Official Language: Polish
Time
Climate
Poland has a moderate climate with both maritime and continental elements. You can count on many sunny days and many rainy days and don’t be surprised when the summer turns out to be quite hot or quite rainy.
For current information, see
Forecast.
Money
The official Polish unit of currency is Złoty (PLN).
Around the Market Square there are located, banks and ATMs that accept most credit cards. Also in most of the shops in the center you can make transactions using the card.
Exchange of money can be made in exchange offices and banks. Banks usually charge a commission on the service so the exchange is less favorable.
Exchanging money at exchange offices should pay attention to the proposed exchange rates, or compare it with other cantors. It is recommended that prior to the transaction at the counter currency, calculate how much money we should get. The exchange rate, appearing at the entrance to the office.
For comparison, exchange rates, you can also use the information on the website of the Polish National Bank:
www.nbp.pl, which publishes the current table of average exchange rates of foreign currencies.
Delicious Małopolska
Kraków's streets are packed with vendors selling obwarzanki – round, twisted baked bread rolls, which have become a culinary symbol of this mediaeval city.
Kraków, the capital of Małopolska, is not just one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, but also a capital of good taste. You’ll find some of Europe’s tastiest apples, delicious cheeses from the mountains and unrivalled cured meats. Kraków itself is a melting pot of culinary cultures.
Many regional dishes can be tasted in June during the Festival of Małopolska Flavours, combined with the Bread Festival. And there is still the Krakow Pierogi Festival, and numerous restaurants here serve the local cult maczanka po krakowsku.
There is a high standard of food and service in many restaurants in Krakow. You may find useful the comments of Michelin inspectors (
www.viamichelin.com).
For more information please visit website:
culinary.krakow.plShopping
Kraków is proud of its merchant traditions standing at the crossroads of important trading routes, it has been attracting fans of spices and fabrics, artworks and local crafts. Today locals and tourists buy souvenirs, books and everyday objects in Kraków’s shops, malls and bookshops. Many search for clothes, jewellery, cosmetics – both famous and local brands. Good Polish brands – Hera, Hexeline, Deni Cler for women, Vistula for men, Apart, Batycki and W.Kruk – jewellery and accessories, Gino Rossi and Kazar - shoes.
Shops and banks
Food stores are generally open between 6:00 or 7:00 (6:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m.) and 18:00 (6:00 p.m.). Other shops tend to be open between 09:00 or 10.00 (09:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.) and 18:00 (6:00 p.m.) from Monday to Saturday. The chain and shopping malls are open long hours, usually from 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) or later on weekends. Poland is fast becoming a shopper's paradise. The most popular souvenir is amber from the Baltic sea. Poland is also known for its silver jewelry. Small family-owned galleries sell various products of handmade crafts and pottery. Regular banking hours are 9:00 (9:00 a.m.) to 18:00 (6:00 p.m.) from Monday to Friday. Banks, shops, restaurants and other public institutions stay open at lunchtime.
Important telephone numbers
Country code for calling Poland +48
Emergency numbers 112 is your life-saving number!
112 is the European emergency phone number, available everywhere in the EU, free of charge. You can call 112 from fixed and mobile phones to contact any emergency service: an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police. In Poland 112 calls are answered by the Fire Brigade and Police.
www.112.gov.pl
- Ambulance Service 999
- Fire Brigade 998
- Police 997
- Municipal Police 986
