This year, I celebrated my birthday with a solo adventure to Kraków, Poland! I set off on a Wednesday morning and came back home on Sunday, just before my birthday. I’ve been dreaming of visiting Kraków for so long, and like many folks, my main goal was to see Auschwitz and Birkenau because of my love for World War II history. But what I didn’t expect was how much more I would discover about this beautiful city! Kraków is filled with history and charm, and I had an amazing time exploring it all.
Flying Early for a Full Day in Kraków
I arrived in Kraków around 10:30 a.m. and was excited to have most of the day ahead of me—just the way I like it! I took a bus from the airport to Kazimierz, where my Airbnb is located. With a few hours to spare before check-in, I decided to treat myself to a cup of coffee at a cozy little shop across the Vistula River. The walk was so enjoyable, with lots of sights to take in. From where I was, I could spot the Kraków Eye in the distance, and the whole area was just lovely!
While sipping my coffee, I went on to Krakow Together’s website to see about booking some tours for the afternoon. I had already reserved three trips with them for this trip, and they’re absolutely amazing! I managed to snag a spot for a guided tour of Schindler’s Factory Museum, which I’m really looking forward to. Plus, I went ahead and booked a fun golf cart tour of the city for Saturday. Can’t wait for the adventures ahead!
After I settled into my cozy Airbnb, I found myself a bit short on time, so I had to pick up the pace on my walk to Schindler’s factory! My place was in Kazimierz, right near the factory, but it was tucked away in a quieter area away from the tourist spots. After a brisk 30-minute walk, I definitely earned the delicious pierogies I had planned for dinner later. I made it to Schindler’s Factory with just enough time to catch my breath before my tour began!
Schinder’s Factory Tour
I had such a wonderful experience on my tour! My guide was super friendly and really knowledgeable, which made it all the more enjoyable. The Schindler’s Factory tour focused on the broader history of World War II in Kraków, not just Schindler’s story. This gave me a much fuller understanding of what happened during that time. The museum was packed with interesting information about Kraków and offered a heartfelt, accurate portrayal of events from over 80 years ago. And while “Schindler’s List” is an amazing movie, the tour highlighted a few little inaccuracies, which was eye-opening! Overall, I highly recommend it!
Helpful Tips for Visiting Schindler’s Factory:
If you’re planning a visit, you can grab a single ticket at the door! Just remember that you might have to wait a bit, potentially a few hours, and there’s a chance they could sell out for the day. To make the most of your experience, especially during the busy season, I strongly recommend booking a guided tour ahead of time. You can purchase guided tour tickets through the factory’s website or check out Krakow Together for more options. Enjoy your visit!
After my tour, I meandered back to the area where my Airbnb was, feeling absolutely famished since I hadn’t eaten all day! It was after 5 PM, and I was just craving something good to eat. I found myself heading to the other side of the Vistula River and stumbled upon a charming little Polish restaurant called Starka. I hadn’t made a reservation and, unfortunately, there were no tables available at the time. But the hostess was so sweet and kindly offered me a seat at a reserved table, as long as I could wrap up by 6:15 PM for the next party.
Mouth-Watering Polish Food
Delicious pierogi and zalewajka, served in a cozy bread bowl, made for an exceptional meal! I highly recommend giving this place a try. I finished my meal with plenty of time to spare, just like I promised the restaurant. What a wonderful dining experience!
After a lovely dinner, I returned to my cozy Airbnb on the other side of the Vistula River. I thought it would be nice to unwind on my first night. The next morning, I had a tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau booked. I was prepared for it to be an emotional journey, so I wanted to allow myself some downtime to reflect and gather my thoughts ahead of time.
Kraków Together
After waking up in the morning, I got ready and decided to stroll back over to the cozy coffee shop I had enjoyed the day before. I settled on the terrace with a good book while I waited for my driver from KrakówTogether to pick me up—such a great perk, as they pick up all their guests from hotels and Airbnbs! When I hopped into the van, I instantly felt at ease with my driver, Natalia. She was super friendly, and we ended up chatting all the way there and back. It felt like such a lovely way to start the day.
Importance of Selecting the Right Tour For Auschwitz
We arrived at Auschwitz with plenty of time to use the restroom and unwind for a bit before meeting our tour guide. Our experience with Krakow Together was super smooth and organized, which was a relief! Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case with other tour companies.
I usually love using Viator and Get Your Guide for tours, but I would recommend steering clear of them for an Auschwitz tour. They’re known for cancellations, especially around Easter and during the busy summer tourist season. I often see posts in our Krakow Facebook group from people who are frantically searching for last-minute tickets to Auschwitz after having their Viator or Get Your Guide tours canceled. Just today, someone shared that her tour—set for tomorrow—was canceled this morning, even though she booked it a whole year ago!
It’s really disappointing to hear, especially since so many people come to Krakow specifically for Auschwitz. I want to stress that while I love using Viator and Get Your Guide for many other tours, they just seem to struggle with Auschwitz. On the bright side, Krakow Together has never had a tour canceled, which is fantastic!
