500 Things to do in Krakow (120/500): Brunch Your Heart Out at Breaking Bread. @breakingbreadkrakow
This bakery is well known and has locations throughout the city, but be aware if you’re a tourist, they’re a bit off the beaten path— but isn’t it better to try a local favorite once in a while?
Now what’s so special about this new location, well it’s not just a bakery- it’s a whole restaurant.
It’s small, so expect to queue. And remember, you can always just take some pastries to go. But if you want the full brunch experience, get in line!
We had a short wait on a Friday morning around 10am; opting to have a little soda while we waited, these were the cutest cans ever. And then once we sat down, it was time for coffee and breakfast.
We ordered three things because we always want to show you guys lots of options— I got the Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup—- it had so much cheese, and the bread of course, baked in house, was fantastic. My partner got the open-faced Tofu Toast. And then we split the Brioche French Toast. As you can see on these plates the dishes are vibrant, and I can confirm that they are also delicious.
This is the location on Kalwaryjska Street— you can walk from the Jewish Quarter, or even better, just catch a tram from any part of the city.
#krakow #krakowexplorers #krakowexplorerswalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #thingstodoinkrakow #krakowpoland #krakowwalkingtours
500 Things to do in Krakow (119/500): Pick out your new Fluffy Friend at Galeria Bukowksi!
Move over Jellycat… Poland’s got some of the best stuffed animal shops, with two locations here in Krakow, for picking out your next cozy critter.
Barbara Bukowski was born in Poland and made her first creation here in 1957 with her grandmother who taught her everything she knew. Eventually she moved to Sweden and after having made teddy bears for her children decided to embark on a new adventure by opening up Bukowski Designs in 1990 with her husband Janusz.
Throughout the early ‘90s Bukowski collected award after award for best toy, and today they continue to create some of the cutest designs. From classic teddy bears, to little forest critters like hedgehogs, or classic household pets like Guinea pigs and kitty cats– there is surely something that will catch your eye here. And what’s great is they often make the animals in different sizes so you can choose what is best for you. They even have miniature versions of many of their favorites as keychains.
Barbara and Janusz were even awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor from the Polish government for their life’s work. The family owned business has been operating for 35 years now and they have released over 500 different designs during that period. If you want to shop while in Krakow, just look for the shops on Florianska and Sienna Streets.
#krakow #krakowexplorers #krakowexplorerswalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #thingstodoinkrakow #krakowpoland #krakowwalkingtours #bukowski
500 Things to do in Krakow (118/500): Imbibe and Unwind with a Drink at Gin Mill. @ginmillkrk
So, here’s the thing- I’ve been desperately searching for an extra dirty vodka martini up with olives, and for some reason it’s been rather hard to find. But of all places- I got it at Gin Mill. This little hidden gem is located at 49 Dietla Street. And it only has a handful of stools. So don’t be surprised if there isn’t room for you, but it’s worth a try for their amazing menu.
Now what I wanted was a classic cocktail, but they’ve got a more elaborate menu as well. Ranging from their signatures, to their most intricate concoctions. On our most recent visit a whole part of the menu was themed around food from Mango Sticky Rice to Green Curry.
Some cocktails even came in whole boxes of smoke. The presentation was superb, but the actual cocktails were some of the best we’ve had in the city.
The bartender was knowledgeable but not pretentious. And the prices were what you would expect for a specialty cocktail of this caliber, hovering around 40 zloty.
They even had low-alcohol and no-alcohol mocktails available too. And some simple bar snacks available as well.
With a location in Kazimierz, this is the perfect first stop for a night out on the town or dinner.
#cocktailsinkrakow #thingstodoinkrakow #krakowexplorers #krakowexplorerswalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #Krakow #krakowpoland #poland
500 Things to do in Krakow (117/500): Hop on Board a vintage tram for a quick bite at Pantograf Cafe. @pantografcafe_official
Back and better than ever, Pantograf Cafe has once again opened it’s doors to the public. Now for a tourist, this might be a bit off the beaten path, but if you’re a traveler who likes to check out unique things- having a coffee or meal on a vintage tram mught be right up your alley.
As you approach the parked tram, you’ll press the button to board just like you would to get on for a ride. Once the doors slide open you can climb up and step back in time. The tram Type: GT-6 it was manufactured in the 1960s but brough to Kraków in the mid 90s and has been converted quite nicely for people to cozy up for breakfast or a quick lunch.
The menu is simple and looks like a timetable; the attention to detail in this cafe is really cool. But they’ve got small subs like Tuna or Egg salad; but the best thing we got was the Egg Drop breakfast sandwich. Grilled toast bread with scrambled eggs, you could add bacon and/or cheese to it. It was hot, buttery, and delicious.
They have a full coffee and tea menu and cakes were also available when we were there.
