| Krakow (Kraków) | |
 | |
| Wawel Cathedral. | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Poland |
|---|---|
| Region | Lesser Poland |
| Watercourse | Vistula |
| Area | 326,8 km² |
| Population | 758 334 hab. (2012) |
| Density | 2 320,48 inhab./km² |
| Population of the agglomeration | 1 408 690 hab. |
| Postal code | 30-001 |
| Spindle | UTC 01:00, UTC 02:00 |
| Location | |
 50 ° 4 ′ 0 ″ N 19 ° 57 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
Krakow is currently the second largest city in Poland, country of which it was the royal capital of XIe century at the end of XVI. The city covers both banks of the Vistula (in Polish Wisła), the country's largest river. Plateau region at the foot of the Carpathians. It is the second largest city in Poland, with a population of 770,000 inhabitants () (1.4 million, with the surrounding municipalities).
Understand
History
Weather
Krakow Precipitation diagram in mm
| There are four well-defined seasons in Krakow - summer being hot and humid (around 30-35 ° C), in winter, Krakow finds itself under a blanket of snow with freezing days (until to −20 ° C). Due to the little wind, Krakow suffers from high levels of air pollution from car traffic and coal heating, which can especially affect children and people with respiratory problems. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Neighborhoods
Krakow is administratively made up of 18 districts. The historic old town is located in the I Stare Miasto District. Even though the words Stare Miasto mean "old town", it should not be confused with the historic Old Town of Krakow itself, the medieval Old Town being only the central part of the I Stare Miasto District. Getting away from the center of Krakow can approach everyday Polish life away from the tourism-driven economy in the center.
The article for Krakow is divided into districts as follows:
 Districts of Krakow |
|
To go
By plane
- 1 John Paul II Airport Krakow - Balice (IATA : KRK, ICAO: EPKK) – Main airport, located in Balice, approximately 12 km west of the center. It is the second largest airport in Poland.
It is possible to reach Krakow city center using the following lines:
- Bus line 292
Every day, every 30 to 45 min.. 
full price, valid for one trip: 3.40 zł - approx. 0,84 €, for 90 min: 5.00 zł.. – Route: Kraków-Balice Airport - Olszanica - Chełm - Hotel Cracovia - Nowy Kleparz - Central Station - Central Station: East - Mogilskie Roundabout - Grzegórzeckie Roundabout - Krakow Higher School. - Bus line 208 Starowiślna 57 Stare Miasto Every day, every hour. Full price ticket valid for one trip: 3.00 zł - approx. 0,67 €, for 90 min: 5.00 zł.. – Route: Kraków-Balice Airport - Mydlniki - Bronowice Małe - Nowy Kleparz - Central station: Est.
- Bus line 902 (night bus) Full night ticket: 3.00 zł - approx. 0,67 €.. – Route: Kraków-Balice Airport - Olszanica - Chełm - Hotel Cracovia - Basztowa Street - Central Station - Central Station: Est.
Every day, every 30 to 
full price, valid for one trip: 3.40 zł - approx. Airport Katowice is located nearby and is a good alternative.
By train
Krakow Central Station, and is located just outside the Old Town. It is connected to other cities in Poland and the rest of Europe. International trains arrive daily from Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Vienna, Bratislava, Lviv, Kiev, Odessa and with correspondence with the rest of Europe.
The station has a left-luggage service, a waiting room, small cafes and shops. There is a shopping center (Galeria Krakowska) located next to the station with a few fast food restaurants. The station staff usually only speak the Polish. International ticketing staff speak English.
There is a train between Krakow and Warsaw every hour between 6 h and 20 h. Some of them are Express InterCity (EIC) with a journey time of approximately 2 h 40. It is by far the most convenient way to connect Krakow and Warsaw. The ticket costs 120 PLN per adult. First class tickets are around 25% more expensive, and offer more legroom. Other trains are classified as Express (116 PLN) TLK (55 PLN) or Interregio (47 PLN). The difference is in the comfort because the journey time is similar, except perhaps the Interregio which take a little longer. Some of them have discounts for people under 26, ask at the ticket office.
