Tadeusz Kantor: The Visionary Maestro of Avant-Garde Theatre

Cricoteca: must see while in Krakow

Tadeusz Kantor

Tadeusz Kantor, born on April 6, 1915, in Wielopole Skrzyńskie, Poland, was a visionary artist whose innovative approach to theater has left an indelible mark on the world stage. His profound exploration of memory, existence, and the human condition continues to resonate with audiences globally.

Cricot 2

In 1955, Kantor founded the experimental theatre company Cricot 2 in Kraków. Initially, the troupe focused on staging works by the avant-garde playwright Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy. However, as Kantor’s artistic vision evolved, Cricot 2 became a platform for his original creations, allowing him to delve deeper into his unique theatrical concepts. One of the most seminal productions from this period was “The Dead Class” (“Umarła klasa”) in 1975. This groundbreaking performance introduced Kantor’s “Theatre of Death,” a form that blurred the lines between life and art, past and present. In “The Dead Class,” actors portrayed elderly individuals returning to their old classroom, accompanied by mannequins representing their younger selves. This poignant juxtaposition served as a powerful commentary on the passage of time and the inescapable nature of memory. Kantor himself appeared on stage as a conductor of sorts, orchestrating the unfolding memories and ensuring the seamless interplay between actors and their mannequin counterparts.

Happenings

Kantor’s innovative approach extended beyond the confines of traditional theatre. He was a pioneer of happenings in Poland, orchestrating events that dissolved the boundaries between performers and spectators, art and everyday life. His 1965 happening, “Cricotage,” exemplified this philosophy, inviting audiences to engage directly with the artistic process and challenging conventional perceptions of art consumption.

The universal themes embedded in Kantor’s work, such as the exploration of personal and collective memory, the transient nature of existence, and the interplay between reality and illusion, have garnered international acclaim. Cricot 2’s productions toured extensively, captivating audiences across Europe, the United States, and Asia. The raw emotional intensity and innovative staging of performances like “The Dead Class” transcended cultural and linguistic barriers, offering a visceral experience that resonated deeply with diverse audiences.

Exhibition

For those eager to immerse themselves in Kantor’s artistic legacy, a visit to Cricoteka in Kraków is indispensable. Established by Kantor in 1980, Cricoteka serves as a living archive, museum, and exhibition space dedicated to preserving and promoting his work. Housed in a striking modern building along the Vistula River, Cricoteka offers visitors an intimate glimpse into Kantor’s creative universe. The museum features a permanent exhibition showcasing original props, costumes, photographs, and video recordings of his performances. Additionally, temporary exhibitions delve into various facets of his artistic endeavors and their contemporary interpretations. Engaging workshops, lectures, and meetings are regularly organised to provide deeper insights into Kantor’s methodologies and his enduring influence on modern art and theatre.

Visit Cricoteca with Krakow Urban Tours

Cricoteka is located at Nadwiślańska 2-4, 30-527 Kraków, Poland. Contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com before planning a visit, so we will check the opening hours and provide you with tickets and a good guide who tae you there. A journey to Cricoteka not only offers a profound understanding of Tadeusz Kantor’s revolutionary contributions but also serves as an invitation to explore the rich culture of Krakow.

Krakow Urban Tours – Pages from the Calendar

Life is a series of stages. Each one is important. Each draws from the previous and enriches the next. With the arrival of 2025, nearly 20 years of my collaboration with Tomek will come to an end. These were wonderful years. We shared many experiences, met amazing people, learned a lot, achieved some successes, and made a few mistakes. Together, we built a stable, local, and mindful tourism brand. Now, our professional paths are diverging. Tomasz will take the helm and lead Krakow Urban Tours in the best possible direction, while I, supporting him wholeheartedly and wishing him favorable winds, will follow a calling that has been enticing me for a long time with promises of new adventures and challenges. Before that happens, I want to express my gratitude and share a few memories that make up the story of our company. It’s difficult to summarize so many years into a coherent tale, so let these be scattered pages from the calendar, fragments, and snapshots of shared moments.