Since it’s located on part of the Polytechnical Univeristy campus it’s opened just during the day; servivg mostly students- which is great because it keeps the prices low. They even have a sandwich with coffee or tea deal each day.
#krakowexplorers #krakowexplorerswalkingtours #krakowwalkingtours #freewalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakow #poland #thingstodoinkrakow #pantografcafe
500 Things to do in Krakow (116/500): Sip and Savor your Lunch at Soup Culture. @soupculture.pl_krakow @soupculture.pl
Located at 10 Świętego Sebastiana Soup Culture serves their recipes of the day in a cup that doubles as a snack. Making what you order here feel like a full meal.
Each day, for approximately 20zl you can grab a soup in an edible cup, with usually three options to choose from.
The edible cups are made on site and they have a special machine to warm them up before filling them. Not only is it yummy- but it’s also eco-friendly!
The cup is rather filling, tasting more like a thick tortilla even, and it doesn’t get soggy. So you can slowly sip and save the cup for last, or chew along the edges as you eat.
It was convenient enough that we were able to walk around with our lunch, but you could also choose to sit inside.
With spring still not here yet, you just might catch yourself on a chilly day in the city, consider warming up with a hot lunch like this.
#krakowexplorers #krakowexplorerswalkingtours #krakowwalkingtours #freewalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakow #poland #soupculture #thingstodoinkrakow
Did you know most days in Krakow there is a free museum to visit? Sometimes many!
500 Things to do in Krakow (115/500): Visit the Grave of the Remu and Leave him your Secret Wish.
The best way to learn more about Krakow’s Jewish History is to come on our daily walking tour, but let’s talk about how special this grave is now.
One of the most important things the Remu did here in Krakow besides lead his community, was write a book called the Mappa- a text that is still used by the modern religious community today. And so, when he passed it was only fitting that he would be buried behind the synagogue named after him in what would become the Remu Cemetery.
What’s special about this grave is that it survived World War II. Which is crazy to think about, because this is arguably the most famous person buried in this cemetery- how in the world did it survive? There are many legends about this, most related to the fact that the grave gained a reputation of being able to hurt any who came near it. And Krakow’s occupiers becoming extremely superstitious about the grave’s dangerous powers.
But for centuries people also believed the Remu could grant wishes. And so people from all over the world would come to visit the grave of the Remu, tucking a piece of paper into the details of his headstone with their secret wish. Because it’s believed you are only allowed to ask the Remu to grant one with true in a lifetime, and that wish has to be one you’ve never told to anyone else before.
How can you participate in this tradition? Well, you’ll need to give the synagogue a donation, currently it’s 10 złoty per person. That will allow you to not only tour the synagogue but go out to the cemetery as well, where you can find the grave of the Remu and some of his closest family members. Have your wish written down before you get there, and kindly hand it over to the rabbi’s grave, he’ll know what to do from there.
#krakowexplorers #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakow #krakowfreewalkingtours #thingstodoinkrakow #krakowpoland #krakowexplorersfr
500 Things to do in Krakow (114/500): Fika at Kaffe Bageri Stockholm @kaffebageristockholm
Did you know that you can fika in Krakow?
Well, do you even know what it means to fika?
Fika is a cherished Swedish tradition where you take time to enjoy coffee and a treat, usually with friends or family. And while it sounds just like a coffee break- it’s not… It’s about slowing down, socializing, and is essentially a state of mind–that shows the importance of balance, connection, and well-being.
Just because you’re in Poland doesn’t mean you can’t participate in this Swedish tradition because here in Krakow, we’ve got multiple locations of Kaffe Bageri- one near the Old Town and one in the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz- and it is for sure a locals favorite.
The menu is simple. Kanelbullar. Those Swedish cinnamon rolls you might have seen before– that’s the star here. And they are made fresh throughout the day right here in the cafe. Usually they’ve got classic and cardamom available. And when in season they might make something special like wild blueberry.
And because it’s the season now before lent- they’ve even got semla! A treat you can only eat in Sweden during a certain time period- so if you’re in Krakow this weekend, stop by the cafe and see if they have any fresh semlas available. Once they come out of the oven and are filled with marzipan and topped with cream- they fly off the shelves, so you may have to keep coming back like we did- to see if any are available.
#fikainkrakow #krakowexplorers #krakowexplorersfreewalkingtours #freewalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakowfreewalkingtours #krakow #krakowpoland #thingstodoinkrakow
500 Things to do in Krakow (113/500): Grab a Drink at Komisariat in Kazimierz
If it’s your first time in the city, you may not know that the district of Kazimierz, sometimes referred to as the Jewish Quarter, is one of the best places to go for nightlife in Krakow.
Around the Plac Nowy area there are tons of bars, ranging from the cheapest in the city to more refined places. I would say Komisariat is one of the cheapest for sure, and it’s always a good time. In summer they even have a garden out back.