- 2 Krakow Central Station (Kraków Główny)
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By bus
- 3 Bus station (Dworzec autobusowy)
Circulate
Walk
The center of the city of Krakow is not very big, so you can visit it on foot without getting too tired.
By car
The “Old Town” (Stare Miasto) is not completely pedestrianized, but cars are rare, access being reserved for certain authorized vehicles.
By public transport
During the day there is an excellent public transport system consisting of trams and buses operated by MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne). On their site you can check the routes and stops and find the best connections between them. Rush hours are mostly between 7 h and 9 h and between 15 h and 17 h. At these times, you may lose time in traffic jams.
- Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne 30-347 Kraków, ul. Jana Brożka 3 – phone: 19150 (information) The site is in Polish, English and German.
Pricing
A standard ticket costs 3,8 PLN (up to 40 min or without changing means of transport) for a city trip and 4 PLN to leave Krakow without changing your means of transport (for example to the airport) or 5 PLN (valid 1 h by changing line).
There are also tickets sold 2,8 PLN for 20 min and valid tickets 24 h (15 PLN), 48 h (24 PLN), 7 days (48 PLN) all this accessible in the "Ruch" kiosks and the vending machines located next to certain stops and in the trams and buses of the last generations. If necessary, the driver can help you out and sell you a ticket at the single price of 5 PLN. In this case, it is necessary to top up, the driver will only accept the exact price and never give change.
- Prices
As soon as you get into the vehicle, you must stamp the ticket in the machine. Tickets need to be stamped only the first time you board, there is no need to re-do it in case of a connection. You can use a single ticket for multiple journeys as long as its period of validity has not expired.
Orientation
- Tram lines: the number is between 1 and 50
- Night tram lines: the number is between 60 and 69
- Urban bus lines: the number is between 100 and 199
- Suburban bus lines: the number is between 200 and 299
- Express bus lines: the number is between 300 and 599
- Night city bus lines: the number is between 600 and 699
- Night commuter bus lines: the number is between 900 and 999
By taxi
Official taxis are affordable: it is not recommended to take "fake" taxis. It is often cheaper to order a taxi by phone than at a taxi rank. The Uber app is also available in Krakow.
By bike
It is easy to get around the center on two wheels, cycle paths are available, including in the park Planty surrounding the old town. Some bike rentals also offer tours of the city and surrounding areas.
- Bike Rental ul. św. Anny 4,
48 501 745 986, email: [email protected] In the summer of 9 h at dusk. 7 PLN for 1 h, 40 PLN for 24 h. – They have a tandem. - Cruising Krakow ul. Basztowa 17, 48 12 312 60 20, email: [email protected] 9 h - 20 h. 20 PLN for the first ones 3 h, 40 PLN for 24 h.
- Happy Bike ul. Mogilska 51, 48 504 982 043, email: [email protected] 40 PLN for 24 h.
- Amsterdamer ul. Koletek 9, 48 518 150 155 7 PLN for 1 h, 50 PLN for 24 h. – Bike in the style of thoseAmsterdam.
- Two wheels ul. Józefa 5 (Kazimierz), 48 12 421 57 85 10 h - 18 h. 50 PLN for 24 h.
See
Most of the tourist attractions including Wawel Hill with the Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral and the main square with St. Mary's Basilica and Sukiennice are in the area. Old City.
The district of Kazimierz is very interesting for those who want to see the Jewish heritage ofcentral Europe. The Remuh Synagogue, for example, was built in 1557 and, although it is not particularly well preserved and there is a charge for admission, one gets into the ambience of its old walls and ancient clothing. Next to it there is its cemetery, it was created in 1511 and has been recently restored. The atmosphere is very melancholy, and worth a visit.
The district of Nowa Huta was built during the communist era, and was built for workers working in huge steelworks (5 times larger than the Old Town of Krakow) located there. The architecture of the district is typical socialist; huge buildings surround lush green parks.
