1- Where to stay in Krakow?

Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland yet most of the interesting things to see/do are almost in walking distance. The two most popular neighborhoods to stay in Kraków are definitely Stare Miasto (Old Town) and Kazimierz (Jewish quarter). Old Town with its central location and stunning beauty is still the most attracting, however, you should take into consideration that it is relatively crowded and expensive.

Our favorite area in Krakow is the Kazimierz district. By choosing an apartment or hotel in Kazimierz you will have a chance to catch a more local atmosphere – few steps from your doors you will find the best pubs, art cafes and restaurants that are visited mostly by locals in the city. Not only staying here but also eating&drinking will save you some money. You can reach the Krakow Market Square within 15 minutes by walk.

The other good alternatives can be Podgórze or Dębniki – both of them are still in the walking distance from the Rynek Główny (Main Square), on the other part of the Wisła river. Especially Podgorze is getting a lot of attention- recently lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants were opening in this district.

2. Transportation

If you come to Kraków by plane the most affordable way to reach the city center from the airport is to take the train. It is a very comfortable, stress-free and budget-friendly option – much cheaper than the taxi and Uber. The ticket costs only 9 PLN, and you do not have to pay for your luggage. It is possible to buy the ticket in the passenger terminal, on the station platform, and on the train. Kraków Główny (the main train station) will be the fifth stop (you will arrive there in 20 minutes) and after 10 minutes walk, you will reach Rynek Główny (the Main Square).

The alternative can be agglomeration bus lines (208, 209, 252) – it is even cheaper than the train (4.6 PLN), but the journey will take at least 45 minutes. These buses have few stops close to the city center, so in some cases, it can be an also convenient option. You can use the Jakdojade app to check which is the closest bus stop from your hotel.

Of course, you can take taxi, Uber or Bolt. There is an official Kraków Airport Taxi that you can book online at: https://www.krakowairport.pl/en/passenger,c70/transport,c313/krakow-air

3. Polish Language

The Polish language is one of the most difficult languages to learn however Knowing a few polish words is always appreciated by Polish people. Do not be afraid to try, you will always gain an extra smile! Here are some words that will help you during your stay.

Dzień dobry - good morning / good afternoon (jane DOH-brih)
Dobry wieczór - good evening (DOH-brih VYEH-choor)
Dobranoc - good night (doh-BRAH-notes)
Cześć - hi (cheshch)
Do widzenia - good bye (doh vee-DZEN-ya)
Proszę - please / here you are (PROH-sheh)
Dziękuję - thank you (jen-KOO-yeh)
Dzięki - thanks (informal) (JEN-kee)
Przepraszam - I'm sorry / excuse me (psheh-PRAH-shahm)
Tak - yes (tahk)
Nie - no / not (nyeh)
Nie wiem - I don't know (nyeh vyem)
Jak się masz? - How are you? (informal) (yahk shay mahsh)
Nie mówię po polsku. - I don't speak Polish (nyeh MOO-vyeh poh pohl-skoo)
Nie rozumiem - I don't understand (nyeh roh-ZOO-myem
Na zdrowie! - Cheers! / Bless you! (lit. For health!) (nah ZDROH-vyeh)

Many Polish people (especially the younger generation) speak fluently English as well as other languages and they are always open to help, so in any needs, you can always ask them.

4. Book Your Activities in Advance

The most popular attractions are very busy in high season so pre-booking activities can save you a lot of time and can guarantee that you will not miss it. The most popular attractions are Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, Nowa Huta Museum, Wawel Castle.

5. Buying Sim Card

Buying a SIM card in Poland is quick, painless, and inexpensive. The 4 main providers are Orange, Play, Plus, and T-Mobile, and all of them will be suitable for you. You can buy a SIM card in supermarkets, small shops (like Żabka – available everywhere) street kiosks, gas (petrol) stations, and in official company stores. Then you should register SIM card with your passport or national ID card – so please confirm during your purchase that the attendant has not just given you your SIM card package, but has activated the card as well. First, you should insert and register the SIM card, then wait for the confirmation, that all working properly via text messages from the cell company and a quick Internet speed test.

