However, snow hounds on a budget, shouldn’t despair. Europe still has many great destinations where you can speed down snow-covered mountains at lower prices. We’ve gathered our top five spots for budget skiing in Europe, located in five different countries. We’re here to help you plan your next European ski trip, the cheapo way!

Top 5 destinations for budget skiing in Europe

1. Bansko, Bulgaria

Located about 100 miles from Sofia’s airport, Bansko has the longest ski season in Bulgaria, with snow-covered slopes from mid-December to mid-May. The town is nestled at the foot of the scenic Pirin Mountains and features a quaint old town square with stone buildings mixed in with modern lodges and restaurants that have popped up in recent years.

The ski runs are located in two main areas: Chalin Valog (3,600 – 5,250 feet) and Shilgarnika (5,577 – 8,202 feet). Although it does offer one black ski run, this ski resort is more suitable for beginner or intermediate skiers. Snowboarders can try out new tricks at the Balkans’ first snow park, complete with a half-pipe for ripping up the flakes.

Hotels: Rates start as low as $30 for a double room in Bansko. Search for accommodations in Bansko.

2. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Slovenia’s best-known ski resort is located a mere four miles from the border of both Italy and Austria, but you can blaze down the slopes here for far less cash. Kranjska Gora, a narrow valley situated between the Julian Alps and the Karavanke, offers nearly 20 miles of ski slopes serviced by 16 ski lifts, as well as breathtaking alpine views.

This family-friendly ski resort has several slopes ranging from around 2,600 to 5,325 feet. Although most of the trails are geared towards the beginner or intermediate skier, the Podkoren trail is more demanding. In fact, some of the world’s best skiers compete on this run every year for the acclaimed Vitranc Cup in men’s slalom and giant slalom races.

Hotels in Kranjska Gora: Rates for four-star hotels start under $70 per night. Search over 250 hotels in Kranjska Gora.

Riding the lift up the trails of Livigno, Italy with the village in the background. Photo: Peter

3. Livigno, Italy

Because of its remote location high up in the mountains of northern Italy, Livigno ski resort is known to locals as “Piccollo Tibet” (Little Tibet). Located near the Swiss border, Livigno makes an excellent alternative for skiers on a budget. Not only are the prices far less than their Swiss neighbors, this area, known as the Spol Valley, also enjoys a duty-free status. This means you can hit the slopes, then shop ‘til you drop, before partaking in a little lively après ski party time. Most suited to intermediate skiers, Livigno does have a handful of black runs as well as a snow park.

Hotels: The village of Livigno is comprised of three original villages that have merged to create a resort town that runs about 2.5 miles long. When choosing accommodation, make sure you have easy access to the ski lift and amenities. Although the village does offer a free ski bus service, the service doesn’t run regularly and stops fairly early in the evening. Search over 500 hotels in Livigno.

Skiing down into the valley at Brauneck Bergbahn. Photo: Sebastian W.

4. Brauneck Bergbahn, Germany

Located just over an hour south of Munich, the ski area on Brauneck Mountain has a lot to offer skiers of all ages and abilities. A family-friendly ski resort, Brauneck has everything from children’s areas with ski schools to cross-country ski trails and World Cup ski runs.

The town of Lenggries has a storybook charm. You’ll find plenty of guesthouses off country roads that serve up local Bavarian cuisine and beer at a nice price. If you want to add some sightseeing to your ski vacation, great sights and cities such as Munich, Salzburg, Oberammergau, Germany’s Romantic Road, and Neuschwanstein are all an easy drive an hour or less away.

Hotels: Find rooms for $100 and up in Lenggries.

Skiers getting ready to hit the slopes of Zakopane. Photo: MoFA

5. Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane is a ski resort nestled in the Tatra mountains, about two hours south of Krakow. An airport transfer bus from both Krakow and Katowice is possible, with prices ranging from $90 for 1 to 3 people. Most lifts in the area offer a pay-as-you-go rate. For beginners, this means lower prices than the more common day pass at other resorts, and more advanced skiers hankering to hit the slopes hard will still pay less than they would at pricier resorts in Western Europe.

Zakopane also boasts plenty of cheap eats and bargain drinks, so be sure and chow down on some pierogi washed down with a Polish Zywiec beer after your day of snowy fun. Check out our guide to Zakopane, Poland’s premier mountain resort.

Hotels in Zakopane: Rooms can be found for $50 and under per night. Search over 1,000 hotels in Zakopane.

Do you have a favorite ski slope that won’t break the bank? Let us know in the comments!

The post 5 Affordable Ski Villages in Europe: The best budget-friendly slopes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But perhaps this is the best symbol for the spirit of Warsaw, a modern city where the turbulent past is still visible, a city made up of a juxtaposition of architecture, from Soviet-era monoliths and rebuilt Gothic treasures to modern skyscrapers of glass and steel. Warsaw is certainly never boring.

