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Shopping in Cracow

From vintage clobber to high-street fashion, Cracow has much to offer shoppers, and those arriving from Western Europe will notice significant price reductions. After years of living under communism, Poland has now fully embraced commercialism, and there are no Soviet hangovers when it comes to fashion in Cracow, particularly amongst women; in the warmer months, high heels and eye-catching dresses are ten a penny.

That said, you can hardly call Cracow a mecca for shoppers, but if you like individual items with a bit of history then you’ve come to the right place; Cracow is home to a number of vintage shops, second-hand stores and markets where you can find some real gems at great prices.

Key areas: 

Rynek Glowny still performs its medieval function. The Cloth Hall is a good place to find handicrafts, such as jewellery, wooden chess sets, glass, textiles, lace and other reasonably priced items. The range of shops clustering around the Hotel Cracovia, aleja Focha 1, is also worth a visit for Polish handicrafts. The section of the Old Town wall on ulica Florianska is given over to local artists, who present works of varying quality for sale.

Markets: 

The colourful vegetable market Stary Kleparz at Rynek Kleparski, just to the north of the Old Town, is one of the oldest markets in Poland, dating back to the 14th century. A little farther north, around plac Nowy Kleparz, at the end of ulica Dluga (the longest street in Cracow), is another vegetable market - although not quite as cheap as its older cousin. Cracow's biggest flea market (open Sunday 0700-1300) is located at plac Nowy in Kazimierz.

Shopping centres: 

The gigantic Galeria Krakowska is a shopping mall of epic proportions and home to all the usual, multinational suspects plus many of Poland’s high-street chains. Located near the train station, the shopping centre offers consumerism on a scale many Poles wouldn’t have dreamt of 20 years ago. It’s a startling contrast to the quaint shops and traditional markets in the Old Town.

Opening hours: 

Shops in Cracow are generally open Monday to Friday 1000-1800/2000 and Saturday 1000-1300/1400. Shopping malls, hypermarkets and the larger shops are often open seven days a week, and there are a number of 24-hour shops.

Souvenirs: 

If you’re looking for souvenirs in Cracow, avoid the plethora of shops peddling the usual wares (fridge magnets, key rings and T-shirts) and head to the Cloth Hall at Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square). This ancient market is a great place to pick up jewellery and handicrafts at reasonable prices. Alternatively, Krakuska, ulica Szewska 9, has an Aladdin’s cave of quirky souvenirs.

Of course, booze is always a safe bet and it would be rude to leave Cracow without taking some of the local tipples with you. The region’s microbreweries are producing some fine beers, and flavoured vodka is another speciality.

Tax information: 

VAT is between 7% and 22%. Tax-free shopping is available at various venues displaying the ‘Tax Free Shopping' sign.

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