Just a quick note: I’m not affiliated with Krakow Together in any way, and I don’t get paid for sharing my thoughts. I just genuinely believe in what they do! They made my trip to Krakow so enjoyable and hassle-free, and I wanted to share my positive experience!
An Emotional Tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau
Visiting Auschwitz was as emotional as I had anticipated, and it truly impacted me. The heaviness of the atmosphere was palpable; you could feel the sorrow lingering in the air. Auschwitz serves as a painful reminder of the depths of human cruelty, and I believe it’s vital to keep this place open. It’s important for all of us to confront and understand the realities of what can happen when we ignore evil. We must work together to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. While I won’t go into the specifics of the tour, the experience was profoundly disturbing yet necessary. I truly do not regret participating for a single moment. The tour of Birkenau was equally haunting. It was especially striking when standing before the remnants of the gas chambers. They are a chilling testament to the past.
Strength and Resistance within Auschwitz-Birkenau
If you’re not familiar with the Sonderkommando mutiny of 1944, I encourage you to explore this story. It’s deeply tragic, yet it powerfully illustrates the strength of the human spirit. Just imagining the immense courage it took for those individuals to stand up is truly moving. They fought in such dire circumstances. We must remember these stories of bravery. If you’re interested, there are many other equally poignant tales that highlight human resilience available here.
Late-Afternoon shopping in Kraków’s Historic Old Town
The tour van rolled back into Krakow around 4 PM, and my fantastic tour guide dropped me off in Stare Miasto, the beautiful historic old town. I was so excited since I hadn’t had the chance to explore this iconic area yet! I strolled down the Royal Mile and took a leisurely walk through the vibrant main town square. During my adventure, I picked up my favorite Starbucks mug, as well as a fun new magnet to add to my collection. I even discovered another lovely amber necklace to add to my growing assortment! After my trip to Gdansk in December, I decided I want to buy amber jewelry every time I visit Poland. Back in December, I got an adorable owl necklace (which I absolutely love), and this time I found yet another cute necklace! Maybe next time, I’ll treat myself to some earrings for a little variety! Can’t wait for my next trip!
The main square was very impressive and absolutely rich in history. I’ve seen so many WWII-era photos of this square. There are plenty pre dating the war as well. There’s just something about standing in a location that has hundreds of years of history behind it. The history geek in me was left in awe.
Famished, Again!
After spending some time wandering around, I suddenly realized I was really hungry! Can you believe I let the whole day go by without eating again? I need to figure out why I do that! Anyway, food was definitely in order! I usually love trying out local restaurants, but this time, I ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe. Luckily, it wasn’t too busy yet, so I snagged a table right away. As always, the Hard Rock didn’t let me down!
First Full Peak at Wawel Castle
After indulging in a bit too much delicious food, I decided to take a nice stroll around Wawel Castle to help settle my stomach. Even though the interior grounds were closed, I loved wandering around the beautiful hilltop complex. Wawel Castle is absolutely stunning; it really feels like something out of a fairytale! After my walk, I enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the Vistula River on my way back to my cozy Airbnb. It was the perfect way to wrap up my first full day in Krakow!
Zakopane, Poland
The next day, I embarked on a full-day tour of Zakopane, located in the heart of the Tatra Mountains. Describing the ride up the mountain as entertaining would be an understatement. One group of women had clearly overindulged at the pub the night before. We had to stop so one of them could throw up. I definitely did not envy their situation; they seemed miserable but still made the best of the day!
Chochołów- Historic Polish Town
Our first stop was Chochołów, where we admired the beautiful historic wooden houses. Our guide from Krakow Together shared fascinating details about the area’s history. They also explained the history of the Saint Hyacinth Church. Chochołów is known for its strict adherence to building only traditional góralskie chaty style homes. It is also famous for the short-lived Chochołów Uprising of 1846. You can learn more about the history of Chochołów here: https://muzeumtatrzanskie.pl/en/home-en/museum-of-the-1846-chocholow-uprising/#:~:text=The%20people%20of%20Chochołów%20also,the%20Springtime%20of%20the%20Nations.
After a lovely little visit to Chochołów, we made our way to a cozy Bacówka hut to try the traditional Polish smoked cheese called “oscypek,” made from sheep’s milk. These charming wooden huts are where they smoke the cheese, and it’s such a unique experience! While we were there, we also got to sample some delicious Polish vodka. It was surprisingly refreshing and light, much different from the stronger vodkas you might expect! The flavor was fantastic, and I had to remind myself that it was still alcohol; one shot was definitely more than enough for the day!
Gubałówka Cable Car
After leaving the Bacłówka hut, we made our way to the cable car that would take us up to Gubałówka. The glass roof of the cable car offered a scenic view of the forest leading up the mountain. From up here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains—if you’re lucky. Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy during my visit. Although I could still see the snowy peaks in the background, the view was somewhat obscured. Despite that, I enjoyed walking around the streets! It’s very touristy up here, with plenty of shops selling similar merchandise.
Charming Krupówki Street!
