Debating going to Krakow

With your interests and heritage, definitely Krakow. Edinburgh is heaving during the festival, so if you're not specially there for the festival, it is a bad time to visit in my opinion!

Edinburg during the festivals is loaded with activities sometimes with an overwhelming amount of very good and fun things from which to choose. Along with that (at least in 2019) comes the crowds. That’s not a negative. I’ve had some very fulfilling moments both years that I attended.

I long to revisit Krakow (and other places in Poland). My choice would be Auschwitz. The visit there is an experience that is forever cemented (reverently) in my mind. Plan for at least at half day.

Yes, I am trying to get multiple opinions on cities before I book my flight tonight

Spending time in Budapest will be much more relaxing than in Edinburg during the festival period. Both are great cities in great countries to visit. Historical cites are spread throughout Budapest but easy to get to using the easily public transportation.

I’ve been to all three cities. Krakow is smaller and you can walk everywhere. It has many museums, beautiful churches, both big and small, Vavel Castle, Schindlers Factory to name a few. The food is delicious and very cheap. If you go, look for the Blue Van in the evenings, they grill kielbasa. It is a fun evening waiting in line with locals and other tourists. Google it. You really can’t go wrong with either city. Edinburgh is a nice enough city but I prefer the other two choices.

Go to Krakow! It is a beautiful city, never bombed in WWII.

Auschwitz requires advance paid reservation that normally require booking online well in advance. If this visit is essential to your trip success, it is probably too late to go in two days. Perhaps you can pay more for a reservation pre-bought by a tour company, but note that all site tours are conducted by Auschwitz employees, not by outside tour guides. Transportation from Krakow is not difficult, but it is a substantial distance.

I would also expect some events in Edinburgh to be sold out in advance as well.

Finding lodging in Edinburgh at this point for the Festival period could be very difficult, and the cost would probably be double or triple the usual summer rate.

Finding lodging in Edinburgh at this point for the Festival period could be very difficult, and the cost would probably be double or triple the usual summer rate.

I’ve found plenty of hostels in Edinburgh. Even a nice one with availability. Even hotels have availability.

Furthermore, a lot of the shows don’t require advanced booking and a lot are free!

This planning all seems more whimsical than meaningful.

I mean I understand it’s not up to par with other peoples travel styles but I plan days before I leave, sometimes I even get somewhere and have 0 plans. Never had issues.

But I’ve found lodging in both places. I’ve looked at events I want to do in Edinburgh and a lot of them are free and require no advanced reservation.

If I did Krakow, I do see I am able to reserve auschwitz tour with the official provider.

Hardly

Auschwitz requires advance paid reservation that normally require booking online well in advance. If this visit is essential to your trip success, it is probably too late to go in two days

I looked on the official website. There is plenty of availability for the days I’ll be going (August 3 - 6th).

They are both wonderful places to visit. If you want to attend the festival offerings and don’t mind huge crowds everywhere, go to Edinburgh. But it will be very very crowded! Krakow is a lovely city, and in addition to the suggestions offered earlier, you could visit the Jewish Quarter for food and klezmer music. Krakow is likely to be much less crowded. It is still relatively off the beaten path for US and Asian tour groups, and hasn’t yet become the tourist crowded city that Prague has become. One plus for experiencing Krakow now, before it becomes another overcrowded tourist Mecca.

I appreciate everyone’s advice! I decided to go to Edinburgh since this seems like a once in a while event. I can always come to Budapest or Krakow but it’s not everyday my travel dates line up with Fringe.