It’s a city that keeps you on your toes and is a wonderfully cheap travel destination where your dollars will go a long way.

Related:
• More travel tips for Poland 
• A Budget guide to Krakow, Poland

A Budget travel guide to Warsaw, Poland

To help you get the most of your stay in Warsaw, as well as find even more ways to save, we’ve gathered together the following collection of budget tips.

Getting there

By plane

Warsaw’s main airport, Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina (Chopin Airport), is located about 16 miles south of the city center. From Chopin Airport, you can either take the subway system Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM) into town or ride on a regular train (Koleje Mazowieckie) to Warszawa Centralna, Warsaw’s main train station.

You can also hop a bus into the city, but this sometimes takes longer, especially during rush hour. Bus 175 will take you directly to the center of the city and Bus 148 and 188 go across the river to the neighborhoods of Praga, Grochów, and Goclaw. Some bus lines, particularly the 175, are known for pickpocketing, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

Savings tip: Although both train tickets are cheap (under $2), the red SKM ticket is slightly cheaper. A 20-minute ticket from Chopin Airport to Warszawa Centralna will put you back only 3.40 zloty, which is less than a dollar. Purchase tickets at the ZTM counter in the arrivals hall or onboard.

In 2013, Warsaw opened Modlin Airport to service budget airlines, which is farther away from the city. Although you can take an express bus into the city for 33 zloty/(about $9), a train ride is the cheaper option. But please note this will take you twice as long (around two hours as opposed to 45 minutes by bus.)

Arriving by train or bus

Although you can take the train to Warsaw from many locations within Europe, you’ll likely get the best bang for your buck by taking the bus. The best two companies to check out are PolskiBus, a Polish express coach operator, which also offers service from Modlin Airport, or Flixbus. Rates can vary and are usually cheapest if you book at least several weeks in advance.

By car

Another cheap, as well as social option, is car sharing. Check out BlaBlaCar and hitch a ride at a nice price with someone who’s headed for Warsaw.

Tip

To find the cheapest travel options to Warsaw, check out the website omio.com, where you can compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to any destination within Europe.

Getting around Warsaw

Warsaw can be explored easily by foot, but if you need a rest or plan to cover more ground than you feel like walking, the city luckily also has an extensive public transportation network, with trams, buses, a metro system, and trains which will get you basically any place you need to go.

Subway fare & fines

A single fare transfer ticket costs 3.40 zloty/1.70 zloty (for 20 minutes after validation), 4.40/2.20 zloty (for 75 minutes) or 7 zloty/3.50 zloty (for 90 minutes after validation). You can check the Warsaw subway website for more information (in English).

Be sure to validate your ticket immediately after (bus and tram) or before (metro) boarding the vehicle because ticket inspection happens often, and Polish ticket inspectors are known to delight in handing out hefty fines to clueless tourists who didn’t follow the procedure quite right. The same goes for time limits. Fines are high, even if you’re only a minute or two over, so make sure and keep an eye on the time!

A market set up in Old Town Square. Photo: Krzysztof D

Things to do in Warsaw

Warsaw has a lot to offer when it comes to sightseeing, and luckily a lot of it is free.

Old Town

Take a stroll through Warsaw’s Old Town and check out the colorful, painstakingly restored burgher houses around the Old Town Square (Rynek Starego Miasta).

Old Town is also home to many churches and cathedrals, including St. John the Baptist Cathedral ( ul. Swietojanska 8). Hailing from the 14th century, this cathedral was reduced to a pile of rubble during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and was later rebuilt in a pseudo-gothic style. Be sure to check out the crypts of several Mazovian knights and famous Poles as well as the fragments of Goliath, a German remote-controlled tank used during the war.

The Old Town is also home to the Royal Castle, where you can see artworks, paintings, and period furniture.

Museums and parks

Two great museums focusing on Warsaw’s (sometimes very grim history) are The Museum of the History of Polish Jews (admission: 25/15 zloty (around $4-7) and the Museum of Neon Lights (admission: 10/8 zloty, around $2-3) which exhibits Soviet-era signs.

Pack a picnic and get a bit of fresh air with locals and tourists alike at Lazienki Park, Warsaw’s largest park.

A must-see in Warsaw: The Palace of Culture and Science. Photo: Giuseppe Milo

Palace of Culture and Science

Last but not least, no visit to Warsaw is complete without a visit to the Palace of Culture and Science, Poland’s tallest building and one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe. At 778 feet tall, the building looks a bit like a stunted Empire State Building with a touch of Big Ben added in. Originally dedicated to Josef Stalin, many Poles resented the building, which they saw as a symbol of Soviet domination. However, the skyscraper has since become a symbol for Warsaw.

The best views

Although you’ll get a great view over the city from the viewing deck at the Palace of Culture and Science, it will cost you 20 zloty/$5.25, and will likely be crowded with tourists. Head instead to the Tower of St. Anne’s Church, which is a steal at 6/5 zloty, or Gdanski Bridge, a charming double-decker bridge with a (free view) of Warsaw’s skyline.

