This post is sponsored by the Polish Tourism Organisation
Kraków has been high on my European City Break bucket list for years, and I finally had the chance to tick it off this Summer in partnership with the Polish Tourism Organisation. I'd only visited the country once before on a long weekend to Warsaw, but the great food, fun nightlife and warm people had left a lasting impression, so I headed to Kraków with high expectations.
It's a city that has a little bit of everything. There's history in spades, from the Kings and Queens of yore to the recent history of Communist rule in Poland. Even if you're not into history, the streets of the Old Town and neighbouring Kazimierz are fascinating to wander, to soak up the atmosphere and admire the unique architecture that rightfully earns the city its reputation as being one of the prettiest in Europe.
When you're done exploring, there's the food. Oh, the food! Traditional cuisine is hearty, rich in flavour, with plenty of fish, game, and of course, Poland's famous pierogi. But when you've had your fill, there's the street food, serving up cuisines from all over the world.
By night, the city transforms. The Old Town has it's share of jazz bars, which I sadly didn't make it to - reason to return! Partygoers head to the neighbourhood of Kazimierz, which hosts some of the city's best cocktail bars and nightlife.
All in all, it's hard to imagine anyone could dislike Kraków. It is, quite simply, good vibes. I don't know that I can say it any better than that! I've put together a mini guide outlining all my favourite experiences the city has to offer, and please let me know your tips in the comments!
Things To Know
Money: Despite being a member of the EU, Poland doesn't use Euros - I imagine a lot of people get caught out! The currency is Polish złoty, and at time of writing 1 złoty is equivalent to 18 pence.
Getting Around: Kraków has a tram system, however the town centre is compact enough that we were easily able to walk everywhere.
Safety: Like in any big city you want to be vigilant, but it felt very safe the whole time we were there.
Language: Polish is the dominant language in Kraków, however English is fairly widespread so it's easy to get by. It's always worth learning a few basic Polish phrases though - my repertoire included "dzién dobry" (good day), "dziękuję" (thank you), "proszę" (please) and "do widzenia" (goodbye).
Where to Stay in Kraków
Sheraton Grand Kraków
It's hard to image a better located hotel in Kraków than the Sheraton Grand. The imposing building offers sweeping views down the Vistula River, framed by the towering presence of Wawel Castle. It's just ten minutes to the main square, and most attractions are within a twenty minute walk.
The hotel is concentrated around a large central courtyard space, where you'll find an ample breakfast buffet come morning, and cocktails and live acts later in the day. There's also a sports bar on site, Italian restaurant Anima, and a gym, but the real standout is the rooftop bar (pictured), a spectacular place to watch the sunset over the city. Make sure to try the bar bites, and save room for the desserts, they're super aesthetic and completely delicious!
Things To Do In Kraków
Visit Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle is easily one of Kraków's main attractions. Perched atop a hill at the edge of the Vistula, the sprawling compound hosts the castle and Cathedral, surrounded by manicured gardens. It's a fascinating visit from an architectural viewpoint, with the design spanning numerous design periods. Head inside to view an expansive collection of Flemish tapestries, as well as a number of artworks and historical artefacts. The Cathedral has a number of lavishly designed chapels, as well as hosting the royal tombs. Entrance is ticketed to both, however you can access the grounds without a ticket to take in the impressive views.
Explore the Old Town
Kraków is perhaps best known for it's picturesque Old Town, made up of quaint cobbled squares and elegant townhouses. At it's heart is Rynek Głowny, the sprawling main square centred around the Renaissance era market hall. The hall itself is home to numerous stalls selling souvenirs, whilst an underground museum tells the story of medieval life in the city through excavated remnants discovered in the square. There's plenty to keep yourself occupied - visit the many museums, churches, or simply get lost amongst the cobblestoned streets.
Explore the Jewish Quarter
Kazimierz, aka Kraków's Jewish Quarter is as much of a must-do as the well traversed streets of the Old Town. Much like the rest of the city it offers plenty to keep history buffs occupied - but it's also so much more. The neighbourhood has become a destination for restaurants, bars, and nightlife, with buzzing squares and cosy back alleys lined with quirky drinking holes, street food stalls, and hip restaurants. It's the perfect place to wander the streets, picking up bites when you get peckish, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the rich history of the area. My favourite find was these distinctive shop fronts on Szeroka Street (pictured) - according to our tour guide they were put in place for the Spielberg film "Schindler's List" and kept up. They now host a picturesque restaurant - it's on my list for my next Kraków visit!
Visit Nowa Huta
For a truly unique Kraków experience, visiting the ex-Communist district of Nowa Huta should be on your itinerary. Our tour, carried out in a vintage military-esque Lada, started off strong with Polish vodka and pickles served out of the car boot by our wildly eccentric and utterly entertaining guide Tomasz. He took us around the area and kept us hooked with stories of growing up under Communist rule, before dropping us off at the steelworks, which the community was originally built around. Here we were taken on a tour around one of the original administration buildings for the factory, which looked fairly untouched since the Soviet-era - it felt like something out of Stranger Things! If you're interested in Cold War history, it's a must do.
