Let’s be sincere, you’re in Kraków to see the breathtaking market sq., in all probability Europe’s largest and positively its prettiest. This Sixteenth-century canvas of church buildings, palaces and aristocratic mansions is finest admired whereas sipping a Tyskie beer on the traditional cobblestones. But Kraków is greater than this well-known fairytale view.
Few cities higher inform the drama and dreadfulness of current European historical past. Within the former Jewish neighborhood of Kazimierz, there’s historical past, hope and an terrible lot of excellent meals, whereas the mannequin city of Nowa Huta presents a step again to the Chilly Struggle. This is our information to discovering the perfect Krakow neighborhood for you.
The Rynek and Previous City
Greatest for sights, accommodations and an alfresco drink
Almost all of Kraków’s unimaginable assortment of sights are crammed into the Unesco-protected Previous City. Centered across the Market Sq. (Rynek) the Previous City takes lower than 20 minutes to stroll finish to finish, however nonetheless consists of the blockbuster sights of Wawel Citadel, St Mary’s Basilica and the Fabric Corridor.
The Previous City is a metropolis inside a metropolis, primarily (though not solely) catering to vacationers. Most eating places, bars and accommodations are right here. For first-time guests, it’s your finest base: In any case, whenever you’ve come all this strategy to see the Previous City it is smart to remain in it. The three- and four-star accommodations simply off the Rynek are an absolute cut price by European requirements – simply keep away from these close to bars due to the noise. The superb Hotel Grodek connected to a monastery will do the trick (rooms for below US$120).
Of the hundred-plus locations to eat within the Previous City, you’ll wish to keep away from a minimum of 80 of them. The Rynek particularly is bulging with vacationer traps that serve below-average meals at above-average costs. However don’t write the entire neighborhood off. South of the sq., you’ll discover Kraków’s finest fashionable Polish eating places. Attempt Kogel Mogel for a busy, bistro-like ambiance and award-winning, however unfussy interpretations of basic Polish dishes.
By evening or a minimum of weekends, the Rynek might be raucous. It’s enjoyable, to a degree, however typically marred by stag and hen dos. Do your self a favor and stroll a couple of streets again to discover a higher crowd and higher bars. Head to ul. Stolarska for lounges, like Pierwszy Lokal and Tram Bar, that open late and are ok to attract an area crowd.
Do find time for one daytime drink on the Rynek. When the solar is shining there is no such thing as a higher place to be than sitting on the terraces that skirt the sq.. Most institutions are common at finest and overcharge for the view, however what a view it’s.
Kazimierz
Greatest for ambiance, nightlife and Jewish historical past
Firstly Kazimierz was as soon as one in every of Europe’s greatest and most celebrated Jewish communities; till the Nazis invaded. The group’s heartbreaking historical past is on each nook, from the handful of nonetheless working synagogues and talks within the Jewish Community Centre by Holocaust survivors to the smashed tombstones within the cemetery.
This historical past was additionally the launchpad for Kazimierz’s restoration. There are actually schmears in Bagelmama, cholent in Dawno Temu Na Kazimierzu and kosher wine at petite terrace cafes. The realm’s unloved tenements additionally attracted beatnik bars, a welcome different to the picture-postcard Previous City. At present they’re professionally run and purposefully shabby stylish, however the enchantment nonetheless works. Some 20 years on, the bars and impartial boutiques like Mapaya and galleries like Galerie d’Artwork Naïf on intimate streets nonetheless make this Kraków’s most fascinating neighborhood.
Podgórze
The town’s hipster neighborhood?
Simply throughout the river from Kazimierz, Podgórze has been touted as Kraków’s “up-and-coming hip” neighborhood for therefore lengthy that it have to be almost prepared for retirement. It has gentrified, however gently with long-term households that make the place really feel welcoming residing alongside artists that give it that arty status.
To see “hip” Pódgorze head for the bistros by day/cocktail golf equipment by evening on the riverfront or focus on the professionals and cons of conceptualist artwork with the on-trend crowd at Krako Sluggish Wines subsequent to the Museum of Up to date Artwork Kraków.
Podgorze’s historical past alone makes it value a go to. It was right here the Nazis constructed Kraków’s Jewish Ghetto, as portrayed in Schindler’s Listing (which was filmed in Kraków). On Plac Bohaterów Getta empty metal chairs sit in reminiscence of the Jews pushed into cattle vehicles certain for close by Płaszów or Auschwitz, whereas Eagle Pharmacy on the nook is now a museum recounting the efforts of chemist Tadeusz Pankiewicz who risked his life to smuggle medication and shelter Jews. Down the street, the previous Oskar Schindler Manufacturing facility is now given over to a shifting museum detailing the lifetime of residents in Kraków through the conflict.
Piasek/Dolne Młyny
Greatest for a extra native expertise
The districts instantly ringing the Previous City are inclined to get neglected by vacationers that shuttle between it and Kazimierz, however right here you’ll discover a extra lived-in native Kraków. The small streets of low rise, Nineteenth-century tenements and townhouses are a good-looking setting for vegan eating places catering to college students from close by Jagiellonian College – Kraków’s most prestigious – and some bars that efficiently tread the road between cool and couldn’t care much less.
The nook of Krupnicza and Dolnych Młynów is the center of the neighborhood. Sadly the Tytano complicated of bars, golf equipment and artwork galleries inside a former Austro-Hungarian tobacco manufacturing unit that confused guests nonetheless hunt for has been closed for redevelopment. Drown your sorrows with cheesecake within the fairly greenhouse in Pojnarówka espresso store or a beer and Central European-sized cuts of meat at Kufle i Widelce.
Nowa Huta
Greatest for the bunkers, concrete and communism
You possibly can’t fairly declare there’s nowhere else on earth like Nowa Huta as a result of Magnitogorsk in Russia was additionally constructed to be a Socialist Realist employees’ paradise – the pair have been the one Stalinist new cities absolutely accomplished.
Stalin sq. could now be Ronald Reagan Sq., however Nowa Huta nonetheless presents a step again into the Chilly Struggle; large avenues draped in timber and modeled on Paris and grand Le Corbusier-inspired blocks with flashes of Renaissance fashion. You may also go to nuclear bunkers constructed for residents at Nowa Huta Underground.
Nowa Huta is now a working-class Kraków suburb and simply reached by tram, however you’ll get extra from a visit on an organized tour – like tales of battles with the communist authorities over church buildings, residing situations and Solidarność.
