Oh, Krakow! You are one of the most underrated European destinations! How I love thee! My love story with Poland began when I was given Polish food as a child from my Polish family. It was very good, and I happily ate all the pierogi while Happy Louie and his Polish Band played the Pennsylvania Polka for a frenzied mass of polka-crazed people. Don’t believe me? Check out Jack Black’s amazing role in The Polka King!

Over the years, my Americanized, immigrant version of Poland expanded to understand the pride and heartbreak of a people who had been torn limb from limb time and time again. From the Vasas to the Nazis, it seemed everyone wanted a piece of the breadbasket of Europe and really didn’t care about the people who were already there.

Now Arriving

Getting to your feet on the ground is pretty straightforward. Most touch down in Warsaw or Krakow and branch out from there. Poland is super welcoming.

• Public Trains: While Polish trains work with the Eurail pass, they stand on their own. As with most train systems in Europe, they work very well and can get you to any city center efficiently. Trains are a definite plus when getting from city to city. Start here to explore all of your rail options.
• Polish Uber: Uber is recently available in Poland, much to the dismay of traditional Polish taxi drivers (who are very honest and sweet). One tap will get you from the airport to the main square for about $15.00.
• Walking: All in all, the majority of destinations you plan on enjoying are well worth the walk. Consider your two feet or a couple of bicycles to be your best bet.

The Three Sisters

Just a bit smaller than Texas, Poland is one of the largest countries on the continent and, as with most things, balances its size well. It’s dotted with three large cities from north to south along the great Vistula River. Gdansk is on the northern coast and is ground zero for the Solidarity movement and Poland’s immigration story. Warsaw, the capital, is right in the middle, is home to the uprising story of WWII, Marie Curie, and Poland’s great palace. Further south is Krakow. In some ways, Krakow is the cradle of Poland’s history with its stunning Wawel Castle. Krakow is filled with Polish culture and history.

Understanding The Basics…

• Eye contact: You know how you grab a waiter’s eye in a restaurant? A quick flick of the hand or a knowing look between the two of you. While this is a completely acceptable method of getting the service you are looking for, in some parts of Poland, this will get you the cold shoulder. Why? It looks pushy and makes the waitstaff feel like you don’t think they are doing a good job. In short, it comes across as rude. If you are in a bit of a rush, simply let your server know that you’ll need to leave within an hour or so. They will happily accommodate you. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the five-star service!
• Lively Churches: Poland is full of amazing churches. The history and architecture are a meld of national pride and overwhelming invaders, making for an array of different styles and focuses. While all of these institutions are well worth the visit, be prepared that Mass will be held often as every one of these treasures is still an active parish. If it is, you have two choices: quietly skirt the sides and stay in the shadows as others worship, or grab a pew and say a little prayer with everyone else. Either is just fine.
• Street Performers: Krakow is full of amazing street performers. The main square has strolling folk music, kids who are breakdancing their heart out, student musicians, and more. Summer concerts and performances are plentiful and well worth your time. Enjoy!

What To Do

• Food Tours and Cooking Classes: Krakow is a food mecca! Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the next section for a sampler. It is totally worth checking in with a great local guide to get a true feel for all of the yummy choices that are yours for the taking. There’s great street food, communist Milk Bars, fabulous fusion, and classic Polish cuisine all within the old town. Add to that the fabulous Jewish district of Kazimierz, and Krakow becomes hard to pass up for any true foodie.
• Royal Mile: Krakow’s stunning main square sits in the middle of the old town’s Royal Way. Along this route are plenty of churches, museums, shops, art galleries, and restaurants, all winding their way up to the crown jewel, Wawel Hill.
• Can’t Miss: Check out the DaVinci masterpiece Lady With Ermine at the newly refurbished Czartoryski Museum. The painting, which is a contemporary of Mona Lisa, is an incredible example of Da Vinci’s talent. The further story of theft and reclamation proves to be quite fascinating as well.

