Krakow KIT

Beneath you will find Krakow Kit - our pick of good places to eat, go out and some others. Hopefully it will be useful.The map version of Kit, we try to update more frequently, and has many more places than PDF Kit.

 

Pokaz Traveller's Inn Krakow Kit [a work in progress] na wiekszej mapie

 

Krakow KIT in [PDF] »

eat

Cheap but decent, most of these restaurants are self-service (samoobslugowy in Polish). Most are open until around 20:00 or 21:00, and many of them close earlier on Sundays.

Babcia Malina - Someone described it as „the Kingdom of Kitsch” but it is also an empire of delicious meats. They have stuffed boars, fake kittens, wooden cradles, alive fish (never to be eaten) but above all - tasty Polish food. Inexpensive with enormous portions. Try potato pancakes (placki po wegiersku, or placki po budapesztansku). They have an English menu but you might have to ask for it. Address: Slawkowska 17 (No.2 [B1] on map) and Szpitalna 38 (No.1 [B1] on map), open 11-20:00. For the location on Slawkowska, enter the building, follow the corridor till you see a court yard. From court yard go left and downstairs, straight to Babcia. When it’s open, a wooden grandma sign will point the way.

Temida– It is a so-called bar mleczny (milk bar). It is like a voice from the past. In PRL (Communist Poland) there were many places like this, serving fast and cheap meals for workers, students, elderly and so on. The food is defiantly not sophisticated but tasty and very, very cheap. There’s no English menu, so just guess or ask us for suggestions before you go. Worth visiting before the species goes extinct. Ask staff for other locations since there are many good ones around town. Address: Grodzka 43 (No.3[B2] on map), open 9:00-21:00 every day, which is very unusual for a milk bar.
Another of this kind–„Filarki”, for a more extreme experience. Extremely close to the hostel. Address: on the corner of Dietla St. and Starowislana St. (No.4[B2] on map) open 07-19.00 on weekdays, 08-16.00 on Saturdays and 09:15 on Sundays.

Pierozki u Vincenta- a tiny place with the most innovative pierogi (dumplings) in town. They went far behind the polish tradition, filling their pierogi with such exotic stuff like spinach and mozzarella or chocolate and coconut.
Address: Bozego Ciala 12 (No.5[B2] on map), open 10-21:00

Chimera- the oldest salad bar it the city. Ground level in the covered courtyard: open-in-all-weather, serves a great variety of salads and hot vegetarian dishes. Downstairs: a nice cellar with meat dishes available, more expensive fare. Bizarre animal / Victorian human creatures for decoration. Children’s theatre every Sunday at 12 from September till May.
Address: Sw. Anny 3 (No.6 [A1] on map), open 10-23:00

Polakowski– Good solid Polish food, staff wearing silly „country” themed hats. Very popular, so it might be difficult to get a table during typical lunch or dinner hours. If you are tired of no English menus or awkward translations, you might prefer this place because you can see the food in glass cases before you order. And they have particularly good soups.
Address: in Kazimierz, Miodowa 39 (No.7[B3] on map) and near the Main Square, Dominikanski 6 (No.8[A2] on map) both open 10-22:00

Momo- Very vegan, very organic. Indian / Korean / Etc. inspired dishes. Animals are welcomed (to visit). Many posters of yoga classes on walls.
Address: Dietla 49 (No.9[B3] on map), open 11-20:00

Kielbasa guys- For ten years now every night (except Sundays) from 21:00 until 3:00, 2 guys sell home-made grilled kielbasa (sausage) from their big round blue van, parked next to Hala Targowa. Wobbling table, paper plates, sparkling lemonade and kielbasa. Very good and very famous kielbasa.
Where: Hala Targowa (No.10 [C2] on map), open from 21:00 until 3:00

