a mysterious town saturated in legends, huge architecture, bohemian vibes and 20th-century tragedy, Gay Krakow nowadays might-be thoroughly captivating but is nonetheless found in Poland, perhaps one of the most challenging EU nations for any LGBT community.
Becoming gay in Poland is not easy, with a socially conventional duopoly in charge of legislation making use of the backing from the all-powerful Catholic Church, which until not too long ago when the hold of anti-gay hysteria and a state-sponsored campaign of LGBTQ persecution.
While Krakow might-be rapidly switching with an increase of Western Europeans looking both history and nightlife, it’s still a whole lot a Catholic area where pious devotees stream inside and out of places of worship, seemingly imposing over every road spot.
Sadly, amidst these blatant homophobia, verbal punishment and gay bashing commonly unusual.
Even though many ex-soviet countries have made strategies towards equivalence, Poland â despite becoming a part associated with eu for fifteen decades â has woefully inadequate legal protections for LGBTQ Poles. The simple reality of being alive is enough reason behind criticism and attacks from a certain market of Polish society, additionally the LGBT neighborhood the following is combating an increasingly constant battle.
While
Warsaw
is more liberal with a bigger homosexual scene, queer takeovers and a fabulous Pride event, Krakow remains caught within its methods with not really a Pride occasion. Obviously, any general public exhibits of love tend to be highly suggested against in Krakow.
But as in most of Eastern Europe, younger generation is discovering their particular voice, and in Krakow, you might get stylish cafés and bars visited from the LGBT neighborhood. There are indications a shake-up is on ways, with Robert Biedron, Poland’s very first honestly gay MP and mayor, getting considered a
frontrunner for Poland’s presidency.
We could merely hope!
In this essay we’ll cover…
Destinations in Krakow
Obviously, being gay does not establish which attraction many of us will want to see in each area, and the majority of queer travelers will simply need investigate top items to see in Krakow the whole day! Krakow is actually a safe city, but nevertheless, all people should take extreme caution in packed areas or at night in bars with valuables.
Gay tourists in Krakow should stay away from all public displays of love as numerous residents are uncomfortable with LGBT culture and most likely hold conventional attitudes, if you don’t straight-out homophobia.
LGBT endurance is actually reasonable here, just like
Budapest
or
Bucharest
and is also a long way off much more LGBT-friendly post-Soviet locations like
Prague
and
Tallinn
. Overall gay life in Krakow is discreet and touring right here needs a common-sense approach that usually ensures you may have no issues exploring this otherwise breathtaking city.
There’s a whole lot to accomplish within this attractive area â but we discovered our favorite thoughts happened to be merely seated and having coffee, enjoying the planet pass by, acquiring missing in the breathtaking historic heart
or dance away the night with brand new buddies at one of several Krakow gay groups.
If you have the time, you should consider
employing a vehicle
to check out the beautiful encompassing small towns and countryside, if you rarely are in danger of having bored it doesn’t matter how very long you remain in Krakow. Nevertheless, it will help to possess some concept of the proceedings, so listed below are just some of our favorite things to do in Krakow that you must not miss!
Kazimierz The Previous Jewish District
The center of Jewish life for more than 500 decades in Krakow and rediscovered from inside the 1990s by tourists following the fall regarding the regime. Now this energetic, bohemian community is brimming with historical internet sites, modern cafes and vibrant art galleries.
Great care has become taken up to protect the remnants of Kazimierz’s Jewish, with numerous synagogues and Jewish cemeteries dotted about. There isn’t any better devote European countries observe a sense of pre-war Jewish culture than Kazimierz. The restricted gay lifetime of Krakow can also be focussed here, but try not to expect prideful rainbow flags clinging through the street posts.
Wawel Castle
The absolute most wonderful jewel in Krakow’s historic top, located on a mountain immediately south regarding the Old city. Symbolic of national pleasure, self-rule and strong patriotism, Wawel Castle will be the Polish exact carbon copy of both Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey!
Miejsce
A gay-friendly cafe in Krakow to get to know individuals, take pleasure in coffee or unwind amongst hipsters and trendy performers. Many people are welcome right here.
Cafe MÅynek
A comfortable gay-popular hangout with tasty vegetarian as well as warm yard, ideal for summer evenings. Unexpected social events are held right here, but if you head to, know that you’re going to be warmly welcomed.
Bears of Poland
Woof, woof, woof! There is a rather active homosexual keep world in Poland hosting events, events, weekend trips, snowboarding and fetish events. Discover their site or proceed with the fb page to see upcoming activities.
Krakow Marketplace Square
Smack-bang in the exact middle of Krakow, rendering it easy to understand all top sites in a single day. Walk about and soak in environment while browsing fabric Hall, town Hall Tower, as well as the Statue of Adam Mickiewicz. Lots of outdoor atmosphere; then chances are you will be right here again and again.