• Royal Beginnings: At the end of the Royal Mile sits gorgeous Wawel Castle. It can take a full day to explore the complex, which has numerous museums and the main cathedral. The cathedral holds the tomb of Poland’s most famous king, Kazimierez, a tribute to Chopin, and the bell tower, which is fun to climb and get a serious view of the city and its lifeline, the Vistula River. Be sure to seek out one of the seven chakras on Earth. The staff may not love it, but it’s fun! Also, get down to the riverbank and find Smok the fire-breathing dragon.
• Klezmer and Kazimierez: About a ten-minute ride away from the old town (which is surrounded by the Planty park) is the old Jewish neighborhood of Kazimierez. Here on the square, you’ll find synagogues, mini museums, and restaurants that often have live traditional music called Klezmer music. You often hear this style with a heavy clarinet sound. From here, walk over the Bernatek footbridge and toward the old Jewish ghetto, where you will find Schindler’s factory and the Eagle Over The Door Pharmacy.
• The Main Square: Dominated by St. Mary’s Basilica (check out that blue ceiling and unbelievable altar piece), Krakow’s main square has quite a few treasures to explore. Start at the cloth hall in the center. Go up for a lovely art museum, go down for an underground museum on the archaeology of the city. Shop at ground level for all of those Polish faves, and go out on the balcony for a lovely drink looking over the hustle and bustle of the square. Use the square as a jumping off point to explore the old town streets full of churches, shops, small museums and plenty of landmarks that relate to St. Pope John Paul II.

Taking on Polish cuisine…

• Pierogi: Every culture has a filled dumpling, and the Poles are no different! Pierogi (yes, that’s the plural) can be filled with sweet or savory choices. Order them all. Eat them all. You won’t regret it.
• Zurek: A “sour” soup served in a bread bowl may sound like a great Winter treat (and it is), but don’t discount this wholesome soup in the Summer. It’s all good!
• Zapiekanki: This is basically Polish French-bread pizza. And it’s great! Perfect for a grab-and-go lunch in the Planty or at the riverside park under the castle.
• Lody: Poles love their Summer ice cream! And it is good! Plan on enjoying ice cream as the city wakes up for its evening stroll.
• Steak tartare: Slavic sushi. Tartare is high-quality minced beef served with several seasonings and usually topped with a raw egg. Don’t be so quick to pass on this regional delicacy; consider it the escargot of Poland!

Exploring Second Cities…

Part of the charm of Poland is all of the individual towns that polka dot the landscape. Each little community has a little city center, usually with a train station and plenty to keep you interested. Some of the top contenders are…

• Poznan: Close to the German border, this tidy town has an interesting history and continues to enchant with its old town and educate with its Jewish quarter tour. It is also a great jumping off point for those who want to visit the Boleslawiec Polish Pottery factory or the Church of Peace: both are great stops if you have the time.
• Wroclaw: This workaday college town might not seem like much to begin with, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find an enchanting town ready to welcome visitors. Check out the over 300 little statues all over town that give personality to the wheres and whens you will encounter. Try out the food tours and enjoy all of the yummy treats followed by a shot of cherry vodka.
• Torun: Smell the gingerbread in Copernicus’ hometown and wander the streets of this charming little college town. Torun is a great halfway mark between Warsaw and Gdansk. Whether you are taking the train and spending the afternoon or you choose to spend the night, count Torun in and you won’t regret it!

Day Tripping From Krakow…

As you expand your horizons from greater Krakow, there are a couple of amazing spots to consider. Every popular guidebook will give you the 411 on the details for these particular places. These were among the family favorites.

• Wadowice: the birthplace of St. Pope John Paul II, is the perfect day trip. Explore his home, parish church, and charming square, then visit Kalwaria Zebrzydowska monastery, where he dedicated his life to the church.
• Head to Wroclaw and start an epic scavenger hunt for the over 175 small sculptures that dot this college, work-a-day city. Each little guy has a story that is either political or historical. Just check out the fella in the ball and chain at the old prison! They sit in front of churches, along major thoroughfares, and in back corners. Trying to collect them all is a challenge and a great way to learn the city.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine Descend deep into this UNESCO heritage site for an experience like no other. Part art installation, part medieval history, this unexpected marvel of engineering tells the story of how miners of salt became prolific artists who celebrated the triumphs of their lives where they spent the majority of their time. A perfect morning trip from the city center.
• Auschwitz Birkenau. What can I say? The infamous moment in Polish existence is the Nazi invasion of September 1939. It is, by far, the saddest chapter of the Poles. The role that Auschwitz played in this atrocity can not be overstated, and visiting will be quite emotional. But you must visit. I truly think that it is our duty as travelers to understand these moments in history so that we can better understand the times we live in now. You are already here. How could you not go?