Now beers and shots are the way to go here. And rounds of drinks are often served with little snacks which we love. This last visit we were treated with little slices of pizza, but I’ve also gotten cheese with salami and olives on a previous visit. A nice little touch you wouldn’t expect from such a hole-in-the-wall place. They also have food on their menu if you want to order something.
While we’re seeing parts of Kazimierz move into the future, with much of the area being cleaned up, Komisariat is covered in graffiti and inspired by a police station. There are lines on the wall where you can stand to pretend you’re having your mug shot taken. And you’ll be able to look at photos of people from the past who have taken there own mugshots here too.
Why is it themed after a law enforcement station? Because that’s what Komisariat means! Police Station.
So here’s to hoping while you’re in Krakow that you only end up in this Komisariat and not somewhere with actual officers.
#krakowexplorers #krakowexplorersfreewalkingtours #freewalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakowfreewalkingtours #krakow #poland #krakowpoland #thingstodoinkrakow #kazimierz
Are you a large group coming to Krakow? Maybe your corporate team is having a meeting in our city? We’ve got just the activity for you.
Our Krakow Foodies Tour, offered by our local guide Damien, is a great way to bring your group together.
So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable group experience— Watch how we turned this outing into a journey of Polish flavors! From savoring authentic pierogi, juicy kiełbasa, and traditional soups to discovering hidden culinary gems, our private food tours are crafted to bring people together. Perfect for corporate events, large groups, or special celebrations!
📩 Contact us today to plan your next delicious adventure. [email protected]
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500 Things to do in Krakow (112/500): Do a Shots and Szopki Crawl! @kbf.krakow @muzeumkrakowa
Okay this is a fun one- that we totally made up, but it’s perfect for touring the city in the winter months. Until February 2nd, there will be Krakow Nativity Scenes called Szopki scattered all over the city center. Each one unique enough that seeing several or more is the best plan. But how to make the Szopki Walkabout even better? Add some shots!
So first step- download the map of Szopki from the Krakow Festival Bureau website. We’ll link it here.
Then start to explore all the different displays and while you’re out and about stop in some local bars for shots! Now technically every bar in Krakow can be a shots bar, or vodka bar, but we went to some of the classics here like Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa and Bania Luka— with multiple locations throughout the city, it was easy to find one near every spot we were visiting.
Every szopka is unique in style. And if you’ve never heard of them before- they are basically nativity scenes. So each one will of course have the star of the show- baby Jesus. But many will feature local legends like the trumpeter or Hejnał, the Lajkonik, or of course— the dragon!
Prominent Krakowians are also present, from centuries bygone. But my recommendation is to always look around you when visiting a szopki because there is often a building near you that the artist has taken inspiration from.
The szopki are often a combination of churches and castles and towers of the city all combined into one beautiful piece.
The tradition was started back in the 1800s when unemployed construction workers needed a way to make money… Nowadays there is a contest every year on the main square where artists bring their creation for that year hoping to win. If you’d like to see all the entries from this year head to the Krzysztofory Palace on the main square. For the best entries from past years just look for the display cases we’ve shown you
500 Things to do in Krakow (111/500): Connect with the Jewish Past of Kazimierz at the Old Synagogue. @muzeumkrakowa
As you can imagine, before WWII, the traditions and holidays of the Jewish people filled the streets of Krakow. The Jewish people made up 30% of the total population, totaling 68,000 Jewish Krakowians. If you’ve ever wondered what those celebrations looked like, or consisted of, this is the best museum in the city to come and learn about the centuries of Jewish life that existed here in Krakow.
You’ll step back in time, entering the oldest synagogue still standing in all of Poland. Built in the 1400’s the space is now filled with the permanent exhibit- “The History and Culture of Jews in Krakow”.
While you may have heard of some Jewish holidays like Chanukah or Rosh Hashana; there are many more to learn about like Purim and Sukkot. Centuries old traditions that used to fill the streets of the Jewish Quarter are highlighted here at the museum.
You can also learn about the things you might find in a synagogue, how one is layed out, and it’s most important elements. And you’ll be able to see artifacts from hundreds of years ago that miraculously survived the war.
Krakow was also home to some of the most important rabbis- and you can learn about those historical figures here as well, and their impact on the Jewish religion even now in modern times.
The Old Synagogue is open 7 days a week, excluding certain holidays- and is free on Mondays. It also just happens to be the meeting point for our Jewish Quarter Walking Tours. So consider a visit here, before joining us on a walk around the district of Kazimierz.
#krakowexplorers #krakowexplorersfreewalkingtours #freewalkingtours #freewalkingtourskrakow #krakow #poland #krakowpoland #jewishkrakow #thingstodoinkrakow