andiiv

How much of a walk is it to the Kaximierz district? I am an older female who has trouble walking long distances, but a mile or two would be ok. Is there a hop on type bus? Also, what is the tipping standard for taxis and at restaurants? Here in American I usually tip between 15 - 20%.

I am excited about my trip. I have wanted to visit Krakow for years. Thank you for your input.

adrienne

<< How much of a walk is it to the Kaximierz district? >>

It depends on where you're starting from. There are trams. The TI will tell you the closest tram and what number and where to get off. The Krakow TI is very helpful.

Krakow is very flat (like much of Poland). Even the slope to Wawel is short and not steep. There are no steps, just a slope.


<< Is there a hop on type bus? >>

I never saw one but that doesn't mean there is one. A bus can't get through the small streets in old town but there are small trains with canned commentary. I did not take the trains as they didn't appeal to me; everyone on them looked bored.

Tipping: As in the rest of Europe do not tip as though you were in America. Round up the bill or 10% at most.

I hope you see the exceptional Krakow Under the Occupation Museum.

I love Krakow and I hope you will too. I can't wait to go back.

Viajero2

andiiv-- when are you going? I am arriving with hubby on July 16th. If you want company to the Kaximierz district, I'll go with you. It is on my list of MUST DO along with Schindler's Factory and the Krakow Occupation Museum.

adrienne

<< Schindler's Factory >>

There's nothing in the factory - it's not open to the public. The exterior gate is original as is the map in the administration building which houses the Krakow Under the Occupation Museum.

Viajero2

Yes, that's what the guidebook says. I want to see it and plan to visit Schindler's Factory and the Occupation Museum.

andiiv

I am arriving in Krakow on August 28th and staying until September 4th. My hotel is located right on the square. Viajero2, I would love to meet up with you if you are still around.

Any suggestions about restaurants?

BigRuss

If "the square" means Rynek Glowny, then it's a fair walk to Kazimierz but there's a tram just outside the old town that will take you there. Thinking it's east of the square and the #3, but you need to (1) check the maps (http://mapa.1435mm.net.pl/ - no, it's not great but it is the official one), (2) talk to the hotelier.

Don't miss the Arka Pana and the Nowa Huta district.

andiiv

Thank you BigRuss. I do mean Rynek Glowny. As I am not a "seasoned" traveler, taking buses or trams by myself makes me nervous. Maybe it is time for me to get over it and get my courage up!

Pvoyageuse

It is a good 15 minutes walk from the Main Square to Kazimierz. I went with the Free Walking Tours and came back with the tram.
Restaurants near the main square :
W Starej Kuchni, ul. Sw. Tomasza 8 : typical Polish food, very reasonable prices.
Polskie Smaki, ul. Sw Tomasza 5 : on the other side of the street, a Polish "milk bar", very cheap and very good.
Restaurant Gessler Francuski, Pijarska St 13 offers an "express lunch menu" for 20 zlotys, a real bargain. It is the restaurant of Hotel Francuski.
Gosciniec Florianski, ul. Florianska 21- had a nice dinner there.
There is another Milb Bar on ul. Tomaszca 24, but I didn't try it.

annhig

Andiiv - the buses, trams and trains in Krakow are very easy, we caught them all the time.

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

adrienne

There's a lot to see in Kazimierz and Podgorze and if you're limited in how long/far you can walk you'll want to take the tram. It's not difficult. Buy 2 tickets so you don't have to look for a ticket place for the way back. You'll probably want to plan a route going and coming back since you won't want to back track to take the tram from the same place you arrived at.

Are you also going to Podgorze the same day? Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle were very interesting.

In Kazimierz I can recommend Kuchnia u Doroty, Miodowa 25. Good, inexpensive food. There's an interior courtyard where you can eat if it's a fine day.

For an inexpensive meal off the main square you can try Babci Maliny at 17 Ulica Slawkowska. Don't let the waitress talk you into a large portion of perogies as there's about 20 on the plate and enough for 6 people! It's a traditional Polish restaurant. Downstairs is waitress service. Ground floor you order a the window and then find a table and someone brings it to you. I didn't do this because I was not sure what to order and there were people lined up to order and I didn't want to hold up the line.

Cafe Camelot is good for a small, light meal. They have both inside and outside dining. Good Zurek (soup). For a grander meal, just down the street from Cafe Camelot is Restaurant Farina (mostly fish but great mushroom soup).

Tip about seeing the Krakow Under the Occupation Museum - go first thing on a weekend morning to avoid the hoards of school kids. I went when it opened on a Saturday and there were few people and it was so enjoyable.

You're lucky you're missing the Jewish holy days. I went to Kazimierz during Rosh Hashanah and couldn't get into the synagogues.

Where are you staying?