Tours

Don’t shell out the bucks for a bus tour, opt for a free walking tour instead. The free tours available include Communist Warsaw, Jewish Warsaw, Alternative Warsaw and Warsaw Street Art. Be sure to tip well!

Cheap eats and drink in Warsaw

Warsaw has a thriving culinary scene and a vibrant nightlife, and many bargains are to be had. If you want to save on dining in Warsaw, avoid most restaurants around Old Town, as they tend to be overpriced and touristy. For lunch, pick up something small at a bakery or a kielbasa from a street vendor.

Here are a couple of our favorites places to eat and drink for less in Warsaw:

Gosciniec
multiple locations

Classic pierogies and hearty Polish fare at a good price await at these restaurants where the staff dresses in traditional folk attire.

Beef‘n’Roll
Nowy Swiat 36

This popular food truck serves up burgers, fries, and beer.

Same Krafty
ul. Nowomiejska 10

The bar in Old Town is great for sipping Polish craft beers. They also have good pizza, burgers and some vegetarian options.

Manekin
ul. Marszalkowska 140

Trendy but still nicely priced, Manekin serves up Polish specialties as well as crepes and pancakes. This restaurant is popular, so you may have to wait for a table — but it’s worth it!

Vege Miasto
al. Solidarnosc 60A

Although traditional Polish food is definitely heavy on the meat, Warsaw also has many great offers for vegans and vegetarians, including this gem.

Miss Kimchi
ul. Zelazna 58/62

If you need a break from pierogi and bigos and like spicy Asian food, Miss Kimchi is the place for you.

Stay central with a room at Oki Doki Old Town Hostel.

Cheap hotels in Warsaw

You won’t have to worry about spending a fortune to sleep well in Warsaw. That said, as a more modern city with a number of business travelers (thanks to a booming economy), you do have to be careful about choosing the right place to stay. If you don’t mind sharing a bathroom, hostels are an excellent option in the center of the city.

Search all hotels in Warsaw or check out a few of our favorite budget hotels in Warsaw:

Oki Doki Old Town Hostel
Private rooms from $44

Smack dab in the center of Old Town, Oki Doki is a fun place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Take a seat in the outdoor beer garden or make dinner in the fully-equipped communal kitchen.

Affordable hotel “splurges”!

For a bit of splurge,  you can stay in the center of the city at the 4-star Mercure Warszawa Grand (around $95 per night) with perks like free breakfast and sauna or the 3-star Hotel Metropol (around $80 per night), where all rooms have private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs.

Your Warsaw tips

Have you been to Warsaw? Tell us your best tips for visiting in the comments section below.

The post Poland: A Budget travel guide to Warsaw appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you want to splurge, you can find four-star rooms for just over $100. But for loyal Cheapos, spending around $50-70 can find you a really nice stay that would usually cost double the price in Western European cities.

But not all budget hotels in Krakow are created equal. We searched the city to find hotels with excellent user reviews that won’t break the bank.

Read more: A budget travel guide to Krakow

Top budget hotels in Krakow

You’ll enjoy planning your trip to Krakow even more once you lock down a good hotel room at a good price. There are more than 2,500 hotels across Krakow. To make your search a little easier, here are five excellent budget hotels that we like in Krakow.

Hotel Jan

ul. Grodzka 11, Old Town
Rates from $72

Nestled in the heart of Old Town, this three-star hotel is housed in a 600-year old building. The super clean rooms come with refrigerators, tea kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Even better, a tasty breakfast is included in the rate and served in a charming, brick-lined space. Read more about Hotel Jan.

We love the cheery and bright rooms at Hotel Legend.

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town

ul. Sw. Gertrudy 12, Old Town
Rates from $51

Perfectly situated within strolling distance of Wawel Cathedral and Kazimierz (the old Jewish quarter), Leonardo Boutique Hotel is a fine choice for Cheapos (don’t let the ’boutique’ scare you here!) that like a little style as well as a low price. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, and the staff wins highs marks for their friendliness. Read more about Leonardo Boutique Hotel.

Enjoy the modern side of Krakow at Lwowska Hotel.

Lwowska 1

Ul. Lwowska 1
Rates from $60

Located just outside of the city center near the Schindler Factory Museum, this contemporary hotel definitely wins points for the stylish design of the rooms. The studio and suites are much bigger than the average hotel room, so it’s a good place to book if you’re visiting for a longer stay. The tram stops right outside the door and is only four stops to the Main Market Square. Read more about Hotel Lwowska 1.

Hotel Eden has crisp and clean rooms.

Hotel Eden

ul. Ciemna 15, Old Town
Rates from: $69

Stay in a beautifully renovated 15th-century building at this 3-star hotel. Located in a fantastic Old Town location in the heart of the Jewish quarter, Hotel Eden is steps from tons of attractions. All 27 rooms come packed with perks like a refrigerator, private bathroom, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi. Start each morning with a free breakfast. Read more about Hotel Eden.

