Krakow KIT in - Travellers Inn hostel Krakow

travellers
inn
hostel
kraków
Here we have collected our pick of good places to eat, go
out and some others. Check out the online version of the
Krakók Kit for an interactive map with more information
than we have the space to include here. For still more, visit
www.cracow-life.com. The free City Spy Maps availble
in the hostel are also a good resource. Happy exploring!
Momo- Dishes are all vegetarian, organic, and often vegan too. Indian /
Korean / etc. inspired fusion food. Animals are welcomed (to visit). Flyers for
yoga classes / animal activism / acupuncture / regression therapy, etc. on
walls. (Address: Dietla 49. No.
[B3] on map, open 11-20:00).
Kompania Kuflowa Pod Wawelem- Might seem „Bavarian” but influence
Cheap and good, most of these restaurants are self-service (samoobsługowy
is rather Galicyjska or Austria-hungarian. Krakow was part of their imperium
in Polish). Most are open until around 20:00 or 21:00, and many of them
after all. Plump smiling men play accordions sometimes, and tables full of red-
close earlier on Sundays.
cheeked people happily clink big glasses of beer together. You can have dishes
which are still on fire brought to your table. Good fried pierogi. A hearty good
Polakowski– Good solid Polish food, sort of villiage nostalgia decor. Very
time with mechanically friendly waiters and free shots of Wisniówka (Polish
popular, so it might be difficult to get a table during typical lunch or dinner
cherry vodka) at the end of the meal. If you go away hungry or sober, then the
hours. If you are vexed by no English menus or awkward translations, try this
restaurant has failed to do it’s job. Find it in the Planty (small park that runs
place because you can see the food in glass cases before you order. They have
around the centre of the city) attached to the Hotel Pod Wawelem. (Address:
particularly good soups. Close to the Main Square. (Address: Dominikański
ul. Św. Gertrudy 26-29, No.
6. No.
[A2] on map, open 09-10:00). Also consider Kuchnia u Doroty in
Kazimierz (on Augustiańska 4. No.
[B2] on map. Open everyday from 06:30-
24:00)
[B3] on the map, open 10-21:00) for
more hearty home-style polish food.
Chimera- The oldest salad bar in the city. Ground level: open-in-all-weather
glass-covered courtyard. They serve a great variety of salads and hot vegetarian
Milk Bars- Bar Mleczny in polish. It is like a voice from the past. In PRL
dishes. Downstairs: a nice cellar with meat dishes available, more expensive
(Communist Poland) there were many places like this, serving fast and cheap
fare. Bizarre animal / Victorian human creatures for decoration. Children’s
meals for workers, students, elderly and so on. The food is defiantly not
theatre every Sunday at 12 from September till May. (Find them at Św. Anny
sophisticated but tasty and very, very cheap. Worth visiting before the species
3, No.
[A1] on map. Open 10-23:00).
goes extinct. Ask hostel staff for other locations since there are many good ones
around town. The most presentable is Pod Temidą, which has english on the
Dong-A- Nominally Chinese food. The duck is crispy and delicious, and their
menu, longer opening hours, and serves meat which is entirely trustworthy.
sizzling fried eel is ...... absolutely amazing. A very small place, so don’t bring
(Address: Grodzka 43. No.
a crowd. Large portions and low prices. It may not look that great from the
[B2] on map, open 09-21:00). For another of
this kind but less accessable try U Pani Stasi (on Mikołajska 16, through the
street but you won’t regret a visit. (Where: Miodowa 7 in Kazimierz. No.
cortyard. No.
[B3] on map. Open Monday-Saturday 10-21:00, Sunday 11-20:00).
[B1] on the map, open 12-17:00 Monday through Friday). Or,
finally, Flisak, for a more extreme experience close to the hostel (at Kościuszki
1, in front of Jubilat, located just off the map. open 09-20.00 on weekdays, 0919:00 on Saturdays and closed on Sundays).
Napnap Café- A place for a quick sandwich or breakfast coffee and fresh
citizens of the world flap their newspapers as they prepare for their day. Or you
croissant. Tiny, slightly upscape, but very casual and right around the block
can drink locally-brewed beer (even a dark variety) at night. The kind of place
from the hostel. Fresh, simple, and high quality. (Address: Zwierzyniecka 4,
where many people find themselves a „regular,” all times of day. (Address:
No.
