Krakow, Poland

Best Places to Stay

• **Luxury**: Stary Hotel, Hotel Wentzl, Sheraton Grand Krakow
• **Mid-range**: Hotel UniQ, Apartments Krakow Old Town, Hotel Amadeus
• **Budget**: Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel, Mosquito Hostel, Krakow Adventure Hostel

Best Places to Eat

• **Fine Dining**: Bottiglieria 1881, Akademia, Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa
• **Traditional Polish**: Pod Aniołami, Cypisek, Gospoda Koko
• **Pierogi Restaurants**: Pierogi Krakowiacy, Pierogi Dulag, Gospoda pod Kleparzem
• **Cafés**: Camelot, Masa Espresso, Cafenodo
• **Markets**: Stary Kleparz Market, Plac Nowy in Kazimierz

Best Sites to Visit

• **Old Town**: Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), St. Mary's Basilica, Town Hall Tower
• **Wawel Castle**: Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, Sigismund's Bell
• **Jewish Quarter**: Kazimierz (synagogues, cemeteries, vibrant culture)
• **Holocaust Memorial**: Auschwitz-Birkenau (day trip, 1.5 hours away)
• **Museums**: National Museum, MOCAK, Schindler's Factory Museum
• **Parks**: Planty Park, Wolski Forest, Krakow Mound

Sample 2-3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Old Town & Wawel

• Morning: Main Market Square (St. Mary's Basilica, Cloth Hall, Town Hall Tower)
• Afternoon: Wawel Castle (royal chambers, cathedral, Sigismund's Bell)
• Evening: Dinner in Kazimierz, explore Jewish quarter synagogues and cemeteries

Day 2: Kazimierz & Museums

• Morning: Kazimierz (Remuh Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Szeroka Street)
• Afternoon: Schindler's Factory Museum, Plac Bohaterów Getta (Ghetto Heroes Square)
• Alternative: National Museum or MOCAK for contemporary art
• Evening: Traditional Polish dinner with live folk music, try pierogi and żurek

Day 3: Auschwitz Day Trip or Local Exploration

• Option A (Full day): Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (guided tour, book in advance)
• Option B: Explore Nowa Huta (Socialist realist district), or Zakrzówek (former quarry turned lake)
• Alternative: Wieliczka Salt Mine (UNESCO site, 30 minutes from Krakow)
• Evening: Farewell dinner, perhaps try oscypek (smoked cheese) with cranberries

*Note: Auschwitz-Birkenau requires advance booking for guided tours. Wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking. Try zapiekanka (open-faced baguette) from Plac Nowy.*