Maybe it is because of the fact that I have been living in Warsaw for the last year, that I wasn’t initially prepared for the intensity of the tourist commotion transpiring in front of my own eyes throughout the tourist center of Krakow. I felt like I was in another country. Who were these people selling sight-seeing tours of the city center? What were those convivial electronic cars zooming between the square and Wawel Castle? How did all of these British and Spanish tourists end up here? How come Warsaw doesn’t have a tourist information office on each of the four corners corner of the square? Warsaw has visitors in droves, but where are the tourists?
Warsaw is a city with its share of foreigners, but is lacking the no nonsense, picture snapping, and bustle so familiar in Krakow. Yes! Ironically, Krakow is less than half the size of Warsaw, yet for swallowing tourists, it has become a city with an ever expanding waist line. Despite the fact that there is a rather large congregation of tourists in the city-center of Krakow these days, it still doesn’t spoil the fact that it is indeed a grand historical and majestically stunning city worthy of spending at least few days taking in the wonders of this charming 12th Century European settlement.
If you've met me you know it's true that there aren’t many things I can attest to, however, I have spent a lot of time in Krakow and after seeing it grow in popularity over the last decade I am able to impart some information to you. You should be here too. Even back in 2002 Krakow wasn’t a secret. The city was full of tourists. Unlike Warsaw, the city survived the war, then after 1989 the iron curtain rusted and collapsed; tempting folks from all walks of life to venture unreservedly and discover the once mysterious post soviet world and inevitably becoming bewitched by Krakow.
As I’ve said Krakow is no secret, nonetheless it needn’t be. It is true however that I am neither historian nor travel expert, yet am a creature who has resided in Poland long enough to have a feel for the different towns and cities here. That being said, if you are a bloke like me who has settled here for a time, and are thinking weather Krakow is worth visiting despite the huge amount of tourist interest, I can at least offer you some piece of mind, and urge you to waste little time and hop on an express train while the weather is hot, and the day light is long.
This is Poland, right? As Krakow offers the best of Poland, it’s a foregone conclusion that there is at the very least a magnificent square, with a surplus of cafes and restaurants lining the square beckoning visitors of all walks of life to soak up the summer while it’s here. This is what I like anyway- bathing in the ambiance of cities, (and sipping a few cold zywiec.) At the very least if you are anything remotely like me in the sense that you have been living in Poland for a while, and possess a tendency to duck out of the tourist traps, you still need to hop on your high horse and visit Krakow. Touristy places exist here, but so do some of the most important historical sites in the entire world.
Even if you are a lifer expat in Poland who isn't interested in crowds, and who has already walked down Ulica Florianska whilst being prone to strong bouts of tourist apprehensiveness, Krakow is still worth a second or third visit. Besides, you're in Poland, it isn't January, and the sun is shining. Time is of the essence this summer! What are you waiting for?
