Our weekend trip to Krakow was booked kind of last minute, when my partner and I were in need of a quick break before the winter settled in. Krakow had been on my wishlist for a few years as I had been drawn in by pictures of it’s beautiful architecture and Main Square. It is an affordable destination that makes the ideal weekend jaunt for a European resident or a great stopover for those travelling from further afield.
Accomodation:
As we knew we would be spending most of our time exploring the city, we were looking for somewhere near the action of Main Square which would give us a comfortable base to rest in, and Ibis Krakow Centrum fit the bill perfectly. Within a 15 minute walk of Main Square and right opposite the Vistula River, the Ibis Krakow Centrum was clean, comfortable and the staff were friendly.
Food & Drink:
The food and drink ended up being one of my favourite things about Krakow. I was going in to the Polish food and drink scene almost completely blind. I knew only to expect two things – pierogis and lots of vodka. I ended up enjoying every single meal and coffee stop we tried and the locals really seemed to take pride in their local cuisine, as well as providing great service. My top 3 recommendations are:
Piwnica Pod Komnikiem – I have not stopped thinking about this food since I ate it. This was literally one of the best meals I’ve eaten in my life! Serving traditional Polish food, Piwnica Pod Komnikiem is a cosy, underground restaurant on a quiet side street near Main Square. Try the duck or beef cheek – you won’t regret it!
Na Ciacho – We stumbled upon this little bakery during an evening walk and had the best pistachio tart here. There is plenty of seating inside and the decor is beautiful and very insta-worthy.
Staropolski Trunki – Tiny little vodka bar just off of Main Square with just a few seats inside. Vodka is a classic of the Polish food and drink scene and this bar offers hundreds of flavours. The bartender was super helpful, giving us advice on which flavours would suit us best. A great place to stop for a quick nightcap after a traditional Polish meal.
Things to Do:
We spent most of our weekend in Krakow wandering around the city and taking in the sights. Krakow is a small, very walkable city and you can see most of the central areas in one day. Another reason why this city would make the perfect weekend trip. Here are a few of our highlights from our time in Krakow:
Main Square – The iconic site that you most likely will have seen when researching Krakow, the Main Square is the heart of the city. You will find lots of tourists here, as well as a whole lot of pigeons! Be aware that prices in the restaurants that surround the square are significantly higher than elsewhere in the city. But this is where most of the popular sights are located and it’s a great place to take an evening stroll, when the atmosphere is at it’s best.
Vistula Riverbank – The Vistula River runs through the city and has wide footpaths either side that are great for taking a walk or a run away from the city streets. About 20 minutes walk along the river from Main Square, you will find a small fairground where the Krakow Ferris Wheel is located, offering a bird’s eye view of the city.
Muzeum Gier Wideo (Arcade Museum) – This off-the-beaten-path attraction was unexpected and so much fun! We spent a couple of hours here, playing arcade games from across the decades. You can buy either a 1 hour wristband or an open ticket, that gives you unlimited play time. The museum is a short tram ride away from the city centre and a little way off the main road, so can be a little tricky to find, but nothing that Google Maps can’t handle. There’s a café in the same building that looks great too, in case your competitive energy works up an appetite.
