Described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, the Hotel Copernicus blends the very best of the old and the new.
Rescued from the crumbling fate that once seemed on the cards for so many of Cracow’s buildings, the hotel opened in 2000 and quickly established itself as the city’s most enchanting place to stay.
The Copernicus lies nestled at the foot of the Royal Castle on an ancient and tranquil street. It’s a rather special part of town that seems to live very much in a world of its own.
Inside, charming Renaissance frescoes cast their spell, and splendidly carved stone portals adorn the walls. During the Middle Ages, these houses were the residences of bishops, and the magnificent wooden ceilings and marbled floors echo those of the Royal Castle itself.
Whilst great care has gone into letting the Copernicus’s old character shine through, historic flourishes are dovetailed with modern luxury and convenience.
The rooms have a cosy elegance, with velvet and dark wood furnishings, and the bathrooms are marbled throughout. With air-conditioning in Summer, and warm heating during the Winter, the city can be enjoyed throughout the seasons.
One of the most exciting discoveries during restoration can be found downstairs in the restaurant, which is graced by a splendid Renaissance ceiling. Here the chef serves classic Polish dishes with a light, modern twist, whilst the cellars specialize in a range of Italian wines.
Besides the bar on the ground floor, there is also a littlehide away up on the roof. A delight during the Summer, with its views over the castle and onto the domes and cupolas of the city, you could well imagine the hotel’s namesake, Copernicus, the famous Polish astronomer, marveling away at the stars by night.
A regular visitor to this house as a young man, he would no doubt have relished this marvelous spot. Meanwhile, descending into the subterranean world of the cellars, one can loll about in the swimming pool for an hour or two, or stay fighting fit with a stretch in the exercise rooms.
Back upstairs in the library you can unwind in a very congenial atmosphere, and perhaps order a Tatanka – a rather delicious Polish beverage that’s well worth a try.
Hotel Copernicus’s young and helpful staff are always on hand to make sure that you have a relaxed and enjoyable stay. Certainly worth a thought are the suites, which would make an enchanting choice for honeymooners. Outside, all the delights of the city lie in wait.
Double room
Double Rooms are located on all three floors of the Hotel. Rooms available with either one double bed or two single beds. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers.
Suites and Apartments
Suites offer amazing views of Wawel, The Royal Castle. The suites have a bedroom with a king size bed plus a sitting room with a desk, table and sofa. The marble bathroom contains a bath.
The Auschwitz Tour
Should one visit Auschwitz? It is a difficult question, and a deeply personal one. For many people, be they pilgrims on a private journey, backpackers exploring eastern Europe, historians, travellers or native Poles, it is a must.
The proximity to Krakow (Cracow) makes a visit to the museums a very real option – the town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz) is an hour and a half journey by car from Krakow.
And certainly, having seen the camps (regardless of how many other groups are also filing through) few will regret the experience. The camps and their legacy are an indelible part of today’s world, and visiting them is both sobering and edifying.
The basic structures of both camps have survived, and the experience of these is amplified by a number of exhibitions about the major victims of the atrocities, chiefly the Jews, but also Poles, Gypsies and Russians.
There are many different exhibits, and the apparatus of the camps, as well as the personal belongings left behind by the victims will speak for themselves.
Tour Information
We will drive you to the museum at Auschwitz from Krakow. We will also arrange for you to have a tour with a museum guide – all are experts on the camps and their legacy.
The tour will also include nearby Birkenau (the expansive satellite of the Auschwitz camp), which for many visitors makes a more powerful impression than the first.
As always, we offer unique tours, free of overcrowded buses and full of worthwhile information – on site and on the way there! Our guides are knowledgeable and spirited locals and will make sure you get the most out of your tour.
Salt Mine Tour
The chapel of Saint Kinga in Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the wonders of Poland. Hand-carved one hundred years ago by a group of highly gifted miners, it is an awe-inspiring thing to behold.
It would be a great shame to miss it if you’re coming to Krakow, and besides, there are many other attractions to be explored here too, including underwater lakes, as well as ancient, smaller chapels – the mines here date all the way back to the thirteenth century.
Although there are so many interesting features about Wieliczka that you will discover on a guided tour, here you can read about 5 of the most amazing facts about the salt mines.
Tour information
We will drive you direct to the mines, which saves you having to mess around with buses or trains. We will pick you up straight from your hotel. Once there, we’ll see to it that you can join an English speaking tour of the interior.
Of course, after the tour of the mines, we’ll drive you back to wherever you would like to be dropped off in Krakow! As always, our tours are original and free of overcrowded buses!
We’ll make sure you know all the info and that you won’t miss anything along the way. All of our guides are locals with great personalities and they really know their stuff. They’ll make sure each and every tour is perfect!