Experience in Krakow, Poland by Mateusz

What is it like to live in Krakow? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

The city is full of young people and got some really good really good places to spend a free time, especially if you like to sit, read a newspapar and drink coffee or tea. There is not a lot of free sport facilities thoug.

What is the student lifestyle like in Krakow?

ReallyKrakow is a good place to study, especially if you are going to study near the old town

How much does it cost to live in Krakow?

You can live as a prince/ss for 1k euro a month (700 euro is average salary per month). 150 euro monthly is a not hard to find prize for a room. Beer is from less than 1 euro to 5 euro in the most snobish places. You can eat a good dinner for 3 to 5 euro too.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Krakow? Is there any advice you can give?

I think it is not difficult. Its a city full of tourists and students.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Traditional polish cousin is not very healthy (kielbasa, pierogi) in general but there is a lot of restaurants of other styles as well. Maybe not like in more multicultural societes (Poland is monocultural thanks to Hitler and Stalin) but still. Watch out, polish people are not very common with vegetarian diets

What places would you recommend visiting in Krakow?

Kazimierz (old jewish city), Old City, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz - these are the' must see' places for everyone who is here. Zakopane (Tatry mountains) is 100 kilometres away - nice place to have a trip for a weekend.

Is it good to eat out in Krakow? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Pizza Garden, lot of small places at Zwierzyniecka Street and Kazimierz, Centre of Japan Culture - Manggha

Is the nightlife good in Krakow? Where is good to go?

It is not as good as few years ago but maybe I am now just too old. But you should see Kazimierz at night in May

What advice would you give future students heading to Krakow?

Do not take a taxi from the airport and the railway station - these are the most expensive and there are some cheaters as well there. Be tolerant for a little of intolerance. Understand that some older people can be e.g. a little bit not very enthusiastic about Germany. Remember that in Poland we got the most strict abortion rules in Europe, cannabis is not legal (even small amounts), people are in general rather not LGBT friendly, there is some racism too like everywhere and some polish people dont like Jews or muslims (especially because the have never seen one). And you can buy alcohol almost everywhere 24/7 but public drinking is an automatic fine from the police. You cant smoke cigarettes in public too but this rule is rather not to obey 100 per cent of times.