3 Days in Kraków, Poland
The Main Square and St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow, Poland
Spending 3 Days In Kraków
Why Krakow
Over the Christmas holidays, we watched Schindler's List again, Stephen Spielberg's 1993 movie about events unfolding in Kraków during the Second World War. The Zookeeper's Wife, another historically based film from 2017 about events in Warsaw, solidified Poland as a destination we wanted to explore.
Day 1
Arriving in Krakow by Bus From Berlin
Our ten-hour bus from Berlin was an hour late, and as we dragged our feet and backpacks through the very modern mall adjacent to the train station and Main Square, we were a bit disappointed. It felt like we had landed in a North American metropolis, merging into a modern, beehive-like tourist trap.
10-hour bus ride from Berlin to Krakow
Staying in The Old Town
We decided on a location in Old Town near Main Market Square, and the “Unitkat Guest Rooms” was within our budget at $87.00 per night. The room was comfortable, and when you opened the window, you could hear and feel the action of a European metropolis on a summer night.
Opening the window initially appealed to us, but later, we had to close it as the noise from the street kept us awake. We relied on a fan to keep the air circulating, but this didn’t take away from the experience. In particular, we enjoyed good service from the front desk staff and can certainly recommend this hotel.
The Main Square and St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow, Poland
Day 2
Main Square - Old Town
After a good night’s sleep and a solid breakfast, Kraków seemed much more appealing as we ventured out for the day with a more positive outlook. The Main Square, the largest medieval square in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is indeed impressive, with St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall.
It is also a tourist hub on steroids, with brand-name chain stores, countless horse-drawn carriages, and tourist fluff. This undeniably detracts from the original medieval scene.
The Old Town and St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow Poland
The Jewish Quarter Of Kazimierz
We decided to head to the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, and it felt more authentic with each step. We often seek out photography exhibits, and a visit to the Galicia Jewish Museum was at the top of our agenda.
It was a moving collection of color photographs, illuminating the years after World War II up to the present day, portraying the decline of the Jewish presence in Poland and current activities.
The Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz in Krakow, Poland
The exhibit had photos of worn-down and abandoned synagogues, mass graves, and a section from the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. We left in a somber mood and walked on to debrief.
Street Food Market
We wandered the streets, took in the atmosphere of the warm summer evening, and settled on an Armenian wrap from a street market for dinner. It was a busy weekend in Kraków, at the peak of the tourist season.
Street food market in Kazimierz, Krakow, Poland
Day 3
In the morning, we returned to the train station to secure our tickets to Kyiv for the next day. All the direct routes from Kraków were sold out, so we decided to take the overnight train through Warsaw.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum
With Spielberg's movie in mind, we sought out the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum. Located in Oskar Schindler's original enamel factory, the museum is an interactive display of life in Krakow from 1939 to 1945.
It was especially moving to see a monument with the names of the 1,200 Jews Schindler saved. You may recognize the photo below from the factory entrance, which features portraits of the employees.
Oskar Schindler's original enamel factory in Krakow, Poland
Quaint Shops, Cafés, and Live Music
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets in the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz. This was by far our favorite part of Kraków, with quaint shops and cafés on almost every street corner. Buskers and street artists were everywhere, and of course, tourists. But the crowds never took away from the good experience.
Dinner time was approaching, and the search for a good restaurant began. We are notorious for not settling for the first place we find. We always look for a special, atmospheric setting.
Morning scene at Main Square market in Krakow Poland
A Polish band was playing in a square near St. Mary's Basilica, and we found a table at a restaurant, QLT, where we could see the band perform. The band was awesome, and now I regret not writing down the band name.
Prices In Kraków
By Canadian standards, prices in Kraków were reasonable. A solid breakfast at Polski Smaki was $5.00 per person. Dinner at QLT Restaurant was $12.50 per person, including drinks. Admission to the Galicia Jewish Museum was $6.30 per person.
Final Thoughts About Kraków
We arrived in Kraków at the peak of the tourist season, which had a negative impact on our stay at times, but it was minor things, like a bit of noise in the evening.
Being in Kraków in August also had its charm with excellent weather and a festive mood, especially in the Jewish Quarter. The food was amazing and affordable.
Without hesitation, it is a city you can put on your bucket list, and when you make it, you will not be disappointed.
Carriage ride from the Main Square in the Old Town, Krakow
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The photos in this article are made using a Fujifilm X-Pro2. Lenses: XF 14mm f/2.8 R - XF 23mm f/1.4 R - XF 35mm f/1.4 R (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done in Capture One Express. I have used Fujifilm film simulations in this post. The black and white images below are all from the Acros film simulation.