The charming breakfast room at Nobilton Hotel.

Nobilton Hotel

ul. Pilsudskiego 25, Old Town
Rates from: $48

This 3-star hotel blends a top location with rooms that are comfy and modern with amenities like flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. You can walk out the door to enjoy the best things to do in Krakow. If you want to explore farther afield, the hotel offers a free shuttle service. The breakfast buffet gets high marks from guests. Read more about Nobilton Hotel.

Looking for even more places to stay? Browse more than 4,000 hotels, vacation apartment rentals and other accommodations across Krakow.

The post 5 Best budget hotels in Krakow appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Many cities to the east, like Krakow, are chock-full of quaint old city squares, impressive castles and churches, and sites steeped in history that you can visit and explore at a fraction of the price you’d pay for their counterparts in the west.

Without a doubt, Krakow, Poland is among Eastern Europe’s most glittering jewels and a must-see place to add to your bucket travel list.

Related: More ways to save on your trip to Poland

Krakow Budget Travel Guide

To help you get the most of Krakow, as well as tips for saving along the way, we’ve gathered a list of what you need to know for your trip.

Getting there

With John Paul II International airport on the outskirts of the city and Kraków Glówny, the main train station, located directly in the Old Town, Krakow is easy to reach from anywhere. To get from the Krakow airport to the city center, hop on a train. They run about every 30 minutes and cost  9 zloty (about $2.50).

By Air

If you choose to fly from outside of Europe, LOT Polish Airlines and Norwegian usually have the best prices. You can also fly to Krakow from most major European cities. If you want a super cheap fare within Europe, book your ticket in advance from discount European airlines like easyJet or Ryanair. Check for flights on Cheapo Search.

Related: Tips for flying the cheapo skies on Norwegian Air

By train or bus

Since many flights include a stopover, you might want to opt for a more scenic train ride on Polrail (the Polish train service), which is often a little less expensive. However, the cheapest option by far is to hop on the bus. You’ll find the lowest prices on bus fare with Polskibus.com, a Polish express coach operator, as well as Flixbus.

Related:Tips for riding Europe’s budget bus company, Flixbus

Getting around town

By foot

Luckily, the best way to get around Krakow is not only free, it’s also good for you. Most of Krakow’s attractions are within easy walking distance and wandering around Krakow is a great way to get to know the city.

By bike

Another sporty and very cheap way to get around the city (as well as more off the beaten path sites) is to rent a bike from Wavelo, the bike share system in Krakow.

Here’s how it works: You pay by credit card at the docking station (instructions are available in English). The first 20 minutes are free, then up to an hour costs 2 zloty (around 50 cents, $1 = 3.65 zloty), up to two hours costs 3 zloty, and each additional hour after costs 4 zloty. Bikes can be rented for a maximum of 12 hours and the minimum balance for the card is 10 zloty (a little less than $3).

Krakow’s tram and bus system

If your feet and legs need a break, Krakow does offer a good bus and tram system. The system runs between 5 am and 11 pm, with a night service offered at less regular intervals. Here’s a map of the Krakow transit system.

How to buy tickets: You can buy a ticket either at a machine — available at major stops with instructions in English — or directly from the driver on the bus or tram. The cheapest ticket is valid for 20 minutes and costs 2.80 zloty. This should do if you’re just planning on taking in the Old Town sights.  If you would like to venture out further, we recommend you opt for the 40-minute ticket, which is still a steal at 3.80 zloty (about $1).

Tickets can also be purchased for one hour, 24, 48 or 72 hours or as an unlimited weekend family pass (11 zloty). Senior citizens over 70 and kids under 4 ride for free.

Krakow Tourist Card

If you’re planning to soak up a lot of culture on your stay, you may also want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card, which gets you free unlimited travel on all trams and buses, among other discounts. See more details about the card in the attractions section (below).

Don’t get fined! Whether you purchase your ticket from a machine or directly on the tram/bus, make sure to stamp your ticket immediately once you’ve boarded. Krakow’s trams and buses are regularly checked by inspectors who seem to live for giving hefty fines to clueless tourists who don’t follow this rule!

Stay right in Old Town Krakow with a room at Hotel Jan.

Cheap hotels in Krakow

Cheapos will love the choice of hotels in Krakow. Three-star stays in Old Town that would cost more than $200 in some European cities can be had for less than $100 per night, and it’s very easy to find a good room for under $50. You’ll enjoy planning your trip to Krakow even more once you lock down a good hotel room at a good price, so we searched the city to find excellent cheap hotels in Old Town or just minutes from the city center.

Read our guide to the best budget hotels in Krakow.

Are you ready to go to Poland? Search more than 2,500 hotels across Krakow.

Affordable things to do in Krakow

Krakow is a lovely place for a stroll, and you’ll have no shortage of free things to do. Here are a few of our favorite attractions.

