Krakow - TAT (The Away Today) Score
| Krakow, Poland | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost Per Day (including transportation, lodging, food, activities, etc.) | $66.00 | ||||
| Average Steps Walked per Day | 19,109 | ||||
| Architecture | 5 | ||||
| Food | 4 | ||||
| Walkability | 5 | ||||
| Public Transportation | 4 | ||||
| Activities | 4 | ||||
| Vibe | 5 | ||||
| All Around | 5 | ||||
Krakow, Poland – Eastern Europe’s (Slightly) Hidden Gem
As I headed to Krakow, Poland, I couldn’t get the Prague Hostel receptionist out of my head. I didn’t want to be in Prague any longer, so I checked out of my hostel early. “Oh, you know you still have another day booked here, right? Where are you going?” The receptionist asked. “Yes, I know, but I want to leave. I’m headed to Krakow now.” I tried to politely respond. “Well, everyone says Krakow is just a smaller Prague, so you probably won’t like it there either,” was his response.
However, getting to my hostel in Krakow felt like a breath of fresh air. The weather was turning around – mild and sunny. The new hostel I found on Hostel World, Atlantis, had beautiful views and a fun bar downstairs. There were Mom & Pop pierogi shops across the tram tracks and cafes down the street. Once I got settled in, I walked over to the famous square. There were tourists there, no doubt, but nowhere near as crowded as Prague. The buildings were so colorful, I couldn’t stop taking pictures. I grabbed a water and an ice cream and journeyed across the bridge over to the breathtaking cathedral. Something about this city had captivated me.
So, why Krakow?
When people ask me why I liked Krakow so much, I try to pinpoint it, but I think in reality it’s what I thought Prague & Budapest were like. History, the growth from no longer being under a communist regime, happy locals, and lower tourism than the Western Europe counterparts like France & Italy.
If you’re heading to Krakow soon, here are my recommendations so that hopefully you can love it as much as I did!
Enjoy a stroll over the Bernatek Footbridge
Talk about a unique bridge! These figurines are incredible. I definitely still don’t understand how they’re balanced so well on the cables, I stood there staring at them for quite a bit (don’t tell my engineering job). Breathtaking views of the city and love locks adorn all sides of the this bridge. It’s a must do!
Eat All the Pierogis
Mashed potatoes with cheese and garlic stuffed in pasta – have you ever heard of something better?! I got this delicious plate of ~ten pierogis for about $2 – how can you beat that? I’m unsure what country pierogis actually originated in, but I always think of Poland. There were shops all over the city, definitely try some out!
Auschwitz Concentration Camp Tour
When I was first on the tour, I felt a bit strange – like it wasn’t my place to be at such an incredibly grim bit of history. The early 1940s really weren’t that long ago and it almost felt like a spectacle touring the old concentration group with hundreds of other tourists. At the end of the tour, our tour guide reminded us that the first tour guides of Auschwitz were some of the survivors of the camp. They wanted people to see what they’d been through so that it never happened again.
It was then that I appreciated the opportunity to tour Auschwitz & Auschwitz-Birkenau. There was so much hatred and evil there. It’s a dark reminder to never let anything like the Nazi regime to ever happen again.
Experience Krakow’s Night Life
I met some locals and tourists, went to a beer garden, a local bar, and then stayed out at a Dance Club until 4:30am on my first night here. By the time I walked home, the sun was coming up. It’s just such a blast! There’s such a fun vibe here.
Walking Tour
As always, I suggest a walking tour. Google walking tours in Krakow, and you’ll find anything you’re looking for. An old town tour, a Jewish Quarter tour, a WWII tour, a street art tour – there’s something for everybody.
Walk Over to St. Joseph’s Church
Take a stroll from the Old Town, over the Bernatek Footbridge, over to the breathtaking St. Joseph’s Church. This is by far one of the most unique and gorgeous churches I encountered in Europe. Shockingly, there were only about five other people there! I stayed for about an hour in the middle of the day. I’m not sure why it’s not super popular, but it was lovely to sit, relax, and enjoy the view here.
Witness the Trumpet Call at Saint Mary’s Church
Every hour, on the hour, a trumpet player appears at the window of the higher tower at Saint Mary’s Church. They play the same tune every time, and move to each side of the tower. The tune ends quite abruptly. Apparently this is due to the fact that the original trumpeter was shot in the throat. Krakow was being ambushed and he was trying to play the alarm, but couldn’t finish the call. You can learn more about the history of this here!
Walk the city at night
I walked around Krakow by myself every night I was there and never felt unsafe. It’s a very lively city, with locals and tourists walking around all the time. It’s also well lit – some of most serene sights I saw in Krakow were at night. The gorgeous architecture gets lit up and has a special romantic feeling.
I completely fell in love with Krakow when I was there – was it because I had no expectations? Perhaps it was the great weather and colorful buildings? Maybe it was the cheap and delicious food? It could even have been my crazy night out returning home with the sunrise 😉 Check out the other cities that captivated me in Eastern & Central Europe – like Budapest, Bratislava, & Bucharest. (Who knew I liked cities that started with “B” so much?!)