Dong-A- Nominally Chinese food. Their duck is crispy and delicious, and their sizzling fried eel is ...... absolutely amazing. A very small place, so don’t bring a crowd. Large portions and low prices. It may not look that great from the street but you won’t regret a visit. Open Monday-Saturday 10-21:00, Sunday 11-20:00 Where: Miodowa 7 in Kazimierz (No. 11 [B3] on map)

Zapiecek- Mostly pierogi + a few other polish staples. What’s remarkable about the place is that it’s open all night, if you’re near the Main Square and you’re craving a place to sit down inside and have some good food that’s not a kebab or zapiekanka. Open 24 hours. Address: Slawkowska 32 (No.12 [A1] on map)

A note about night food: Around the Main Square, kebabs are dominant. Near Kazimierz, centred around Plac Nowy instead try a Zapiekanka. This is a big sliced baguette with mushrooms and cheese melted, plus other ingredients of your choice. Strangely delicious, and easy to desire after a few beers.

 

And now a few slightly more upscape suggestions: Most of these next aren’t self-service like the places listed above, but they still aren’t too expensive.

Marchewka z Groszkiem- The name means „The Pea and Carrot.” Traditional Polish food but with original embellishments. Try their fresh blended carrot-and-fruit juices, Pierogi with spinach, or meaty creations with ocypek (sheep’s cheese). They also have a good selection of Ukrainian beers which you can have hot (very good in winter) with cinnamon, cloves and crushed ginger added.
Address: Mostowa 2 (no. 13 [B4] on map), open 09:00-22:00

Dynia- means „Pumpkin” in Polish. See if you can find their delicious home-made pumpkin jam. An excellent place for an enlightened, uplifting breakfast. Excellent pasta dishes and other entrees, plus cocktails later in the day, but they offer breakfast like no other. Sit in their grand, crumbling courtyard in warm weather. Address: Krupnicza 20 (no. 14 [1A] on map) Open 8:30 to 20:00 daily

Klimaty Poludnia- One of the closest places to the hostel. Name means „The Southern Climate;” the food is more French / Italian than Polish. If you have their „menu” at lunch (the special of the day) you can get a very good meal plus a glass of compatible wine for around 25 zl., which would probably cost around 3 times as much in other restaurants of similar quality. Special attention to detail given to ensure a refined dining experience. Eat outside in the garden if it’s not too cold. To find it go in under the sign through the courtyard. Address: ul. Sw. Gertrudy 5 (No. 15 [B2] on map) open 13-24:00 daily

Kompania Kuflowa Pod Wawelem- Also very close to the hostel. Might seem too „Bavarian” to some but it’s pure Polish; meaty dishes, plump smiling men playing accordions sometimes, and tables full of red-cheeked people happily clinking big glasses of beer together. You can have dishes which are still on fire brought to your table. Good fried pierogi. A hearty good time with mechanically friendly waiters and free shots of Wisniowka (Polish cherry vodka) at the end of the meal. If you go away hungry or sober, then the restaurant has failed to do it’s job. Find it in the Planty (small park that runs around the centre of the city) attached to the Hotel Pod Wawelem. Address: ul. Sw. Gertrudy 26-29 (No.16[3B] on map) open everyday from 6.30 - 24.00

Indus Tandoor- Very good Indian food + shy and grumpy staff. Address: Slawkowska 13-15 (No. 17 [1A] on map) open Sunday - Thursday 12.00-22.00, Friday and Saturday 12.00-24.00.

Diego & Bohumil- Czech / Argentinian. Make sure to learn Spanish and Czech before you go since there is no Polish or English on the menu! Hearty food with plenty of attention to detail. Address: ul. Sw. Sebastiana 6 (No. 18[B3] on map), open 11:00-22:00

 

If you are looking for something more upscale - here are some more tips:

Kawaleria- Polish, nice garden Address: Golebia 4 (No. 19[A2] on map), open 11.00-23.00

