Ten Things That Will Shock You When You Visit Krakow Poland
Greetings from gorgeous Krakow, Poland! Today we’re sharing ten things that might shock tourists when they come to Krakow. From the gorgeous historical square, to the horrors of Auschwitz, to the amount of stag parties that roll through town on the weekends and did we mention…
Shock #1. When You Visit Krakow You Find Out They Have a Da Vinci!
The first shock is the fact that Krakow has an original Da Vinci. Right here in Krakow, “The Lady with Ermine” was produced by da Vinci around 1489/1490. There are very few Da Vinci paintings out there, so the fact that Poland has one of them is pretty shocking. It is at the National Museum in Krakow.
Shock #2. The Serious Abundance of Tourists
You will be shocked at the number of tourists that come to Krakow. In fact, Krakow gets about ten million tourists each year. Krakow is gorgeous, so the tourism numbers are well warranted. Between the squares, the churches, the salt mine, and other attractions, there are so many great things to see in Krakow.
#3 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Stag Parties
The number of drunken stag parties in Krakow will also shock you. Poland is a very affordable European destination, so it’s a very popular destination for weekend stag parties. Some of these parties can get out of hand, and the guys can get a bit drunk, so if you are visiting Krakow with your family, it’s best to avoid these large stag groups at night on the weekends. Thanks to the abundance of stag parties, you also see many promoters on the street, advertising strip clubs in the evening.
Read: The Top 10 Best Cheap Cities to Visit in Europe
#4 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Beauty of Krakow
There’s a reason that Krakow is so popular with tourists. It’s a beautiful city and there are so many things to see and do in Krakow. Whether you’re going up Wawel Hill to see the castle, or the cathedral, or to see the dragon on the riverfront, or the Jewish district, the beauty of Krakow is awe-inspiring. Tourists visiting Krakow for the first time are genuinely shocked at the beauty. It’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you know it’s pretty special.
#5 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Pre-War Architecture
Fortunately, Krakow was largely spared during WWII, so many original buildings remain, unlike many other cities in Europe including Warsaw. This allows visitors to get a glimpse of what Poland looked like before the war. If you travel elsewhere in Poland, you’ll really appreciate what the people of Poland went through, and you’ll be able to see the contrast of affected areas.
#6 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Cheap Prices
You will be shocked at how cheap it is to visit Krakow. You can eat out at restaurants here very affordably. A meal of rice soup, pierogi, cake, a couple of beers and a soda for a fraction of the price you would pay in Germany or England, and that’s right on the square, where prices are the highest. When deciding where to stay in Krakow, there are tons of hotels, hostels and aparthotels to choose from, and the prices are very reasonable.
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#7 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Krakow Churches
The churches in Krakow are incredible. It’s not just St Mary’s Church on the square (which will blow you away when you go inside), but there are many beautiful churches in Krakow. The Poles are very Catholic, and most still attend church regularly. They’ve maintained their churches very well and the insides are incredibly beautiful. You can’t take photos inside, so you just have to go see it for yourself.
#8 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Wieliczka Salt Mine
You will be shocked when you go to the salt mines outside of town. Poland was once very wealthy, thanks in part to salt mines. When you visit the salt mine, you’ll see that an entire city has been built into the mines. It’s a really fun thing to see, especially if you are visiting Krakow with kids.
#9 Shock When You Visit Krakow: The Jewish Quarter
You’ll be shocked at how well the Jewish Quarter has been rebuilt. You can really see the history of the Jewish community in Krakow by visiting the Jewish Quarter and seeing the synagogue, the cemetery. During the day, you’ll find lots of historic attractions, cafes and restaurants. At night, the Jewish Quarter is a popular spot to grab a few beers with your history lessons.
#10 Shock When You Visit Krakow: Visiting Auschwitz
Auschwitz-Birkenau is right outside of Krakow and was the most horrific of the Nazi concentration camps. Seeing the horrors that happened here is truly shocking. Millions of people were murdered right outside of Krakow. You can take a tour or go on your own, but either way, make sure you go. Auschwitz is a small community, but Birkenau is where you actually see the concentration camp itself. They have reconstructed buildings, the railroad tracks running up to the gate really hit home when you think of the countless numbers of people murdered here. It’s a very sobering, moving piece of history that’s important to see.