Javier

In short, without Javier, our lives would have taken a different course. Back then, he was a crazy Spanish teacher, an advocate of the Argentinian lifestyle, and a frequent guest at Piękny Pies. Now, he is a respected anthropologist and a friend. Guided by intuition, he introduced us to each other, sensing that while we belonged to different circles, we answered the question, “What do you want to do in life?” in surprisingly similar ways. It was the summer of 2005. I don’t quite remember how our first meeting went, but I’d call it more of a disaster than a success. When I arrived late as usual, slightly tipsy, to Kolory, and saw Tomasz—a serious man sitting at the table—I thought Javier had made a terrible mistake. It would have been hard to find two more different people in Krakow at that time! And yet, over time, we found harmony. I matured a bit and stopped bringing a Mafalda tear-off calendar (a gift from Javier) to business meetings. Tomek loosened up a little. That’s how our first company, Polish Travel Adventure, was born.

The office on Miodowa Street

Our first office in Kazimierz was the most formal and “office-like” space we’ve had. It was there that the events we’re still associated with today took shape. Our flagship product, Food by Foot, originated from shared meals and coffee breaks. The restaurant U Doroty, which we still collaborate with, was just a stone’s throw from the office. We ate there almost daily, and knowing the quality of the food, we began sending our tourists there. The same happened with the now sadly defunct Satori. For years, our food tours ended there because better desserts than Olgierd’s tiramisu were hard to find in Krakow.

Urban Adventures

We weren’t promotion experts. Our first tourism trade fair in Berlin mainly left us discouraged. We wandered through dozens of corridors and pavilions, trying to convince busy people that we were reliable partners worth collaborating with. At the end of the first day, overwhelmed and tired, we stood in a long line for coffee. To pass the time, we struck up a conversation with a woman in front of us—Anda. She told us how exhausted she was trying to find reasonable business partners for her Australian company in Poland, specifically Krakow. That coffee led to a long-term partnership. Soon, we signed a complex contract with the Australian company Intrepid – Urban Adventures and rebranded as Krakow Urban Adventures. The die was cast…

Dream Team

We’ve been blessed with amazing people, and our luck hasn’t run out. Some of our current team members have been with us for years. The longest-serving are Paweł and Mateusz, whom we met 17 years ago during a course for Beskid mountain guides. Somehow, Paweł ended up running food tours and other events with us, while Mateusz supported our Kraków tours, training sessions, and various trips. He has also saved us from numerous situations that, without his dedication, could have ended badly. Often playing the role of a behind-the-scenes hero, he would cut his trips short to handle a group that unexpectedly showed up due to a system error (or my oversight), make pierogi in countless configurations, or run around the city ensuring that events, which seemed doomed to fail, turned out surprisingly well.

Marta, whom Tomek met during a course for Kraków guides and I met during WFTGA training, brought lots of energy and humor to the team, along with a Parisian-level sense of taste and composition. Thanks to her, you get to see great photos and reels on our social media and discover new gems on the city’s culinary map.

Alicja, whom we met at Kontakt and who joined us just a few years ago, has proven indispensable. No one manages emails and our company calendar quite like her! She not only took over my administrative duties but significantly improved communication and helped me realize that, as someone with a technological “anti-talent,” I’m better suited elsewhere.

Asia joined as a Tatra guide while we were planning a tour to showcase a more niche and nature-focused side of Zakopane. She supports us both in the mountains and during Kraków tours. Dominika, meanwhile, joined rather accidentally when we were looking for an artist to help design a shopping tour supporting local artisans. Though the tour only happened a few times due to low demand, Dominika started making pierogi with tourists and eventually became so immersed in guiding and tour leading that it’s hard to keep track of which continent she’s on. Not that she’s the only one!

Similarly, there’s Ula, who is more with us in spirit than in body, but when her body does show up, things get lively. Hanka is with us, and we hope she will be for the next 200 years because no one brings the realities of life in the PRL (Polish People’s Republic) closer to tourists like she does. She also brings a wonderful sense of cheer and perspective to the team, which we sometimes lack.

