2013 July Poland Cracow

Cracow

There is no need to introduce the old city of Cracow. It was famous long time ago and it is still very popular.
Nowadays, a lot of tourists from all over the world is visiting this magnificent city because of cheap airlines offers.
The first important thing is to exchange money. I suggest to exchange small amount at the airport, only to buy a bus ticket. The exchange rate at the airport is worse than in the city, you need to pay 30 % of commissions. Look for signs ‘KANTOR’ in the city.

You have 3 options to get to the city: taxi, bus and train.
As I’m a budget traveller I used the bus. Near the terminal, there is a bus stop with a ticket machine. 1 way ticket costs 4PLN (1e). Train costs 12 PLN (3e). Unfortunately, I don’t know how much should taxi cost you. I guess that there is an official taxi company and a private  one (the private one could have incredibly high prices) so make sure that you know the price before you arrive or check it with airport staff.
The bus will take you to the Bus terminal near the main train station, 15 minutes walk to the city centre. The bus number is 304 and the journey takes  around 45 minutes.

In the summer there are 2 free city tours per day but you need to check it in the information centre.
http://www.cracow.org/
Apart from the city centre, a must is Kazimierz - old Polish Jews District with old buildings, cemetery, etc.
Near the Krakow: Wieliczka – Salt Mine, Oswiecim – (concentration camp), Polish castles – Eagles’ Nests Trail (starts in Cracow and finishes in Czestochowa), Czestochowa – The Black Madonna and monastery complex.
http://en.auschwitz.org/h/

http://www.krakow-info.com/czestoch.htm

Market Sukiennice

Wisla River on the right

Wawel

Every hour on the main square

Cracow Dragon - 'Smok Wawelski'

Wawel

Kazimierz district - here you buy 'Zapiekanka'

Kazimierz

Pub in Kazimierz

Kazimierz

Barbacan

The Getto Heroes Square

The Getto Heroes Square

The Getto Heroes Square

St Mary's church

Adam Mickiewicz monument