2 days in Krakow - essentials/tips!!

One Over-50 replying:

Wawel Castle is a must, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is unbelievable (but see if you cannot arrive 15 minutes or more before they open - the lines can really get long after that), and the Jewish Quarter are must-sees in my mind. A walk around the top of the old city walls is really enjoyable, too. Stay as close to the Main Square as you can to enjoy the cathedral and indoor market.

You'll probably feel more at home in Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter, which is now much "hipper" than the Old Town. A long walk or short tram ride connects the two areas, so you can see both easily.

Do you have a guidebook? Rick's Snapshot: Kraków, Warsaw & Gdansk is excellent, or get his Eastern Europe book if you're going outside Poland.

Here's his list of Krakow attractions and how he rates them (click "At A Glance"): https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/poland/krakow

I was there in late May 2015 and stayed near the main square, that was perfect for exploring pretty much everything on foot. I found myself especially drawn to the Kazimierz district, kind of a funky vibe and plenty of night life going on, and there's a greenbelt park that surrounds the old town called the planty, perfect for a picnic or just relaxing on a hot day. There was a really cool outdoor bar/restaurant along the outer edge under the shady trees that was the best place to sit for a while with locals. I learned a few basic words of Polish and of them, the 2 I most easily remember are piwo (peevo), beer, and lody (woady), ice cream.

Wawel castle hill is good for several hours of exploring (got to see the Krakow dragon down by the river), and if you're interested in WWII history then the Schindler factory is a must-see. I spent 4 days and that included a day trip to Auschwitz, but otherwise most days were spent in and around the main square. In summer there's a huge market going on every day with crafts, music and food--my first meal was an enormous grilled kielbasa with potatoes and a beer, simple and perfect. Just try to walk by the food stands without stopping, it's pretty much impossible. I found the people to be friendly and helpful, and the exchange rate was very much in my favor. My trip included Warsaw and Gdansk and it stands out as one of my favorite countries, definitely one I'll return to.