Things to do in Krakow, Poland
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to visit Auschwitz and have had a fascination with the Holocaust. In January of 2017, I was finally granted the opportunity to go to Krakow and visit the concentration camp myself with my boyfriend. What I didn't expect to find was that the city of Krakow is much more than just the infamous tourist attraction. If you're looking for a cheap city that's full of life, culture and things to do, then Krakow is the one for you. Take a look at my list of things to do in this beautiful city.
1. Auschwitz/Birkenau
Visiting the concentration camps was my main reason for wanting to visit Krakow: everything else was a bonus.
On the tour we booked, we were firstly taken around the main camp, featuring the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate (meaning 'work sets you free'). We were all given headsets in order to hear the tour guide throughout the trip around the camp. We were taken into several buildings in the main camp. One demonstrated the living conditions for prisoners of war in comparison to the living conditions of the guards. Some were torture chambers featuring a confined block in which prisoners were forced to stand for days at a time for punishment. Another houses a series of exhibitions, including a collection of prisoner belongings recovered and preserved after the war, a mass of human hair shed from the prisoners and an obscene collection of shoes and glasses. I was glad for the headphones and happy to be isolated from human contact. I didn't want to talk about what we had seen and needed to process the overwhelming emotions alone.
For the second part of the tour, we were taken to Birkenau, pictured in the top left hand corner. We were taken around the train station that brought prisoners from all over Europe to their fate and were granted a look into even worse living conditions. We were also taken to the gas chambers, where despite the sub-zero degree weather outside, the temperature dropped even further. You could almost smell the death, the fear and the hope. My trip to Auschwitz was everything I thought it would be and more: haunting and heart-wrenching.
Visiting the concentration camps was my main reason for wanting to visit Krakow: everything else was a bonus.
On the tour we booked, we were firstly taken around the main camp, featuring the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate (meaning 'work sets you free'). We were all given headsets in order to hear the tour guide throughout the trip around the camp. We were taken into several buildings in the main camp. One demonstrated the living conditions for prisoners of war in comparison to the living conditions of the guards. Some were torture chambers featuring a confined block in which prisoners were forced to stand for days at a time for punishment. Another houses a series of exhibitions, including a collection of prisoner belongings recovered and preserved after the war, a mass of human hair shed from the prisoners and an obscene collection of shoes and glasses. I was glad for the headphones and happy to be isolated from human contact. I didn't want to talk about what we had seen and needed to process the overwhelming emotions alone.
For the second part of the tour, we were taken to Birkenau, pictured in the top left hand corner. We were taken around the train station that brought prisoners from all over Europe to their fate and were granted a look into even worse living conditions. We were also taken to the gas chambers, where despite the sub-zero degree weather outside, the temperature dropped even further. You could almost smell the death, the fear and the hope. My trip to Auschwitz was everything I thought it would be and more: haunting and heart-wrenching.
2. The Schindler's List Museum/Jewish Quarters Tour
When we booked the Schindler's Tour, I had no idea that it included a tour of the old town. At first, I was sceptical and a little put off by the frozen weather, but this turned out to be one of my favourite parts of Krakow. Our tour guide led us around the old town, taking us into one of the synagogues and around the rest of the architecture. She was insightful and full of facts, informing us of the history of the Jewish population in Krakow. She led us to the Ghetto Heroes Square in which 70 bronze, empty chairs stand erect. The memorial, constructed by architects Piotr Lewicki and Kazimierz Latak, stands to remind visitors of the displacement of Jewish people in 1943 and represent the possessions discarded by those who were forced to flee the city. It was a harrowing experience and, like Auschwitz, felt even colder than the freezing temperatures outside.
We were finally led to the Oskar Schindler's museum, located in the factory itself. If you've not seen the film Schindler's List, I highly recommend it to you. It is based on the true story of factory owner Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party who provided work and shelter to Jewish people during the second world war. The museum is dedicated to the story of the invasion of Poland as well as the fates of Schindler and his workers. Another must-visit in Poland.
When we booked the Schindler's Tour, I had no idea that it included a tour of the old town. At first, I was sceptical and a little put off by the frozen weather, but this turned out to be one of my favourite parts of Krakow. Our tour guide led us around the old town, taking us into one of the synagogues and around the rest of the architecture. She was insightful and full of facts, informing us of the history of the Jewish population in Krakow. She led us to the Ghetto Heroes Square in which 70 bronze, empty chairs stand erect. The memorial, constructed by architects Piotr Lewicki and Kazimierz Latak, stands to remind visitors of the displacement of Jewish people in 1943 and represent the possessions discarded by those who were forced to flee the city. It was a harrowing experience and, like Auschwitz, felt even colder than the freezing temperatures outside.
