A roundup of some of the news stories, which caught our eye over the past week or so.
DRAGONS PARADE WITHOUT THE RIVER PARADE THIS SUMMER
The city has announced that the very popular water parade of dragons will not be part of the 2024 Great Dragons Parade. For the first time in 23 years, the spectacle of the dragons parade accompanied by music, lights, lasers and fireworks, will not take place on the Wisła. The Dragon street parade through the city and the Dragon Family Picnic will take place on 8th-9th June. There is some discussion of a dragon show being combined with Wianki on 22nd-23rd June, perhaps with a drone display instead of fireworks?
Read more
PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR 20th ANNIVERSARY OF POLAND’S EU MEMBERSHIP
As a reluctant citizen of the Brexshit Isles, it pains me to write this next news brief; Kraków have announced the city’s programme of celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the EU. A series of events will take place from 2nd March to 28th April.
20.8 MILLION VISITORS to MAŁOPOLSKA & KRAKÓW in 2023
The voivodeship have announced that Małopolska and Kraków had 20.8 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 16% on 2022 and the largest number since the Covid pandemic. The tourist revenues for 2023 were estimated at 13.03 billion zł across the region.The largest number of tourists were domestic Polish visitors. The announcement reported a very welcome, 5.5 fold increase in the number of foreign tourists. Most visitors came from Great Britain (24.2%), the United States (15.8%) and Germany (13.6%). Tourists from France come next with 8.8%. and Spaniards (5.8%).
The top five most visited places and tourist attractions in Małopolska include: the Tatra National Park, Energylandia, Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Main Market Square in Krakow and the Pieniny National Park.
Read more
TOURIST TAX?
A group of MP’s have proposed that a tourist tax should be introduced for visitors to Krakow. As the counter-tourist movement grows across many European tourism hotspots, is Kraków about to charge visitors?
Of course this wouldn’t be Kraków. Without a wee disagreement. MP’s are split between those who propose money raised from the tax should promote tourism and those (the sensible ones!) who propose the money should be used to offset the harm and cost of tourism to the city.
PANORAMA RESTAURANT TO OPEN ON TOP OF FORUM
A new restaurant, cocktail bar and cigar smoking room are to be added to the ever popular, constantly evolving, leisure complex in the former Hotel Forum.
The new development will include a year round glass terrace with panoramic views across the city and beyond. The Forum rooftop panorama is due to open in May.
Read more
BUNKIER CAFE RETURNING!!!
Kraków’s much loved Bunkier cafe is set to return later this year. Construction of the new Bunkier Cafe has started on Planty. Sadly, the new outdoor cafe does not include the original construction design, and is nowhere near as pretty as the original structure. Images of the works show a smaller, more contemporary design, which alsh has a gap between the terrace and the building. 🙁
It’s hoped that the cafe will be open in Spring.
Read more
SITE OF KL PŁASZÓW OPENS ON 15th MARCH
The site of the former KL Płaszów Camp will officially reopen on 15th March after extensive development of the area. Information boards, markers and pathways have been added to the site, whilst a substantial amount of work is required to complete the full redevelopment of the new KL Płaszów Museum.
Read more
KL Płaszów Museum Online
A NIGHT IN THE ‘DRUNK TANK TO COST MORE – you’ve been warned!
Councillors plan to increase the cost of a stay in the city’s drunk tank by 44zł to a rather sobering 437 zł (the maximum amount for a stay in a ‘sobering up centre’ as set by the minister of health). Councillors are set to vote on the increase.
Read more
GUARDIAN ARTICLE ON KRAKÓW-ZAKOPANE ‘Slavic Magic” RAIL JOURNEY
The Guardian newspaper (UK) has featured the Kraków-Zakopane rail journey in its route of the month feature. The feature extols the virtues of the leisurely journey, “Our slow travel expert discovers the legacy of popes and revolutionaries on a trip south from Kraków to the resort town in the Tatra Mountains”
Read more
LIME E-SCOOTERS RETURN TO KRAKÓW
Love them or hate them, the mobile marmite – e-scooters are operated by various companies in the city. LIME scooters are set to return, for the 6th season, on 26th February.
The company is offering scooter users a special discount code LIME2024PL for a free 10 minute ride valid from 26th February to 30th April.
Lime claims to have made improvements in the fleet and software to improve the safety and comfort of users.
Read more
43rd EDITION OF SEA SHANTIES FESTIVAL STARTS IN LANDLOCKED KRAKÓW
For four days, sailors and shanties lovers will reign supreme in Krakow. The 43rd International Sailing Song Festival Shanties 2024 begins on Thursday (February 22) in Krakow. The organisers expect a total of approximately 6,000 spectators to attend 10 concerts. Some people, longing for the unique atmosphere of Krakow’s shanties, will cross the seas and oceans to participate in a singing cruise near Wawel.
Shanties 2024 Programme & Info
Read more
EMMAUS FAIR MOVES TO BŁONIA DUE TO STREET RENOVATIONS
The 2024 Emmaus Indulgence fair will be held on April 1st at Błonia this year, as a result of the long term roadworks taking place on ul Kościuszki and Salwator.
Read more
If you have any news, events or other stories you think we should feature, please do get in touch.
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 24 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
We’re always looking for interesting stories, events, characters or groups to feature. Likewise, if you’d like to join us, as a contributor, please get in touch.
Thanks, Dave. A very useful update on Krakow that is nicely put together.