Kraków’s Old Town: Stay, Eat, & Some Things to Do

So my last post on our first trip to Poland is finally here! It was our first summer here in Europe when we rented a small car and took the eight-hour drive to Kraków. It was the perfect base if you’re also visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz.

To say that I fell in love with Poland is quite the understatement. True, it’s not the poshest destination in Europe so it doesn’t make it to people’s bucket lists quite often. However, Poland is a country that has a lot to offer when it comes to history and culture. Oh, and the people are so sweet and helpful!

First things first.

Where to stay in Kraków?

I loved our apartment in Kraków which we booked via Booking.com. It was near the Old Town and was easily accessible by public transport. There were also grocery stores nearby in case we needed something. You can book this apartment too by clicking on this link.

Since we were travelling with my husband’s colleague’s family, we needed a bigger apartment. A two-bedroom at the very least since there were seven of us in total. We also wanted the option to cook since there were two kids in our group. This apartment ticked all the boxes.

The owners left us with some drinks and even a map of the city. The kitchen had everything we needed from utensils to pots, pans, and plates. The bathroom was spacious and so were the bedrooms. If there’s more in your group, the sofa actually turns into a bed.

There’s also a washing machine in case you need to wash your clothes. The apartment had a scandi-vibe (which I know is really in right now) to it and had a lot of pieces from IKEA. It’s modern, comfortable, and something I can really recommend for groups. Also, it was extremely clean – something my husband and I appreciated because we tend to be particular about this when booking places to stay.

PlayRoom II
Rzeszowska 6/10, Old Town, 31-035 Krakow, Poland
Book it here!

The Old Town

We only had three days and the almost-eight-hour drive (one way) ate much of it up. Oh, and the weather did not cooperate until our last day.

However, I think we were able to make the most of our trip despite time and nature going against our plans.

Of course, no visit to Kraków will be complete without popping by the Old Town. It’s where most of the key sites are located so you’ll see most of the tourists here as well.

Saint Mary’s Basilica is a beautiful, brick church that you can find in the Old Market Square. The gothic-style church is from the 14th century and has the most beautiful altars I’ve seen. No photos allowed though.

The church is also famous for the Hejnał Mariacki or the Kraków Anthem. At the start of every hour, a trumpeter plays the anthem on the highest tower of the basilica. The five-note anthem is played in all four major directions, each time ending abruptly.

Legend has it that as a Mongol invasion in the 1200s approached Kraków, a sentry sounded the alarm by playing the Hejnał from the same tower. The city was able to close the gates, preventing what would have been an ambush. The sentry, however, was shot by an arrow through his throat while he played. This is why to this day, the song is ended abruptly by the basilica’s trumpeters. I love reading such stories about places I visit. It makes the visit more interesting and gives the place more character.

The Main Market Square is also home to the Kraków Cloth Hall or Sukiennice. It’s one of Europe’s oldest shopping centres and was built during the Renaissance. Back in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was used as a trading hall for fine cloth such as silk.

Nowadays, it’s filled with beautiful, handmade souvenirs from Kraków and other curios that come from elsewhere. Some high brow travellers may find them kitschy but I still think the building is worth a visit due to its history and beautiful architecture.

I really liked the wooden kitchen utensils being sold outside the Sukkienice, though. There were also some wooden decor and toys for small children. I love the craftsmanship shown by each piece! They won’t even cost you that much and you get to contribute to the woodwork industry in Poland.

Cafés, gelato stores, and small shops selling old books and cute clothing also pepper the Old Town. Kraków isn’t short of international brands either, just in case you are in need of something familiar (though I urge you to try everything local here). On the way to St. Florian’s Gate, one of Poland’s most beautiful Gothic towers, you’ll also see chain stores like Parfois, Costa Coffee, and even a McDonald’s.

Kraków used to be heavily fortified, with thick walls surrounding the whole city. It remained intact up until the 19th century and nowadays, only a few sections of these walls remain. The Barbican, which you can still visit, used to be one of the city’s historic gateways.

The Wawel Castle

A short walk from the Old Town and right on top of Wawel Hill is one of Poland’s biggest castles. Go for the architecture, leave in awe of the view from up there as well. Personally, my favourite thing about it is the rather quirky mix of Early Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture.

Where to Eat

One place I can really recommend in Kraków for some authentic, Polish food is Restauracja Max 18. I’ll be honest. We found ourselves really hungry on our last day after visiting the salt mines. I didn’t have the patience to look for any of the good restaurants I was planning to visit while we were there.

We were hungry and I needed to be fed ASAP. So, since we found ourselves at the main market square which was full of restaurants, I told my husband that we should just eat there and prevent a temper problem on my end. (I get really cranky when I’m hungry!)

Max 18, thankfully, did not disappoint. We enjoyed every single dish we ordered (especially the Pierogies!). And, while it was at a very touristy area, the prices were still affordable.

Another thing you shouldn’t miss while in Kraków is the Obwarzanek Krakowski which is a ring-shaped, chewy bread. It’s like the skinnier cousin of a bagel and I don’t think a visit to this city will be complete without it.

Just in Case You’re Catholic

You’d be thrilled to know that you can visit places where the late (now Saint) Pope John Paul II stayed while he was still living in Kraków. You can also go to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary for mass and/or to pay your respects to Sister (now Saint) Faustina.

And there you have it. A quick, summer weekend in Kraków, Poland. Hope this was helpful if you’re planning a visit there.

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More later!

Love,

Carol