Stolarska no.6. No.
[A2] on map. Open weekdays 07-19:00 and weekends 09:00-18:00.)
[B1] on map)
Zapiecek- pierogi + a few other Polish staples. What’s remarkable about the
Dynia- Means „Pumpkin” in Polish. Good for breakfast, with pasta dishes
place is that it’s open all night, if you’re near the Main Square and you’re
and other entrees plus cocktails available later in the day. Sit in their grand,
craving a place to sit down inside and have some good food that’s not a kebab
crumbling courtyard in warm weather. (Located on Krupnicza 20, just slightly
or zapiekanka. (Address: Sławkowska 32. No.
[B1] on map. Open 24 hours.)
to the west of the map, No.
[1A]. Open 08:30-20:00 daily). Or pop next
door to Cafe Meho, for probably the best garden breakfast experience in
Koko- Another of those rare places open very late, but closer to the hostel and
Kraków. It’s attached to the Józef Mehoffer muzeum, and the garden is perfectly
with a more expansive menu. Fried meats, pierogi with good things in them,
manicured and includes roses and fruit trees. (Also on Krupnicza, 26, about 50
filling soups. And beer. Fast, cheap and crowded, courtyard open in warmer
m. down the street to the east of Dynia. Open from 09-22.00).
months. (Find them on Gołębia 8. It’s No.
[A2] on the map. They’re open
from 08–03:00 daily).
And now a few slightly more upscale suggestions. Most of these next aren’t
self-service like the places listed above, but they still aren’t too expensive.
Kiełbasa guys- For ten years now every night (except Sundays) 2 guys sell
home-made grilled kiełbasa (sausage) from their big round blue van, parked
Marchewka z Groszkiem- The name means „The Carrot and Pea.” Traditional
next to Hala Targowa. Wobbling table, paper plates, sparkling lemonade and
Polish food with original embellishments. Try their fresh blended carrot-and-
kiełbasa. Very good and very famous kiełbasa. (Where: Hala Targowa, No.
fruit juices, pierogi with spinach, or meaty creations with ocypek (sheep’s
[C2] on map), open from 21:00-3:00
cheese). They also have a good selection of Ukrainian beers which which
you can have hot in winter with cinnamon, cloves and crushed ginger added.
A note about night food: Around the Main Square, kebabs are
(Located on Mostowa 2, No.
[B4] on map, open 09-22:00).
dominant. Near Kazimierz, centred around Plac Nowy instead try
a zapiekanka. This is a big sliced baguette with mushrooms and
Trufla- Some of their dishes are Italian-inspired, but escaping the forgettable
cheese melted, plus other ingredients of your choice. Strangely
cliché of other Kraków Italian offerings. Spinach gnocchi is excellent ... and
delicious, and easy to desire after a few beers.
they have a salad with tender slices of duck on it, if you need more duck in
your life. Good soups and quietly extravagent desserts as well. (Tomasza 2,
Pierwszy lokal na Stolarskiej po lewej stronie idąc od Małego Rynku-
No.
The long name means „the first place on Stolarska street on the left side
Karma- A vegetarian place which you may quickly forget is vegetatian. They
coming from the direction of Mały Rynek,” which it where it is. They offer cheap
invent new dishes daily—their menu is never the same. Curries, quiches, cakes
tasty breakfast sandwiches from 08:00 and you can watch the responsible
and delicious home-rosted coffee. (Krupnicza 12, No.
[A1] on the map, open weekdays 09-23:00 and weekends 10-23:00).
[1A] on our map.
Open Mon.-Fri. 09-19:00, Sat.-Sun. 11-19:00). Across the street find Tektura,
to details to ensure a refined dining experience. Eat outside in the garden if it’s
which is more of a coffee place but has some breakfast and snack options.
not too cold. (Address: ul. Św. Gertrudy 5 — go in through the courtyard and
Specilizing in fresh original juices created with their industrial-strength blender,
find the sign. No.
[B2] on map. Open 13-24:00 daily.)
into which they throw all sorts of fruit and vegetable matter. (Krupnicza 7,
Restaurant at the Hotel Francuski- If you go during „espresso lunch”
open weekends 08-22:00, Saturdays 09-22:00 and Sundays 09-20:00).
hours (from 12-16:00 weekdays) you can get the daily changing menu for 20
Burgury- Kraków has recently decided that burgers are the thing to have.