Travelers who come to Krakow often visit the Nazi extermination camp ofAuschwitz-Birkenau. Few know that in Krakow there was also a Nazi concentration camp located in the neighborhood Podgórze.
- 1 Wawel Castle
- 2 Wawel Cathedral
- 3 St. Mary's Basilica
- 4 Church of Saints Peter and Paul
- 5 Sukiennice (Cloth Hall)
- 6 Barbican
Make
- 1 Free Walking Tour , 48 513 875 814, email: [email protected] – This company offers free guided city tours, daily, in English and Spanish. Departure in front of the Sainte-Marie basilica (market place).
Learn
To work
Buy
A little tour in the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is often enough to stock up on Polish gifts and crafts: wooden toys, amber jewelry, crystal glasses, etc. Keep in mind, however, that it is a highly touristy place, so prices are higher than elsewhere. Souvenir shops are dotted around the Old Town.
Vodka is of course over the counter to people over 18. There are several liquor stores in the Old Town where you can buy it.
To get the best prices, however, it is better to go to open stores. 24 h/ 24 or until 23 h (like Zabka, Kefirek, Oczko) or even, if you are by car, in Auchan, Carrefour or Tesco hypermarkets (on the outskirts of the city), where the prices will be more interesting.
Eat
Gastronomy
Some typical dishes of traditional Polish cuisine:
- pierogi : these are types of ravioli, filled with sweet or savory. There are dozens of kinds:
- pierogi ruskie : potato, cheese, salted, sliced onion,
- pierogi z mięsem : with meat,
- pierogi z kapustą : cabbage,
- pierogi z grzybami : to mushrooms,
- pierogi z serem : with sweet faisselle cheese,
- pierogi z truskawkami, jagodami, etc .: strawberries, blueberries, berries, etc. ;
- gołąbki (literally: small pigeons): it is a cooked white cabbage leaf filled with a stuffing of rice, minced meat, vegetables. Served with a tomato or mushroom sauce.
- placki ziemnaczane : kinds of grated potato pancakes cooked in a pan. Served with mushroom sauce or gulasz sauce. Very good but sometimes too fatty;
- naleśniki : pancakes filled with sweet white cheese (z serem) or apples (z jabłkami) ;
- trout (pstrąg), logically fished in the rivers of the nearby Tatras, is very good;
- surówka : it's a salad of raw vegetables. It usually accompanies dishes, but in some restaurants, it must be ordered in addition;
- zapiekanka : typical product of Polish fast food, it is a half baguette covered with cheese, mushrooms and various other ingredients. There are many kinds, as varied as pizzas.
The old town is full of places to eat for all tastes and budgets.
- 1 Nowy Square (Plac Nowy) (in Kazimierz) 4 to 10 zł. – In the center of this square, a dozen stalls sell zapiekanki cheap.
- If you want to discover Polish food, go to one of the many "milk bars" (mleczny bar), where the dishes are very good value for money. You can eat there for 10 złoty (or- 2,5 €).
- For lovers of pitas and others zapiekanki, meet in Grodzka or Floriańska streets.
- You will find in the streets of the center of the small restaurants more expensive than the "milk bars", but nevertheless cheap.
- The chain restaurants "Sfinx" and "Sioux" offer meals for less than 30 złoty (or- 8 €), on the basis: meat fries / rice vegetables. The portions are big.
- At "Pizza Dominium" you will eat pizza, pasta, salad or some kind of sandwich for the same amount (30 złoty).
- Chlopskie Jadlo or Peasant Food is a chain of restaurants offering quality Polish cuisine. There are three in Krakow: one ulica Grodzka, one ulica Sw. Jana and the third in Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter.
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- 2 Gościniec Pod Zamkiem ul. Stradomska 11, 33-332 Krakow, 48122922212, email: [email protected]
Drinks
Typical Polish drinks are:
- tea (herbata) - it is not Polish, but Poles consume a lot of it.
- the kompot - nothing to do with our compote! It is a fruit juice, often without pulp. Very good, these juices are on sale in milk bars and student canteens (accessible to all).
