What To See In Krakow, The Cheapest European City To Travel To
There is a lot to see in Krakow, and not only that, but it is the cheapest European city to travel to. We do not say it, says the City Cost Barometer , a study carried out by the Post Office Travel Money organization , which places the city as the cheapest to spend a few days.
The study that serves as a reference has been carried out based on the price of a coffee, a night in a hotel or a ticket to a museum. According to this research, the cost of a trip to the second most populous city in Poland is about 165 euros per person. To give you an idea, this same study shows that the cost of traveling to Barcelona is about 350 euros.
But what can you see in Krakow? Is it worth escaping to Poland for a few days and discovering this city? Today we take a tour of its streets and everything you need to know, in addition, leaving us little money in the attempt.
What to see in Krakow: Auschwitz concentration camp
One of the essential visits (and perhaps the hardest) during a trip to Krakow is the Auschwitz concentration camp. In reality it is not just a field, but a set of them built after the German occupation.
These had two main functions: one, to serve as a labor camp for all the Jews imprisoned there; another, to be the form of extermination of the population, with its famous crematorium ovens and gas chambers. All the facilities are very well preserved and can be visited, so it will be very easy to get an idea of what was lived there.
Knowing the history of this field, of Nazism and of the repression of the Jews is difficult, but necessary. Visiting the countryside is essential to know one of the darkest stages of the last century. The field is located about 70 kilometers from the city and costs 50 Polish zlotys to enter, which is less than 12 euros.
Stare Miasto
It is the historical center of the city and the main tourist attraction to see in Krakow. The best thing is to get lost in its narrow streets, without a map or a predetermined destination. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to have some landmarks not to be missed and a short route so as not to forget to visit any important place.
Our route through Stare Miasto would begin in Barbacana and then enter the Royal Mille, after having passed through the Florian gate. This area is made up of Florianska and Grodzka streets, located on both sides of the Market Square. At the end of this last street is Wawel Hill and its beautiful castle.
Returning to the Market Square, it is the largest medieval square in Europe, with more than 40,000 m². It is the center of the city and has some points of interest, such as the Cloth Hall, the Basilica of Santa María or the old Town Hall tower.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Unesco declared these mines a World Heritage Site in 1978. Today, it is one of the most visited places in the entire country, with more than 800,000 visits per year. In addition to their enormous size and depth, what is truly beautiful about these mines are the carved sculptures that tell the story of salt mining.
Without a doubt, it is one of the must-see places in Krakow. And getting there is very simple, since it is only 15 kilometers away from the city.
The best option is to hire an excursion, since it is the most comfortable alternative. You can also choose to go by train (from the Central Station) or by bus (from the Krakowska Gallery). The entrance costs 89 zlotys, in exchange about 20 euros.
Tempel Synagogue
The Jewish community in Krakow was very large, so the city has several synagogues. Perhaps one of the most special is this, because it is the newest and most modern in the capital. That different magic resides in that it was built by the union of progressive Jews.
These introduced changes in the liturgies that the more orthodox Jews did not like. This is also reflected in the architecture of the temple, with very colorful designs rare in synagogues. Entering to see this wonder costs 5 zlotys (a little more than 1 euro) and 2 zlotys if you are a student (less than 0.50 euros).