PLN. This is a very good deal. The food is smartly-prepared, and serving is a
Places like Love Krove in Kazimierz (Brzozowa 17, No.
[B3], open Mon.-
spectacle. They bring out your cutlet on a little wooden frying-station, and 3 or
Thurs. 11-22:30, Fri.-Sat. 11-23:30 and Sun. 11-22:30), the Burgertata
4 waiters attend you at the same time. One sprinkles dill on your potatoes, one
van (parked in the coutyard at Krupnicza 6, No.
delivers the soup, one straightens the napkin. (ul. Pijarska 13. No.
[A1] on the map, open
Mon.-Sat. 12-22:00, Sun.12-18:00) and New Zealand-themed Moa Burger
(ul. Mikolajska 3, No.
[B1] on
map. Open from 12-16:00 and 18-22:00.)
[B1] on map, Open Mon.- Sat. 11:23:00 and Sun.
12-21:00) have all sprung up recently like meaty mushrooms. Each offers a
Hamsa- Modern Israeli food of the light and fresh approach. „Hummous &
wide variety of condiment schemes to dress your burger, and they all take
happiness.” Elegant salads, slowly-cooked spiced meats, and other Middle
pride in their crispy fried potatoes. And they all think of themselves as gourmet
Eastern delights. (in Kazimierz on Szeroka 2. No.
experiences with fresh ingredients. Most of these places are „warsaw style” in
08-02:00!). And speaking of hummus, check out Amamamusi which is a tiny
their decor (except the van, which is a van) which means a graffiti-inspired
hummous house also in Kazimierz. Hummous is made in front of you and you’ll
artistic aesthetic, clean white walls, clean wooden tables, and indie hip-hop
feel like you’ve stepped into a friend’s kitchen. They don’t serve much else,
playing on their stereos. Onward! Forward! Toward a fat future filled with
but you can eat there or take away. (Also in Kazimierz, on ul. Augustiańska 3,
burgers!
No.
Balaton- Founded in 1969, it’s a Hungarian-themed place which serves the
If you are looking for something more upscale — places where they won’t look
best potato pancakes (placki) with gulasz in town. Small with low vaulted
confused if you ask for the wine list — here are some of our favorites:
[C3] on map. Open from
[B3] on map. Open 9-10.00 and 14-19.00 Monday through Saturday.)
ceilings and a certain antique elegance and if you squint your eyes a little bit
you could imagine it is still 1983 inside. (Located at Grodzka 37, No.
[2B]
on the map, open 9-22.00.)
Aperatif- They have a Polish section of their menu and also a section with
more continentially fused cuisine. Meat and seafood dishes a speciality, and
also a 99Zł. „tasting menu” for lunch which changes daily and offers lots of
Klimaty Południa- Name means „The Southern Climate.” The food is more
exciting variety. You might need a reservation during the evening. (On ul.
French or Italian than Polish. If you have their „lunch menu” you’ll get a very
Sienna 9, No.
good meal plus a glass of compatible wine for around 25 Zł., which would
probably cost around 3 times as much elsewhere. They give special attention
on our map [B2]. Open 12-23.)
Ariel- One of the many jewish restaurants in Kazimiers. Heavy and lavishlystewed foods served in a fancy / cozy and somewhat grandmotherly interior.
(Find them on ul. Szeroka 18, No.
[C3] on our map. Open from 10-24.00.)
Samui- Excellent Thai place close to the hostel. Sit on pillows on their wooden
floors around low tables. (On ul. Wiślna 10. No.
[A2] on our map. Open
12-22:00.)
Kraków has far too many cafes / pubs / dance clubs to list here. Get out into the
Zdybanka- Ukrainian. Their name means an unexpected but pleasant
meeting. Meats, soups, and hard-to-find Ukrainian vodka to help you digest.
(Szczepańska 3, No.
[A1] on the map. Open 11-23.00.)
Zazie- Veal, souffles, sweetmeats, foie gras, escargot, and other french
specialties. On the menu you can read things like „wrapped in filo-pastry,”
„braised,” and „demi-glazed.” Decadent and satisfying. (In Kazimierz — Józefa
25. No.
[B3] on map. Open Mon.-Thurs. 12-23.00 and Fri.-Sun.12-00.00.)
