The city of Kraków officially spelled as Cracow in the English language has grown from a stone age settlement to Poland‘s second most important city. In the period of 1038 to 1596 it was the capital of Poland, nowadays its Warsaw. Nowadays, it is the capital of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Krakow is a city of size with a population that exceeds 755 thousand people according to latest count.
Lots of times travelers visiting Krakow pre-assume it’s a big gray and boring city, but in fact it’s a lively city with a nice infrastructure, lots of big and ancient buildings and clean streets. Krakow is one of Poland’s major academic and artistic center with the ongoing establishment of new universities and cultural venues. A popular destination within the city is the main market square, where pigeons dominate the area. The square is about the size of 656 ft. and is the historical center of Kraków’s Jewish social and religious life it also has several old churches, museums and a fourteenth century building of the Jagiellonian University.
As there’s many students from all over Poland move to the city, it’s nightlife is alive and vibrant. The street scene is filled with pubs and bars, and late night clubs that are open until the early hours. Most of the bigger clubs are located in dungeons under the ground, the average price of a beer is 3.5 PLN (about $1.20). Getting around in the city is no problem, there’s bus stops throughout the city and the taxis are available, to any location in the city it shouldn’t be more than 70 PLN (about $25.00)
There are two main seasons in Krakow, with hot and humid summers (June, July and August) and cold winters (January and February). The month of September has the most rain. American and European tourists visiting Krakow only need a valid passport if their stay does not exceed 90 days. Confirmation of travel itinerary and proof of accommodations may be required at the border.
Warsaw is the capital of Poland, the country’s center of commerce, entertainment, and finance. The city quickly made a name for itself as one of the fastest-growing economic and cultural centers in Europe with the emergence of the free markets and democracy, directly followed by Krakow. Home to more than 1.6 million people according to the latest measurement, Warsaw sits on the banks of the Vistula River, right between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian mountains.
Warsaw is a beautiful and refreshing mix of palaces and park lands, and no visit is complete without seeing the structures that define both the modern and historical Warsaw such as the Palace of Culture and Science and the Royal Castle. A trip to Warsaw wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the cobble stoned streets of the Old town for a unique medieval experience. Indeed, Warsaw has perfected the non-contrived but cosmopolitan look that most cities fail to achieve with its eclectic mix of traditional and international restaurants, bars, and shops. Such an eclectic combination of local and international establishments is set in a city with a skyline defined by high-rises of modern and contemporary architecture.
The city is accessible through public transport options such as buses, trolleys, and trains. Taxis are also a good choice, especially if your Polish is good enough to use for directions. However, be careful with the meter because Polish taxi drivers do not have the best reputation when it comes to the fair charging of passengers. Rentals are also available although Polish road signs can be hard to understand and parking spaces are hard to find, especially in the Old Town. The best time to visit the city is from June to September, when the days are warm but are not very humid.
Only a valid passport is required of American tourists who want to visit Warsaw for three months or less. Confirmation of travel itinerary and proof of accommodations may be required at the border.