Magda, in a way, replaced Sabina, whose calm demeanor, common sense, and beautiful voice we dearly miss. Not only does she welcome guests to the same house for pierogi-making, but she also brings a theatrical spirit to the team and always plays a variety of roles with a smile and flair. Alicja brought Kasia onto the team when it became clear that more and more tourists were eager to make their own pierogi, and our houses weren’t getting any bigger. It started with cooking lessons, and now Kasia also runs culinary tours. As for the future, we’re just as curious as you are about what’s coming next…

Pierogi

Few remember, but our pierogi-making events started because…I was pregnant. Running tours was becoming difficult, so we decided to bring tourists to us. Initially, they’d meet me at a tram stop in Kozłówek, shop at the local market, and then come to our tiny apartment for a hands-on pierogi experience, complete with neighborly squabbles as background noise. Over time, demand outgrew our home setup, and we moved the activity to a more central location. Today, various team members host pierogi workshops, sharing slices of local life with visitors. Despite my daughter’s pierogi trauma (she’s never eaten one!), these workshops hold a special place in our hearts.

The Pandemic

Like everyone in tourism, the pandemic was a shock. Our traditional business ceased, and we shifted to virtual activities. Tomek’s enthusiasm convinced me that online cooking lessons could work, and soon we were hosting virtual pierogi-making sessions, wearing Krakow folk costumes and inviting people into our kitchens from around the globe. These events sustained us through the pandemic, helping us connect with families, friends, and teams stuck at home. The online pierogi frenzy eventually subsided as the world reopened, but it’s a chapter we’ll never forget.

Rick Steves Europe

Sometimes, one person’s satisfaction can open countless doors. Once, an American soldier stationed in Germany attended one of our food events. He enjoyed himself so much that over the years, many of his colleagues followed. A similar story unfolded on a larger scale with Cameron, a collaborator of Rick Steves. After a tour with Tomek, Cameron fell in love with Krakow, featured us in Rick Steves’ Poland guidebook, and established a lasting partnership. For several years now, we’ve been officially recommended by Rick Steves, with our pierogi lessons often being the highlight for his tour participants.

Cheers to Us! Let the wheel of fortune keep turning!

To Auschwitz – yes, but with respect and consideration

At Krakow Urban Tours, we believe that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is a place of profound historical significance and solemn remembrance. We do not offer daily tours to this site, as we do not view it as a conventional tourist attraction. We are particularly opposed to large coach groups visiting without adequate preparation, treating the site as just another stop on a day that might include visits to places like Energylandia.

Instead, we offer private, individual tours to Auschwitz-Birkenau, ensuring a respectful and meaningful experience. Our tours are thoughtfully designed to include:

– A guided exploration of Krakow’s Jewish Quarter: This provides essential historical context and a deeper understanding of the events leading up to the Holocaust.

– A comprehensive introduction to the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau: This prepares you for the visit, fostering a reflective mindset.

– A concluding reflection and discussion: This allows for processing the experience and sharing insights.

If you are interested in such a thoughtfully curated tour, please contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com. We will tailor a programme specifically for you, ensuring a respectful and educational visit to this significant historical site.

Children’s Day in Poland

Today, June, 1st is a very special day in the Polish calendar – we celebrate Children’s Day.

So what to do? 

If your children are school-age, do not worry. They will come up with something nice there. There will be a trip, something special to eat, play and fun. The only thing you should prepare is a nice gift for your child and something extra – like sweets outside regular hours, lack of shower in the evening (yes, I know, I should not have written such things, but…the Children’s Day is only once a year, so…forget for a while of being a perfect parent. It is boring)

Below you will find more suggestions of children-friendly activities possible to organize in Krakow. We can help you or you can make them on your own. Have fun!

• Take a city tour with us. We will take your children to places they do not know. We will explore new paths, stories, and games together. We can even do it wearing real folk costumes from Krakow. Write to us at info@krakowurbantours.com if you are interested in this form of sightseeing.
• What about a city game? Together, we will discover the mysteries of medieval Krakow and learn about the secret nooks and crannies of the Royal City. We will make a special program for you. Interested? Contact us at info@krakowurbantours.com
• We offer individual and group workshops: music, art, anti-discrimination. Write at: info@krakowurbantours.com if something interests you.
• Think about a picnic. Beautiful weather encourages a lot to go out. Just take a blanket, some food and go to the park or forest. I like the most Bednarski Park and Las Wolski (Wolski Forest), but there are plenty of green places to choose from in Krakow. Do not spend this day in front of the TV, be a hero once a year!
• Many of Krakow’s museums have interesting exhibitions for children. I especially recommend the Aviation Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Underground Market Museum, but there are more. This weekend (June 5-6) in many brands of the History Museum there are attractions for children. Free or with a special ticket for just PLN 1 (check here https://muzeumkrakowa.pl/en).