- beer (piwo) - each region has its own brands, but the national beers are: Zywiec, Tyskie, Warka. There are also flavored beers (apple, raspberry, ginger, even ... coffee!). In bars, lovers of "tangos" will ask for a "piwo z sokiem" (beer with juice).
- vodka - there's something for everyone too ... For those who don't like pure vodka too much, flavored vodkas are a great alternative: Krupnik (honey vodka), wódka żołądkowa (spice vodka) , wódka żubrówka (bison grass vodka), Wiśniówka (cherry vodka), etc.
Housing
The tourist tax is set at 1,6 PLN/ night / person.
- 1 Green Hostel ul. Krakowska 1, 33-332 Krakow, 48516023172, email: [email protected]
- Plaza Hotel Krakow Legionów Piłsudskiego 17,, 48 690 624 251, email: [email protected]
Cheap
Look for accommodation called "hostels" and not "hotels". Apartments are also a good alternative to hotels.
Communicate
Health
Manage the day-to-day
Diplomatic representations
Germany ul. Stolarska 7, 48 12 424 30 00 – General Consulate
1 Austria ulica Armii Krajowej 19, III piętro (Krowodrza district), 48 12 410 56 41, email: [email protected] Mon.- Fri. : 10 h - 12 h. – Austrian Honorary Consulate General (the Consulate General was closed in 2013). In addition to Austria's consulate general in Krakow, Austria has six other representations in Poland. Other representations include an embassy in Warsaw consulates in Gdańsk, Katowice, Łódź, Poznan, and Wrocław.
Chile ul. Floriańska 3, 48 12 428 92 50 – Honorary Consulate
Croatia ul. ks. Jerzego Popiełuszki 36, 48 12 290 65 10 – Honorary Consulate
Denmark ul. św. Anny 5, 48 12 421 71 20 – Honorary Consulate
Estonia ul. Floriańska 15/4, 48 0501 014 230 – Honorary Consulate
United States ul. Stolarska 9, 48 12 424 51 00 – General Consulate
2 France ul. Stolarska 15, 48 12 424 53 00, 48 602 75 14 11 (cellphone), email: [email protected] Mon.- Fri. : 8 h 30 - 16 h. – Consulate General French Institute
Hungary ul. Lubicz 18. – General Consulate
Italy ul. Wenecja 3, 48 12 429 29 21 – Honorary Consulate
Japan ul. Grabowskiego 5/3, 48 12 633 43 59 – Honorary Consulate
Lithuania ul. Chłopickiego 10, 48 12 413 65 18 – Honorary Consulate
Latvia ul. Malborska 130, 48 12 350 55 50 – Honorary Consulate
Mexico ul. Wiedeńska 72, 48 12 636 52 59 – Honorary Consulate
Norway ul. Mazowiecka 25, 48 12 633 03 76 – Honorary Consulate
Peru ul. Straszewskiego 28 – phone: 48124228018 (ext. 28) Honorary Consulate
UK ul. św. Anny 9, 48 12 421 70 30 – Honorary Consulate
Russia ul. Biskupia 7, 48 12 422 26 47 – General Consulate
Slovakia ul. św. Tomasza 34, 48 12 425 49 70 – General Consulate
Sweden ul. św. Anny 5, 48 12 421 73 80 – Consulate
Turkey ul. Jaracza 10, 48 12 416 30 05 – Honorary Consulate
Ukraine ul. Beliny-Prażmowskiego 4, 48 12 429 60 66 – General Consulate
Around
- Auschwitz (About an hour's drive from Krakow) – The Auschwitz concentration camps became the symbol of Nazi barbarism. Plan a day.
- Wieliczka – The Wieliczka salt mine is very successful; over the centuries, the miners working there have fashioned statues and produced real masterpieces in salt. It takes a good half day to get there and make the visit.
- There is also to visit the salt mines of Bochnia on the route between Krakow and Tarnów, they are the oldest mines in the region, smaller than those in Wieliczka but interesting to see.
- The Tarnów region with painted houses in Zalipie, and the surrounding villages with wooden churches.