Rynek Glówny – Main Square

Dating back to the 13th century, Krakow’s main square (in Polish, Rynek Glówny) is one of Europe’s largest medieval market plazas. Brimming with beautifully restored old buildings, Rynek Glówny has a lively street life and is the site of many local events and festivities.

Some highlights here include St. Mary’s Basilica, a gothic church with a famously carved wood altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the Historical Museum of Krakow, and the National Museum and the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s beloved romantic poet.

To bring home some souvenirs to folks back home or treat yourself to an amber necklace or two, be sure to check out the stalls in Cloth Hall.

Kazimierz – Old Jewish Quarter

Another area to check out is Kazimierz, Krakow’s old Jewish quarter. These days, the area is popular with a young, hip crowd and is known for its vibrant nightlife and café culture. When you’re there, make sure and take a stroll along the banks of the Vistula River, which offers great views of Wawel Castle and is home to boat bars in the summer and icy splendor in the winter.

Be sure to browse the antique and arts and craft vendors at Plac Nowy market, located in a red brick pavilion at the heart of Kazimierz. To learn more about the life and tragic history of Poland’s Jews, make your way to the Galacia Jewish Museum. For a glimpse into Jewish life in Krakow today, stop by Remuh Synagogue, Kazimierz’s only active synagogue, whose history traces back to the 1550s.

Wawel Hill

Wawel Hill is also an absolute must-see for any first-time visitor to Krakow. This area includes Wawel Royal Castle, home to three dynasties of Polish kings since the early sixteenth century, Wawel Cathedral, and Wawel’s dragon’s den, a cave which, according to legend, was once home to a ferocious dragon.

The den is now guarded by a bronze seven-headed dragon statue — and one of the heads even breathes fire, so watch out!

Jagiellonian University

A major university town, Krakow also has to Poland’s oldest and most prestigious university, Jagiellonian University, which has educated many famous students over the centuries, including Nicolas Copernicus, whose instruments are on display in Collegium Maius.

A restaurant in Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter of Krakow. Photo: Michela S.

More things to do in Krakow

A few other highlights include the museum Rynek Underground and Kosciuszko Mound (although you can easily skip the fee and just view it from outside the gates).

Architecture buffs should check out Nowa Huta, the Soviet-era suburban housing development which was designed to be the model proletarian city.

For a historical glimpse into the factory made famous by the movie Schindler’s List, take the tram to the museum at Schlinder’s Factory.

Day trips from Krakow

Popular day trips include the Wieliczka Salt Mine, complete with its underground chapels and Virgin Mary and Pope statues carved from salt. Although the Wieliczka Salt mine is worth visiting, the tours are on the pricey side, so skip it if you’re on a budget.

Another day trip that’s worth taking is a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.  If you want to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, bypass the expensive package tours. The site can be easily reached by bus or train. Please note that while entering the grounds is free, you need to make a reservation to see the memorial ahead of time.

How to save on attractions in Krakow

Several museums offer free admission one day a week. These include:

• The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK) (free on Tuesdays)
• Schindler’s Factory (free on Mondays)
• Rynek Underground Museum (free on Tuesdays, except first Tuesday of the month)

You can also get a free tour of the various parts of the city — no reservations required. Check out the schedule at freewalkingtour.com.

Related: Five free and fun things to do in Krakow

Saving with the Krakow Tourist Card

If you plan to visit a lot of museums and sights, you might want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card. This card offers free admission to over 40 museums and attractions, various discounts, transportation to and from the airport, unlimited public transportation, and transportation to and from the Wieliczka Salt mine.

The price of the card is $32 for 3 days or $26 for 2 days. If you want to just save on the museums and sights, but don’t need the extras, then pick up the 3-day Museum & Attractions Pass ($18).

Looking for tasty cheap eats in Krakow? Check out a sausage vendor! Photo: Space Trucker

Eating and drinking on a budget

Unless you head to the fancy restaurants or eateries in the touristy part of town, it’s easy to eat really well on a budget in Krakow. Use these tips to save and savor authentic Polish cuisine.

Street food

The cheapest of the cheap eats you’ll find in Krakow is the Polish street food and Krakowian specialties. Chow down on an Obwarzanek, a Krakow-style bagel, which can be had from street vendors all over the city for less than 50 cents.

Two other street food standards include Kielbasa, Polish sausage, and Zapiekanka, Polish “pizza” which is made from half a baguette smothered in melted cheese and mushrooms, as well as optional extra toppings, and is topped with ketchup. Both cost around $2.

Milk bars

For a taste of Polish culinary classics, check out one of Krakow’s milk bars. These Soviet-era canteens offer cheap, simple meals to locals and tourists alike. Sample both boiled or fried pierogi (Polish ravioli) or goulash topped with Polish-style schnitzel at Milkbar Tomasza (ul. Swietego, Tomasza 24 33-33).

