There’s a lot a tourist can learn in Kraków, with the city providing some of the more important travel experiences one can have.
Many make their way to the second largest city in Poland to visit the nearby concentration camps of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau. There is much to be gained from this chilling exposé of the horrors of World War 2, but Kraków is more than just a gateway to these heavily visited museums.
Whether that is in relation to World War 2 or not there’s a lot a visitor can take away from this city. Kraków has invested its fair share of time and money into becoming ‘the cultural capital of Poland’.
There are 28 museums, an abundance of festivals and hundreds of underground and overground bars. That’s not to mention the several cultural centres, which benefit from The City of Kraków’s public funding. The government body is the largest public funder of community arts initiatives among the city districts.
What that tells you is that Kraków is serious about the arts and maintaining a flourishing nightlife.
Tourists can choose from over a hundred pubs and bars in the surrounds of the Market Square alone with many of them in cellars of historic buildings.
The Polish city’s music scene wasn’t always like this of course. It’s important to note just how much the cultural side of the country has grown since it gained entry into the European Union in 2004.
Sure Poland had some catching up to do – the country’s record sales grew up until 2012 – but with the government funding the Ministry Of Culture and minimising bureaucratic hoops for promoters to jump through international acts have started to tour here which boosted the growth of their various music scenes.
While rock and metal have always been dominant in Poland and Kraków jazz continues to thrive alongside as hip-hop has started to find a young and willing audience.
Undoubtedly the best of Poland’s developing music scene can be experienced through the cobbled streets of Kraków.
Continue reading for 12 of the best things every music fan should do in the Polish city.
Witness one of Poland’s biggest music festivals
Held in August over two days since 2006, the Coke Live Music Festival has been the go-to event for mainstream rock, hip-hop and pop acts for the Polish youth. The first three editions, which were held at the Wisła Kraków Stadium featured the likes of Rihanna, Akon, Lily Allen, The Prodigy and Timbaland. However a move to its current location of the Polish Aviation airport saw a better selection of acts. The likes of The Killers, Regina Spektor, Franz Ferdinand, White Lies, Interpol, Kanye West, Muse and The Chemical Brothers have helped make this an eclectic Polish music festival.
Check out some local bands at Kotkarola
Rynek Główny 6 (Szara Kamienica), wejście od ul. Siennej
Named after a local serial killer this music venue is located underground in a dark cabin just off the Market Square. Needless to say this establishment will make you feel more uncomfortable than your regular Halloween experiences. However the booking of diverse bands, whether they be local or national, along with the ad-hoc jams sessions will make you feel at home.
Check out Ewa Reciak at one of her local gigs
This young singer-songwriter showcases a more delicate and warm side to the Kraków music scene that you may not have thought existed. While the songstress started composing music in 2008 she’s come a long way since. Take a listen to the track below and be enchanted by one of the city’s up and coming musicians.
Hear the unusual sounds of Unsound Festival
This event has been presenting unique, unusual and innovative music experiences since 2003. Over its history the festival has expanded to New York, London, Adelaide and Minsk. However its birthplace of Kraków has been its most consistent performer. Held over a week in October, Unsound usually operates around a theme with visual displays prominent in the shows located across the city.
Hear live music over multiple levels and multiple floors at Grodzka 1
ul. Grodzka 1, Old Town
This establishment has it all and it’s little wonder they call it Kraków’s best club. With decent grub, cheap drinks and several floors of music you can’t really go wrong here. If you can’t squeeze your way into the courtyard the ground floor offers live music seven days a week and karaoke if you’re game. The next two floors are open until late and are dedicated to dance music. To cap it off admission to club nights and most gigs are usually free.
Shop for vinyl in the Jewish Quarter at Records Dillaz
ul. Berka Joselewicza 11
Majoring in vinyl, CDs and clothing this store is open throughout the week until 7pm and until 4pm on Sunday. Perhaps its biggest asset though is its location in the Jewish Quarter where tourists can experience the historical district as well as make a music purchase in the one go. Their collection is diverse with new and second hand releases all available for decent prices.
Experience the Kraków rock sound of Dust Bowl
Polish music is well known for its heavier side and while this five-piece aren’t metal, they do showcase a straightforward rock and roll edge. They released their self-titled EP back in December of 2013 and you can listen to track from it below.
Experience the city’s best music hall, Opera Krakowska
Lubicz 48
Founded in the post-war Kraków of 1954 this establishment provided an important cultural touchstone for the city. It provides 200 performances worth of music each year with an audience occupancy rate of 98%. While the program is usually dominated by opera all matter of music is showcased throughout one of Poland’s best music halls.
Take a trip out of town to OFF Festival
It may not be in Kraków, but a short distance out in Katowice Poland’s most unique festival takes place. Situated in the beautiful parklands area of Dolina Trzech Stawów (which translates to Valley Of Three Ponds) OFF “isn’t trendy, it’s just way ahead of most trends,” as its website ambitiously reads. However by partnering with Sub Pop (who in 2014 will curate the Experimental Stage) and by delving into their lineup history we can see that they’re not lying. 2014 alone boasts a bill that includes Neutral Milk Hotel, Belle and Sebastian, Fuck Button and Perfume Genius amongst others. There’s a few good reasons there to make the trek outside of Kraków.
Evidence the city’s obsession with jazz at Harris Piano Jazz Bar
Rynek Główny 28
Kraków has a special love of jazz. Besides the numerous jazz clubs that are located in the city’s Old Town there are several festivals dedicated to this genre that are held throughout the year, with Europe’s oldest jazz event in ‘All Souls Jazz Festival’ the most notable among them. However as far as jazz clubs go this is one of the best. It’s small and cosy and best to visit when it’s not busy, but Harris Piano Jazz Bar warrants a mention here because it gets the best musicians to take the stage.
Check out Bubble Pie live in their hometown
Listen to the impressive slice of indie pop below courtesy of this trio and it’s hard not to get hooked on one of Kraków’s most exciting acts. After releasing their debut, Bathroom Stories, in 2012 Bubble Pie became an act to watch in their native country. They garnered rave reviews from local press and we’re certain that when you catch them live in their hometown you’ll be raving too.