The best part of this leg of the trip was riding the cable car back down and checking out Krupówki Street! It’s everything you’d imagine from a charming little Polish mountain town. The street is packed with cute shops, delicious restaurants, and lots of fun things to do. I spent my time just strolling around and soaking up the atmosphere. And of course, I had to treat myself to a yummy chimney cake while I was there!
Terma Bania Thermal Pools
After leaving the area, we set off to Terma Bania water park, and let me tell you, I had the most amazing three hours in the thermal pools! The locker rooms were quite an adventure too! When you walk past the reception desk, you step into this spacious co-ed area filled with stalls where everyone changes into their swimsuits. The funniest part? On the other side, there are folks waiting to use the same stalls to get dressed again! It was a bit chaotic trying to snag a stall with people coming from both directions, but it was also hilarious and added to the fun of the day!
The thermal pools were absolutely fantastic! I spent most of my time enjoying the outdoor pools. Even though it was a bit chilly outside, the warm water was such a delightful contrast—it felt incredibly soothing! At first, I was a little worried that being by myself might be boring or lonely, but it turned out to be the complete opposite. I loved the chance to relax and just reflect for a while. I really wish I could enjoy this kind of experience every day!
Back to Kraków Feeling Relaxed!
The journey back to Kraków was long, especially after such an exciting day! I was famished and ready to hit the hay when I finally got to my Airbnb. I opted for a tasty kebab from a nearby shop to take back. Honestly, I was almost too tired to enjoy it! Tomorrow would be my last day in Krakow, and I want to be well-rested to make the most of it!
Cozy Kraków Cafe Breakfast
I woke up way before my alarm, and it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity! I took my time strolling over the Vistula River to the Old Town area, where I was excited to meet my golf cart tour. On my way, I decided to treat myself to a cozy little café for breakfast. The weather was just delightful—sunshine and a gentle breeze made it feel so wonderful. It was such a lovely start to my day in a beautiful place!
Informative Golf Cart Tour Through
Kraków
The tour I booked was a fantastic 2.5-hour golf cart adventure that took us through the charming old town, the Jewish quarter, and the historic Jewish ghetto. I was amazed by how much I learned about this lovely city during one tour! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We even had a few chances to hop out of the cart and check out some local gems up close. If you’re planning a visit to Kraków, I can’t recommend this tour enough!
Once my tour wrapped up, I had a few hours to spare before heading to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, so I thought, “Why not check out Wawel Castle?” It’s free to wander around the outside, which is great! I really wish I could have spent an extra day in Kraków. I didn’t get a chance to explore the inside of the castle due to time restrictions, and I would have loved to dive deeper into the city. If only I had planned for one more day! Even though I only saw the beautiful grounds of the castle, I still had a fantastic time!
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is just a quick 20-minute drive from Krakow! As always, Krakow Together picked me up right outside my Airbnb, which was super convenient. Our driver was incredibly friendly, and I had a great time chatting with a lovely family who was traveling with me in the van. Staying together during the tour was really important because there was just one main point of contact with the driver. Plus, the mine is set up in such a way that when the tour ends, you might end up at one of two exits that are quite a distance apart! Luckily, the family kept an eye on me, ensuring I didn’t get lost in the crowd.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is absolutely amazing! First discovered way back in the 13th century, this incredible site is over 700 years old! In 1978, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is really special. The mine was in operation until 1996, but due to some flooding and changes in prices, it stopped being an active mine. Thankfully, it still stands as an important historical landmark and draws in countless visitors. The mine is huge—our tour lasted three hours, and we only explored about 2% of the entire place! It’s definitely a must-see!
They really did a fantastic job creating displays around the mine that share its history and show how mining has changed over the years. The absolute highlight of the tour was the chapel! Can you believe they still hold Sunday services down in the mines? It’s such a unique experience! The chapel is stunningly decorated, with all the sculptures made from salt. It’s positively amazing!
Tour Guide Needed for Wieliczka Salt Mine!
Once our tour wrapped up, our group made our way back to the surface through a series of fascinating tunnels, finally reaching the mineshaft elevator that took us back up. Just a heads-up: the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a little unique in that you need to join a tour and go with a group to explore it—it’s not open for solo adventures. They really want to keep everyone safe, as getting lost down there could be quite a challenge! So, it’s all about making sure you have a great experience while staying safe!
Once I got back to Krakow, I thought it would be a good idea to get my things ready for my early morning flight the next day and then catch some sleep. However, I made a bit of a blunder by booking a 6 AM flight on “spring forward” Sunday! That meant my flight was essentially at 5 AM since the clocks would jump ahead at 2 AM. I really had to think about what time to set my alarm for in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t end up getting much sleep at all, but hey, it’s all part of the adventure!
I was so thankful I managed to drag myself out of bed just in time to meet my Bolt driver and head to the airport! Even though I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to see my family, my heart was bursting with joy. This trip was just perfect! Poland is seriously one of my favorite spots in Europe. Plus, it’s one of the safest places to travel to! I felt completely at ease as a solo female traveler. I absolutely can’t wait to go back to Poland again in the future!
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