Castles, heat and a taste of Krakow
16. juli, Polen ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
This was definitely one of the warmer days of the trip, with temperatures well above 30 degrees. The kind of heat where even a short walk feels like a small achievement.
Tilde struggled a bit with getting out of bed in the morning, so after breakfast Bengt, Freja, Viggo, and I headed towards Wawel Castle. It was only a ten-minute walk from our apartment, but in the heat it felt slightly longer than the distance suggested.
At Wawel, each attraction required a separate ticket, and with quite a lot of visitors around, we decided not to try to see everything. Instead, we were happy to explore the castle courtyard, admire the cathedral from the outside, and visit the Royal Gardens. The gardens were beautiful, but according to my slightly sceptical opinion, perhaps not quite worth paying extra for. A nice place to stroll through, but not exactly a life-changing garden experience.
We then bought tickets for an exhibition called Inside the Walls and Tilde made it just in time to join us. This turned out to be one of the highlights of the visit. The exhibition takes place inside the actual space between the castle’s inner and outer defensive walls, allowing visitors to physically walk through parts of the old fortifications while learning about the history of Wawel.
Along the route, we saw archaeological finds, learned about the construction techniques used to build the castle, and got a glimpse into how the site developed over centuries. The exhibition also told the legendary story of King Krak, the mythical founder of Krakow, and the famous dragon said to have lived beneath the castle hill.
The tour ended by leading us out through the Dragon’s Cave. Outside, by the river, we found the famous dragon statue, completing the slightly unusual journey from medieval history to Polish folklore.
By now, it was the middle of the day and the heat was becoming quite intense. We escaped into the shade of Planty Park, the green belt that surrounds Krakow’s Old Town, before continuing to the air-conditioned comfort of Galeria Krakowska shopping centre. There, we managed to find a dress for Freja and a pair of shorts, which was a practical and very necessary shopping success.
From the shopping centre, we walked through the Old Town and took in some of Krakow’s most famous sights. We passed through the Florian Gate, one of the old entrances to the medieval city and a remaining part of Krakow’s historic fortifications. We also saw St. Mary’s Basilica, the impressive Gothic church dominating the Main Market Square, famous for its two uneven towers and the hourly trumpet call played from the taller one.
Eventually, even sightseeing had to surrender to the heat, and we stopped for an ice cream to cool down before making our way back home. The stone buildings and streets in the city centre really absorb and reflect the heat, turning the Old Town into something resembling a giant outdoor oven. Apart from Planty Park, there are surprisingly few green areas in central Krakow where you can escape the sun.
When we finally made it back to the apartment, I took a well-deserved one-hour nap. The children were perfectly happy with a simpler dinner solution, so we picked up kebab boxes for them and let them enjoy a quiet evening at home.
Meanwhile, Bengt and I managed to squeeze in a mini date night. We went to a small ramen restaurant just outside our aparthotel and enjoyed a quiet meal together. Afterwards, we took a walk along the river before heading back for the night.
A very warm, very full, and very Krakow kind of day.Læs mere
Destination Krakow
15. juli, Polen ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The morning was pleasantly relaxed, and we left Stora Höga at 10:15. We had plenty of time and made it comfortably to the airport bus from the central station. A good thing, considering that travelling as a group of five can sometimes feel like managing a small expedition where someone is always missing something just as you are about to leave.
At the airport, we grabbed some food before boarding our flight to Krakow shortly before 2 pm. We flew with Ryanair, which had recently been in the news following an incident where a plane window broke and a passenger was injured. Thankfully, our journey was a much calmer affair. Everything went smoothly, and we even landed twenty minutes ahead of schedule which is always a pleasant surprise when flying.
A van was waiting for us at the airport and drove us directly to our apartment, which was a great relief after a travel day. On the way home, we will probably try the airport train instead, as it seems like a very convenient and affordable option.
Our apartment turned out to be a great choice. It is fully equipped with a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, and stove – the kind of things that might not sound exciting when booking a place, but quickly become very appreciated when travelling as a family.
Viggo and Freja were happy to share a room, which meant Bengt and I could avoid splitting up and trying to solve the sleeping arrangements with bags and beds scattered across different rooms. Tilde got a mattress in the living room and has successfully claimed the sofa and a large part of the floor as her own. We have decided to see it as an investment in peace and harmony and honestly, that is a price we are more than willing to pay.
Once everyone was settled, we headed out to explore Krakow and started with Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter. The area has a unique mix of history, charm, and a relaxed, slightly bohemian atmosphere. Old synagogues and historic buildings sit alongside cosy cafés, restaurants, and small bars tucked away among the cobblestone streets. It feels lively without being overwhelming, and it is the kind of place where you can simply wander around and discover something new around every corner.
Our apartment is also within walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions. The neighbourhood feels safe, clean, and peaceful while still offering plenty of restaurants and bars nearby.
We found a lovely courtyard restaurant where we enjoyed a big dinner together. After dinner, we stopped by a Biedronka supermarket to buy breakfast supplies for the following morning. Then it was time to head back to the apartment and call it a night.Læs mere
