Krakow, Poland is a city near and dear to my heart. Not only is this one of the most beautiful cities in Europe but it is also my Babcia’s (grandma) hometown. Years ago, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Krakow and not only explore the city of my grandmother’s youth, but also live there. Getting to literally walk in her footsteps and better understand my family’s heritage was one of the richest experiences of my life. It’s also where I got the travel bug and I’ve been ill with the disease of wanderlust ever since. 🙂
Traveling to Krakow was the first time I was ever really “on my own.” I lived at home during college so never got that “going away” experience, but let me tell you studying abroad in Poland more than made up for it. I loved navigating life in that new, but oddly familiar city. This October it will be eight years since I first visited so I’m taking a trip down memory lane and sharing the top things to see and do should you ever find yourself in my favorite city in the world: Krakow, Poland.
Visit the Rynek Główny & Sukiennice
The main square in Krakow is known as the Rynek Glowny and, fun fact, its the largest public square in Europe. The Rynek is Krakow’s heart and home to some of Krakow’s most iconic sites. Smack dab in the middle, is the Sukiennice or Cloth Hall. Historically, the Sukiennice has always been a marketplace and today its a place where tourists shop and buy Polish souvenirs. Walk the halls and buy beautiful amber jewelry and hand-painted boxes. My favorite purchase from there is a hand carved wooden chess set that I gave to Ted as a gift.
Enjoy the stained glass in Kościół Mariacki
Kosciol Mariacki, also known as St. Mary’s Church, is located on the corner of the Rynek Glowny. It’s one of Poland’s most famous churches. It houses the famous 15th century wooden altarpiece of Veit Stoss, which was stolen by the Nazis and later returned to Krakow after WWII. I wasn’t allowed to take photos inside, but the inside of the church is breathtaking. The colors are so vivid and intricate and my favorite part is the very old stained glass windows. I’ve linked a picture of the interior here if you’re interested.
Buy a painting
Something that I love about Krakow is that you can buy really nice oil paintings for a good price. In Krakow, I started the tradition of buying artwork from the cities I’ve travelled to. In most cities the “more affordable” options are watercolors or prints, but in Krakow uou can pick up a lovely oil painting for a great price. Mine proudly sits in my living room today.
Trace Krakow’s medieval roots in the Planty.
Krakow’s old town is surrounded by a ring of green parks. Known as Planty Park, the greenery outlines where Krakow’s old medieval walls once stood. Its a lovely area to walk through: green and tranquil. When walking the park, when near ulica Florianska, you will come across the picturesque Barbican. It’s one of the last structures remaining from Krakow’s medieval day’s and looks like it’s out of a fairytale.
Climb the Town Hall Tower
In the center of the Rynek you’ll find Town Hall Tower. If you’re willing to climb the 100 stone stairs to the top, you’ll get lovely views of Krakow’s old town and Wawel Castle.
Indulge in Polish cuisine
It might not be the healthiest food, but Polish food is so so good. I may be biased because its what I grew up eating but I will always love my pierogi, golabki, and kapusta. I don’t really think there’s a bad place to eat in Krakow but one of my favorites was Chata (its actually owned by a friend of our family) so I stopped in a few times. If you want to do a little splurging eat at Krakow’s oldest restaurant Wierzynek. It’s been in business since the 14th century! I was a poor student when there, and everyday I ate at Kuchnia Polska located on ulica Karmelicka and Garbarska. It’s a hole in the wall restaurant but so affordable and the food tasted just like my Babcia’s.
Attend a Chopin concert
Chopin is Poland’s most famous pianist and Krakow celebrates his achievements by hosting regular concerts throughout the city in his honor. Buy yourself some tickets and enjoy!
Discover Wawel
Like most great central European cities (I’m looking at you Prague and Bratislava) Krakow has a castle on a hill that sits near a river. Known as Wawel it sits next to the Vistula River and has been home to Poland’s kings and queens for centuries. It also contains a beautiful cathedral that is worth a tour.
Explore the churches
Krakow is known as a city of churches and was home to Pope John Paul II. It’s very Catholic. Krakow’s churches are filled to the brim during mass and you will often see people popping in to churches to say a prayer on their way to work or school. My favorite church is the Dominican Church on ulica Stolarksa. It has the most beautiful blue ceiling filled with gold stars and its where I would got to mass every week.
Leave a piece of yourself on Krakow’s Lover’s Bridge
When Ted came to Krakow to visit me, we left a little lock on Krakow’s Lover’s Bridge. Officially known as the Father Bernatka Bridge it straddles the Vistula River and connects the neighborhoods of North and South Krakow.
Tour Auschwitz
No visit to Krakow is complete without a tour of Auschwitz. It’s a short drive from the city and I recommend taking a guided tour so you can pay your respects and remember the victims of this camp and the Holocaust. I came away with such a feeling of grief and sadness after visiting, but its incredibly important to remember and learn from the past, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Your visit will be a solemn day, but it will also be one that you’ll never forget.
Take a day trip to Ocjow National Park
If you need a break from the city and need to rejuvenate yourself with some natural scenery, Ocjow National Park is a wonderful half hour drive outside of Krakow. The fall colors were gorgeous and the park is home to numerous castles for the history lover to explore.
Eat the street food
Two words for you: obwarzanek and zapiekanka. Find them and eat them. An obwarzanek is like an Polish bagel. It’s a large ring shaped bread covered in a topping of your choice (sesame seeds, cheese, etc). They were my breakfast every morning. AÂ zapiekanka is like a open faced pizza, but Polish style and covered in a ketchup like sauce.
People watch
In Krakow I spent most of my time wandering the city and people watching. I would work on my “photography” skills and try to capture artistic images of people. It was on this trip that I really got into photography.
Appreciate the architecture
Krakow has an interesting history of being a city that sits on the border of East and West. This has influenced its architecture for centuries and walking the street’s you’ll see great examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles but with an Eastern twist.
Where to StayÂ
I lived in my student dormitory for most of my stay, but when Ted visited I booked us a week long stay at the Tango House Bed & Breakfast. We loved our stay there and when I go back to Krakow (which I will) that’s where we’ll stay. The location was perfect (just off the main square) and very affordable. I highly recommend it.
Well that’s it for now — I could honestly keep going since this is a city that I know so well. I spent five months there and it really did become my home. I’ve always held off on writing this post because I never felt I could do my favorite city justice, but I hope I have ! Please go and visit this beautiful city and feel free to ask me questions!
