We will be visiting these two cities in Sept. and would like to know what would be the most important things to see. Also, are the salt mines worth it.
Thanks

In Krakow, the Wawel tops the list. There are so many wonderful things to see.... folks are going to eat you up for asking this question instead of checking a guide book! I think the trip to Auschwitz is a must. The Salt Mines are really amazing to see, although after an hour I was ready to go, still - I would've never guessed they could do what they did with salt! Good luck to you.

Hi beth,

I shall be gentle. Go to fodors.com and click on Krakow. Repeat for Warsaw.

beth: Ira is right. There is a ton of information about these two cities. More specifically, go to fodors.com (if you are reading this post, you are already there). Click on europe (again, if you are reading this post...). At the top of the page type Krakow or Warsaw in the little search window. Click on search. Eureka; the ton of information. After you have read what is available, ask any question you like. Good luck.

beth: Instead of clicking on search, you click on "find".

Krakow--Wawel Castle, old town, Zakopane, Auschwitz/Birkenau. The town with the Black Madonna is not far--can't remember it right now.

Hi Beth, I imagine that you might want some personal recommendations rather than doing what everyone else is by following the guide books. Hopefully other people will respond accordingly.

I really enjoyed seeing Wawel in the old part of Krakow but you need to check the dates and times. We had to beg to get in on a Monday because they closed at noon and we were a few minutes late. The cathedral there is very interesting also, but it's very dark inside.

Also, go to the old town square. There are lots of restaurants and shops in the area.

By the way, if you have time, try to go to Malbork Castle. It's about an hour southeast of Gdansk. They only allow people to go in with a group tour which takes about 3 hours. Find information on getting an English speaking guide. Also, you have to pay extra for taking photographs but it's worth it. Have great time.

does anyone know the distance from Warsaw to Auschwitz? I am travelling there in November. Is it a good day trip?

Savanah> Auschwitz (Oswiecim) is near Cracow (Krakow) not Warsaw... From Warsaw (Warszawa) to Cracow (Krakow) is about 250km (which translates to about 4-5hr driving) from Krakow to Auschwitz (Oswiecim) is about 50km which means about 1hr drive... Krakow is much nicer then Warsaw - so you definitly may want to stop over in Krakow (near Old City) to do a day trip (FROM KRAKOW) to Auschwitz...

gggsal: You do not need to have a group to visit Malbork Castle. You can buy tickets with no guide, or with a guide.
Both tickets allow you access to all areas of the castle. But if you do not have a good guide book - you will definitly need a guide to see the castle in most efficiant way as well as know what are you looking at, or how to access some of the areas... Guides do prefer groups ... but it is not a requirment...

Malbork as well as Castle in Gniew are very nice day trips from Gdansk, which is very nice and can be compared to gems like Krakow, Prague, Budapest ... Definitly much nicer then Warsaw...

Enjoy your trips!

Try simple search using the name of the city. Warsaw Poland...

PeterB: thanks for that information. I guess I didn't read the price board at Malbork closely enough. BTW, I think the entrance fee is only about $7 USD which I thought was very reasonable for a 3 hour tour.