Indus Tandoor- Shy and grumpy staff, and the best Indian food I know of in
Kraków. Semi-expensive for here but still very reasonable if you think in Euros
or Pounds. (Address: Sławkowska 13-15. No.
[1A] on map. Open Sun.-
Thurs. 12-22.00, Fri., and Sat.12-24.00.
Yellow Dog- They call themselves an „Asian eatery” and offer their takes
on Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian recipes. Fresh, stylish and innovative.
Strangely upsetting name, but great food. (Located on ul. Krupnicza 9. No.
[A1] on the map. Open Mon.-Sat.12-22:00 and Sun.12-21:00.)
city and explore! As a general rule, go toward the city centre for dance clubs
and toward Kazimierz for places to sit. Pubs and cafés tend to blend together,
and you will bring no shame on yourself by ordering a beer at 10.00 in the
morning or a tea at 11:00 at night. Many places have a separate smoking area
indoors ... and bars and clubs sometimes ignore the smoking ban altogether.
Spokój- Colourful lived-in decor, eclectic music, friendly staff. Sometimes people
spontaneously break out dancing (though it’s a sit-down place). Play Scrabble
here, or try to find the hidden shower upstairs. If you walk out on the balcony
you’ll find Cisza, their sister establishment, which is quite similar. (Address:
Bracka 3/5 in the courtyard at the back left and up the stairs. No.
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE
/ CAFE / BAR / RELAXED /
ECLECTIC
[A2])
/ SOMETIMES HIGH-ENERGY / QUIET DURING DAY
Pauza- Sophisticated but casual atmosphere. Rotating art exhibit on walls.
Dark and lively. They sometimes show movies on the floor above, which also
has a gallery. Downstairs there’s a space to dance in the cellar. Check www.
pauza.pl for events calendar. Address: Floriańska 18 (No.
[B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / ART EXHIBITS / FIREPLACE IN WINTER
Singer- The first night drinking spot in Kazimierz. Small (but usually packed
with people at night) dark, with old wallpaper and carefully-chosen music.
Tables made from old sewing machines, hence the name. If it’s late enough
people inevitably end up dancing on these tables. (Address: Estery 20 No.
[B3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ
/ CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / HIGH-ENERGY LATE AT NIGHT
Piękny Pies- Kraków’s beloved „Beautiful Dog” in it’s 3rd incarnation. Find a
Wódka- No beer on tap, only in bottles — they specialize instead in delicious
variety of styles and ages in this place ... with occasional live shows from local
flavoured vodkas. Get a shot of the vodka of the day, often homemade and
and nonlocal bands. In Kazimierz, ul.Bożego Ciała 9. No.
unique. Quiet nooks to hide in. Address: ul. Mikołajska 5 (No.
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ
[B3]on our map.)
map)TAGS:
/ CAFE / BAR / ECLECTIC / DANCEFLOOR / OCCASIONAL GIGS
MAIN SQUARE
[B1] on
/ CAFE / BAR / SMALL & RELAXED / COZY & INTIMATE /
Rozrywki 3– eclectic venue; a high-energy environment to mix and
Bunkier Sztuki Cafe- Attached to „The Art Bunker” gallery, this is an open-air
drink, and sometimes hosts interesting DJs and bands downstairs in the
café on the side (coverd with transparent sheeting in winter) affording a good
cellar. Named for the address of the Kraków police’s “drunk tank,” which is
view of the eastern side of Planty park. Very good coffee. Also beer, vodka and
located far north of the old town. We don’t recommend a visit to the actual
sophisticated snacks. Address: Plac Szczepański 3A (No.
drunk tank, by the way. Address: ul. Mikołajska 3 (No.
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / HORS D’OEVRES / ART EXHIBITS IN ATTACHED ART GALLERY
TAGS: NEAR MAIN SQUARE / DANCING
[B1] on map)
[A1] on map)
/ BAR / ECLECTIC / FUNKY / LIVE MUSIC SOMETIMES
FORUM Przestrzenie- drinks and burger bar in the old lobby of an abandoned
Diva Club- A cellar dance club that aspires to class with shiny black
concrete hotel. Large and open, repurposed post-industrial decor. Sit outside
surfaces, alcohol-branded displays, and harsh LED lights stabbing through
in nice weather to enjoy the view. Very different feel to most places in Krakow.
the darkness into your eyeballs. Discoballs, heavy beats without pause
(Marii Konopnickiej 28, right by the river, No.
or mercy. Bouncers outside appraise your shoes from behind velvet
24.00.)
