BaileyAg said:
My son (17) and I are beginning to plan a trip to Poland. We've never been and there seems like a lot to see. The only "must see" place for us right now is Auschwitz which means we will also be in Krakow.
Are there any other must see spots or cool things to do? Is a week enough time to traipse around there?
Thanks for any help
I just got back from Poland (Krakow and Warsaw). Below is an AI-generated walking itinerary that I used as a guide. Auschwitz-Berkinau were sobering and impressive. You'll learn so much from the Poles perspective. Amazing trip. Enjoy.
This curated walking tour guides you sequentially from the medieval northern entrance of Krakw, through the historic Old Town, up to the royal hilltop, and finally across into the moving history of the Jewish Quarter and beyond.
Day 1
The Heart of the Old Town Rynek Gwny
Plaza
Rynek Gwny Click to open side panel for more information Krakw's breathtaking main market square stands as one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, acting as the vibrant social hub of the city.
- Atmosphere: Bustling with horse-drawn carriages, outdoor cafes, street performers, and centuries-old palaces.
- Layout: It holds several of the city's most legendary landmarks directly within its boundaries.
St. Mary's Basilica Dominating the corner of the square, this striking brick Gothic church is famous for its asymmetrical twin towers and deep religious heritage. (ATTEND A SERVICE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ENTER THE BASILICA WITHOUT PAYING A NON-GUIDED TOUR ADMISSION).
- Signature Experience: Listen for the traditional Hejna Mariacki trumpet call played from the higher tower every hour on the hour.
- Interior: Features a magnificent 15th-century wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss.
MNK Sukiennice (outside only)
Museum
Closed Opens 10:00 AM Tue-Sun (return on Tuesday ... the day we leave?)
Centrally positioned in the square, the historic Cloth Hall stands as a magnificent monument to Renaissance architecture and commerce.
- Shopping: The ground floor is a bustling market arcade packed with stalls selling amber jewelry, lace, and traditional Polish crafts.
- Culture: The upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art.
Town Hall Tower
Museum
Closed Opens 11:00 AM Mon
Town Hall Tower Click to open side panel for more information Standing tall on the opposite side of the square, this lean stone structure is the only remaining section of the city's original 14th-century town hall.
- Key Features: Built of stone and brick, it leans slightly due to a powerful storm in the 1700s.
- Experience: Visitors can climb its narrow stairs to view city history exhibits inside.
Day 2
Auschwitz tour (8:25 a.m. 5:55 p.m.) (PRE-PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. THEY ARE NOT SOLD ONSITE)
Day 3
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory (10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.) (PRE-PURCHASE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE GUIDED TOUR TICKETS)
Museum
Closed Opens 10:00 AM Mon
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory Click to open side panel for more information The final stop on your tour is located inside the actual wartime administrative building where Oskar Schindler successfully shielded over a thousand Jewish workers.
- Exhibits: Houses a highly immersive permanent exhibition titled "Krakw Under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945".
- Impact: Uses multimedia, archival photographs, and deeply personal accounts to tell a moving story of survival and heroism.
Then, take an 8-minute walk to ...
Moving Wartime History
To conclude the tour, cross the Vistula River heading south into the Podgrze district.
The Krakw Ghetto was established on March 3, 1941, by order of the Krakw District Governor, Otto Wchter , and the square itself became its focal point. All non-Jewish residents were expelled (except for Tadeusz Pankiewicz). The bus station building housed the Blue Police station. Next to it stood the ghetto wall, with its topping resembling matzevot. The wall contained a pedestrian crossing, and a little further on, the entrance gate to Lwowska Street (Gate IV). At the exit from the bridge, there was a sign with the inscription in German and Polish: " Jewish Residential District." Vehicles passed through without stopping. Entry and exit from the Jewish residential district were permitted for both Jews and non-Jews only with passes.
A street ran through the center of the square, extending from Targowa Street to the ghetto gate, dividing the square into two triangles. Today, the street's course is marked by the arrangement of cobblestones. The square was the main concentration point for the population before the expulsion. People were gathered in the western part of the square; in the central part, trucks were parked, onto which looted property was loaded. The formed columns then proceeded towards Salinarna Street (today Lwowska Street).
The first selection in the Krakw ghetto took place in the square on June 4, 1942. At least 111 people were shot during it. The last selection, carried out during the liquidation of the ghetto, also took place in the square on March 13, 1943. The bodies of those murdered were buried in a mass grave on the grounds of the Paszw camp. The sorting of looted property continued until mid-December 1943. Abandoned houses were occupied with allotments from the German city mayor. At the corner of Targowa Street there was a pharmacy called Pod Orem run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the only Aryan whom the Germans would allow to live in the ghetto.
Pharmacy Under the Eagle
Site of the former Jewish Ghetto, sprawling Podgrze is dotted with memorials to Krakow's Holocaust history, including the Pharmacy Under the Eagle museum (18 Bohaterw Getta Square in Podgrze, the former district of Krakw, Poland) and an art installation of metal chairs on Ghetto Heroes Square.
The Pharmacy Under the Eagle was originally established as a private pharmacy in 1910, during World War II it operated within the Krakw Ghetto. Its owner, Tadeusz Pankiewicz, was the only non-Jewish Pole permitted to remain and operate a business inside the ghetto. The pharmacy served as a vital hub for clandestine aid, communication, and resistance, providing shelter, medical supplies, and moral support to the persecuted Jewish community.