The Great Outdoors

Poland offers plenty of other amazing opportunities away from the city center. Some of our favorites are:

• Zakopane: Just south of the Krakow region lie the Tatras mountains. Bordering both Poland and the Czech Republic, it provides an amazing mountain escape from the “big city”. Central to that escape is the hamlet of Zakopane. This little resort town is a joy to visit with its apres-ski vibe.
• Masuria Well overlooked, the lakes region to the north and east has long been a vacation stronghold for the polish people. With plenty of water fun, there’s tons to keep you interested in this lovely part of the country.
• Sopot: From the mountains and lakes to the beach! Sopot sits just beside beautiful Gdansk and is a Summer playground for locals and visitors alike. Check out the long pier and the fabulous restaurants, as well as the local amber vendors that sell their beachcombing treasures.

The Ultimate Two-Week Starter Kit:

Alrighty, you are ready to plan! Check out our handy dandy checklist to start customizing your own itinerary for the trip of a lifetime! Don’t forget to listen to our podcast with all of this information and more to make your trip to Krakow unforgettable.

• Fly into Warsaw
• Explore Warsaw
• Gdansk
• Sopot
• Malbork Castle
• Take the train to Krakow
• Explore Krakow
• Day trip to Auschwitz
• Take a day trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine
• Day trip to Wadowice or Czechehowa
• Overnight in Zakopane
• Zakopane
• Finish in Krakow
• Fly out of Krakow

One Pot Kielbasa

This one-pot kielbasa recipe is a family favorite and is a simpler take on the classic dish that is served in Poland. While people often add other ingredients like mushrooms or root vegetables, this dish pares it all down to a simple flavor profile. With only four ingredients and one pot, this is an easy way to put dinner on the table!

• 1 jar sauerkraut
• 1 14-oz can applesauce
• 3-4 rings of kielbasa
• 1 bag of potatoes

Chop the potatoes into inch to inch and a half-sized cubes and add them to a large pot. Add sauerkraut including the juice and the applesauce. Put the pot on high while you cut the kielbasa into pieces. From ¼ inch coins to bigger chunks, the size is up to you. Add to pot and cover. Stir every 5 minutes or so, making sure to pull from the bottom for even cooking. Cook for about 40 minutes or until your potatoes are just the way you like them.

Kielbasa Recipe Comfort!

I’ve been making this dish for more than 25 years. If you ask my kids for some comfort food, this is super high on their list. This one-pot meal is perfect for a cold, rainy day. Scoop a steaming spoonful into a big bowl, grab a blanket, and curl up for a good movie.

Polish food is all about nourishing the stomach while nourishing the soul. Cold winters needed to be fortified, and the Poles figured it out fast! This dish is cousins to the much more famous hunter’s stew called Bigos. While this is super simple, Bigos takes quite a few more ingredients and triple the time. But make no mistake! Whether you choose to go simple or go big with Bigos, it’s all delicious!

Visiting Poland is a delight for the senses! Amazing sites, super welcoming people, and plenty of great food make Poland the best-kept secret in Europe.

Don’t Miss These 5 Things In Krakow

Krakow has so very much to offer any visitor. This second city and little corner of Europe is a prime location to soak up the amazing atmosphere and dig into a surprisingly rich culture. With its history, art, and great food scene, Krakow looks to be the destination on every traveler’s itinerary. Take our advice! Here are the five things you don’t miss in Krakow!

Top of the Krakow list is the beautiful Wawel Castle, the heartbreaking experience at Auschwitz and the story of Oskar Schindler and his factory. But there is more to this town than just the worthwhile big hitters. Here are five experiences we recommend to anyone who wants to take on Krakow.

Cook up perfection in a pierogi class.

Admit it, it’s the perfect food. Two bites of dough-wrapped tastiness is about as good as it gets. Well, maybe being able to make them and eat them is as good as it gets! Check out the cooking classes offered by Delicious Poland as well as walking tours that let you get used to the local menu.

Take in the glory of Leonardo da Vinci.