[A4] on map. Open 10-
TAGS: FURTHER AFIELD / DRINKS / BURGERS / LOW-KEY HIP-HOP / WARSAW STYLE
ropes. It’s often not free to get in. Despite all of this, people seem to
really love this place. (Address: Św. Tomasza 20. No.
TAGS: NEAR MAIN SQUARE
[B1] on map)
/ DANCE CLUB / BAR / DOOR SELECTION / ERASMUS PARTIES
The Irish Mbassy- (Irish Pub). Home to lots of „ex-pat” UK and American
dudes. Hosts pub quiz Thursday evening. Watch football matches here. Try
heavy bar treats (wings, steak) or Irish breakfast. (On ul. Stolarska 3. No.
Bomba- Duting the day get coffee or a nice soup. At night have shots of vodka with
[B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE
/ BAR + FOOD / FOREIGNER HANG-OUT / WATCH FOOTBALL
fresh lemon squeezed in and admire the snazzy asymetrical haircuts of everyone
around you. Lots of artists. (On Plac Szczepański 2 — No.
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE
/ CAFE / BAR /
[A1] on our map.)
Harris Jazz Bar- venerable old favorite on the Main Square. Live jazz concerts many
nights of the week. Some free, some not. (Rynek Główny 28 . No.
FOOD
[A1] on map.)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / LIVE JAZZ / BAR / JAM SESSIONS
Jazz Rock Cafe- One of the oldest in Kraków, rather rock than jazz, sometimes
death metal. Regulars tend to wear a lot of black, are in their early 20s, attend
DeCafencja- Witek says: “At own peril. Possibility of darts with bartender, smoke
a technical university of some kind, and are very serious about having a good
with bartender, beers with bartender, followed by darts, smoke and beers with
time. See lots of people singing along on the dance floor to Polish rock songs
everyone. Cheer when people are cheering about something happening on the screen.
from the 90s. With a non-dancing room for refuelling. (ul. Sławkowska 12,
Reciprocate stares but with reasonable degree of intensity. Expect a man pondering
No.
pros and cons of introducing National Socialism in Poland to make an appearance at
[A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE
/ DANCE CLUB / BAR / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT
some point.” (Slawkowska 4 — No.
[A1] on our map.) CHEAPEST BEER ON MAIN SQUARE
Kawiarnia Naukowa- Charmingly filthy and stinky dive bar. No science,
Czuły Barbarzyńca- their name means „Tender Barbarian.” Home of polish
and it’s not a coffee bar (despite the name). Often hosts weird interesting
books and culture, and good coffee. Just under Wawel, stop in for a drink
and LOUD bands from far away. (Jakuba 29. No.
under their bright skylights during your walk aroud the castle. (On Powiśle 11,
[B3] on our map.)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / LIVE MUSIC / SMALL & DARK / DEATH METAL
No.
[3A]. Open Mon.-Thu. 10-19:00, Fri.-Sat.10-21:00 and Sun.10-19:00.)
Ambasada śledzia- The „Herring Embassy.” A small place where you’re
Poster Gallery- Polish theatre and film posters, old and new, with a distinctive
bound to bump into someone interesging, it’s so crowded. They have very
illustration style. It’s also the best place to by postcards with weird and
cheap beer and cheap shots, so it’s good for a „biforka” before the party
wonderful Polish poster images, escaping the cliches. (Address: Stolarska
or an „afterka” after the party. AND they have polish drinking snacks
8-10. No.
[B2] on map.)
including herring in various flavors which is much more delicious than it
might sound to the unititiated. (ul. Stolarska 8, No.
[2B] on our map.)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CHEAP BEER AND VODKA / CROWDED & ENERGETIC / POLISH BAR SNACKS
Małoposki Ogród Sztuki- Library, cinema, performance space, and bar
together in one of Kraków’s rare beautiful NEW buildings. Arts festivals often
and concerts. (On ul. Rajska 12, just off the map but only about a 10 minute
Mostowa Art Café, Kładka, Etc.- There are lots of pleasant cafés close
walk from the hostel. Check www.mos.art.pl for events. Open 10-19:00 or
together on Mostowa, the street which leads to the new footbridge to Podgórze.
later if there’s a performance that night.)