The Czartoryski Museum
Housed across three historic buildings in the Old Town, the Czartoryski Museum (named after Princess Izabela Czartoryska who founded the museum back in 1796) is one of the city's main destinations for historical artefacts from Poland and further afield. It has a range of paintings and ancient objects including clothing and furniture. It's best known however as home to Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine.
Restaurants, Cafes and Street Food in Kraków
Hevre
On our free morning in Kraków I made a beeline straight back to the buzzy streets of the Jewish Quarter in search of brunch, and boy did it deliver. Hevre, a spacious bar and restaurant in a former synagogue, serves up hefty breakfasts in oh so aesthetic surrounds. It's not all style no function though - the food is genuinely good. My eggs benny was cooked perfectly, with that ideal soft yoke and a light hollandaise. Apparently at night it becomes a buzzy nightlife spot, with DJs and dancing - check it out and report back, yeah?
Pod Baranem
Pod Baranem was our first dining experience on arrival in Kraków, and it definitely set the barrier high. A homely, chic but unpretentious trattoria-style venue, the walls are lined with modern artworks that give a contemporary spin to the otherwise rustic space. The menu is traditional, with highlights including wild boar, venison and duck. Also try the trout - I don't generally love fish but it was one of the best things I ate all trip! It's an ideal place to start your Kraków adventure, offering a truly authentic experience with a focus on high quality ingredients and exceptional service.
Wesele
I'll be honest with you, I would normally avoid restaurants in the main tourist district at all cost. Experience has taught me that they're usually tourist traps, mediocre food at high prices with very little atmosphere to speak of. However, Wesele, a simple but stylish spot on the main square, had me reconsidering. For a start, the central location made for great people watching - grab a table on the square or in the windows and watch the world go by!
I finally got my pierogi fix here, a hefty plate of dumplings served in a decadent but not overpowering sage butter sauce. The standout though was the black pudding, which was quite unlike the usual British incarnation of the dish. It was rich with flavour, served with a quails egg on top. I don't usually like black pudding, but I kept going back for more!
Klimaty Poludnia
Tucked away from view down a back alley, Klimaty Poludnia is a charming wine bar and restaurant in the Old Town. We sat out in the garden area, lined with greenery and providing a welcome respite from the buzz of the city streets. The cuisine varies from Polish staples to international dishes such as kofta and tzatziki. Whilst the mains were decent, my highlight was probably their signature white chocolate sponge cake, which I hoovered down despite being full. I rarely eat cake, so take this as high praise indeed! I didn't try the wine, so can't comment on that front!
Camelot Cafe
Here at Anoushka HQ (okay I made that up) we love all things pink, so visiting Kraków's resident pink cafe Camelot was a must for me. It's not your standard uber-girly Insta-cafe though, with a striking spiral staircase, rustic decor, and vintage memorabilia lining the walls for a shabby chic, nostalgic atmosphere that's oh so Kraków. I headed here one morning and filled up on hot chocolate (orange flavour, yum) and lemon tart (also yum!), but the breakfast menu was ample and looked really good - I'll have to return! I'd recommend booking in advance, as it filled up fast.
Street Food
If like me you're a fan of all things street food, head to Kazimierz. You'll be spoilt for choice, with a number of pop up street food complexes that have taken over the district. They're perfect for a quick bite in between exploring, or to line your stomach before a night out in the area's many bars. If you try one thing, make it the zapiekanka from Plac Nowy, one of the main squares in Kazimierz. These Polish open top sandwiches are served up with a variety of different toppings to suit every taste, and they're completely delicious.
Bars and Nightlife in Kraków
Eszeweria
On my previous trip to Poland visiting Warsaw, one of the main memories I took away was how great the bar scene was. So, I knew I had to see how Kraków matched up! I found myself one evening at Eszeweria, a cosy nook on a back street of Kazimierz, with a buzzing secret back garden. The drinks menu was fairly no frills, but it made up for it with an abundance of * vibes *, packed out with locals chatting away into the early hours. On a sunny day, try for the garden, but I imagine it's just as lovely cosied up in the gently distressed rooms of the bar on a cold evening.
Alchemia
By all reports Alchemia is a Kazimierz institution, centrally placed on Plac Nowy square. It's famed for its maze of rooms including a downstairs live music and nightclub venue. It's part bar, part cafe, part restaurant, and part club, and somehow manages to straddle its many roles with ease. I visited for cocktails, and settled in for a cosy evening in one of the many nostaglia-laden corners, imagining myself back in a Kraków of a past time. It's the ideal spot to start your Kazimierz evening - sit outside and people watch, or admire the modern art that lines the inside walls.
