Turist Information - Krakow Hotel Start
General Information of Krakow
Krakow is the city exactly on the intersection of 20 degrees East and 50 degrees North. According to some cartographers it is the geographical centre of Europe. It not difficult to come to Krakow from different parts of the world. The Krakow international airport at Balice, just 15 kilometres from the city centre, has direct flights to many foreign airports, for instance: Paris, London, Zurich, Frankfurt am Main, Vienna, Rome, Tel Aviv, New York, Chicago. The city is an important railway junction with a regular and reliable train network linking Krakow with other cities both national and international. It is also possible to come to Krakow by coach or car. Our city is linked to the main Polish and European roads and thus the access is very easy.Inside the city, close to its centre there are three traffic zones protecting the very centre. You are not allowed to drive into A and B zone. Parking in the C zone is possible after buying a parking card. It is recommended to leave your car in the guarded car parks which let come closer to your destination and have your car protected. The old part of Krakow you can visit on foot or by the public transport system which is quite good and sufficient for the visitors' needs. For those who prefer to travel by taxi, there is no problem to take it just from the street or order by telephone. If you do in the latter way, you are entitled to a discount. The cost of taxi driving within the city depending to the distance is about 30-40 zlotys (about 7-12 euros).
Climate
Krakow lies in a region of temperate climate. Weather changes are frequent due to the friction of humid air masses arriving from the Atlantic Ocean and dry, continental masses of air incoming from the East. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 6° to 10° C. July is the warmest month and January the coldest. Western winds, conducive to rain fall, blow during Summer, whereas during Winter there are predominantly eastern winds, decreasing the amount of precipitation.Economy
Krakow is ranked as the fourth industrial city in the country, with metallurgic, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries dominating. The share of the private sector in Krakow industry has considerably increased during the past several years. Also, many new developments have been observed in the commercial sector. The number of private companies is several dozens of times larger than companies belonging to the public sector. There are seven central bank offices located in Krakow, and 40 other banks have their branch offices in this city. The city also hosts The Chamber of Craftsmanship, The Chamber of Industry and Commerce, The National Chamber of Economy, The Krakow Chamber of Tourism, The Krakow Congregation of Merchants, The Industrial Society of Krakow, The Polish Association of Christian Businessmen, The Association of Private Transport, The Association of Private Real Estate Owners, and other institutions responsible for promoting business.Traditions
Krakow is also a city of tradition where the past meets the present, and the imaginary the real. Krakow is the city of myths, legends and dreams. City traditions are dominated by customs that date from the 13th and 14th centuries, although numerous stories and tales create the colour of this place. Krakow is said to have been visited by Doctor Faustus himself who cooperated with Master Twardowski, a court alchemist in search of the philosopher's stone. Two unique legends are connected with Tartar raid, which broke into the history of Krakow in a very violent way. Every hour you can hear a bugle call whose travel whose sound travels towards the four quarters of the world from the tower of St. Mary's Church. It is dramatically interrupted, as it was in the past when an enemy arrow hit the bugler. The other legend is associated with the fascinating personage "lajkonik". According to the story, it was a Vistula River raftsman in a Tartar disguise on horseback who rode from the battlefield with a message that the "infidel" invasion had been stopped. The fascinating "lajkonik" still rides his wooden horse across the Market Square. Like centuries ago, during St. John's night, the shortest night of the year, Krak`s castle inhabitants come down to the Vistula River. With the imposing castle in the background, they float wreaths down the river, thus recalling the old pagan custom. The celebration is accompanied by a huge open-air show, firework display and performances that bring various events from the city's history back to life. After all, Krakow will always remain a living legend.PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Post
Main Post Office (Poczta Główna)ul. Westerplatte 20
open 7.30 am-8.30 pm, Mon-Fri; 8 am-2 pm, Sat; 9 am-11 am, Sun
Postage
Stamps for postcards:
- to Poland PLN 1.00
- to other countries: PLN 1.10
Stamps for letters:
- to Poland: PLN 1.00
- to other countries: from PLN 1.55 (Europe)
Telephones
Poczta Główna
open 24/7
entrance from Wielopole Street
Fax service
sending and collection: 7 am-9 pm
by phone: 421 9693
within Poland: PLN 2.10 - 3.78 for the first page, discount for further pages
Telecentre of the TP S.A.
