POLAND It is beautiful. It is inexpensive. And the culture scene has everything you can ask for. Cracow is the perfect weekend getaway city for Scandinavians.
I recently visited the beautiful city Cracow in Poland. Just a short plane ride from Oslo, and with a lot of airlines on the route, this is the perfect place for Norwegians to get some continental vibe.
Cracow was once the capital of Polen, until the king Sigismund III decided to move the capital to Warsaw in 1596. But Cracow is still considered to be the cultural center of the country, and I do understand why.
Cracow is known to be one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and is listed on Unesco’s World Heritage List. The former capital is full of wonderful architecture and there are monumental buildings wherever you look. Beautiful churches are literally on every corner in the central parts of the city, and every inch of the churches are decorated with historical paintings and art.
The city is filled with museums and small art galleries. The jazz clubs are many, and there are classical concerts held in several of the churches.
The prices are lower than other cities close to Norway, and you can eat and sleep very well to enjoyable prices (By the way, see my story about the hotel we stayed at).
Cracow is the perfect spot for a cultural spring vacation.
The main square in Cracow is Europe’s biggest market square.
Here you have the former market halls, which are now filled with small souvenir shops.
The square attracts a lot of tourists, and is often filled with people.
They come to see the magnificent churches.
Eat at the restaurants.
See the contemporary art.
Or book a ride with one of the horse carriages that operates from the square.
The horse carriages are popular, and to be seen every where in the city center.
You can also do sightseeing by small golf car vehicles.
But we took a guided tour by foot.
And I do recommend some kind of sightseeing while in Cracow, because there is so many interesting details in this city. (Notice the nuns in the background).
Our tour took us to the castle on top of the city.
We learned about the engraved stones and the different statues.
We also learned why there is bones hanging outside the main church in the castle. The myth says these are dragon bones and the world will collapse when they fall down.
Our guide also showed us the fire spitting dragon statue outside the castle, a statue we might have missed without professional guidance.
But if you do not like guided tours there are plenty to see just strolling around the old castle.
The area is beautiful.
With so many amazing details.
With a lot of different massive buildings.
And at the entrance there is a statue of Pope John Paul II, who was once bishop in Cracow.
There are pictures and statues of the former Pope several places in the city.
And everywhere you look there are statues and artifacts.
And wall art.
And funny art.
And old beautiful churches.
That are beautifully decorated.
The university in the city is one of Europes oldes, and is also beautiful.
With interesting details.
You can visit the old city walls.
Take a stroll in the park that surrounds the city center.
Take a stroll in the Jewish quarter.
Which have a lot of nice shops and cafes.
Go outside the city center and get some feel of the former regime.
In the city center many of the houses have interesting details.
And there are cosy alleys.
Even the candy shops are nice.
And then there is the cultural scene. This city has many theatres.
Several places in the city.
And there are several jazz cafes.
Where you can hear concerts every night.
There is also classical concerts in several churches.
And a lot of smaller events.
And then there is the art.
You can buy cool artifacts several places.
Even in chocolate.
There is plenty of opportunities for shopping. In the market halls.
In the big mall just outside the historical center.
More exclusive shopping in the center.
And markets in the Jewish quarter.
There is traditional lokal foods to try out.
And several nice restaurants.
And cosy cafes.
And check out some of the backyards.
Some of the best restaurants are off the main streets. We LOVED this one!
And there is a lot of vodka places.
And places you can get alcohol 24/7.
And places with the perfect Latte Baileys.
And then you can dance your way around this city al night.
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