This short trip to Krakow was our second visit to Poland, inspired by our love for Warsaw. We flew Ryanair from Venice. Over three full days in one of Poland's oldest cities, our first standout experience was using Uber. It was fast, affordable, and perfect for getting around. We arrived late and quickly discovered our favorite spot to eat: Cargo. Located near our Airbnb in a trendy neighborhood, it’s a renovated factory with excellent food. The steak was, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had.

The weather forecast for the next day was pretty gloomy—typical for November—so we decided to visit the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine. This historic mine, operational since the 13th century, extends 327 meters deep and stretches over 287 kilometers. It features an array of shafts, tunnels, chambers, a lake, and even a grand cathedral. It was an impressive and worthwhile experience.

On our way back, we stopped in the Zabłocie district to grab a bite at BAL and explore Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory and MOCAK, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow. There was a long line for Schindler's Factory, so we opted for MOCAK instead. The museum featured intriguing art—some of it we understood, and some we didn’t, but it was definitely interesting.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

The next day, we booked a guided tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II–Birkenau. It was an intensely sobering experience—our expectations couldn’t prepare us for the harsh reality. The tour was deeply moving and educational, and despite the grim subject, I'm glad we went.

The weather cleared up, allowing us to finally explore Krakow's Main Square, Rynek Główny. It's a vibrant and colorful place, sprawling with the Cloth Hall at its center. We enjoyed the view from the 70-meter-high Town Hall Tower and admired the impressive St. Mary's Basilica on the western corner—a massive brick church that's truly striking.

Our charming Airbnb on Czapskich Street, just outside the old city walls, turned out to be our favorite stay ever.

The next day was dedicated to exploring the city center. We began by crossing the Main Square again and then strolled down the Royal Road, admiring the historic architecture. We soon reached Wawel Hill, where the castle and its courtyard were beautifully maintained. We visited the Wawel Cathedral as well, though we often find churches blending together, so we try to limit our visits to one or two per trip. The view from the cathedral was worth the climb.

We finished our tour in Kazimierz district with plenty of eateries and a cool vibe. Alchemia was an awesome bar to spend the last evening at. They make a mean cocktail. We also visited Plac Nowy, had lunch at Zazie Bistro and checked out Skwer Judah.

The next day, we headed to the airport but not before enjoying one last steak at Cargo. Our time in Krakow was fantastic. Poland continues to impress with its delicious food, friendly people, and rich sights.