Easter Celebration in Krakow Krakow Wellness Guide: Healthy Eating, Spas, Exercise Options and More

Fitness in Krakow

One of the best places to practice yoga and dance is Kontakt at 40 Szpitalna Street. It is quite small and local, but at the same time attracts people who are very open minded and friendly. Classes are mostly in Polish, but many of them can be translated into English. You can come any time and join any class you are interested in. It’s also worth mentioning that every Sunday at 9 p.m. there is a great party where you can dance like no one is watching and wear whatever you like; nobody will judge you. Prices are very reasonable – between EUR 1-10 per class.

In terms of other spots and physical activities, you can practice almost everything you like in Krakow. We have tennis courts, horse clubs, swimming pools, dance classes, and more – let us know what you wish to do and we can send you details.

The best trekking and skiing is available in the Beskidy and Tatra Mountains outside the city. Some of our local guides are also licensed mountain guides so there is no problem organizing a customized trip just for you. We can prepare anything, from an easy panoramic walk to more strenuous treks and skiing excursions.

There are also a lot of running and cycling possibilities in Krakow. The most popular routes are found along the Vistula River where there is a waterfront path, and in Planty Park where you can jog or walk a 3.4-kilometre loop around the old city’s main sights. For those who prefer to get moving on two wheels, there is also a nice cycling route connecting the city center with the Ruczaj district.

Spa & Beauty

Krakow is the home of the “Queen of Beauty” AKA Helena Rubinstein, who created the first ever Beauty Institute where she invented Valaze, the first moisturizing cream in 1902. Nowadays you can see her original house in the former Jewish quarter and next to it, a luxurious hotel with a splendid panoramic roof garden named after her. Her branded cosmetics are sold all over the world by French company L’Oréal.

Hammam Szeherezada was the first, and up to now the only original Turkish hammam in Poland. Here you can steam your stress away in comfort and seclusion. The purported health benefits include reduced allergy symptoms and elimination of toxins. They also offer massage and other spa services.

Maha Punye Ayurveda is another spot for relaxation and pampering. Their treatments are based on Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural healing.

The wellness centre and spa at Hotel Stary are open to non-guests and include a gym, two swimming pools, massage treatments, dry sauna, salt-iodine chamber, and steam room with aromatherapy.

Only a 20-minute drive from Krakow you will find the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine. You can improve your health even by visiting as its microclimate is very good for your breathing system. If you are not interested in sightseeing at all, but you still feel like going underground to find yourself in a healthy area, we recommend spending a day or a whole night in the spa part of the Salt Mine. For people who are claustrophobic or simply prefer a blue sky over underground chambers and corridors, there is the Graduation Tower. The natural brine mist that forms in the area of the tower is similar to what you would experience by the sea. Purported benefits of breathing deeply here include relaxation and improved breathing for those with respiratory issues.

Healthy Eating in Krakow

For Polish people there are two things that are staples in most diets: soups and pickles. Traditional soup can be made out of anything, including strawberry in the summertime. Pickles are present all over and they are the most recognizable ingredient of our dishes. Think about a picked cucumber for example: it is possible to have them on your breakfast sandwich, as a soup, as a salad, inside pierogis, or people even drink the brine as a cure for colds. In terms of where to get your good-food fix in Krakow, here are a few local recommendations.

Karma is a good place for a quiet lunch. You will find a large selection of meatless dishes, sandwiches and vegetable pates as well as freshly-roasted, delicious coffee. It tastes like heaven with a slice of local cheesecake or lemon tarte.

Glonojad is a popular restaurant located in a convenient place just behind the medieval Florian Gate. It’s worth taking advantage of a two-course set lunch at a good price, which changes every day. They also offer delicious, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.

