Krakow

UpCork

Have wanted to go to Krakow for years and have finally booked a trip there

I would love to visit the Salt Mines. Has anyone been? What are they like? Is it extremely narrow and claustrophobic?

Also, what is the food like in Krakow?

V1llianous

I've been twice to Krakow.

The Salt Mines aren't too narrow or claustrophobic and are well lit.

Food and drink is generally fine, some nice restaurants around the square but they are a bit pricier than other places away from the square.

Other places worth a visit are Auschwitz and Zakopane - a little mountain town which is very picturesque. Zakopane is about 2 hours away by train and you can book a room for a night when you arrive at the tourist information.

UpCork

Thanks for that. Auschwitz is on my list. I'd go there rather than the salt mines. I know it probably won't be a very happy trip, but I have a huge interest in history and especially European history at the time, so it is a must for me. Also, I don't think man's inhumanity to man should be neglected or forgotten.
I hope though that it hasn't become a place that people go to just to have a look at due to a macabre sense of wonder and that they are totally respectful of the place.

What are the prices like, in general in Krakow. If I was converting my €'s before I went, how much should I need to convert over to zloty's.

undo

Kraków keeps coming up a lot on this forum. Try a search - you will find a lot of information posted in reply to others' questions. I will repeat a few points I posted before:

Auschwitz definitely is worth a visit. As are the Salt Mines. Both are very different experiences of course but equally worth seeing. You can book trips that combine both into a single day. Auschwitz is very much maintained in a dignified manner. Birkenau especially is horrifying to look at - but should be done of course.

The prices in Kraków are very reasonable. As was said already, any restaurants on the Market Square cater to tourists only and thus are overpriced. But go into any of the cobblestone lanes off the Market Square and you will find excellent and affordable eateries. Also try Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. Great food is to be had there.

Accommodation for reasons I do not understand is about the cheapest in all of Poland. For the price of a hostel, you get a hotel.

In general, exchanging money in Ireland makes no sense. It is cheaper to just get it out at an ATM in Poland. If you choose to change euro into złoty, make sure not to go for the big places with shiny signs announcing "currency exchange" in a dozen languages. Those are tourist traps and massive rip-offs. The correct places to change money in Poland are shabby huts labeled as "kantor". These will offer very fair rates. But rather than look for these, why not save yourself the hassle and just grab money from an ATM?

Kevin!

UpCork wrote: »

Have wanted to go to Krakow for years and have finally booked a trip there

I would love to visit the Salt Mines. Has anyone been? What are they like? Is it extremely narrow and claustrophobic?

Also, what is the food like in Krakow?

I visited Krakow earlier in the year under undo's recommendations, it was truly a magnificent experience - this thread might be handy for you http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055761106

regards the food, most restaurants have normal dishes and at low low prices - I could not get over how cheap a meal for two was in the square (a traditional polish restaurant)

UpCork

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys. Looking forward to it now.

spurious

It's quite possible to do both Auschwitz and the Salt Mines in one day. I actually find the salt mines tour a relaxing way to follow the emotional impact of Auschwitz. There's even a restaurant in the salt mines should you want to eat there.