We know, we know, but we didn’t make a mistake! While the famous Mona Lisa holds court in the Louvre, her cousin, Lady with Ermine, has just recently been reinstalled to her place of honor in the Czartoryski Museum in the heart of the city. Stolen by the Nazis during the war, it was repatriated back to Poland by the heroic Monuments Men after VE Day. Unlike Mona, the crowds are almost non-existent. We were there with just three other people in the spring! The rest of the museum is a lovely stroll through Polish culture and well worth the time.

Partake in a Church Crawl.

Noooo… not a pub crawl! A church crawl! We bet that you’ve already seen all of those little eco golf carts all over the center of Krakow. They are the perfect set of wheels to explore all of those amazing churches dotting the old town and beyond. Don’t get us wrong; there are plenty within walking distance of the main square, and you’ll get to see everything, from priceless altar pieces to the altar dedicated to St. Hyacinth, the patron saint of the pierogi!

However, those eco carts can get you to some of the further-flung churches like Corpus Christi and give you a little bonus look at the Kazimierz District! So why, see all those churches? Each and every one has a different look and a different feel. Each has a little bit of a different story and plenty of historical references, including side chapels with amazing art and architecture, as well as religious references, including the hometown hero saints like Pope John Paul II and Maximillian Kolbe.

Watch the game!

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy the European football season (even if you aren’t a die-hard fan in real life). In all reality, the game isn’t the point. The experience of being in a pub or cafe while the game is on, with people cheering for a team, is the true fun of it all. So, book a table, figure out which side everyone is rooting for, and blindly follow as best you can. Trust us! You’ll have a ball!

Walk the bridge.

The Vistula River winds its way through Krakow, connecting the Old Town and Kazimierz areas with the Podgorze district. The Father Bernatek Bridge was built in 2010 and is a lovely place to cross. This footbridge is dotted with acrobatic sculptures that seem to balance on the high wires above. Rent some bikes and enjoy the crossing as the sculptures dance above you.

 

So, you did it! You are all booked and you are ready to go! And Poland is certainly waiting for you! So what should you do next? Don’t worry, we know exactly what you need! How about a place to start envisioning this trip of a lifetime! A book! A movie! Yes! Here are our top 10 picks to give you some seriously good background on Krakow and Poland.

Polka King

Jack Black takes us on the quest for the American Dream, Polka style! Unfortunately, for this real life polka prince, he didn’t quite read the fine print.

Schindler’s List

1,100 names and 1,100 lives. Steven Spielberg’s epic puts things in perspective as you take in the injustice that swiftly spread over Poland in the Fall of 1939.

The first season of Father Brown on BBC

This fun-loving mystery serial has a wonderful Polish character in the first season that gives a little insight into how Poles were treated as refugees. A great period piece, this one is perfect for a cozy night in.

Karol: The Man Who Became Pope (2005)

To know Poland is to know their love for their favorite son, St. Pope John Paul II. So why is he such a big deal? This movie illuminates his story pre-Vatican and gives some insight as to why he is such an important figure.

Flavor of Poland

Admit it. You’ve been thinking all about the food you will encounter! This PBS host does a great job of introducing not only the food but the places that each dish comes from.

The Zookeeper’s Wife

This World War II story chronicles the events that occurred at the Warsaw Zoo. While caring for all of the exotic animals, the zookeeper and his wife found themselves caring for so many more souls. A fascinating read (and far better than the movie.)

Rose Petal Jam: Recipes and Stories from a Summer in Poland

Looking to learn a little more about Polish food? This is the book for you! Enjoy some wonderful recipes with a few stories along the way.

The Girl From Krakow

An epic historical fiction account of one woman’s saga through pre WWII Europe and the circumstances that create a secret that could change the outcome of the war. This is a page turner will have you wondering what else could possibly happen next?!

City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Kraków

What happens when a priest from Poland becomes the most powerful person in the Catholic Church? As it turns out, a whole heck of a lot of history-changing events. Hometown hero, Karol Wojtyla, returned to Krakow and changed the world through his peaceful pilgrimage.

The Dragon of Krakow: and other Polish Stories

There are plenty of folk stories and tall tales to keep the imagination going in this lovely volume of stories. Dragons and kings, and valiant knights await!

The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer

The art world suffered so very much during the war, and there are numerous stories that detail the massive operations. This story chronicles the epic journey and political fallout from a series of five Klimt masterpieces.