Miód Malina- Polish Address: Grodzka 40 (No.20 [B2] on map), open 12.00-23.00

Arka Noego- or „Noah’s Arc.” One of many good Jewish-themed restaurants on Szeroka, in the centre of the formerly-Jewish Kazimierz area. There’s live klezmer music every night at 20.30 from April to October, and they’ll arrange concerts off-season as well. Address: Szeroka 2 (No.21[C3] on map) open from 10:30-24:00 (kitchen open from 12:00-23:00)

Manggha Japanese Art and Cultural Center & Cafe- Sushi is available in their restaurant looking across the river, and also a library of tea is served in little metal pots. Also green tea ice cream. There is usually some kind of topical art exhibit in the place and there are often good concerts downstairs. Address: Marii Konopnickiej 26 (No.22[A3] on map), cafe open 10-18.00

Smak Ukrainski- Ukrainian on a picturesque street near the Wawel castle. Address: Kanonicza 15 (No.23[A2] on map),open 10:00-24:00

Padre- Indian and Italian entrees. Wislna 11 (No. 24[A2] on map), open from 12:00-22:00

 

go out

Kraków has far too many cafes/pubs/clubs to list here. Some claim it has the highest density in the world. Maybe the best ones aren’t even on this list. So why not close Facebook, get out into the city and explore for yourself? As a general rule, go toward the city centre for dance clubs and toward Kazimierz for places to sit. Most of these places can get pretty smoky, particularly in the evenings, so if you’re looking for a nice non-smoking place you can find an exhaustive map online at www.lokalbezpapierosa.pl.

Spokój- Colourful decor, eclectic music, friendly staff. Sometimes people spontaneously breaking out dancing (though it’s a sit-down place) or maybe you can overhear young guys talking about marketing opportunities. Always active, and a quietly energetic vibe to the place. Play Scrabble here, or try to find the hidden shower upstairs. Address: Bracka 3/5 (in the courtyard at the back left and up the stairs) (No.25 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / SOMETIMES HIGH-ENERGY / SOMETIMES QUIET / OFTEN LOUD

Pauza- Sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, modern, interesting art on the walls. Dark and lively. They sometimes show movies in a room above the club and they have a gallery. Check their website for details at www.pauza.pl.
Address: Florianska 18 (No.26 [B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / OFTEN LOUD / ART EXHIBITS / FIREPLACE IN WINTER

Lódz Kaliska- Lots of subtle details add to a slightly kinky effect. Cavort with the Facebook generation here, or spy on unsuspecting strangers from within the 2-way mirrors in the toilets. They host bands sometimes, otherwise it’s a place for dancing on weekends and a place for a few drinks other days. Address: Florianska 15 (under the stone squirrels!) (No. 27[B1] on map)
TAGS: NEAR MAIN SQUARE / PUB / DANCING ON WEEKENDS / COOL (WEIRD) DECOR / CONCERTS

Singer- The first and (arguably) still the best night drinking spot in Kazimierz. Small (but usually packed with people) dark, with old wallpaper and carefully-chosen music. Tables made from old sewing machines, hence the name.
Address: Estery 20 (No.28[B3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / SOMETIMES HIGH-ENERGY / OFTEN LOUD /

Alchemia– An old Favourite. Candles, stone walls, a basement, good conversation among strangers, good music, also, maybe. Worth checking for concerts and events at www.alchemia.com.pl particularly if you favour „free jazz”. Address: corner of Estery and Plac Nowy (No. 29 [B3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / OFTEN FULL / CONCERTS /

Caryca, Lubu Dubu, Kitsch (and more)– Go here late almost any night of the week for dancing. Surreal, and an irresistible force. Kitsch, the club on the top floor, is nominally gay but in practice anything goes. Other clubs in the complex: Caryca, Playground (the one below ground level -- avoid it if you’re older than 15) and Off-Centrum (inside Kitsch and sometimes hosts small interesting concerts during the week).
Address: Wielopole 15 (No. 30 [B2] on map)
TAGS: VERY NEAR HOSTEL / DANCE CLUB / BAR / RELAXED / TRASHY / UNPRETENTIOUS / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT / OFTEN LOUD / OFTEN FULL /

