Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 780,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 PLN ≈ 0.22 USD, 1 USD ≈ 4.50 PLN. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from operators such as Orange, Play, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include ING Bank, mBank, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Popular platforms include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted in most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental services provide numerous options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Moon Hostel or Good Bye Lenin Hostel offer affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old Town (Stare Miasto) is highly recommended for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Kazimierz is popular among digital nomads for its cultural vibe and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Brain Embassy is a top coworking space known for its design and community. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Camelot offers a cozy atmosphere and great coffee for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and events are regularly held at various coworking spaces and cafes like The Pyramid. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Krakow Expats group on Facebook organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Free Now are popular ride-hailing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | City bikes are available through Wavelo and scooter rentals through Bolt. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is in the Pieniny Mountains, about a 2-hour drive away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | LOT Polish Airlines operates many regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Lufthansa provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via the A4 highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kraków Główny is the main train station in the city. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes cost around 120 PLN for unlimited travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train and bus services connect Krakow to nearby cities like Zakopane and Wroclaw. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Uniwersytecki Szpital Dziecięcy is a highly-rated hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Republic and Yoga Studio offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Popular gyms include Fitness Platinium and Pure Fitness. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Several laundromats are available, such as Pink Laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Pyszne.pl is the most popular food delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Pierogi, a traditional Polish dumpling. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan Options available at places like Vegab and Krowarzywa. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Check out Cukiernia Duda for delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit Hala Targowa for local produce and products. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Allegro is the major online marketplace in Poland. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Delivery services like Frisco or Tesco are available. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Kazimierz has vibrant nightlife with bars like Alchemia. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery located in Kazimierz offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine bar Piwnica under Komedii provides a cozy experience. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Krakow's street food scene can be found in the main square. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Places like Muu Muu offer diverse international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum in Krakow and Schindler's Factory are noteworthy. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Auschwitz-Birkenau and Kazimierz district hold great historical significance. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary's Basilica is a must-see. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Krakow Film Festival takes place annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kazimierz is a vibrant cultural district with Jewish heritage. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatr Bagatela offers various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Cloth Hall in the Main Square is a historic market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Explore music venues like KWADRAT and Harris Piano Jazz Bar. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Look for murals throughout the Kazimierz district. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn Polish cuisine at the Amici School of Cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is an architectural gem. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Krakow is known for its rich Jewish history and folklore. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Ojców National Park is a beautiful nearby destination. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Pieniny National Park offers stunning landscapes. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Vistula Boulevards provide scenic routes along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Climb to the top of Kościuszko Mound for great views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kraków's wetlands are popular for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near the Vistula River allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Service Centers and various local repair shops are available. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis setups. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like Speak Up offer Polish classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteka Kraków provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Krakow Community Center hosts cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | E-gaming centers like Level Up provide facilities to gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Krakow is a popular venue for gaming. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €132,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 19%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 32%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 23%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Poland offers advantages under the EU tax treaty for certain tax residency scenarios. |