Today, March 14th 2023, marked the 80th anniversary of the second day of liquidation of the Jewish People who had been forced into the Krakow Ghetto in the previous years, with over 15,000 people being murdered in a short period of time. While Plac Bohaterow Getta has stood as a memorial for all the Jewish…
Tag: airbnb
Love Locks on Bernatka Bridge
Father Bernatek’s Bridge: Kładka Ojca Bernatka Locks of Love have always been present in Krakow- hanging on Kładka Bernatka’s railings ever since the footbridge (that means pedestrian only!) was unveiled in 2010- but with a new acrobatic art display they aren’t they only thing hanging! Every European city has that bridge adorned with locks of…
Public Transportation in Krakow: Using Trams, Busses, and Route Planner Jakdojade
So you’re coming to Krakow and you have no idea how you’re going to get around. While the Old Town and Jewish District are fairly walkable, there are a lot of valuable things to do just outside the city center that you may need a bus or tram for. Or hey, maybe you don’t want…
What to Eat, Where to Eat It, and Where and What to Drink With It
What to Eat in Poland This is our must eat list for Krakow, and covers the basics of Polish cuisine. Most items are easy and cheap to buy at a grocery store and cook at home, but will taste much better from a recommended restaurant. And only buy Zapiekanki from the Plac Nowy in Kazimierz….
Outside the City Limits and Day Trips from Krakow
Want to head out of town for the day? Check out these awesome locations, mostly reachable by bus or train, some easier to get to by car, they will show you another side of Poland, much different from Krakow. (Although I consider Aushcwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines to be day trips, I have included…
Festivals, Traditions, and Holidays
The best way to find out what is going on in Krakow during your stay is to check in with the Krakow Festival Bureau or grab a copy of the Karnet magazine. (For those of you with an Instagram or Facebook, I suggest following the accounts for both those offices, among others, to get a feel…
Wawel Castle Grounds, Cathedral, and Vistula River
Wawel Castle single-handedly draws the most visitors, and for good reason. It’s castle grounds and views from the gardens are amazing, not to mention the tower climb with close-up views of the entire Old Town panoramic. Wawel Castle Grounds: Zamek królewski na Wawelu Walk around the castle grounds for free, or buy a ticket to…
The Synagogues of Kazimierz
Throughout the Jewish district of Kazimierz you will find seven synagogue, each one having its own charm, with some giving Classical Music or Film concerts, and others displaying exhibits of interesting history. Two synagogues still offer active services to the community, Tempel at 24 Miodowa street and Remuh at 40 Szeroka street. A full break-down of information…
Church of St. Francis
Even if you are going through Europe and have had your fill of European churches, because I know I have, St. Francis is a breath of fresh air. Its vibrantly colored walls cannot be done justice by my camera, and so I invite you to go see it for yourself. And if you are a…
Day Trippin: Wieliczka Salt Mines (Kopolnia Soli)
While many think that the salt mines are located in Krakow, they are actually located a town over in Wieliczka. It is easy to get to them, just take the 304 bus from near Galeria Krakowska, or hop on a train from Dworzec Glowny. More detailed information can be found here. Your tour will start…
Kazimierz: The Old and New Jewish Cemeteries
In the Jewish District of Krakow, Kazimierz, you can find many synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. The cemeteries are striking examples of the desturction the Nazis caused in these areas, and how the destruction had been repaired since. During the Holocaust, gravestones were broken and destroyed, taken to be used as stones for pathways or just…
The Polish Countryside
Note: We do not live here anymore, nor do Airbnb. Our home is located in Zielonki, a suburb of Krakow. Our house physicaly lies in Krakow, but the mailing address is in Zielonki, so we have the best of both worlds. We can be in the Old Town by car in 12 minutes, but get to…
Main Attraction: Grodzka Street and the Royal Way
Off of the Main Market Square you will find Ulica Grodzka (Grodzka Street), which if you follow it, will lead you to Wawel Castle. The entire Royal Way can be followed from the Kleparz district, down Florianska Street, into the Main Market Square, and the last leg completed by walking down Grodzka Street, which opens up…
Polish Traditions: The Legend of the Lajkonik
You can see the Lajkonik all over the city, it is on the fabric used to cover some bus and tram seats, its on many brochures, used in logos, it is a true symbol of Krakow. The Lajkonik is a man on a hobby-horse, dressed in fanciful clothing, that is said to bring good luck,…
Day Trippin: Czestochowa, the Czarna Madonna, and Jasna Gora Monostary
To anyone interested in Catholic history, or is a Catholic themself, heading to Czestochowa to the Jasna Gora Monostary from Krakow might be a good idea. The original Czarna Madonna is held here, and the monostary is also an end-point for thousands of people on pilgramages, my mother-in-law included. The actual piece of art is held behind…
Say Hello to the Hejnal
Every hour on the hour, keep your ears open for the Hejnal playing his trumpet from the top of St. Mary’s Church Tower. Legend has it that during a Mongol Invasion in the 1200’s, the Hejnal began playing his trumpet to warn the city, and was shot in the heart. Today if you listen closely,…
Shots and Food and Beer: Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa
