Warsaw -vs- Krakow? (life, country, dangerous, place) - City-Data Forum

Milwaukee City · 12-26-2009, 05:42 PM

What is the better city to live in and what is the better city to visit and why? I have been told by many who have been to Warsaw that it's a gray dark version of Chicago and always foggy and just a dirty city. On the flip side I have been told that Krakow is very beautiful and clean city smaller but also very foggy at times. My friends tell me that Krakow would be a better place to live b/c of it's location in southern Poland but Warsaw is the capital and is a great transportation hub. I have seen pics of both and I think it's a toss up but since I have never been their I wouldn't know. I love bigger cities but the old world charm of Krakow might win me over.

charolastra00 · 12-26-2009, 06:20 PM

I really loved Krakow but couldn't get a real feel since I arrived zonked after a day at Auschwitz and my only full day was on Easter where literally everything was shut down- including most of the Jewish museums (which is the whole reason I was in that part of Europe).

Warsaw is supposed to be lovely as well though. Granted, I am mostly interested in Jewish history and Warsaw is steeped in it, so your mileage may vary.

elnina · 12-26-2009, 06:20 PM

All depends what are you looking for: Warsaw is a business city and Krakow is more cultural city.
Warsaw and Krakow - two main Polish cities look very different, have different history and different atmosphere.
Krakow was not destroyed during WWII and it has far more original buildings than the rest of Poland.
Warsaw its biggest city and principal business center. Over 90% of the city was completely destroyed, so downtown Warsaw lacks historical monuments and its landmarks that are of either postwar construction or postwar reconstruction.

Milwaukee City · 10-02-2010, 10:57 PM

Poland's oldest travel agency files for bankruptcy - Monsters and Critics

This is too bad because this is who I was going to book with. I guess I will go with Polamer Travel. Bilety lotnicze do Polski, wycieczki po USA, rejsy statkiem, wakacje.

Milwaukee City · 06-17-2011, 08:26 PM

Well this trip is coming closer and this time we plan on spending time in Russia and Czech as well. Would you rec. that or just stick to a Polska city tour? Two weeks in Polska and I think I can fit a lot in. I want to see Hel, Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane, the desert and the forests and lakes as well. Can this be done?

elnina · 06-17-2011, 08:59 PM

...Then stay in one country. I hate to see stressed up tourists running like in amok from one country to another. Sleeping in the trains/buses, making pictures on the run, not even knowing what they are seeing. I remember one tourist bus where the guide was pointing to different objects: on the right we see this, on the left we just passed this... Half of them were catching on sleep, others were trying to get some info from maps and booklets. No time for going into the buildings, eating in local restaurants or just sitting in patio coffee and watching people passing by. Some of the tours do 5 countries in 7 days. Talking about stress and exhaustion.

Plan your route wisely. You would probably do much better by renting a car and traveling in your own pace, than going with the bus tour...

Milwaukee City · 06-17-2011, 09:06 PM

Thanks! I knew I could rely on you Elnina!. I was told a train pass was cheaper in Poland than renting a Opel. Plus they always say it takes people a while to get used to polish roads. Thus it is easier to just get a train pass.

Gateway Region · 06-18-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Well this trip is coming closer and this time we plan on spending time in Russia and Czech as well. Would you rec. that or just stick to a Polska city tour? Two weeks in Polska and I think I can fit a lot in. I want to see Hel, Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane, the desert and the forests and lakes as well. Can this be done?

Warsaw is seen as a city to live. Krakow is seen as a city to visit with more tourism. Also, Krakow has older buildings because they were not destroyed in WWII.

Where you go is really left up to you. I have a friend who went to Poland for 7-10 and stayed in Poland for the whole time. I might do Czech Republic and Poland in one trip, but Russia seems kind of far.

Milwaukee City · 06-26-2011, 11:24 PM

Which hotel would you rec. in Warsaw? thinking of staying at the novotel or the hilton. Suggestions for hotel in Krakow?

Oskar_Z28 · 07-07-2011, 11:33 AM

I just just got back from Krakow couple weeks ago, and I skipped Warsaw because really, like others described that is just big fairly new city.

I went to Wroclaw instead as I have friends there and wanted to show my wife a city where I grew up as a kid. Also shopping was better there than Krakow. If you want to know more about Wroclaw and decide to go there, hit me up.

In Krakow we stayed at B&B Kolory right in Kazimierz which the old Jewish part of Krakow. We had a two bedroom flat that had A/C for less than $100 (210 zl). I would definately recommend that place. Actually any place in Kazimierz would be good - just read online reviews. Very nice area with many restaurants and good night life. It's about 10-15 minute walk from Rynek and most of the tourist areas. We did a day trip to Auschwitz and to Wieliczka - very good sites for different reasons.

If you must go out of the country go to Prague. It's definately worth it. I'd skip Russia, but that's me for personal reasons, plus I see it as fairly dangerous country.