Anyone Been To Krakow?

Colonel Sanders · 23-03-2007 3:20pm #1

Have heard nothing but good things and am thinking of heading over with a few mates in the autumn.

Just wondering had anyone anything particularly good/bad to say. Also advice re. food+accom would be great. It'll be a lads holiday so we'll probably stay in hostels and won't be looking for owt too fancy re. restaurants etc.

Thanks

bringitdown · 23-03-2007 5:10pm

Krakow is a great place, a little small perhaps (think Galway) but packed full of stuff. We were there in January last year at -10c, with snow on the ground, absolutely beautiful.

There are plenty of restaurants you won't have a problem finding something to suit your taste and budget. The multitude of kebab shops are also most welcome after a few beers. Do try the local cuisine we had a feed in Chlopskie Jadlo: http://www.cracow-life.com/eat/restaurants_details/8-Chlopskie_Jadlo interesting to say the least and yes when they say lard, they mean lard.

Plenty of pubs and clubs too, again just wander around you'll find something! Prozak was the one I remember ... we also wandered into a few Karaoke bars and tried singing in Polish...!

You can also (if you feel like it) take a trip to the Salt Mines which is well worth it. Also the Auschwitz/Berkinow complex is a hour away by train which I would say is a must but a harrowing experience to say the least.

We stayed in Nathans Hostel in Krakow, can't recommend enough. A cool bar in the basement along with pool table and a 'cinema' room (giant TV with a DVD player). Great people there too.

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/NathansVillaHostelKrakow-Krakow-4377

max_power · 23-03-2007 5:54pm

Was in Krakow for days during the Summer while interrailing, probably the highlight of the trip. Stayed in Flamingo hostel just of the main square on Florienska st i think. Great hostel and location, modern and clean. Good party hostel too, drinking games in the common room before heading out on a pub crawl which the staff take you around to all the pubs n clubs.

Stargal · 23-03-2007 11:32pm

The nicest hostel I ever stayed in was in Krakow - it's this place here called Mama's Hostel (voted the 4th-best hostel in the world apparently) right beside the main square. It's a gorgeous place, v laid back staff, you can drink and smoke there and there were loads of little nice touches that we really appreciated at the time.

The restaurants over there are really great too, especially one called The Sphinx on the main square, but I heard that it may have burnt down a couple of years ago. Worth checking to see if it's still there though.

silvine · 24-03-2007 2:10pm

Krakow is a great spot, loads of decent bars and restaurants. The place has really nice vibe and alot of the Poles go there on hols. There's a good backpacking community there too.

Also, if you are interested in history, Auschwitz is nearby and is certainly worth visiting. It'll give you something more to think about than the usual holiday stuff.

zAbbo · 24-03-2007 2:12pm

I was there last year, loved it, great spot, lovely old square.

Food is cheap and damn tasty, We stayed in an apartment about 2mins from the square, very cheap and clean.

ScouseMouse · 24-03-2007 6:20pm

I went to krakow at the start of march with the wife and two friends. I got free flights with skyeurope on the radio.

We stayed in cracowdays apartments which were rated no 1 on the tripadvisor site under other accomodation. It is a super city and really cheap. We arrived sat lunchtime and left early on tuesday morning. A meal for 4 with drinks in a nice restaurant 55 euro. A night of beer and shots on the main square with pub grub about 30 euro for 4 people !!! The bar was called BAMBUS and is hidden away so find it.

Went to auschwitz on the sunday. A very sobering experience , but absolutely a must-do. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. More details are on tripadvisor.com under cracowdays - I am superscouse....

spurious · 24-03-2007 6:28pm

The Wieliczka mines are within shouting distance of Krakow too and worth a visit.

If you go to Auschwitz-Birkenau, don't plan on partying that evenng - you won't feel like it.

Colonel Sanders · 24-03-2007 6:46pm

thanks eveyone, sounds great. hopefully we can get flights sorted out now!!

ScouseMouse · 25-03-2007 12:05am

For flights try Skyeurope.com, Ryanair.com or Aerlingus.com. Also try one way flights for both ways as you may be able to mix and match a cheap fare. I flew skyeurope.com. They were punctual with no messing and even gave you a smile unlike some large blue irish airline....

underworld · 27-03-2007 12:26pm

Whats weather like there in mid june?

missmatty · 27-03-2007 12:54pm

I'd say very nice even in June, i was there in July and pretty hot! check out www.wunderground.com and you can see what the weather was like there for the last few Junes

coleen · 27-03-2007 4:03pm

Just back today. It was the best city break I ever had great food and bars and pints for 1.20 euro loads to do salt mines and aushwich both good days out. We fllew with central wings from cork that is polands low cost air line and they were top class. It is a good place to visit for all ages. the weather is likes ours now good sunshine and 13 deg I think it would be lovely in april and may. Most bars in under ground basements so go down steps even if you dont think that they will be nice and they are all lovely. I had heard that the locals were not that freindly but we found them most helpfull. It has a big university so lots of students and they work in all the bars and restaurants and they all speak english. Go and enjoy.

underworld · 28-03-2007 3:10pm

Anyone know where the closest beach to krakow is as im goin in june and it will be warn,would there b alot of travelling to get to the nearest beach?

bringitdown · 28-03-2007 3:26pm

Um Krakow is in the south east of Poland, a rough estimate is that it is 300 miles from the nearest sea-coast as the crow flies.

No idea of "beach" facilities that may be available by the river in Krakow.

pobyrne2000 · 27-09-2007 5:00pm

Heading to Krakow in the first week in December. just wondering how cold it will be around that time of year??
are we talking wooly jumpers or 20 long sleeve tops and 14 hats??

Private Joker · 28-09-2007 3:12pm

I was there in late october, the weather was good round about the same temp as here at that time. but the locals were saying it gets really cold in december so be prepared.

When your there check out these guys http://www.crazyguides.com/

they were excellent , book thenm for your first day as they'll show yoiu were to go . we done the commie tour , very interesting.

Prozac is a good late club, really busy on the weekends.

Also go to auscwitz very depressing place to go but well worth a visit.people will try and sell you tours there at the train station, its much cheaper to take the train ( about 3 euros each ) its about an hour from Krakow, and you can get guided tours from registered guides there.

muppetkiller · 01-10-2007 2:59pm

I was there last December and it's a great spot..it's cold in December but not freezing. I thought we might get some snow but no joy. Just be careful I had my Jacket and money stolen while in one of the Irish pubs.
Best not to bring expensive North Face jackets with you