Or dive into a bowl of Bigos, a stew that you can try at the very popular Bar Gornik (ul. Czysta 1). In each case, your meal should set you back about $2 to 3.

Dining out for vegetarians

Although traditional Polish cuisine is about meat, meat and more meat, with a potato and some cabbage thrown in for good measure, Krakow does have good and inexpensive options for vegetarians or those craving some fresh greens.

One we recommend is Chimera. Located in a 14th-century wine and beer cellar, Chimera boasts a 98-foot long bar with thirty different types of salad as well as warm vegetarian and meat dishes for the carnivores. Prices range from 6 to 19 zloty ($1.70 to a little over $5).

Food markets

If you’d rather do some cooking yourself, or just pick up some fresh produce, check out one of Krakow’s many food markets. One of the best farmer’s markets is Stary Kleparz, a covered arcade located just outside the city center. Here is a list of other food markets around town.

Pubs and beer gardens

As far as booze goes, cheap vodka pubs have been all the rage in Krakow for a while now. One of the most popular places in Bania Luka (pl. Szczepanski 6). At Bania Luka, beer and vodka shots cost about a buck each, and the bar also has an array of Polish bar food.

Another popular place is Klub Re (ul. Sw. Krzyza 4), a laid-back beer garden popular with locals. If you’re there in the summer, be sure to check out the large garden in the back.

Drinking local beer

Since Krakow is literally crawling with students, you can find many cheap pubs where you can toss back a cold one for very little dough. For the best beer bargains, stick with Polish brands like Zywiec, Tyskie and Lech, which cost a dollar (or less!) for a pint.

Cheapo tip: Like anywhere, Krakow has plenty of tourist traps that charge high prices to unsuspecting visitors. Before ordering, be sure you’re given a menu with the prices listed for both food and drinks to make sure you’re not being taken for a ride!

Your tips for Krakow

Have you been to Krakow? Share your advice and stories in the comments below!

The post Poland: A Budget travel guide to Krakow appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Changing timetables

To keep abreast of changing schedules, the best comprehensive source of information is the monthly European Rail Timetable (ERT). It’s good for more than just trains for, within the tightly packed pages of the ERT, you’ll also find lots of ferry timetables as well as key bus links across Europe.

Traveling through the Tatra Mountains just a few weeks ago, we checked out the bus service that connects Zakopane (on the Polish side of the High Tatras) with Poprad (in Slovakia). It’s shown in Table 1183 of the ERT. This cross-border bus service taking just under two hours has long been such a valuable link, plugging a major gap in Europe’s rail network.

Crossing the Polish-Slovakian border

So, flicking through the pages of the May ERT, we are concerned to see that the direct bus from Zakopane to the Slovakian Tatra resorts and Poprad has just been axed. The service was run by Polish bus operator Strama, which has dropped the direct international bus service amid a dispute with the bus licensing authorities in Slovakia over the company’s right to transport local passengers on journeys wholly within Slovakia.

We very much hope that this important bus route will be reinstated sooner rather than later, but meanwhile the journey can still be undertaken using local buses on either side of the border, connecting between the two on the frontier between Poland and Slovakia.

Houses in Zdiar (Slovakia) in traditional Goral style. Photo: © hidden europe

By bus through the High Tatras

Trans-Bus Bukowina run regular scheduled services during the spring and summer months from Zakopane to a remote beauty spot in the High Tatras called Morskie Oko. Along the way, these services stop at Lysa Polana on the border, but they do not actually cross into Slovakia. From Lysa Polana there are local buses on to Poprad. You just need to walk over the border bridge, a hike of about ten meters, to connect between the two bus routes.

This is a journey that need not be rushed. It covers some glorious mountain country. Our top tip for a stopover is the Slovakian village of Zdiar. It is a long and straggly village, strung out along the flank of the Biela Valley. It is bypassed by the main road and is easily missed. But last month we took time out for Zdiar and it is an absolute gem. With the land rising up north of the village to the slopes of Mount Magurka, and superb views south to the Tatra summits, the location of Zdiar is hard to beat.

Goral style

The village styles itself as a hub of Goral culture. The Gorals are the local mountain people, pastoralists by inclination, who populate parts of the Carpathian region. Several guest houses and small hotels in Zdiar play the Goral card, offering food and entertainment that is evidently typically Goral in character. It’s a neat piece of cultural theater. Ultimately, though, Zdiar is above all just a good place to be—a place to stop off for a day or two, breathe the clear mountain air and relax.

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Other place names, such as Auschwitz, have become commemorated in Europe’s topography of terror. Yet others have slipped quietly into everyday language. Brits chat coolly of Dunkirk-spirit and across Europe we talk of the color magenta — not realizing perhaps that it derives from the small town of Magenta in Lombardy.

Places that make a mark

Nothing of great interest ever happened in Saint-Tropez, and yet this modestly sized beach community in Provence became a lodestone for an immodestly-clad generation.

