Krakow in October

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Any suggestions for where to stay and things to do in Krakow in October?
We’ll be staying 3 night and a trip to Auschwitz is top of the list - suggestions for a group or private tour would be helpful.
Thanks

[pavarotti1980]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Any suggestions for where to stay and things to do in Krakow in October?
We’ll be staying 3 night and a trip to Auschwitz is top of the list - suggestions for a group or private tour would be helpful.
Thanks

We have done multiple trips to Krakow and just returned from a week there on Friday. Great quirky city and loads to do

First up is to decide which area you would like to stay in. In the Old Town (Market Square) or Jewish District (Kazimierz). There is probably a good 15/20 minutes walk between the two districts so may be worth looking at both. Other option is to pick somewhere in the middle and there are a few options worth considering. I did a list of hotels for a colleague last year which may be of some use. In addition we just stopped at the H11 Aparthotel last week and Queen Boutique Hotel previously and these were fantastic for location and the rooms as well

Old town

• Hotel Senacki
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Senacki+Hotel/...
• Anqtique Apartments
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Antique+Apartm...
• Rezydent Hotel
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Rezydent...

Jewish District

• Hotel Ester
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Ester/@5...
• Hotel M29
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+M29/@50....
• Spatz Aparthotel
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Spatz+Aparthot...
• Hotel Perfect
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Perfect+Hotel/...
• Golden Tulip Kasimierz
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Golden+Tulip+K...

In between

• MR67 Mayera Rapaporta
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/MR67+Mayera+Ra...
• Wawel Queen
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Wawel+Queen/@5...
• Hotel Wyspianski
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hotel+Wyspia%C...

Auschwitz - you can either arrange it yourself or get it all done through a company. Personally to save hassle book it through a company. We used Krakow Direct through the hotel but other people have done it through a guy called Michael Krupa who runs a Facebook Group, Krakow/Poland Travel it's so easy. https://www.facebook.com/groups/335202463770354/

In terms of things to do in your other days/nights:
Schindlers factory (less about Schindler more about the occupation during WWII), Eagle Pharmacy. Both very close
Wieliczka Salt Mine - 25 minute train journey from Krakow. Normally takes 2-3 hours and is really interesting with some unexpected views.
Churchs - plenty to see and definitely St Marys Basillica in the main square.

Otherwise soak up the culture and people watch in the hundreds of cafes/bars restaurants. Notable mentions for restaurants
Pimiento, Starka, Old Town Restaurant, Morskie Oko, Plac Nowy (Zapiekanki), Judah Food Market, Pod Wawelem

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Wow! A lot to look at there - many thanks!

[pavarotti1980]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Wow! A lot to look at there - many thanks!

Also don't discount pubs bars and cafes down alleys and back streets. Some if the best ones are a bit hidden or look a bit shoddy from the outside.

[BigRusko]

I can only agree with pavarotti1980; Krakow is a fantastic city!

My wife and I spent 3 nights in Krakow early last year. I can highly recommend staying at the Wawel Queen.

We used Bolt (think Uber) to get too and from the airport at a cost of 45Zł each way (approx £9)

The market square is only a short walk away (everything is a nice stroll away if thats tour thing) and the old town is lovely place to walk around and explore. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to nip in. Again, Morskie Oko comes highly recommended (book in advance as it can get busy)

Kazimierz isn't too far a walk and you get to cross the Father Bernatek’s Bridge on the way.

We organised our Auschwitz tour separately. It takes a bit more planning but that's part of the adventure.
Book bus tickets in advance from https://moj-bus.pl/ and take a bus to Oświęcim from Krakow train station (also the bus terminus) and you get dropped off pretty much outside the gates of Auschwitz I.
We booked the Auschwitz tour direct from their website. The General tour 3,5h (English) is what you need and covers both sites with a guide. Cost varies by day and time.

I'm not sure if any of that helps? Enjoy the trip when it comes.