Featured on our Royal Snack Route and Best Local Places! Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa has locations all over the city, in the Jewish district on the Plac Nowy, off Florianska Street, and on Szewska Street (both close to the Main Market Square). What will probably first catch your eye are the prices, all drinks are 4zl…
Polish Traditions: Easter Basket and Eggs
If you’re lucky enough to be in Poland for Easter, we suggest joining in some of the traditions, whether you are Catholic or not. Two very unique traditions are the dying of Easter eggs and the blessing of Easter baskets. Go to a local farmer’s market to find all the supplies you will need to put…
The Small Square: Mały Rynek
Just behind St. Mary’s Church in the Main Market Square, sits a smaller square, the Mały Rynek. Here you will often find small festivals during the high tourist season, and on days without festivals you will be able to experience a much quieter square compared to the Main Market. With unique charm and colors, it is…
Off The Beaten Path: Nowa Huta the Communist District
Interested in communist history or architecture? Take a ride out to the former home of communism in Krakow. The Nowa Huta district was completely empty before communism, so it was a clean slate to build upon. Most people expect a dark and desolate place filled with uniform buildings, all in block shapes, but you will…
Day Trippin: The Painted Village of Zalipie
About an hour and a half away from Krakow is the small village of Zalipie, the most well known of the painted villages in Lesser Poland. Each year, Zalipie holds a competition for the best painted house, meaning the houses and yards are always boasting colorful exteriors (and even interiors). It’s easiest to get to…
Tourist Information: Info Krakow
There are tons of tourist information points throughout the city, but Info Krakow is the only official tourist information center sponsored by the city of Krakow, where you can find free information and helpful Krakowians available to book tours for you or point you in the right direction of your destination. They also offer free books about the…
See the City: Krakow’s Free Walking Tours
Full disclosure, I haven’t actually taken one of these tours yet, but I plan to for research purposes. However, a lot of our Airbnb guests have taken these tours, and for the most part said that they enjoyed it. Why I bring them up is because I find their city map and information they give…
Main Attraction: The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)
In the middle of the Main Market Square you will find The Cloth Hall, or in Polish, Sukiennice. The name comes from the middle ages. The Main Square used to be a huge market, separated by the type of products sold and this was where cloth merchants sold their wares. Today, you will find stalls full of…
Strolling About: The Planty
One of our favorite things to do in Krakow is walk along the Planty, sometimes we even run the entire 4k or bike it with friends. It is technically considered a city park, one of the largest in Krakow, but what makes it unique is that it encircles the entire Old Town, Wawel Castle included. Walls protecting…
Best Eats: Gospada Koko
Out of all the restaurants that we can recommend in Krakow, Koko is by far the one we actually visit the most. Anytime someone comes to visit, we take them here. Anytime we have to be in the Main Square for an event, we stop by for a beer and some pierogi. It is full…
Main Attraction: Florianska Street
Florianska Street or Ulica Florianska leads you from the Barbican to the Main Market Square. It is your hub to find some local art or catch a little band play a traditional Polish folk song. Along the Brama Florianska, local artists, and students, hang and sell their work. Along the street are lots of souvenir stores and…
Main Attraction: The Market Square
The Main Market Square or Rynek Główny is the largest medieval square in Europe, and is the heart of the tourist town in Krakow, with both locals and visitors coming together. During any given month, the Main Square is bustling with market stalls and events, with stages often set up for large concerts. (The best way…
Off the Beaten Path: The Mounds of Krakow
There are four mounds (kopiec) around the city, each with its own unique story. Some are said to have Kings buried below them, while others are made of soil carried by citizens from prominent battlegrounds. No matter the legend, they provide breathtaking views of the entire city, each from a different view point, and some…
Cafes by Day, Bars by Night: Alchemia
Alchemia is a great example of the versatility of Krakow’s cafes. Open practically 24 hours, you can stop by in the morning for breakfast, the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up, or hang out all night in the candle-lit dining room drinking beer. In the summer, sit outside along the Plac Nowy, and watch the people…
Flea Markets in Krakow
There are a couple of flea markets in town that are worth stopping by. If you aren’t here on a Sunday, then check the Plac Nowy in Kazimierz, almost any day of the week, for some fun finds (best on Saturday and Sunday). And if you are here on a Sunday, then look no further…
Charlotte: The Best Breakfast in Town
One of the things I hate about Paris, is that to truly enjoy it, to really do Paris right, you have to have a lot of money. One thing you don’t need to experience Krakow is a lot of money. So if you’ve had your fill of pierogis, or are craving a fresh croissant or…
Farmer’s Markets in Krakow
There are a few European style covered markets in the city. Some are closer to the tourist attractions, and our favorite one is located a little further from the Old Town, and closer to the residential neighborhoods. Both Nowy Kleparz and Stary Kleparz are within walking distance of the major tourist attractions, but their prices are higher, and…