Ghetto Heroes Square
After the reconstruction was completed, a monument commemorating the Krakw Ghetto and the Jews of Krakw was unveiled in the square. The memorial consists of 70 chairs.
The address for Ghetto Heroes Square (Plac Bohaterw Getta) in Krakw, Poland is Plac Bohaterw Getta, 30-547 Krakw.
Said to be the burial site of the city's founder, the grassy Krakus Mound is a popular hangout spot and provides views of the surrounding area.
Day 4
Jewish Heritage in Kazimierz A short walk southeast from Wawel Hill leads you into the historic district of Kazimierz, the heart of Krakw's Jewish history.
Kazimierz
Kazimierz is a historic neighborhood characterized by its distinct bohemian charm, indie galleries, cozy cafes, and deeply rooted Jewish history. FUNKY, TRENDY, HIPSTER. GREAT FOOD AT THE JUDAH FOOD TRUCK AREA)
- Atmosphere: Cobblestone streets lined with synagogues, local flea markets, and trendy restaurants.
- Cultural Pivot: It transitions beautifully from a somber historical monument by day to a lively nightlife hub by night.
Szeroka
Szeroka is the wide, cobblestone square serves as the historical heart of the Jewish quarter and is lined with significant heritage sites.
- Environment: Surrounded by traditional restaurants serving Jewish-Galician cuisine accompanied by live Klezmer music.
- Significance: Serves as a primary staging area for the annual Jewish Culture Festival.
Old Synagogue (OVERRATED FOR THE PRICE. TAKE PICS ON THE OUTSIDE. GOOGLE IT FOR THE INSIDE).
Museum (22 PLN / 5.12 Euros)
Closed Opens 10:00 AM 3:00 p.m. Mon / 9:00 5:00 p.m. (Tue-Sun)
Old Synagogue Click to open side panel for more information Situated at the edge of the square, this rare 15th-century fortress-style synagogue stands as the oldest surviving Jewish house of worship in Poland.
- Exhibits: Carefully restored after WWII, it now houses a valuable museum dedicated to the history and culture of Krakw's Jewish community.
- Architecture: Features a distinct late-Gothic interior with delicate metalwork and vaulted ceilings.
Remah Cemetery
Cemetery
Closed Opens 9:00 AM Mon
Remah Cemetery Click to open side panel for more information Also situated right on Szeroka street next to the Remah Synagogue, this sacred 16th-century burial ground holds profound historical importance.
- Key Features: The final resting place of many renowned Polish Jews, including the famous Rabbi Moses Isserles.
- Unique Attribute: Features a moving "Wailing Wall" monument built out of broken tombstones recovered after World War II.
Day 5
Royal Hilltop & Folklore Walking down Grodzka Street takes you up toward Wawel Hill, the historic seat of Polish kings.
Wawel Royal Castle-State Art Collection (DEFINITELY WORTH IT. YOU NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR SEPARATE PARTS OF THE CASTLE GROUNDS AND CATHEDRAL).
Museum
Closed Opens 10:00 AM Mon
Wawel Royal Castle-State Art Collection Click to open side panel for more information Perched strategically over the Vistula River, this expansive castle complex combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
- Key Features: A magnificent Italian-style arcaded courtyard at its center.
- Exhibits: Houses premier state art collections, royal apartments, and rare tapestries.
Wawel Cathedral
Church
Closed Opens 9:00 AM Mon
Wawel Cathedral Click to open side panel for more information Located immediately adjacent to the castle, this highly revered cathedral has served as the coronation site and final resting place for Polish monarchs.
- Key Highlights: The golden-domed Sigismund Chapel, often described as a Renaissance masterpiece.
- Experience: Climb the tower to see the massive Sigismund Bell and visit the royal crypts below.
Dragon Den
Tourist attraction
Dragon Den Click to open side panel for more information Descending from the castle hill towards the riverbank takes you through a limestone cave steeped in local folklore.
- The Legend: According to local myth, this cave was once the home of the menacing Wawel Dragon.
Dragon Statue
Tourist attraction
Open
- Highlight: Outside the exit, you will find the famous bronze Dragon Statue Click to open side panel for more information which breathes real fire every few minutes.
Then, walk 25 minutes to ...
Krakw Barbican (closed Monday)
Museum
Closed Opens 10:00 AM Tue-Sun
- Key Features: A circular brick structure surrounded by a moat, featuring characteristic Gothic turrets.
- Visitor Tip: It is now operating as a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakw.
St. Florian's Gate
Historical landmark
Closed Opens 8:00 AM Mon
St. Florian's Gate Click to open side panel for more information Just a few steps past the Barbican, this iconic 14th-century Gothic tower marks the traditional entrance to the Old Town and the start of the historic Royal Road.
- Key Features: Built from wild stone, it features a baroque roof and a relief of St. Florian.
- Atmosphere: Local artists frequently display and sell their paintings along the connecting stone walls.
Planty
Park
Open
Stepping through the gate puts you right along this unique green belt that completely rings Krakw's historic center.
- Key Features: A 4km-long chain of interconnected gardens, manicured pathways, and shaded lawns.
- History: The park was created in the 19th century on the site of the city's demolished medieval defense walls.
