located in southern Poland along the Vistula (Wisla) River is Kraków, Poland’s second-largest city. This “city of science as well as culture” is both contemporary as well as historical, featuring one captivating juxtaposition after another—glossy art galleries amongst abandoned factories as well as pulsing nightclubs just minutes from centuries-old universities.
Luckily for travelers, this wonderful city likewise stays budget-friendly, in spite of its growing popularity as a tourist enclave. Poland is one of the top European countries to see as well as right here I’ll share our tips for navigating Krakow without breaking the bank.
Activities in Kraków (that are totally free!)
Art as well as history buffs will savor every minute of their time in this enchanting city, as a excellent number of museums offer free admission for someday each week. a few of our must-sees include:
The museum of contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK). free admission on Tuesdays
Schindler’s Factory. free admission on Mondays
Rynek Underground Museum. Free admission on Tuesdays (save for the very first Tuesday of every month)
Those hoping to discover more about postwar Europe or pay their aspects to the victims of the Holocaust may desire to dedicate an afternoon (at least three-and-a-half hours are recommended) to visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the German Nazi concentration camps.
Admission to the grounds is free of charge, though you’ll requirement to reserve an entry card in advance.
Once you’ve inspected a few museums off your list, rejuvenate with a relaxing bike trip along the cycling path that borders the Vistula (Wisla) River.
If nature isn’t your thing, take your time browsing vintage clothing, hand-crafted souvenirs, as well as wartime antiques as well as memorabilia at one of Poland’s sprawling flea markets.
I suggest hitting up Plac Targowy Unitarg (AKA Halą Targową) for the very best deals. Held every Sunday morning starting at 6 a.m., this market is rowdy, fun, as well as filled to the brim with unique treasures.
PRO TIP: Halą Targową is crowded, so show up early for the very best goods. as well as look for the lowest-priced products on the ground!
If you’re traveling in the summertime, keep an eye out for free, open-air events like shows as well as theatre. Poland is understood for its vibrant nightlife, as well, as well as clubs that seldom fee weekend covers.
And what’s a trip to Kraków if you don’t spend a few hours in Rynek Glowny, the city’s 10-acre plaza?! This is the largest of Europe’s medieval city squares. A must-see.
Getting around On a budget
The train is your best option for affordable transportation from the airport; the 15-20 minute trip to the City center costs about $2USD for a one-way ticket.
And while Kraków offers adequate bus as well as tram lines (single tickets within the city are only about $1USD), the city is little sufficient to check out by bike or foot. Bike rentals as well as docking stations are scattered all along the streets as well as rides under 20 minutes long are free of charge.
PRO TIP: transportation apps can provide you with real-time info on bus/tram routes as well as routines as well as close-by points of interest. Jakdojade as well as CoPilot are two definitely worth the download!
Affordable accommodations
When it comes to budget plan accommodations, think about snagging a bed in a hostel. A stay in a hostel dormitory starts at around $4USD per night, with personal spaces normally ranging from $20-$70USD.
Some of Booking.com’s top-rated as well as top-reviewed Krakówian hostels include:
Oleandry Hostel: offers free Wi-Fi as well as dorms starting at just $8.10USD
Chili Hostel: offers free Wi-Fi as well as dorms starting at just $9.82USD
If hostels aren’t your cup of tea, think about booking a bed-and-breakfast, a guest house, or an Airbnb (private or shared). Plus, there are many holiday apartments for lease in Kraków, particularly in Old town as well as Kazimierz Town.
And if you’re traveling in the summertime months, think about staying in a student-dorm-turned-cheap hotel! inspect out Booking.com for accommodations in Krakow.
PRO TIP: If you’re planning to book a hostel for your stay, select one that provides free breakfast!
Low-Cost Food in Krakow
If you’re most looking ahead to enjoying the regional fare, you’ll be delighted to discover that you can do so rather quickly on a budget. stop by one of Kraków’s prominent farmer’s markets, like Stary Kleparz, for fresh, low-cost produce.
Or, turn down almost any type of city street to discover a tasty Obwarzanek (Krakówian bagel) at about 40 U.S. cents a pop. one more must-try is the prominent Zapiekanki, which is an open-faced sandwich on a grilled baguette. You can have one for about $2-$3USD.
Travelers seeking an old-world polish experience should see one of Kraków’s notorious milk bars, understood as “bar mleczny.” These dirt-cheap cafeterias, leftover from the Communist era, continue to offer subsidized meals to locals as well as foreigners alike.
And if you’re staying in town a couple of days as well as have somewhere to store refrigerated food, take a trip to one of Kraków’s many budget-friendly grocery stores. try Biedronka or Zabka if you’re looking for a smaller store or Auchan, Kaufland, or Carrefour for something more along the lines of a super Target.
A final word of advice
Kraków provides no shortage of affordable eats as well as budget-friendly entertainment, so be sure to take advantage of all this extraordinary destination has to offer. What are your budget-saving tips for Krakow? Share in the comments below!
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