Prozak- Primarily a dance place later in the week with 3 small dance floors, often host to foreign DJs. A guy from Ecuador once described this place as „paradise”. Good people watching when you’re drunk and the kids look impossibly tan. If you are male and Polish you might not be let in. It is probably evil, but it also may be useful.
Address: Plac Dominikanski 6 (No. 31[B2] on map)
TAGS: NEAR MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / BAR / PRETENTIOUS / HIGH-ENERGY / DOOR SELECTION /

Jazz Rock Cafe- one of the oldest in Kraków, rather rock then jazz, sometimes death metal. Many like it a lot, particularly people who wear a lot of black. Unlike a lot of places, they might charge you 5 PLN to get in on some nights, but inside it feels very unpretentious. A good place to watch lots of people singing along on the dance floor to Polish rock songs from the 80s and 90s while wearing Dr. Martens. They also have a non-dancing room for a quiet pause and a beer for refuelling. Address: Slawkowska 12 (No. 32 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / UNPRETENTIOUS / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT

Lokator- They sometimes put our their own publication with art, comics and articles called „Mrówki w czekoladzie” (which means “The Chocolate-Covered Ants”) and they show foreign movies in their basement cinema sometimes.
Address: ul. Krakowska 27 (No. 33[B3] on map)
TAGS: NEAR KAZIMIERZ /CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / EVENTS /

Mleczarnia- Deep red walls stained from soot from years of burning candles, old family photos stare at you from the walls. They open a lovely garden across the street in warmer weather. Address: Meiselsa 20 (No.34 [B3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / SMALL / OPEN GARDEN IN WARM WEATHER /

Re- Good pub with a tiny room which often has good strange bands from far and near. Huge outside garden available when it’s warm outside. Address: Sw. Krzyza 4 (No. 35 [B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CONCERTS / CAFE / BAR / SOMETIMES QUIET / CONCERTS / COURTYARD GARDEN

Wódka- a small and intimate place with quiet nooks to hide in. No beer on tap, only in bottles--they specialize instead in delicious flavoured vodkas. Get a shot of the vodka of the day, often homemade and unique. Address: ul. Mikolajska 5 (No. 36 [B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / COZY AND INTIMATE / OFTEN QUIET /

Bunkier Sztuki Cafe- „The Art Bunker.” The name refers to the attached art gallery, but they have an exposed cafe on the side, covered for warmth but still very popular in the winter, with a good view of the eastern side of Planty park. Possibly the best coffee in the city. They also have beer, vodka and sophisticated snacks. Address: Plac Szczepanski 3A (No. 37 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / ART EXHIBITS [IN ATTACHED ART GALLERY]

Naukowa- A good place to see violent punk bands from Finland, for example. Smells more strongly of cigarettes than anywhere else you are likely to go. Check their website for concerts, even though it’s an amazingly small place for a band to perform. Address: Jakuba 29-31 (No.38 [C3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / BAR / SMALL, DARK & DIRTY / HIGH-ENERGY / SMALL / EVENTS / CONCERTS /

Dekafencja- Pub with the cheapest beer near the Main Square. Doesn’t smell as bad as it used to. A good place to end an evening, or spin it off in a new and reckless direction. Make new friends here, or lose old ones. A good last resort. Address: ul. Slawkowska 4 (No.39 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / CAFE / BAR / SMALL , DARK & DIRTY / SLIGHTLY CHEAPER DRINKS /

Spolem- You might notice the mildew scent when you first go down into this basement place, but you will quickly get used to it. Decorated with PRL posters (from Poland’s Communist years). Sing along to Polish dance hits of the 80s and 90s when they have Karyoke nights, or just prey that it stops soon. Address: Sw. Tomasza 4 (No.40 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / BAR / UNPRETENTIOUS / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT /

