Postcard from Krakow
From a dark history, Krakow has become one of the most creative and fun cities in Europe.
If you haven’t been to Poland and more specifically Krakow, add it to your travel plans stat. I was there in July but I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s really cool, like really, really, really cool. The fashion, the décor, the street art, the cafes and the bars in the bohemian Kazimierz (the Jewish quarter) are some of the most interesting and most fun you’ll find in the world. While there’s so much exploring and history to delve into during the day, the city really comes alive at night. There are endless streets of pubs serving (you guessed it) every flavour of vodka you could ever dream of. Europe is amazing, but Krakow really is the cherry (vodka) on top! *Books return flight*
Caffeine
Finca Café – An inviting, calm space in the heart of the Jewish quarter with excellent coffee and pastries. It’s modern, light and has cool tunes.
Karma roastery – It’s hip, a little bit grungy and smells like heaven with all those beans roasting. It’s also in the Jewish quarter along with all the cool things in Krakow.
Sip
Wisniewski – There’s only one type of drink on the menu here – cherry vodka – and it’s delicious!! Even if you don’t think cherry vodka is your thing, like me, you’ll find your life forever changed after one sip. The walls of this bar are lined with bottles and bottles of the good stuff, the décor is glitzy and the neon lights help make it a real vibe.
Singer – Step back in time as you enter one of Krakow’s oldest pubs. History oozes off the walls of this very quaint venue, it’s filled with quirky items and has such a great atmosphere. Sit outside in summer where every table features a Singer sewing machine. BYO project.
Alchemia – Lit by candlelight, this rustic bar of mismatched furniture is a popular little spot. It’s super laid back, cosy and a very enjoyable way to whittle away an afternoon or evening.
Pub Propoganda - You’ll never guess the theme and decor of this place. It’s a total dive bar and a whole lot of fun. Here you’ll find every relic of Poland’s socialist past, not all of it PC in 2025.
Hevre - Housed in a former synagogue, this bar and restaurant is a total delight. Chandeliers hang from the ceilings, paint peels off the incredible murals of Krakow’s streets and a jazz band plays in the corner of the very open-plan room.
Staropolskie Trunki - Hard to determine whether you’ve walked into an 18th century pharmacy or a bar, either way the concoctions are aplenty. Conjure up any vodka flavour you can think of and this place will have it. It’s a lot of fun trying them out, horseradish vodka anyone?
Eat
Pierogi MR Vincent - There’s even paintbrushes on the table in this very colourful Vincent Van Gogh-inspired restaurant. The real art here though is the piergois (so delicious!) and their impressionist era prices.
Zapiekanki - Get your gob around one of these traditional polish open baguette sandwich/pizza situations topped with melted cheese, mushrooms and often tomato sauce. In the Jewish quarter is an old round building which operates like an outdoor food court serving up zapiekanki. There’s queues all day and (all) night so join in the fun and feast.
Shop
Austeria - A Jewish bookshop in the old Popper Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. Walk through an old grand gate, down a leafy path and you’ll find it behind a non-descript door. AKA put this one in Google Maps or you’ll never find it. It feels like a bookshop/stationary store frozen in time. There’s lots of books in English about Poland during WWII. Worth a look inside even if you’re not after something to read.
Massolit Books - An English, second hand bookshop in Krakow’s old town with a cafe It feels like you’re settling into your Polish grandmother’s home in the best way possible. Good cakes too!
Kabak - Cool clothing and accessories, all made in Poland. Embroidered caps, socks, scarves, beanies etc etc with fun designs.
Visit
Kazimierz - Once its own city, now the Jewish Quarter of Krakow is where most of the best bars, cafes and restaurants mentioned above are found. It’s edgy and cool and has reinvented itself into a really creative, buzzing hub. The streets are dotted with hidden shops, cafes and bars – and you never know what you’ll find behind the gates, the doors or the walls of street art.
Oskar Schindler's Factory - The former metal factory made ‘famous’ in that film is now a Holocaust museum and memorial. It’s very well done, interactive and I learnt a lot.
Royal Wawel Castle - Even if you just wander around the beautiful gardens and grounds, the castle is well worth a visit. It’s easily the most popular tourist attraction in Krakow but this royal residence really is stunning.
Ghetto Heroes Square - This is a moving memorial to the Jewish victims of the Krakow ghetto during WWII. I don’t typically enjoy walking tours anymore, but doing one of the Jewish quarter that takes in the ghetto area is well worth it and very informative. You can also visit the old pharmacy next to the memorial and hear the story of how its staff secretly helped Jewish people during the holocaust.