Bonobo offers local craft beer and vegan sweets. You will not get anything else there, but it’s worth going to have a break from the Main Market Square crowd and to observe its regular visitors, mostly expats, artists and other people who are not fully accepted outside this safe space.

Vege to Tu is where to go for vegetarian food prepared with love. Donata the owner is not only a good cook, she is also a great person to be with and can offer advice on what to eat to be healthy and optimistic.

Hummus Ammamusi is where you can eat freshly prepared hummus with pita bread and pickles, drink coffee or freshly-squeezed juice, read a newspaper, and even talk with the owners or other hummus-eaters sitting nearby.

Healthy Shopping in Krakow

For the best food shopping in Krakow, we recommend Stary Kleparz Market, located very close to the Old Town, just north of St. Florian’s Gate, between Matejko’s Square and Dluga Street. Having run since the 18th century, this is the oldest and most colourful market, where farmers bring fresh fruit and vegetables to sell daily, and for quite reasonable prices. You will always find locals here looking for good bargains. Try some samples, such as fresh mountain cheeses, famous Polish sour cucumbers or sauerkraut, and locally made sweets. As there are some expats in the city, Kleparz also offers small shops selling typical Hungarian, Italian, and even Arabic foods. Do not miss this place as they have great decor, good prices and fresh coffee that smells like heaven.

Drinking Water & Fountains

Water fountains and wells with good drinking water are most often poorly visible and are located in underground casings protected by covers at ground level. The water intake points are located several dozen meters from the well, from which water is supplied underground via a pipeline section.

There are four accessible artesian wells in the city center of Krakow:

• Royal Well at Inwalidów Square, in the southern part of the square, at the alley bordering the Krakow Park
• Hope Well at Officerów Street in front of Wawel Stadium
• Lajkonik Well at Kosciuszki Street
• Jagiellonian Well at Sikorski Square

Tap water is good for drinking, but restaurants usually don’t give out water for free. So prepare yourself before and fill up your reusable bottle at your room.

Self Improvement

There are several options for self improvement in Krakow. For example, our Home Cooked Krakow tour makes it easy to learn how to prepare your very own pierogi (Poland’s national dish) with a local who can give you all sorts of insider tips for perfecting the recipe back home.

Krakow Urban Adventures’ In Focus Souvenir Making Workshop is your special invitation to see the real city of Krakow, with its joys and sorrows, without separation between locals and foreigners. If you join us on this tour, not only will you learn how to make a traditional Polish folk doll to take home with you, you’ll learn about Polish history and local traditions as well as everyday life in the city and the challenges its citizens face. Being part of the tour also means you will contribute directly to the great work of Zywa Pracownia (Alive Lab), which collects funds for the social project Zupa na Plantach (Soup in Planty Park), providing food for the homeless people of Krakow.

There are many local, extraordinary neighborhoods to visit while in Krakow – a great way to get moving and find some inner peace along the way. Some areas to have on your exploration radar include Podgórze, Debniki, and Zwierzyniec where you will be surrounded by beautiful parks, old, aristocratic houses and local, colourful markets full of fresh and tasty products. Some of these areas are visited during our Markets and Flavours of Krakow tour.

Our Local Expert: Monika in Krakow

For International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’re talking travel to some of our female guides around the world. Today we head to Krakow, to talk to our local expert, Monika.

What is your best travel memory?

Patagonia, Argentina. I’ve been there several times and every time I have the feeling that it is a real paradise on Earth. All those beautiful lakes and mountains…

Why did you start working in travel?

Simply because I love travelling, and also because I really like meeting new people — something that travel definitely opens you up to. Also, back in communist times, it was very difficult to travel beyond the Polish border, so to travel, I started to study geography and tourism. Finally I became a guide, a tour leader, and a WFTGA (World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations) national trainer.

What is your favourite part about working with Urban Adventures?

I love the feeling of togetherness that Urban Adventures upholds. Even though we’re spread out all over the world, it’s like working with a close-knit family. And of course, unique people connected by the same idea of offering responsible tourism in a local way. It is a great feeling to find similar people around the globe despite so many cultural differences.

If you could live and work in any other UA city, where would it be and why?

I’m between Buenos Aires and Barcelona. In both cities, I have a feeling of being part of the place. I don’t feel like a stranger.

