The Most Unusual Experiences in Krakow
Contrary to what you may have heard, Krakow doesn’t have to be all medieval castles and UNESCO heritage. Once you’re done ticking off the must-sees in the Old Town and Kazimierz, perhaps it’s time for a spell of scuba diving or chilling on the beach? Check it out…
Lazing on the beach in Kryspinow
Deep in Lesser Poland, between the rising peaks of the Tatra Mountains and the sweeping Polish plains that run for mile upon mile before hitting the first sea (that’s almost 13 hours away by car!), the prospect of finding a beach might seem a little loony. Cue Kryspinow, a large reservoir that’s lined with woodland walks and picnic spots for the summer. And there are even beaches too; soft and powdery sections of sand that offer sunbathing and summertime chill a la the Baltic Riviera. Of course, there are also bars aplenty, which come to life with revelers in the warmer months.
Diving for a PADI in an abandoned quarry
When most folk think of getting that PADI qualification, it’s the sparkling coral reefs of Bali or the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea that come to mind. But Krakow has its own answer to the diving destinations of the tropics: the abandoned quarry of Zakrzowek. This deep hole cut into the ground on the southern side of the city was flooded when springs burst and the water table rushed in. Today, it’s used by the local open water dive school as a place to practice and teach. You can train for everything from classic PADIs to CMAS instructor courses and lifeguarding in the waters…
2. Have a coffee with a feline friend
Cafe, Polish
Find your inner communist in Nowa Huta
Away from the Krakow of the travel brochures, where Gothic towers loom above Renaissance homes, the district of Nowa Huta offers something totally off the hook. The place was constructed from scratch by the Soviets in the post-war era, intended as a utopian city of self-sufficiency. That means sprawling USSR-style tenements dominate, and the occasional tank shell remains on the streets. Today, tours in classic Polish Trabants or walking routes around the area are really popular ways to go off-the-beaten-track.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.