The Irish Mbassy- (Irish Pub) and a really well-ventilated place, lots of levels. Home to lots of „ex-pat” UK and American dudes. Hosts the pub quiz (which some people take very, very seriously) every Thursday evening at 9:30-ish. Also you can watch football here and have heavy bar treats and an English/Irish breakfast. Address: Stolarska 3 (No. 42 [B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / BAR + FOOD / FOREIGNER HANG-OUT / WATCH FOOTBALL /
An alternative to this place is the more slick and shiny (less stereotypical for an Irish pub in decor, classy food) Nic Nowego.
Address: sw. Krzyza Street no. 15. (No.43 [B1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / BAR + FOOD / FOREIGNER HANG-OUT / WATCH FOOTBALL /

Frantic, etc., on Szewska street- Crowded dance floors with people trying to look good. Watch the big glowing plastic cubes change colour! Try to guess how expensive the floor and the bar were to install. You will probably have to pay to get in, unlike most places, and depending on the night they might not let you in if the big bald guys don’t like the look of you.
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / TRASHY / PRETENTIOUS / HIGH-ENERGY / DOOR SELECTION /
If you are rejected at the door, go next door to Goraczka where you won’t have to feel nervous for having the wrong kind of shoes. Address: both are located at Szewska 5 (No. 44[A1] on map) next door to each other
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / TRASHY / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT / ERASMUS HANG-OUT /

Krzysztofory Klub- If you hate drum & bass or especially dub music, then you should stay away from this place! Wednesdays they have local amateur DJs experimenting. Feel the bass! Dance to the music! It can be a place for serious hard fun.
Address: ul. Szczepanska 2 (No.41 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / HIGH-ENERGY / STUDENT HANG-OUT / DUB MUSIC, DRUM & BASS

Ptasiek- kind of an „ordinary” Kraków pub (a ground-level part and a cellar part) but this place has a nice jam session every Wednesday at 22.00 or so in the cellar. Musicians are often amateurs and playing together for the first time.Address: Dajwór 3 (No.45 [C3] on map)
TAGS: KAZIMIERZ / CAFE / BAR / RELAXED / LIVE MUSIC: WEDNESDAY JAM SESSIONS /
For more professional musicians and a stricter jazz format, try one of the weekly jam sessions at the venerable Harris Piano Jazz Bar on the Main Square. Address: Rynek Glówny 28 (No. 46 [A1] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / BAR / SOMETIMES DAILY LIVE JAZZ CONCERTS / WEEKLY JAM SESSIONS /

Tower Pub- Rock, heavy metal but also Leonard Cohen. A bar / dance club with a semi-gothic student feeling. Fake organ pipes over the bar, for example. Friendly staff, they say. Address: Grodzka 4 (No. 47 [B2] on map)
TAGS: MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / BAR / STUDENT HANG-OUT

El Sol Club Latino- A place for salsa and other Latin rhythms.
Address: Batorego 1 (a little beyond the map -- look northwest)
TAGS: OFF MAIN SQUARE / DANCE CLUB / BAR / CAFE / SALSA DANCING & OCCASIONAL LESSON

 

other

Pierwszy lokal na Stolarskiej po lewej stronie idac od Malego Rynku- The long name means „the first place on Stolarska street on the left side coming from the direction of Maly Rynek,” which it is. They have cheap breakfast sandwiches (a great way to start the day early) and you can watch the responsible citizens of the world flap their newspapers as they prepare for their day. Or you can drink locally-brewed beer (even a dark variety) at night. The kind of place that many people find themselves a “regular” at, all times of day. Address: Stolarska no.6 (No. 48 [B1] on map)

Massolit books- Great variety of (inexpensive) books and papers, mostly in English. Good coffee and cake. Very cosy, very charming. Children’s events on Sunday mornings, other happenings as announced. A rare non-smoking place. They serve wine, but they close at 8:00 pm at the latest. Address: Felicjanek 4 (No. 49 [A2] on map), open 10.00-23.00
Search for book titles and check availability on their website: www.massolit.com