We can recommend you to verify everything before leaving the store or kiosk, in case of any problems you can always as the attendant help.

The service is really cheap, but if you will need it you can later easily buy top-up vouchers in the same places you bought the SIM card.

6. Must Try Polish Dishes

Polish hospitality is famous and all polish mums and grandmas cook when they want simply make their you happy. What you should try in Kraków to feel this atmosphere?

Our Krakow Food Tour covers most of the must-try Polish dishes as well as beer and vodka by visiting local eateries that visited mostly by local people. You can read more about our food tour here:

Zalewajka - sour rye soup typical for Małopolska region:
Barszcz (Christmas beetroot soup with dumplings – this is the taste of polish family Christmas Eve dinner. Try at Zalewajka Restaurant.-
Placki ziemniaczane – potatoes pancakes, served with goulash and sour cream. Try at Kuchnia u Doroty.-
Bigos – slow-cooked (sometimes even three days!) sauerkraut stew with meat, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Try at Goscianna Chata.
Zapiekanki – Open-faced sandwiches with different toppings. Vegetarians options are available. Try at Plac Nowy.
Obwarzanek – The progenitor of Jewish bagel, twisted bread which is treated as a symbol of Cracow. You can find them everywhere- just make sure you try them in the morning as it is fresher.
Pączki - Polish donuts, fresh fried, soft and filled with the rose jam. Try at Gorące Pączki.
Kremówka (Papal Cream Cake) – a pie made with two pieces of thin puff-pastry filled with vanilla custard cream sprinkled with powdered sugar. Try at "Czarodziej" Cocktail-Bar Cukiernia.
Sernik – Cheesecake made with polish farmer cheese called twaróg. Try at Cukiernia Pod Arkadami.

7. Where to Eat in Krakow

Forgot about TripAdvisor! Here you will find our few personal choices of the best places to eat.

Polish Food in Krakow:

Art. Restauracja - Reinvented polish cuisine in the fine dining option. World Luxury Restaurant Award Winner 2019, Michelin Guide 2019
Albertina - Fine dining restaurant with Polish and Mediterranean cuisine. Michelin Guide 2019
Kogel Mogel - Exceptional Polish menu at its very best. Michelin Guide 2019
Morskie Oko - Good and inexpensive traditional Polish food in the folklore environment

International Food in Krakow:

Zazie Bistro - Delicious French-inspired food at a fantastic price. Michelin Guide 2019
Nolio - A real Italian cuisine with Neapolitan pizza and the best raviolo con uovo in the town. DOP mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes.
Youmiko Sushi - very small and very creative sushi bar in Kazimierz with vegan options. The best sushi in Kraków!
Akita Ramen – Meat ramen by Akita is considered an art. – You must have a visit!
Pod Norenami -- Perfect Asian food option for vegetarian (but not only) with the long menu.

8. Safety

Kraków is a very safe city. You can walk everywhere, there are no dangerous districts or so. Also coming back home at night normally does not create any disturbances.

9.Useful Websites and Apps

Visiting the new place is always a bit challenging – let’s make it easier for you. Here you will find a few useful applications that will help you to discover Kraków better.

Jakdojade - The best transport application that allows you to go from point A to point B, buy a ticket or check the tram/bus route. Absolutely no. 1
Traficar – Car-sharing app, you will pay only for time and distance (fuel and parking are already included in the price)
Bolt - Ride-hailing app for requesting a fast and affordable ride. The cheaper version of Uber.
Hulaj, Lime, Blinkee, Bird – if you just have few days, electric scooters, available everywhere in the city, letting you see Kraków faster and from a different perspective.
Kraków.pl – it is practically a free city guide, that also showing all events, concerts and the other upcoming events.
Vegan Kraków – using this app you will easily find all the vegan-friendly spots in the city (restaurants, bars, markets, shops)
Pyszne.pl – food delivery from the restaurant just to your hotel or apartment.
Finebite – book the table in the best Kraków restaurants with 50% discounts just for your feedback