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Previous issues for Krakow

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Poland : Krakow - April 2008

Country Code: Dial for Poland

April in Krakow is a truly glorious time, when the city’s magnificent architecture is matched only by its burgeoning natural beauty. With its many parks, gardens and outdoor cafés and restaurant terraces, the city offers plenty of opportunites to get out into the balmy spring air. Michelle Smith soaks up the sun

Getting around

Balice Airport

Bus: Radtur runs regular buses into the city centre. A single journey costs about €1,90/PLN 7 and takes 30 minutes.
Taxi: A taxi costs around €13/PLN 50 and takes about 30 minutes.
Tourist information: The main office is at 1 Rynek Główny (tel. , krakow.pl). Orbis (41 Rynek Główny) also provides lots of useful information.

OLD TOWN AND RYNEK

Now that the warmer weather is finally here, the Rynek (Old Town Square) bustles with life, as tourists and locals alike sit at one of its many cafés or al fresco bars, enjoying the sights and sounds of one of Krakow’s most popular – and beautiful – outdoor spaces.

Sleep soundly – Aparthotel Sodispar has a number of apartments around the Old Town. There are also large loft rooms in the hotel itself; prices range from €25/ PLN 100 per night for stays of two days, to €15/PLN 50 per night for longer stays (of at least a month). They’re definitely a flexible option, with something to suit every budget.

Must eat – Hidden away in a gorgeous renovated cellar, Pod Sloncem (34 Rynek Glowny, tel. ) serves excellent Polish cuisine. The wine list is impressive and the nalesniki (pancakes) are spectacular. On a budget? Mama Mia’s (14 ul. Karmelicka, tel. ) traditional pizza is baked in a wood-burning oven and served fresh and piping hot.

Dance the night away – Dressed-up clubbers over 21 will get a warm welcome at Klub Kulturalny (25 ul. Szewska) where they can soak up the club’s too-cool-for-school atmosphere over a beer or two. Loved by students and backpackers alike, Pod Jaszczurami (8 Rynek Glowny) is the place to go for a laid-back, unpretentious night out.

Shop til you drop – Head for the Sukiennice (Draper’s Hall) in the Rynek for Krakow’s best buys. You’ll be able to pick up the city’s must-buy souvenir, amber, in every imaginable incarnation. An honourable mention must go here to W Kruk (5 ul. Florianska), Poland’s most popular amber jeweller.

JEWISH KRAKOW – KAZIMIERZ

Long dismissed as the ‘wrong side’ of the city, Kazimierz has enjoyed a revival in recent years. Now some of the city’s best bars and clubs are in the former Jewish quarter, and there’s an increasing number of quality hotels.

Sleep soundly – Small and elegant, the Regent is situated in the heart of Kazimierz, and is known for its very good restaurant. CDR is ideal for anyone on a budget. Set in a conference centre, the rooms are slightly impersonal, but they’re clean, comfortable and good value for money.

Culture vultures – Under Nazi occupation, the district of Podgorze was used as a ghetto for the Jewish population. The Apteka Pod Orlem (18 pl. Bohaterow Getta) was one of the few places in the entire city that provided aid for sick and ailing Jewish people. Instead of fleeing the city, pharmacy owner Tadeusz Pankiewicz stayed on and helped as best he could, saving many lives in the process. Today, the pharmacy is a museum, displaying photos and exhibitions about life under occupation.

Must eat – Kuchnia i Wino (13 ul. Jozefa, tel. ) serves up some of the best food in Jewish Krakow. The menu isn’t vast, but that doesn’t matter when every dish is perfect. It’s justifiably popular, so reservations are mandatory. The rather grandly named Nova Resto Bar (18 ul. Estery, tel. ) is actually a massive canteen with wooden tables, simple décor and rock-bottom prices.

Must drink – The city’s students converge at B-Side (16 ul. Estery) to enjoy rare indie tracks and leftfield DJs. Eszeweria (9 ul. Jozefa) serves coffee and wine in an atmosphere so serene it’s almost sopoforic, making it perfect for chilled-out evenings.

Compiled by Michelle Smith

Previous issues for Krakow

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

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