Krakow : Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:35 pm  

Going in a few weeks. I’m sure plenty of you have been there. Anyone recommend what’s to do, apart from Auschwitz. Any decent bars or restaurants I should visit? Anywhere good to go sightseeing? Thanks in advance.

[Bullseye]

Re: Krakow : Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:10 pm  

Lovely city. Loads of decent bars and restaurants in and around the main square and the smaller squares like in the Jewish quarter. The salt mine is quite a decent trip. Tatras mountains are beautiful. Depends how long you're there.

Re: Krakow : Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:48 pm  

You will find bars and restaurants in the Kazimierz (Jewish) district are generally cheaper than old town, it’s only a short walk from one to the other. Saying that Pijalnia is a great little cheap bar in the old town.

The Kazimierz has a few historical sights if your interested in seeing them, like a small amount of the old ghetto wall and heroes square, Schindler’s factory is worth a visit which isn’t too far.

There is a castle to see and it has some big old churches/cathedrals. Just wandering around the old town and Kazimierz is a nice way to spend a few mornings or afternoons.

Auschwitz is a harrowing place but is well worth visiting, it’s a full day trip out of Krakow, as is the salt mines that you can visit.

Re: Krakow : Sat Jan 12, 2019 9:28 pm  

Auswitz is worth it alone. I have no shame in admitting I cried. The Jewish quarter is mint as are the salt mines

Re: Krakow : Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:16 am  

It's a beautiful city - if you're at all interested in architecture, keep your eyes up; Krakow came through the wars mostly unscathed, so the old gothic and baroque buildings are still intact.

You will be spoilt for choice if you're bar-hopping - and some of the underground ones have amazing interiors; if you're a foodie, Trip Advisor has some great recommendations - but I also had some really good street food, which was dirt cheap.

As others have said, Auschwitz is a must - but be prepared for a very emotional experience; I went on day 1, and found it really difficult to shake off how it left me feeling for the rest of the trip.

Enjoy!

Re: Krakow : Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:52 pm  

If you're there for a week get down to Zakopane.

[Durham Giant]

Re: Krakow : Wed Jan 30, 2019 6:09 pm  

I hated auschwitz. Holocaust as Disneyland.

Long snakes of people going from but to hut.

‘Ooh there is the hair, ooh there are the suitcases, when do we get to see the gold teeth ? “

It was awful. No respect or contemplation just naked tourism.

I found Belsen more haunting nd meaningful.

Re: Krakow : Wed Jan 30, 2019 7:02 pm  

Durham Giant wrote:

I hated auschwitz. Holocaust as Disneyland.

Long snakes of people going from but to hut.

‘Ooh there is the hair, ooh there are the suitcases, when do we get to see the gold teeth ? “

It was awful. No respect or contemplation just naked tourism.

I found Belsen more haunting nd meaningful.

My experience was nothing like this.
Everyone was very respectful and solemn when I visited.

I saw a stat on bbc news recently that said 50% of German schoolchildren did not know what Auschwitz was. Everybody should visit as part of learning about what happened and remembering IMO.

Re: Krakow : Thu Feb 14, 2019 12:24 am  

Durham Giant wrote:

I hated auschwitz. Holocaust as Disneyland.

Long snakes of people going from but to hut.

‘Ooh there is the hair, ooh there are the suitcases, when do we get to see the gold teeth ? “

It was awful. No respect or contemplation just naked tourism.

I found Belsen more haunting nd meaningful.

We went in November and I thought this, one couple in front of us must have taken a picture every five seconds. Similar thing happened at the 9/11 museum a couple of years ago, hated it.

Back to Krakow, to lighten the mood the day after Auschwitz we spent a few enjoyable hours at the Pinball Museum (a good few classic arcade games there too)!

Re: Krakow : Sat Feb 16, 2019 10:40 pm  

Lol@the 2 idiots complaining about Auschwitz. Did the fact they charge you to get in not give it away that it’s a tourist attraction? Or the fact you even went there whilst visiting Poland.