Krakow, Poland has really come up in the last few years. It lays 4 hours south of the capital of Poland, Warsaw, by car, and is actually very close to the Czech Republic border. This stunning university town has the bustling feeling of a big city but without the stress. The city center has been revamped and older parts of the city have been transformed into lively businesses that attract crowds from all over the world. Krakow has this intimate feeling about it without feeling like a small city, and with it being an incredibly affordable place to visit, you should definitely put it on your list.
What to Do
Krakow’s main square was actually built in the 13th century and is one of the largest Medieval town squares in Europe. The beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets are perfect for walking around and snapping photos. There are also tons of bars and restaurants around to enjoy the gorgeous and colorful views.
Just an hour away from Krakow are the concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau. Although it is a solemn way to spend a holiday, living a part of history so heinous and unthinkable is the most beneficial way to learn from it so it never happens again. If you don’t want to spend the money on an organized tour, you can simply by tickets to the camps on the website and get a bus from one of the bus stations for a few dollars each way.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is another must-see attraction in the city. It is the old factory building where Schindler employed Jews doing the Holocaust saving more than 1,000 Polish Jews lives, also the plot for the Steven Speilberg movie Schindler’s List. The factory is now actually two museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, along with part of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow.
What to Eat
Krakow has some really delicious authentic food like pierogis as you would expect. The best place to get them in the city is Zapiecek, a restaurant famous for their amazing dumplings, along with other traditional Polish fares. Some of the best pierogis are ones with mushrooms in them because Poland is famous for the mushrooms that are naturally occurring all around the country.
Krakow also has many modern Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine restaurants all around the city, but especially in the historically Jewish neighborhood called Kazmierz, which is now one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. One of the best restaurants is called Hevre, which is housed in an old synagogue. You can still see many Jewish symbols, Hebrew prayers and words on the walls, and the atmosphere is very eclectic and exciting.
Where to Go Out
Krakow has an amazing nightlife scene. If you want to go to a cool bar and restaurant upstairs but an underground club below, check out Alchemia. Just around the corner from it are also tons of beer houses, bars, and especially specialized vodka bars that make unique types of shooters.