If you had to give a visitor one tip about your city, what would it be?

Take the time to explore Krakow slowly — every corner has its own story and there are plenty of hidden places where only locals go. If you just see all the “must-see” places, you won’t see the real city.

Where in the world (other than your own city!) would you go to:

Get cultured? Italy.

Escape? Argentina.

Eat amazing food? Mexico.

See some wildlife? Venezuela.

Get some sun? Cuba.

Enjoy the great outdoors? Argentina.

Taking a trip to Krakow? Why not discover the city from a local perspective on one of our Krakow tours!

6 Cities Best Explored Underground

Sometimes, the best views of a city aren’t from above, but from below. From underground bunkers to subterranean villages, many of the world’s great cities are home to some surprising finds beneath their streets. Here are six places where the best views are under your feet.

Budapest, Hungary

If you’re not scared of the dark or tight spaces, the vast cave system under Budapest is the ultimate in urban spelunking. Approximately 200 caves are scattered beneath Hungary’s capital city, although only a handful are accessible to the public. Szemlőhegyi Cave, featuring steep walls and flower-like crystal formations, offers easily accessible walking paths. For the adventure-seekers, Pálvölgyi Cave is far more challenging, with ladders to climb and tiny spaces that require squeezing and crawling your way through the dark.

Moscow, Russia

Want to re-live the Cold War era—65 metres underground? You can in Moscow, where a former Cold War bunker has been converted into a museum and entertainment complex. Bunker 42 features conference rooms, a restaurant and various Cold War-themed tour options. There is even, yes, the option to play “Bunker Quest” or “Zombie Apocalypse” laser tag within the complex. Alternately, for something less war-focused, Moscow’s metro features artwork you’d expect to see in a museum rather than on public transit. Bronze and marble statutes, stained glass windows and mosaics of glass and marble adorn one of the busiest subway systems in the world.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

ven now, more than 30 years after the end of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels are still a must-see for most visitors to Vietnam. The 121 kilometres of tunnels were used by the Viet Cong as they moved to capture Saigon and hid from American troops. Dark and damp with minimal light, water and air, the tunnels were also a breeding ground for disease, and were infested with scorpions, spiders and poisonous centipedes. Today, visitors can only walk through a limited section of the tunnels—which have been widened in spots to accommodate Western tourists. Above ground, visitors can view examples of the traps set by the Viet Cong and learn about the guerrilla warfare that defined much of the Vietnam War.

Cappadocia, Turkey

The Cappadocia region in central Turkey is famed for its underground cities dating back to Hittite times, the largest and best known of which is Kaymaklı. The subterranean quarters, stacked atop one another and connected via stairs and tunnels in a honeycomb-like pattern reaching a depth of up to eight levels, offered a hiding space from invaders where residents could live and work for months at a time. Today, pieces of those cities are still in use, as modern residents (living above ground) use the upper tunnels as cellars and stables.

Krakow, Poland

In 2005, an archaeological excavation uncovered a network of pathways and building foundations beneath Krakow’s Main Market Square. Today, these remains, buried four metres underground, can be explored through the Rynek Museum, which chronicles the city’s evolution and uses projectors and models to recreate the atmosphere of Medieval Krakow. But that’s not the only underground adventure—head just beyond the city to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s home to 900 years’ worth of salt production, more than 200 kilometres of passageways and over 2,000 caverns. Visitors can explore a mining museum and see chapels carved from salt.

Rome, Italy

In 2005, an archaeological excavation uncovered a network of pathways and building foundations beneath Krakow’s Main Market Square. Today, these remains, buried four metres underground, can be explored through the Rynek Museum, which chronicles the city’s evolution and uses projectors and models to recreate the atmosphere of Medieval Krakow. But that’s not the only underground adventure—head just beyond the city to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s home to 900 years’ worth of salt production, more than 200 kilometres of passageways and over 2,000 caverns. Visitors can explore a mining museum and see chapels carved from salt.

Rome, Italy

Up until a few years ago, visits to Rome’s famed Colosseum were strictly above ground. However, visitors can now head underground, to the hypogeum—tunnels beneath the ampitheatre that were once the prep grounds for gladiators, and where animals were stored before being raised into the ring.