Poster Gallery- Polish theatre and film posters, old and new, many with a distinctive illustration style. It’s also the best place to by postcards with weird and wonderful Polish poster images, escaping the cliches.
Address: Stolarska 8-10 (No.50 [B2] on map)

Flea market on Hala Targowa– every Sunday, from early morning peculiar people sell peculiar objects, from trash to antiques to, well, absolutely anything. Get a working Soviet LOMO camera for 5 PLN, or maybe a pineapple, slightly used. From Monday to Saturday they have a vegetable and fruit market plus you can buy underwear and dubious watches.
Where: Hala Targowa (No.51 [C2] on map)

Flea market on plac Nowy- every Sunday, from early morning. From Mon. to Sat- fruits and veggies, also some plastic jewellery, books from time to time.
Where: Plac Nowy (see „PL. NOWY” [B3] on map)

 

off the main square and kazimierz

Podgórze– a district on the south banks of Wisla, just behind Kazimierz,
20-30 min. walk from Main Square, from Kazimierz of course less. It has many wonders: beautiful buildings, old factories which soon become penthouses or in better scenario museums, remains of Austrian fortifications, beautiful churches (one is among the oldest in Kraków), artificial mound form 7th century with great view of the old town, huge quarry in the central part and moon like landscape, beautiful parks and nature reserves. Also bars, cafes and concert venues are beginning to become more popular, for example Drukarnia (No.52 [C4] on map) and the new Fabryka (too far to see on the map, so check the online Kraków Kit). In Podgórze all is half neglected half well cared-for, and it’s changing quickly so hurry up before it all will be nice and brushed up. Check www.podgorze.pl for a short guide, pictures old and new, and post cards.

Eventually Podgórze became the location of the Jewish ghetto during WWII and concentration camp. If you would like to learn more about Jews & culture also holocaust in Kraków visit Galicja Museum on Dajwór (No.53[C3] on map). They organise seminars, exhibitions, concerts and tours. And they have good maps where Jewish traces are clearly marked, and it might be good idea to go there first and then walk around Kazimierz and Podgórze.
www.galiciajewishmuseum.org

Nowa Huta- the district built along and around the biggest steelworks in Poland in the early 1950s. It was planed as an ideal city, providing friendly and decent environment for labour. Designed as a clear symbol of Poland’s happy marsh towards socialism, it paradoxically later became an area where strong opposition to the communist regime fermented. The district has complex history and a complex identity, with interesting architecture and a strange charm. Social surveys show that its inhabitants, also young people, have a stronger attachment to their district than anywhere else in Kraków and the biggest pride. Recently this has resulted in many communal/cultural actions focused mostly around Laznia, a cultural hot spot in a former factory. This place has a very interesting interior, and is host to impressive cultural actions and programme. They have a nice bar (open at evenings from Wed to Sun, during events also) which we highly recommended for something a little different. Look at our online version of the Kraków Kit map or ask reception for more precise tips how to get there.

Stylowa- the most elegant restaurant in Nowa Huta, good food, enjoyable dance evenings, atmosphere goes back to 50s and 60s. Address- Aleja Róz (check our online map for how to get there, or ask someone at reception).

It might be a good idea to visit Nowa Huta with a guide, it is very easy to overlook its most interesting spots, also some historical and cultural background is crucial. Our hostel guide will give you a tour for free, you just have to arrange it in advance, and with at least 3 people. Always available, unless our guide is out of the country (which happens sometimes) or has a broken leg (this happened once). Ask reception to set things up. For sure Nowa Huta is not as easy to visit and admire as the shiny and beautiful Main Square. As a matter of fact it is quite opposite, Nowa Huta requires some time and knowledge. We also offer a free guided tour to Podgórze.