Main Market Square 18
daily 8 am-10 pm
Phone and fax services
access to the Internet (15 minutes - PLN 1.75)
magnetic cards
100 units - PLN 35.38
50 units - PLN 17.69
25 units - PLN 8.85
"Telekarta" chip cards
50 units - PLN 17.69
100 units - PLN 35.38
| PKP - Polish Rail | 9436 |
| PKS - Coach Operator | 9316 |
| MPK - Municipal Transport | 910 |
| LOT - Polish Airlines | 0801 300 952 |
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
| Polish area code | +48 |
| Krakow area code | 12 |
EMERGENCIES:
| Police | 997 |
| Ambulance | 999 |
| Fire Brigade | 998 |
| Municipal Police | 986 |
Currency Exchange
Dietla 97
Długa 27
Floriańska 6, 27, 34, 51
Grodzka 40, 60
Grzegórzecka 14
Kalwaryjska 26
Królewska 82
Nowowiejska 29
pl. Kolejowy
pl. Szczepański 8
Rynek Główny 7, 39/40
Sławkowska 4, 11, 13/15, 14, 25
Szewska 19, 21
Wielopole 3, 10, 13
Wi¶lna 10
Zwierzyniecka 5, 10, 24
CONSULATES
Consulate General of the Russian Federation
ul. Westerplatte 11
phone: 422 2647 (switchboard,) fax: 422 9066
Consulate General of the Republic of France
ul. Stolarska 15
phone: 422 1864, 422 2113, 422 7140, fax: 422 3390
Consulate General of the German Republic
ul. Stolarska 7
phone: 421 8980, 421 8088, 421 8473, fax: 421 7628
Consulate General of the Republic of Hungary
ul. Mikołajska 26
phone: 422 5679, 422 5657, fax: 421 3135
Consulate General of the United States of America
ul. Stolarska 9
phone: 424 5100, fax: 424 5103
Austrian Consulate General
ul. Krupnicza 42
phone: 421 9900, fax. 421 6737
Consulate of Ukraine
ul. Krakowska 41
429 6066, fax: 429 2936
Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Denmark
ul. ¶w. Anny 5
phone: 421 7120, fax. 421 7291
Honorary Consulate of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
ul. ¶w. Anny 9
phone: 421 7030, fax: 422 4264
Honorary Consulate of Mexico
ul. Wiedeńska 72
phone: 636 5259, fax. 638 0558
Honorary Consulate of Peru
ul. Straszewskiego 28
phone: 421 8105
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
GOETHE INSTITUT
Main Market Square 20
phone: 422 5829, fax: 422 8276
FRENCH INSTITUTE
ul. Stolarska 15
phone: 422 0982, 422 7176
ITALIAN CULTURE INSTITUTE
ul. Grodzka 49
phone: 421 8946, 421 8943
EUROPEAN ACADEMY VILLA DECIUS Villa Decius
, ul. 28 Lipca 1943 17a
phone: 425 3638, 425 3644, fax: 425 3663
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE
Main Market Square 25
phone: 421 8601, fax: 421 8571
CENTRE FOR JEWISH CULTURE
ul. Rabina Meiselsa 17
phone: 430 6449, fax: 430 6497
PRO HELVETIA Centre for Cultural Exchange
ul. ¶w. Agnieszki 4/3
phone/fax: 422 6230
NUREMBERG HOUSE
ul. Skałeczna 2
phone/fax: 656 4578
Information by : Magiczny Kraków - www.krakow.pl
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