-lit tables, so you can't even see the prices properly (they even swap the price list once you've ordered). We were lucky that they brought the bill to us before we had even started our drinks, so we got up and refused to pay the ridiculous prices (350 Zloty for 4 drinks!). They told us that as we had seen the menu we had to pay. At this point I knew that I had to get us all our asap, before they alerted the bouncers, but one of the bar girls had already run up the stairs to get the muscle-boys, so the only way out was to push past the bouncers, and shout 'police, police!'. We got out without any violence, but I think it was a close-run thing. If you find yourself in this situation, just shout and swear, go mad at them, threaten the police, and hopefully they will realise you're too much trouble to argue with.

I 100% agree with Brian! I work in a hostel in Kraków and every time the guests want to go out I warn them not to go to the HARD CANDY club. I've many times insisted on this point but there's no respond from the police side. Let's hope that this business will not be long existed. But until then do not go there!!! Best regards from Kraków

Avoid a bar right near the town center in Krakow called HARD CANDY it is a scam where they will charge you for way more drinks than you ordered or overprice the drinks you order. Also the bar is a front for russian mafia and narcotics. Local government and police seem to know but are either paid off or unconcerned about the safety of foreign tourists. I am avoiding the city of Krakow in my future travels so long as "businesses" like Hard Candy are able to openly scam tourists with little concern from the locals. It has been operating and scamming tourists for 10 years (you can research this easily by doing a google search). If you have been scammed by HARD CANDY or other 'businesses' then email complaints to Polish authorities: it@infokrakow.pl AND biuro@kit.krakow.pl, biuro@iph.krakow.pl

Good info but missing some important bits.

Cracow City is one of the most interesting cultural city I have ever visited.This post is really informative,so thank you.

Good job.Really informative.Thanks a lot

I have a homework about Krakow.I agree with Joanne.This website is really useful!!

My husband and I will be visiting Krakow and Warsaw for a week mid December. Your website is very useful. Congratulations!

I Would love to vist parts of poland my grandparants came from different parts like krakow; Warsaw ext. My dads mother came from royalty when she was born dont know much about it . I've been looking on the internet and i came up empty handed

Hallo, Anything and Everything to keep you looking and feeling in TIP-TOP SHAPE. All above i have love at Magia Day Spa. Big Thank You to the staff at Magia Day Spa for a supper service .My skin is sensitive but products were "purer" and kinder to my skin. I would definitely pass your's SZLAK address My first impressions 10 Stars out of 10. I will be back for more .

Hello, i think there is no dire ct bus betweek Auschwitz and wieliczka salt mine/but you may take bus back to bus station from Auschwitz then get on in the next bus to salt mine.

hi, can anyone pls tell me it there is direct transport from auchwitz to the salt mines? thanks

Hi Ralph, that is a good choice to move around in Cracow.You can also contact me if you are looking for comfy accomodation in Cracow center.And if you have time, do take time to go and visit Zakopane, 1 h30 south of Cracow.I may advise you too on accomodation.Get in touch wit me for info.on that.Take Care.Ogrodygorskie-Zakopane

I was in Krakow in March 2010 and planned to go back in September 2010. After a lot of careful consideration my friends and I have decided we can't wait that long and are going back at the end of June. Which still seems a long time away. We stayed in Kazimierz last time and will just just west of the Rynek this time. CK Brew and Smocza Jama are both not to be missed.

I was there September 09, What a wonderful place. The tourist information staff could not help me enough. To the girls at Kazimierz laundry you are fabulous. Food wise take your pick of style & cost. I will definitely return.

Thanks for this guide, can't wait to arrive in Cracow this May. I've heard its beautiful then!

I am afraid for you but I think that was a bad day for you like everyone has sometimes.Some people are rude but very little.About the taxi, i would have advised you to ask the driver(which has to understand you when you ask destination..., in english )how much would be the ride and even to write it down.Then to even call Police if the atmosphere was electric and agressive.May be it was a not legal one.Well, for me , ghe best is to use the tramway and to walk around Cracow to enjoy architecture...Hope you will come back and have a better experience in future.

it is awful...... avoid! u get stroked everywhere you go! I got taken in a taxi to outskirts and ordered to pay money! £50. people r rude rude rude!

Pls dont stay in *ANY TIME HOSTEL* IN KARAKAW , WORS ONE , EXPENSIVE BT DIRTY AND NO KITCHEN FACILITY ETC ETC

There are tons of clubs here. Click on Drink to find them.

what is the party night life there? is there any clubs that are enjoyable?

Elaine. It's not rudeness, per se. People actually are very nice. Of course, there's always a few who aren't. It's just that sometimes people from high-level service economies (USA/UK) aren't used to the type of service here. It's much slower and different. I do appreciate it most of the time, and when I don't, I just ask for what I need. Tipping practices are not regimented here, which means service isn't necessarily tied to whether you're going to leave a tip or not. Best is to just keep in mind that people aren't trying to be rude. The society just isn't the same as you might be accustomed. Give it time, and it may make more sense. If you're only here for a few days, then do what you came for and ask when you need something. Have a great time.

Hi, Im going to Krakow in 3 weeks and have been reading the reviews on restaurants etc. Are the people really so rude ? Im taking my 13yr old son, im just a bit concerned or is it like any other place ? good and bad ? thanks

owena, just click on the "sleep" button, browse places, read the reviews, and find something! or ask on the forum.

this is not a review .. just a question i am travelling 2 krakow n a few weeks but i don't know where 2 stay.. i want 2 b n d heart oof everything... within walkin distance... any suggestions?

visited krakow ,very nice city got back 7th nov after 8days there,lots 2 c and the people r very nice and polite ,would recomend 2 family and friends 2 visit,do go and find out ur self u will b pleased with the site's 2 visit and the city,it's very nice indeed

I participated in a two week seminar for educators in the Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum last July. After a very intense week of lectures and guides there ,( and many wonderful friendships made with the amazing staff of the museum), it was such a pleasure to have a weekend in Krakow to relax and enjoy life a bit and to see the real Poland ... I was very taken by the sheer beauty of the city, it's vibrancy, the friendliness of the people , the wonderful architecture both ancient and new... I enjoyed observing Polish people just enjoying their city.. watching Polish newly- weds leaving the beautiful churches surrounded by family and freinds , families with children and dogs out for a weekend stroll along the river , students milling around in the university... Krakow is a great city for sitting down with a coffee and people watching . The former Jewish quarter, Kazimeriz, was especially touching for me, as both a Jew and a Holocaust educator...praying in the Rema synagogue is a very intense experience, one I recommend to all Jewish visitors. I can't recommend Krakow enough... beautiful, special place, and very close to my heart.

Just returned from krakow and it certainly is a beautiful city with some fantastic people. Yet if you are planning a trip and are looking to book accomodation then please beware of the company 'old city apartments'. They take your passport as an insurance policy. Then when you come to check out hold you to ransom and demand extortionate amounts of money before returning your passports.

Hi Gerry! For simplicity we have ommitted a number of the smaller islands (eg Sicily, Ireland), but following your comments we will do our best to include the Emerald Isle when we next do a major update of the site! Apologies, Mark, www.cracow-life.com

Your review appears fine but your graphics on top of page omits Ireland.

Sorry this is not a review more a question. Does Krakow have Mass said in English on a Sunday morning and at what church. I will be staying at the Senaki 51 Grodzka Street. many thanks for your help Eileen Steele