Kładka has an Open Mike Night sometimes on Sundays. (Address: Mostowa 1,
etc. No.
[B4] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / CAFE / BAR / GALLERY
Manghha- Japanese cultural centre in a flowing building with architecture
which mirrors the river. Changing exhibits and a tea/sushi bar with a nice view
of Wawel river and Wisła castle. Performance space downstairs. (Located on
ul. M. Konopnickiej 26, No.
[A4] on map. Check manggha.pl for events.
Open 10-18:00.)
Flea market on Hala Targowa– Every Sunday, from early morning peculiar
people sell peculiar objects, from trash to antiques to, well, absolutely anything.
Massolit books- Great variety of (inexpensive) books used and new, mostly
Get a working Soviet LOMO camera for 5 PLN, or maybe a pineapple, slightly
in English. Good coffee and cakes. Very cosy, very charming. Children’s events
used, or a painting of the virgin Mary, or a bag of live baby rabbits. From
on Sunday mornings, other happenings as announced. They serve wine, but
Monday to Saturday they have a vegetable and fruit market plus you can buy
they close at 8:00 pm at the latest. Search for book titles and check availability
underwear and dubious watches. Where: Hala Targowa (No.
[C2] on map)
on their website before you visit: www.massolit.com. (Address: Felicjanek 4.
No.
[A2] on map. Open Sun.-Thurs. 10-22:00, Fri.-Sat.10-21:00.)
Flea market on Plac Nowy- every Sunday, from early morning. From Mon. to
Sat. they sell fruits and veggies, and books and clothes from time to time. On
Sundays there’s more flea market-ish stuff. (Where: PL. NOWY [B3] on map)
Nowa Huta- The district built along and around the biggest steelworks in
Poland in the early 1950s. Planed as an ideal city, providing friendly and decent
environment for labour. Designed as a clear symbol of Poland’s happy march
towards socialism, it paradoxically later became an area where strong opposition
to the communist regime fermented. The district has complex history and
identity, interesting architecture and a strange charm. Social surveys show that
its inhabitants, including young people, have a stronger attachment to their
district than anywhere else in Kraków and the biggest pride. Recently this has
Podgórze– A district on the south banks of Wisła, just behind Kazimierz, a
resulted in many communal/cultural actions focused mostly around Łaźnia, a
20-30 min. walk from Main Square, from Kazimierz of course less. It has many
cultural hot spot in a former factory. This place has a very interesting interior,
wonders: beautiful buildings, old factories (which soon become penthouses
and is host to impressive cultural actions and programme. They have a nice
or in better scenario museums), remains of Austrian fortifications, beautiful
bar which we highly recommended for something a little different. Also check
churches (one is among the oldest in Kraków), artificial mound (kopiec in Polish)
out Stylowa, the most elegant restaurant in Nowa Huta, good food, enjoyable
form 7th century with great view of the old town, a huge quarry in the central
dance evenings, atmosphere goes back to 50s and 60s. Find both of these
part and moon-like landscape, beautiful parks and nature reserves. Also bars,
places (off the map) on the online version of our Kraków Kit.
cafes and concert venues are propagating. Eventually Podgórze became the
location of the Jewish ghetto during WWII and concentration camp. To learn
For sure Nowa Huta is not as easy to visit and admire as the shiny and beautiful
more about Jews & culture also holocaust in Kraków visit Żydowskie Muzeum
Main Square. As a matter of fact it is quite opposite, Nowa Huta requires some
Galicja, the Jewish Galicia Museum (in Kazimierz on ul. Dajwór 18, No.
time, so a tour is a good idea to give some historical and cultural background.