We were finally led to the Oskar Schindler's museum, located in the factory itself. If you've not seen the film Schindler's List, I highly recommend it to you. It is based on the true story of factory owner Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party who provided work and shelter to Jewish people during the second world war. The museum is dedicated to the story of the invasion of Poland as well as the fates of Schindler and his workers. Another must-visit in Poland.
3. The Main Square
We were lucky enough to find that the Christmas decorations were still erect in early January. This, accompanied with a layer of fresh snow, only made the city more beautiful. There are a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops around the square and even right in the centre, the food and drinks are inexpensive in comparison to British prices. There is an abundance of Italian restaurants, which surprised me. As a pizza lover, this suited me. I didn't struggle to find vegetarian food, although there was also an abundance of Polish meat available (no, I don't mean THAT). There was a place called Vegab I wish I had tried located just two minutes from our hotel. We paid no more than £25 for two pizzas and two alcoholic drinks. If you go down the side roads, you're looking at around £10-£15 for two meals and two drinks.
In the main square, there are a number of horses and carriages that wait to take you around the castle, the parks and the main square. You can book pub crawls in advance and are taken around numerous bars, but we decided to figure it out on our own. We came across a British-feeling pub (called the Bull Pub in the main square) filled with the sound of karaoke and a number of cocktail bars. Our favourite bar, however, was located a mere two-minute walk on our way from the hotel to the main square. It was a small sports bar with friendly staff, a nice atmosphere and cheap drinks: perfect to unwind after a busy day of sight-seeing. We did try the famous Wodka bar but found that it was too small and too busy most of the time and the staff were pretty rude
As a side note, I would definitely recommend Hotel Columbus, located in the old town with just a 5-10 minute walk to the main square and 5 minutes into the ghetto. The staff were amazing and couldn't do enough for us and the room was spacious and clean with the comfiest bed I have ever slept in, ever.
We were lucky enough to find that the Christmas decorations were still erect in early January. This, accompanied with a layer of fresh snow, only made the city more beautiful. There are a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops around the square and even right in the centre, the food and drinks are inexpensive in comparison to British prices. There is an abundance of Italian restaurants, which surprised me. As a pizza lover, this suited me. I didn't struggle to find vegetarian food, although there was also an abundance of Polish meat available (no, I don't mean THAT). There was a place called Vegab I wish I had tried located just two minutes from our hotel. We paid no more than £25 for two pizzas and two alcoholic drinks. If you go down the side roads, you're looking at around £10-£15 for two meals and two drinks.
In the main square, there are a number of horses and carriages that wait to take you around the castle, the parks and the main square. You can book pub crawls in advance and are taken around numerous bars, but we decided to figure it out on our own. We came across a British-feeling pub (called the Bull Pub in the main square) filled with the sound of karaoke and a number of cocktail bars. Our favourite bar, however, was located a mere two-minute walk on our way from the hotel to the main square. It was a small sports bar with friendly staff, a nice atmosphere and cheap drinks: perfect to unwind after a busy day of sight-seeing. We did try the famous Wodka bar but found that it was too small and too busy most of the time and the staff were pretty rude
As a side note, I would definitely recommend Hotel Columbus, located in the old town with just a 5-10 minute walk to the main square and 5 minutes into the ghetto. The staff were amazing and couldn't do enough for us and the room was spacious and clean with the comfiest bed I have ever slept in, ever.
4. The Salt Mines
Be warned: there are A LOT of steps.
But if you can get past the steps and slightly tender thighs, the views are spectacular. There is a lift available for those who only wish to view certain chambers but it is not encouraged due to the restricted amount of space in the lifts. And there's something quite cool about having an iced tea and a kit kat.
It's apparently a popular destination for weddings and events and I must say, I can see why with the beautiful chambers.
Be warned: there are A LOT of steps.
But if you can get past the steps and slightly tender thighs, the views are spectacular. There is a lift available for those who only wish to view certain chambers but it is not encouraged due to the restricted amount of space in the lifts. And there's something quite cool about having an iced tea and a kit kat.
It's apparently a popular destination for weddings and events and I must say, I can see why with the beautiful chambers.
As a side note, I'd like to thank my wonderful boyfriend Michael for a magical few days away. I can't think of anyone I would have rather enjoyed this beautiful city with.