[pidsy]

Fantastic city.

Stayed in Kazimierz for 5 days October 22.
Very easy to get about and a nice stroll over the bridge up into the city.

The best bars and pubs are the ones that don’t look touristy- the very best don’t even look like they are there - just a doorway with a small drinks menu outside.

I used 1000miles for Auschwitz- was £35 inc pickup and drop off from the hotel.

Pinball museum (a bar with loads of retro games in) is worth an hour or so.

Segway tours are also popular and a good way to see either the old town or Jewish quarter.

Plenty of info on here about it - a long running thread somewhere too.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

All,very helpful, thanks.

[superpp]

just to add to the recommendations:

CK Browar, good beer in a cellar bar
Hala Forum, old soviet hotel converted to bars / restaurants
Hevre Bar

[Fifty]

The Metropolitan Boutique Hotel is nice - pretty much in between the Jewish Quarter and the main square.

https://metropolitanboutiquehotel.pl/


Would recommend doing a golf buggy tour as well - you see and learn a lot.

If the weather is good, get a ticket for a cruise up and down the river - only an hour or so long but enjoyable.

[pavarotti1980]

If you travel anywhere do not use FlixBus

We went from Krakow to Zakopane for a couple of days. On the journey to Zakopane the bus broke down in some random Polish town. Dumped in the middle of nowhere with only Google translate to help. Managed to make our way to the next big town and a bus from there to Zakopane. Now trying to claiming the cost back from FlixBus is a nightmare. They will only refund the outbound journey pro rata as we made it an hour into a 2.5 hour journey and will not pay the additional cost as it is a one or other situation. They pay additional costs or ticket price, not both.

Absolute bunch of chancers claiming that a a breakdown is the same as cancelling the service but with the benefit of using it for a short time

[4Q]

I've just booked for May so watching this thread with interest

[toon10]

I've been quite a few times over the years in both summer and winter and it's a great place to spend some time.

Here's a few bar recommendations if that's your thing.

In the Jewish quarter:
Alchemia
Eszeweria Bar

In the center:
Beergallery
Black Gallery Pub
House of Beer
Buddha Bar

I'd definitely give the salt mines a visit while you're there.

[Steve H]

Going there for a long weekend next week for the first time and staying at Hotel Pod Roza which as far as I can see is in the Old Town near to Lost Souls Alley. Thanks for the above tips!

Edit to ask...anyone been there early March? what should I expect weather wise?

Edited by Steve H on Wednesday 28th February 16:56

[Jamescrs]

Went to Krakow last May with the Mrs for a long weekend and it was brilliant, we stayed in the Hilton which is nice as you would expect but a bit far out of the city centre, probably a 15-20 min walk.

Auschwitz is an absolute must do i'm pretty sure you have to go there as part of an organised tour, there are groups constantly going around with a tour guide which I definitely recommend. I also recommend visiting the Salt mines, many tour operators will do both on the same day as a package, it's a lot of walking and a long day to do both but the sights in the salt mines are incredible.

We booked a flights and accomodation package with Jet2 and arranged our own transportation from the airport to hotel, got a Taxi from the Airport and train back there at the end of the trip

[pavarotti1980]

Steve H said:

Going there for a long weekend next week for the first time and staying at Hotel Pod Roza which as far as I can see is in the Old Town near to Lost Souls Alley. Thanks for the above tips!

Edit to ask...anyone been there early March? what should I expect weather wise?

Edited by Steve H on Wednesday 28th February 16:56

We just got back last week and unseasonably warm. Temps expected to be spring like (10C +)for the next few weeks. Can change so expect a bit of rain and a slight chill on the evening

Since you will be staying on Florianska give the waxwork museum a visit. Also Beer House upstairs above the beauty shops is a nice spot and they do decent lunchtime food. Recommend the potato pancake with cheese and bacon and cranberry. Not for the faint hearted