[C3] on map, online at www.galiciajewishmuseum.org). They organise
There are many good tour companies eager to show you around Nowa Huta or
seminars, exhibitions, concerts and tours, and have maps where Jewish traces
Kraków, such as
are clearly marked for walking around Kazimierz and Podgórze. Also visit the
or the famous and popular and „zany” www.crazyguides.com, comparatively
Oskar Schindler Factory, made famous by the Stephen Spielberg movie
expensive at between 100 and 200 PLN. For the old town and Kazimierz,
and now home to the Occupation Museum (free on Mondays!) and MOCAK
Consider a bike tour and see a lot more in a shorter time, for example with
modern art museum (free on Tuesdays!) both with nice cafes. Check www.
www.krakowbiketour.com. There are also many free walking tours available,
mhk.pl/branches/oskar-schindlers-factory for details. Follow the arrow
for example at freewalkingtour.com. Despite being free (though they give
from No.
you the opportinuty to tip at the end) they are good.
or after you could stop off at Jadłodajnia Wczoraj i Dziś (Plac Bohaterów
[C4] — it’s just off the map but there are signs to follow. Before
Getta 10, No.
[4C] on the map. Open 10-18 weekdays, closed weekends)
for a not-to-expensive but hot and tasty Polish meal with friendly attention.
On the walk from here to the Schindler Factory complex you will pass through
AUSCHWITZWIELICZKA, a peculiar concrete tunnel which confronts in
conceptrual art fashion the two “must see” “tourist destinations” of Kraków.
There is new growth and life in Podgórze since the footbridge opened, for
unless you are already a Holocause expert. Individual tourists can join a group
example see the Drukarnia pub, Cava and the elegant but not-too-expensive
with an English speaking guide, leaving regularly about four times a day. Check
Zakładka restaurant, as soon as you cross the bridge. Or Asian eatery Kura.
their website for seasonal details. Tours last 4 hours and the price is 40 PLN
There is also Kraków’s first co-working space //WYTWÓRNIA// where for a
(reduced fee: 30 PLN) per person and includes also a shuttle bus to Birkenau
small fee you can endlessly use superfast internet, photographic darkroom,
and a short documentary film. Additional groups may be organised if there is
wood router and saws, bike repair tools, participate in other projects if you
such demand. For more information, also prices for organised groups, and for
want and contribute to the general inclusive collaborative spirit of the place.
tours in languages other then English, check online: www.auschwitz.org.pl
Also, when in Podgórze, don’t forget to visit the unique deer with one head and
two bodies which watches over the square at the beautiful Rynek Podgórski.
To get there take bus from main bus station (just behind main train station).
Buses are very frequent (several every hour) and stop at the gates of museum.
Their destination is Oświęcim (polish name of Auschwitz), so look for bus with
board saying Oświęcim or Oświęcim Muzeum. When you enter the building of
bus station, on your left will be information board with departures (odjazdy).
Besides departure hours and destination, there is information about position
i.e. 12, 13 .. and upper or lower platform: G-means upper, D-lower. Buy the
ticket from the bus driver, since people at the ticket office upstairs can be a
little hostile.
Salt mines in Wieliczka- tickets: normal 63 pln, reduced 48 pln (children from
4 to 15 years old, students under 25 ) and for children under 4 — admission
is free. You can take city bus 304 from the Piłsudskiego stop (No.
[A2] on
our map) close to the hostel. Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli is your stop. The journey
takes no more than 30 minutes and the tour should last perhaps 2 hours.
Auschwitz, how to visit?- There are several companies offering tours from
Kraków to Auschwitz and back. The price is 105-130 PLN per person. We
consider this quite expensive, however, and encourage people to visit Auschwitz
Kalwarnia Zebrzydowska- A
little town 1 hour away from Kraków to
the southwest. Spectacular sanctuary and Franciscan monastery,
beautiful
landscape with many walking paths amongst chapels and other places of
worship relating to the Passion of Jesus Christ. Great place to check what
polish Catholicism is especially (but not only) on Sundays, Holy Week and
August of 15th. To get there: from main bus station (check description for
Auschwitz), frequent buses to Cieszyn, Wadowice, most to Bielsko Biała go and
stop in Kalwaria.
on their own, which is not difficult. So we can tell you how to get there by bus
Lanckorona- small village, however sometime in past was a town, very close
or help you book one of these package tours if you ask us at reception.
to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Situated on a hill, simply beautiful place, nice, old,
wooden houses, ruins of castle. Good for a lazy, slow afternoon. You can visit
There is no entrance fee to Auschwitz, however services of guides are paid.
www.lanckorona.pl for more information. To get there catch the mini-bus to
If you go, you really need someone to show you around and explain things
Lanckorona from Jubilat.
otherwise you are missing most of the experience and meaning of the place