Enchanting Kraków

Since it will take you between an 45 minutes and an hour and a half to get to Auschwitz, you should get on the road no later than 7 a.m., so that you’ll have a good several hours to tour once there. You can either rent a car and drive (the roads are well marked) or take a train. You’ll catch the train from either Krakow Glowny Station or Krakow Plazow Station; the journey costs just a few dollars and takes approximately 45 minutes. Admission to the grounds is free.  Auschwitz is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in June, July and August; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in May and September; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in April and October; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in March, November and December 1-15; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 16 through the end of February.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is located 10 kilometers from the center of Krakow; it’s possible to get there by taxi, car, or commuter train from Krakow’s Glowny rail station. Admission is approximately $15. The mines are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., April through October; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March. However, you’ll need to go through on a tour (2 hours) and English language tours are held only at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m..

Pierozki U Vincenta, ul Jozefa 11, phone 48/12-4306834.

Royal Chambers, located in Wawel Castle. Open Mondays 9:30 a.m. to noon ; Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission Mondays, the rest of the week the charge is about $5.

Treasury and Armory, also located in Wawel Castle. Closed Mondays; open  Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.  to 3 p.m.; and Sundays 10am to 3pm. Admission is about $5.

St. Mary’s Cathedral is adjacent to the main market square.

Galicia Jewish Museum, ul. Dajwor 13, phone 48/12-4216842; www.galiciajewishmuseum.org. Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer months and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission is about $2.50.

Izaak Synagogue, 18 Kupa Street.

Nostalgia, ul. Karmelicka 10, phone 48/12-4254260; www.nostalgia.krakow.pl

Pauline Frommer is the creator of the new Pauline Frommer guides in bookstores now. Her book, Pauline Frommer's New York, was named Best Guidebook of the Year by the North American Travel Journalists Association.

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