Krakow Travel Forum

i am researching about what to do in Krakow for 3.5 days with teens ages 17 and 14. suggestions of good hotels/appartments are great. and if we should spend more time (or less)thanks

You definitely have to go to the Salt MInes (20 min from Krakow easy comute).
There is plenty of tourist information booths in Krakow where you can get plenty of sugestions in English.
Definitely look for the hotel in the OLD TOwn part of Krakow. It will make your experience so much better.
Look @ my tips. WE found last year great apartment. REally spacious room with huge bathroom 1/2 block from the Main Square and close to the transportation.
The other place (Hotel pod Orlem) was also nice but more expensive and we prefer to stay in teh apartments anyway.
The third place, we never tryed but we keep the address as useful.

I was pretty happy with the Hotel Matejko - good location, nice hotel and decent value for money.

As for what to do, well there are plenty of suggestions on this site. As above, the saltmine will take one full day, as will Auschwitz, should you wish to visit either of those places. You can spend a whole day walking South of the city, exploring the Jewsih district, the former ghetto area, Schindler's factory etc. The castle is well worth a visit, so that will take a half day or so (go early in the morninf as their are limited tickets sold per day.)

You will very quickly fill 3/4 days and still not see a lot of things of interest. Saying that though, once you visit Krakow, a return visit is inevitable :)

Hey again! Here are my plans so far of what to do each day. Tell me if I will have time to do all the activities I hope we can do each day.( but don’t want it too busy) Or if it is impractical to do certain activities on the same day (example: they are far away from each other, though I tried to not let that happen) Also any other activities we should do. So you can help us more: I am interested in outdoor stuff but still like pretty much anything else. (Sorry that didn’t explain anything) my brother likes things that are interactive. (Example: street fairs and hands on museums. not look at a painting place or look but don’t touch places) My dad loves history. And my mom likes anything to do with the Catholic Church (we have been to Italy) and she likes beaches. As always suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

Day 29- Budapest/Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Jewish District

Day 30- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Wieliczka Salt Mine
Day 31- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Czartoryski Museum
• Vavel Castle

Day 32- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Day trip to Auschwitz

Day 33- Krakow/Vienna – Hotel: Vienna Marriott Hotel
• Dinner at Vienna Zoo

Day 29- Budapest/Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Jewish District
Jewish District (Kazimierz) is great to walk during the day and at night.
As for places to eat try 'Mleczarnia' @ Meiselsa 20 Street (11am-late). THere is perfect garden where you can seat under the trees and have your coffee and home baked cake. Great place for a brake while visiting Kazimierz.
What time are you coming to Krakow?

Day 30- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Wieliczka Salt Mine
You can take a shuttle bus (it is close to your hotel, ask @ front desk) or train. After visiting Salt mines take a walk through the main square in Wieliczka. Bring some strong bag as you will probably buy lots of gifts (made of salt). They are inexpensive and great to give away to friends and family.

Day 31- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Czartoryski Museum
See day before what are the hours of operation on the door (I remember few times it was closed, just when I wanted to go ;-)
• Vavel Castle
It is better to visit Vavel early on the morning. You must climb the tower (bell tower) it is easy and pleasant climb for any age (you can always go only half way, but it is worth it). Dragon cave is cool and touristy and perfect way to finish (exit) your visit to Vavel. Walk through the castle rooms is boring to me (not much there), but I guess if you there you just do it.
Nice places for your dinners:
Cafe Camelot (close to your hotel - see my tips),
Orient Ekspres @ Stolarska 13 street (close to Market and great upscale food) http://www.orient-ekspres.krakow.pl/en/
Chlopskie Jadlo - all over Krakow http://www.chlopskiejadlo.pl/main.php
We always take a break on the Market Square in one of the cafe. We just seat at whatever table we like - beer and coffee taste the same ;-)
For all other restaurants, just sniff and look at people plates.
Day 32- Krakow – Hotel: Pod Bialym Orlem
• Day trip to Auschwitz

Day 33- Krakow/Vienna – Hotel: Vienna Marriott Hotel
• Dinner at Vienna Zoo

CHURCHES in poland have open door, so you can walk into every church. Sometimes you have to sneak in as the 'church patron' rather than the tourist because some churches got annoyed with too many visitors. Just use common sense, because the churches in Krakow are really something and you must at least take a peak.

i have never heard of a shuttle bus in krakow what is it,or do you mean a bus or even a tram?