Do you have any more awesome underground cities to add to the list? Share them in the comments!

It’s beer o’clock somewhere: Poland’s best beer festivals

What’s better than drinking beer? How about celebrating beer? There are plenty of places around the globe that turn our favourite beverage into full-on parties; Oktoberfest in Munich is of course the big one, but there’s also lesser known ones in almost every destination you can think of! There’s Pilsner Fest near Prague, the Craft Beer Festival in New York City, La Paris Beer Week, and Toronto Beer Week. It’s always Beer O’Clock somewhere, right?

In Poland, there are three annual events that every Polish beer lover looks forward to, all of them in or near Krakow and dedicated to celebrating the best local beers. If you’re a beer fan with Krakow in your travel plans, get yourself to one of these awesome Polish beer festivals!

Krakow Beer Festival (Krakowski Festiwal Piwa)

Late May. This is one of the biggest beer events in Poland, started five years ago to promote original Polish regional beers, as well as to educate beer fans about traditional brewing techniques. During the festival, participants can sample about 40 different types of beer, some of them with memorable names like the Black Cat or the Bison.

Birofilia Festival at Żywiec Brewery

Third weekend of June. The program of this festival near Krakow includes beer contests as well as brewing demonstrations and tours of the great Żywiec Brewery Museum. Local guides take visitors travelling back in time as they learn about the interesting history of the home of Poland’s most famous beer: Żywiec.

Krakow Wreaths Festival (Krakowski Festiwal Wianki)

June 21. This holiday is named after the pre-Christian tradition of making wreaths and celebrating summer solstice, the longest day of the year — but it’s also a perfect time for beer tasting! In Krakow, breweries are among main sponsors of this huge event, and beer is available all night long. What could be more pleasant then drinking cold beer on the bank of the Vistula River on a hot summer’s night?!

Thirsty for Krakow now? We’ve got you covered!

Krakow cafés with a view

Iced coffee? Or maybe some local beer in a traditional mug? All while taking in incredible city views? Sounds like a great afternoon to us!

Locals in Krakow know that drinks, meals, and sweet snacks taste best when they’re enjoyed with a view, which is why the city’s got a few cafés that serve a dose of scenery along with their menu.

Cafe U Romana

Located on Sw. Tomasz Str., on the Music Academy School terrace.

Cafe U Romana is a place for anyone who’s curious to get a little taste of communist times. The café is on the 7th floor, and the minimalist approach means a small menu that’s entirely in Polish. Payment is cash only and the service is cafeteria-style. But the city view is simply stunning and the place has a vintage throw-back Soviet vibe.

Cafe Pasja

Located right in the National Museum of Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), but you don’t have to pay the entrance fee to access the terrace.

Countless umbrellas protect you from sunshine. The coffee and sweets are among the best. And the view is fantastic. Everything in the city can be seen from a different perspective at Cafe Pasja: the whole of Main Square with Mariacka Basilica, St. Wojciech Church, and the Adam Mickiewicz monument (he is considered one of the greatest poets of Polish literature). Snap some Instagram-worthy photos of mascarons and all the other interesting architectural details of Sukiennice.

Sky Bar

Located on Szczepanska Str.

Take an elevator to the sixth floor of Stary Hotel to admire amazing city panoramas from Sky Bar. You can spot the roofs of old townhouses with their picturesque chimneys, part of Main Square, and even Szczepanski Square with the Art Palace. Best culinary pick? Sky Bar’s tasty coffee, but they also serve many alcohol-based options. The only downside of this place is the lack of umbrellas (but who would mind if the weather is just right?).

Garden Mleczarnia

Located on the roof of the Jewish Culture Center at Meiselsa 17.

Garden Mleczarnia is quite unusual in that it’s a bit hard to find despite being in a neighbourhood of bars, restaurants, and dozens of cafés. Yet hardly anyone suspects that this charming place is just around the corner — without any hints, it would be a challenge to spot this gem. But once you’re up here, a view of the Kazimierz district (the Jewish quarter) is right in front of you. If the garden and view aren’t enough for you, just add in the best nut cake in Krakow (or possibly even the world).

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