If you would like to hire another guide than the one the hostel offers (not for free, sadly) there are many good ones available such as:
www.cooltourcompany.com/redstar.html

Also there is www.crazyguides.com -- This one is very famous and popular but comparatively expensive (between 100 and 200 PLN). If you don’t enjoy a „zany” and irreverent attitude, then this may not be the tour for you.

And speaking of guides (of the city centre, not of Nowa Huta) we suggest you consider a bike tour, where you can see a lot more in a shorter time: www.krakowbiketour.com

If you’re looking for the opposite of a tour, you might be interested in the party tram. Every Saturday night at 9:00 they roll around past Pl.Wszystkich Swietych at 21.00 and for 29 PLN they will pick you up and carry you around the city for a few hours. Get the receptionist at the hostel to reserve your ticket in advance. The tram is decorated with various themes like: Hawaiian! or Glow In The Dark Body Paint! Poke your heads out the window, unwisely, like happy drunk dogs and wave your tongues at confused night pedestrians. Stock up at a nearby all-night shop and relieve yourself in a small dark field during a scheduled „break” midway through. With lots of alcohol, a DJ and an unpredictable enthusiastic crowd, it’s a seriously weird good time. Check www.gmoods.com for more information. Or, if you’re not up for completely insane fun, but still like the idea of tram-based recreation, know that the city of Kraków also regularly runs a very calm cafe tram which you can catch near the hostel, same place as the party tram on Saturday. You can sit and sip tea and coffee while you look out of the curtained windows. 5 PLN gets you on board this one.

beyond Krakow but close

Salt mines in Wieliczka- tickets: normal 63 pln, reduced 48 pln (children from 4 to 15 years old, students under 25 ), children under 4 -- admission free. Private mini-buses to Wieliczka depart from Dietla St. at the bus stop just north of Starowislna, on the east side of the street (No.54 [B2] on map). Buses will say either „Wileczka” or „Salt Mine” on the front, and will cost 2.5 Zloty. They come very frequently, but as there are many differnt companies, there is no schedule available. The journey takes 30 min. max.

Auschwitz, how to visit?- there are several companies offering tours from
Kraków to Auschwitz and backwards. The price is 80-100 pln per person. We consider it quite expensive and advise visiting Auschwitz by your own, which is not difficult. So we can tell you how to get there by bus or help you book one of these package tours if you ask us at reception.
There is no entrance fee to Auschwitz, however services of guides are paid.
Every day at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00,15:00 individual tourists can join the group accompanied by an English speaking guide. Duration is 3,5 hours, price is 38 pln (reduced fee: 27 pln) per person and includes also shuttle bus to Birkenau and short documentary. Some additional groups may be organised if there is such demand. For more information, also prices for organised groups, and tours in languages other then English, please check online: www.auschwitz.org.pl
To get there take bus from main bus station (just behind main train station). Buses are very frequent (several every hour) and stop at the gates of museum. Their destination is Oswiecim (polish name of Auschwitz), so look for bus with board saying Oswiecim. When you enter the building of bus station, on your left will be information board with departures (odjazdy). Besides departure hours and destination, there is information about position i.e. 12, 13 .. and upper or lower platform: G-means upper, D-lower. Buy the ticket from the bus driver, since people at the ticket office upstairs can be a little hostile.

Kalwarnia Zebrzydowska- A little town 1 hour away from Kraków to the southwest. Spectacular sanctuary and Franciscan monastery, beautiful landscape with many walking paths amongst chapels and other places of worship relating to the Passion of Jesus Christ. Great place to check what polish Catholicism is especially (but not only) on Sundays, Holy Week and August of 15th. To get there: from main bus station (check description for Auschwitz), frequent buses to Cieszyn, Wadowice, most to Bielsko Biala go and stop in Kalwaria.

Lanckorona- small village, however sometime in past was a town, very close to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Situated on a hill, simply beautiful place, nice, old, wooden houses, ruins of castle. Good for a lazy, slow afternoon. You can visit
www.lanckorona.pl for more information. To get there catch the mini-bus to Lanckorona from Jubilat.

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