Romantic Krakow

Horse and Cart at Krakow

When my husband said he was taking me to Krakow for our special wedding anniversary, I thought he was mad! But, having been to many cities throughout Europe, I have to say I was quite amazed and very pleasantly surprised at just how lovely Krakow was.

We flew from Bristol to John Paul II International Airport. The flight only took about two and half hours, and from there it was just a 30 minute bus ride to Krakow. This 750-year-old city is home to a spectacular array of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the centerpiece being Wawel Castle, built in the 14th Century. Krakows main Piazza was very special indeed. It was huge and full of lovely cafes, bars, and restaurants where you could sit outside with the heaters on and watch the world go by. They even provide blankets for extra warmth so you can snuggle up when it gets a bit cooler.

Wawel Castle

From here you’re treated to great spectacle as Krakow has a really buzzy atmosphere with street entertainers, musicians and some of the best jazz music I have ever heard. The beautiful horses and carts lined up on the roadside are gorgeous and are perfect to give you that extra special trip around Krakow.

Krakow also had lots of open-air and indoor market stalls selling local food as well as goods. A must visit at the market is the legendary Cloth Hall, selling lace and cloth as well as carvings and other polish souvenirs. The cost of living is much cheaper in Poland so everything here is great value. Getting around is very easy, either by foot or local buses and trams.

Cloth Hall

We also visited Auschwitz/ Berkenau whilst there, this is a great full day trip with a local guide who tells you the whole story of this concentration camp. Auschwitz is haunting and fascinating, and visiting is a must if you are in the area. Other options include a visit to Schindler’s List, and the famous Salt Mines.

We stayed in Krakow for three nights, which I felt was an ideal amount of time. We also found the local Polish people to be very friendly and generally very keen to speak English and show interest in our country.

Best time of year I would say is early Autumn. Not to hot and not freezing. We had no rain and, although it was a little chilly at night, it was great to be able to sit out under the heaters and watch the world go by.