Perhaps Krakow is not on your bucket list. You may not even have the Polish city on your radar. But you should – especially because London, Prague and the like are already trampled to death, populated by hipsters and taken over by tourists. Krakow is different, authentic, modest and just about to take off like an Airbus A380 with a tailwind. A little medieval, a little modern – a mixture as strong as the local beer and as tempting as the vodka shots, which are cheaper here than the daily newspaper. Dinja Beda shows us around, come with us.
Living in Krakow
Party temple, luxury hotel or hipster accommodation? Those looking to save money can stay at the Little Havana Party Hostel or the Cracow Hostel right in Krakow’s Old Town. Amber Design is run by two sisters, is cozy and offers an overnight stay at a good price. The Bonerowski Palace or the Hotel Grand Sal offer accommodation in renovated historic buildings, while the Visionapartments apartments are stylish.
Little Havana Party Hostel, Kraków -Śródmieście, Poland, Jagiellońska 10, 31-010, www.thelittlehavanapartyhostel.com
Cracow Hostel, Rynek Główny 18, 30-008 Kraków, www.cracowhostel.com
Amber Design, 8-10, Garbarska, 31-131 Kraków, www.hotel-amber.pl
Hotel Grand Sal, park Królowej Kingi 7, 32-020 Wieliczka, www.grandsal.pl
Visionapartments, 8 different locations in Krakow, www.visionapartments.com
Restaurants in Krakow
Freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants warm from the oven make Bistro Charlotte the first place to go in the morning. At lunchtime, you can eat large portions at low prices at Bar Mleczny, a so-called milk bar, typical for Poland, or hipster food at Bal. Delicious Jewish food is available at Ariel, the best smoothies and sweet treats at the Cupcake Corner. Vegans will be happy at Pod Norenami, and those who want typical Polish food can enjoy borscht or pierogi at Konfederacka 4.
Bistro Charlotte, plac Szczepański 2, 31-011 Kraków, www.bistrocharlotte.pl
Bar Mleczny, aleja Ignacego Daszyńskiego 19, 31-538 Kraków, www.barykrakow.pl
Bal, Ślusarska 9, 30-710 Kraków, www.facebook.com
Ariel, Szeroka 18, 33-332 Kraków, www.ariel-krakow.pl
Cupcake Corner, Cupcake Corner Bakery Sp. z o.o., Grodzka 48, 31-044 Kraków, www.cupcakecorner.pl
Pod Norenami, Krupnicza 6, 31-123 Kraków, www.podnorenami.pl
Konfederacka 4, konfederacka 4, Ulica Konfederacka 4, 30-306 Kraków, www.facebook.com
Shopping in Krakow
Vintage fans go completely crazy in Krakow. Why? Because merino sweaters, denim jackets and Doc Martens cost less here than two coffees on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse. It is also standard practice for clothing to be sold by the kilo. There are numerous stores along Juliana Dunajewskiego.
Party
Caution: the prices are low, the alcohol flows more steadily than Krakow’s sour cherry. The Forum Przestrzenie, an improvised outdoor bar with retro sofas, graffiti and a fairground atmosphere, is the place to be. If you like vodka, the Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa chain of stores will have you screaming for joy by the meter: Shots for one euro and in so many variations that the hangover dances salsa the day after. There are two places to party in Krakow at Baroque, a chic club with great cocktails and a packed event agenda.
Forum Przestrzenie, Marii Konopnickiej 28, 30-302 Kraków, www.forumprzestrzenie.com
Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa, Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa, plac Nowy 7, 33-332 Kraków, www.pwip.com
Baroque, Świętego Jana 16, 31-017 Kraków, www.baroque.com
Quarters
The old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz is the hippest place in Krakow. Galleries, restaurants, cafés and boutiques gather here like groupies in front of the
concert hall together. The industrial district of Podgorze is currently experiencing a powerful upswing and almost makes you forget the horrors that took place here during the Second World War.
happened.
Must do
Ride your bike through Nowa Huta and let the tires find their way. In between, grab a zapiekanki, a baguette with toppings and something like Krakow’s landmark. Endzior on Plac Nowy serves the best.
Endzior, plac Nowy 4B, 31-056 Kraków, www.facebook.com
Events
A Thing for Art.
Design in Krakow 12.11. until 15.12.
Exhibitions, demonstrations, markets: everything to do with Polish art.
A Thing for Art. Design in Krakow, www.karnet.krakow.pl
Dinja Beda
is a student.
loves Snapchat filters.
hates rain.
Here are our tips for a short trip to Sintra.