At the other end of the cultural spectrum, Zakopane is a mere dot on the map of southern Poland. Yet this small town has been extraordinarily influential in shaping Polish and wider European thinking across a range of fields.

A classic wooden villa in Zakopane. Photo: Margoz

From poets to philosophers

Zakopane captured Europe’s attention in the late-19th century. It became the mountain resort of choice for poets, philosophers and politicians from across the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tucked away on the north side of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane was remote from the K&K hubs in Vienna and Budapest. It developed into a spot where the liberal intelligentsia could take stock and relax.

It was here that 140 years ago the Tatra Society was founded — an organization that dramatically influenced Europe-wide thinking on conservation and environmental politics. And it was in Zakopane that in 1899 Stefan Zeromski wrote Ludzie bezdomni (The Homeless), a novel underpinned by a strong moral agenda that became a rallying point for social change. No surprise perhaps that Lenin was a Zakopane regular. He lived for a spell just down the valley in Bialy Dunajec.

Zakopane came to embody the ideals of a newly emerging Polish nation and it was a place where folk dared to think the unthinkable. For a few brief weeks in late 1918, Zakopane was even an independent republic (with writer Stefan Zeromski as its president).

Mountain heritage

Ninety-five years after that heady spell of independence, Zakopane is one of the brightest stars in Polish tourism. It may not have the World Heritage status of nearby Kraków or historic Zamosc, but it remains the premier mountain resort in Poland.

Travelers flock to Zakopane for skiing, summer hiking in the mountains and for history. An extraordinary feast of wooden architecture reminds visitors that the traditional Zakopane style still thrives. And those less inclined to outdoor pursuits can explore the intellectual, artistic and architectural history of the Tatra region in Zakopane’s fine range of museums.

Getting to Zakopane

Zakopane makes a perfect diversion from Kraków. We have experimented with both the train and bus connections from Kraków. The bus is much the faster and more frequent option, but the train is by far the better choice for travelers inclined to wander. It meanders through the Beskid Hills, along the way passing through the World Heritage site at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska — an extraordinary early 17th-century religious theme park. As you move south, look out for superb views of the approaching Tatra Mountains. And if, like us, you travel to Zakopane in deep mid-winter, expect to be greeted by mountains of snow.

The bus journey from Kraków to Zakopane typically takes about 2hrs 30mins, while the train takes at least an hour longer. One-way fares on both train and bus are about €5.

For onward travel beyond Zakopane, there is a useful year-round bus service to Poprad in Slovakia. This service is operated by STRAMA and even in winter still runs twice daily, but more frequently in summer. The one-way fare is less than €6.

But don’t rush on too quickly. As generations of Poles have found, Zakopane has that knack of getting under your skin. A dose of Zakopane spirit (which may or may not include vodka), and perhaps you’ll want to stay for ever.

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Prussia meets Poland

If you are looking for another Kraków, think again. Szczecin offers something very different. No great Italianate piazzas. The Prussian imprint is evident in the Szczecin streetscape with some bold 19th-century buildings akin to those you might expect to find in Berlin. Throw in some superb examples of brick Gothic – of the kind you’ll run across throughout the Baltic region – and Szczecin makes for an appealing mix.

Key sights

One of our favorite Szczecin corners is the museum on the history of the city housed in the old town hall. It traces the story of the city’s early development and recounts how German Stettin morphed into Polish Szczecin. You’ll find green parkland aplenty, especially north of the city center. For riverside strolls head for the esplanade above the River Odra, where you will find the impressive nautical academy and a clutch of decent cafés.

Top choice: the Hotel Focus

The top overnight spot is undoubtedly the Hotel Focus (just a stone’s throw from the nautical college) where contemporary chic comes at budget-friendly prices. Double or twin rooms from about 200 Polish zloty (€50 or US$68). The Focus offers modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, free sauna, and a superb breakfast spread. Watch your eggs cooked to order just the way you like them. The Focus also has a first-class restaurant, where tasty regional dishes are served with great panache. Starters for just 12 zloty (€3), while mains are typically 24 zloty (€6).

Hotel manager Dominika Dulat appreciates that many travelers work to tight budgets, so it’s a nice touch that a free pack lunch is there for the taking as guests leave the breakfast buffet. “Don’t forget to take your lunch,” reads the big sign.  The Focus also offers an all-inclusive overnight rate where the cost of dinner is bundled in with the overall accommodation charge.

Cafés and bars

Szczecin is not just a place to see, but a place to be. Expect modest prices and a great range of city center bars and restaurants. There is a good quartet of cafés on Jan Pawel II Boulevard (recently renamed in honor of the late Polish Pope). Other restaurants we rate are the Bombay, which dishes up some of the tastiest Indian food in Poland, and the Chata, where you’ll find pierogi aplenty in a folksy vaulted cellar.

Getting there

Szczecin’s quaysides no longer buzz with passenger ships the way they did of old. Direct ferries from Denmark and Sweden nowadays dock at Swinoujscie, from where there is a good rail link to Szczecin, complemented by a seasonal hydrofoil service called the Bosman Express.

There are excellent train connections with half a dozen direct trains each day to Lübeck, Warsaw and Kraków. Szczecin has a very comfortable once-daily direct Czech train to Prague, and great connections with Berlin, which is just two hours away. The one-way fare from Berlin to Szczecin is just €10 – one of those wonderful cross-border deals that you cannot buy online. Just buy the ticket from the machines on the platform in Berlinbefore hopping on the train. German regional rail tickets (so-called Länder Tickets) can be used across the border to Szczecin, so there are real opportunities for budget rail travel to this corner of Poland.

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The Srebrenica massacre

It was fifteen years ago this summer that 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were ruthlessly murdered in and around Srebrenica. This small city in a quiet valley in eastern Bosnia will probably never come to terms with the atrocities that propelled Srebrenica into the headlines in 1995. As a site of violence and tragedy, Srebrenica exerts enormous symbolic power. It is a milestone in our historic consciousness, just as Auschwitz is for another generation.

Thanotourism: Auschwitz and the Museum of Free Derry

Have you been to Auschwitz? If so, you have dabbled in “thanotourism” (as the specialists dub travel that evinces feelings of grief). And would you happily visit the Museum of Free Derry if you were in Ireland? There you will hear the terrified screams of protesters as they were gunned down by British soldiers on a sunny Sunday afternoon in January 1972.

Tourism relating to the Ulster Troubles has become a considerable industry in Derry, as a community shattered by a horrible history tries to rebuild – and with considerable success. Just as Srebrenica is trying too. The violence inflicted on this one community in a ten-day period in mid-July 1995 is hard for us to fathom. Yet fifteen years on, Srebrenica is back in business. Fathers, brothers and sons died. But the women of Srebrenica have taken the lead in revitalizing the town.

The burden of history

Srebrenica has a beautiful memorial to those who perished. The locals want you to go there to see it. But they want you to visit for other reasons too. Tourism is a marvelous way of regenerating the local economy, and Srebrenica needs its share of the tourist dollar. And a steady flow of visitors helps communities escape the heavy burden of history.

After all, Srebrenica, just like Oscwiecim (the Polish town better known by the German rendering Auschwitz), are not only places of the dead, but also of the living. Bosnia is one of Europe’s most fascinating countries. It might now be time to see for yourself and visit Srebrenica.

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Polskie Smaki
ul. Sw. Tomasza 5
Open daily from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Polskie Smaki (“Polish Tastes” in English) serves up standard Polish fare near Krakow’s Main Square. In addition to Polish ravioli, stuffed pancakes and meat dishes, the restaurant offers a variety of breakfast plates.

If you opt for a morning meal, expect to spend no more than 15 PLN (about $6) per person. If you stop by for lunch or dinner, order a few sides to sample—the bill will still be well under $20.

Cyklop Pizzeria
ul. Mikolajska 16
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

If you need a break from pierogi and kielbasa, head to the very central Cyklop Pizzeria for a Polish take on Italian cooking. The menu ranges from oven-baked pizza (around $6 for a large pie) to pasta and salads. A selection of typical Italian desserts (including gelato and tiramisu, all for around $4) rounds out the deal.

Café Mlynek
Plac Wolnica 7
Open daily from 8 a.m. till last guests

This vegetarian restaurant in Kazimierz boasts an expansive menu of meat-free entrees, from breaded and roasted cheese and stuffed pancakes to spinach pasta and hummus with bread. Café Mlynek also has a large beverage menu, with both hot drinks and alcohol on offer. The place stands out for its artsy, earthy vibe: There’s often an art exhibit on the walls and the restaurant hosts concerts. Expect to pay around $6 for a main dish.

Bonus Tip: The kielbasa van

Every major city has its own street food darling, and in Krakow’s case it’s the kielbasa van. Located at ul. Grzegorzecka (a bit south of the city center), the van offers sausage for 7 PLN (about $3) from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Understandably, given the late hours, this operation caters to a bar-hopping local crowd.

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Introducing zapiekanka!

Such is the case in Poland, where zapiekanka is an everyday, street food favorite. The tasty treats are made by slicing a baguette in half, adding vegetables and meats, topping with cheese, and then toasting to melt the cheese. Lastly, ketchup (and sometimes mayonnaise) is liberally applied.

The name “zapiekanka” is derived from the Polish word for “to bake,” and the food is sometimes considered the Polish equivalent of pizza. These cheapies are found both in restaurants and fast food booths, where the ingredients range from simple to more gourmet offerings.

Endzior, a zapiekanka stall in Krakow’s Plac Nowy, is a standby for lovers of this Polish treat, both locals and tourists alike. Expect to spend around 3-7 PLN (.70-1.60 €).

Tell us!

Have you had a zapiekanka experience? Do you have another favorite Polish snack food? Tell us about it in the comments section!

Also see: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Krakow.

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