Bieszczady Mountains
Passionate hikers should
hire an auto
and simply take on a daily basis to understand more about the scenic beauty and tracks of 1 of Poland’s most precious spaces. Truly pronounced Bee-esh-Chardy, for those not familiar with Polish!
National Museum Krakow
Boasting over 780,000 art items that span throughout background, with an emphasis on Polish artwork. Typically the most popular works of StanisÅaw WyspiaÅski are held right here, which however draw ridiculous crowds of people, so be sure to get a ticket ahead to avoid wishing.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
The popular 13th-century Wieliczka Salt Mine is secured by UNESCO and contains already been actively mined up to 2007. Nothing is that can match it on the planet, like an underground dwarf kingdom straight out of Lord from the Rings. The emphasize, however, has to be the carved chapel and Last Supper artwork in rock-salt â obviously, the miners had too much effort to their hands!
Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum & Camp Tour
A morid, heart-wrenching website, the Auschwitz Museum, the site of the most significant Third Reich attention camp, is available on a-day travel from Krakow. It is critical to see the level associated with the industrialized murder that were held here, and after discovering what sort of intricate functioned including stepping into the barracks whereby prisoners happened to be stored, you can start getting an idea.
Gay tourists should be aware of regarding the social teams held here, gay and lesbian victims of Nazis always been persecuted for quite some time after WW2 as homosexuality was a criminal activity nonetheless inside the Allied Countries.
Many of those who had been free from the camps had been later rearrested following the combat to serve out their own terms of imprisonment â a couple of years under Paragraph 175 in the German law â but time already invested in a concentration camp didn’t depend toward their unique sentence.
After the Allied’s victory, the West German government started paying reparations to people who had invested amount of time in the focus camps. In 1956, the government announced that every those imprisoned for homosexuality didn’t qualify for settlement.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory
Grasp the most inspiring tales from The Second World War by going to Oskar Schindler’s previous enamel manufacturing plant in Kraków. Generated well-known inside film »
Schindler’s Number
,» explore so just how a positioning Nazi Party member utilized his power to help over 1,200 Jews escape very nearly some passing. Mostly of the positive stories to come out of this type of a dark and tragic amount of time in humanity.
Chopin Gallery
See a Chopin keyboard recital when you look at the classy Chopin Gallery in Krakow, and experience the attractive noise of Poland’s most notable composers. Appreciate the wizard of Chopin’s compositions within the pleasant ecosystem of Market Square.
Krakow Food Tour
Experience the delights of Polish cooking through vision of a nearby that is inside know. A 3.5-hour food sampling and culture tour during the historic region of Kazimierz in Krakow. Walk and consume the right path through 6 neighborhood Polish restaurants, trying 14-15 various Polish dishes, such as two art beers as well as 2 vodka tastings.
Zakopane and Tatras Mountains
Leave the metropolis behind and explore the hot springs and beautification of Zakopane, a vacation resort city hidden from inside the unspoiled character and remarkable mountain landscapes of Poland.
Gay-Friendly and Gay Resorts in Krakow
In old-fashioned Krakow, it is quite difficult to acquire an upscale hotel that would will not coordinate gay visitors. Nonetheless, some Krakow resort hotels tend to be more popular with queer tourists for their place, layout and inviting ecosystem, which have been attributes here.
You’ll find presently no solely gay hotels in Krakow, but we generally find a very good hotels and to function as most gay-popular and clearly gay motels become grungier, less cool much less social as soon as we have stayed various other metropolises.
Each Krakow resort and area offer one thing very particular, so be sure to select the right style and place to meet up with your needs. Prices are cheap compared to united states and european motels (however easily rising), and standards tend to be high â so it is a great spot to splurge!
Definitely, there are additionally
100s a lot more hotel and hostel solutions in Krakow
if none of those satisfy your desired spending plan, amenities or place.
We now have in addition placed a Gay Krakow chart right at the end if you require some support obtaining an idea of in which everything is, whether you would like a great and social hostel, an affordable location to crash after a night of partying or a snazzy designer option to sip cocktails and surround your self with fabulous men and women â Gay Krakow as one thing for all!
Resort Copernicus âââââ
A classy hotel that integrates custom with modernity in 29 independently designed areas and rooms. Located on Krakow’s earliest street, this enchanting hotel attributes captivating Renaissance frescoes, created material websites, marble bathrooms and a subterranean arena of cellars detailed with a pool and fitness center. If it is not adequate, there is the luxurious Copernicus spa by L’Occitane and another of Poland’s top restaurants.
Niebieski Art Resort & Salon âââââ
An utterly modern resort with today’s, artistically furnished inside and an oh-so-chic atmosphere. Focussed on natural lifestyle, minimalism and a calming health spa knowledge, Niebieski is a welcome departure through the old-world brilliance regarding the majority of Krakow’s resort hotels.
Sheraton Great Krakow âââââ
a top hotel noted for the dedication to ensuring the LGBT area is actually invited, welcomed and appreciated anyway locations worldwide. Their Particular Krakow place attributes alluring views, designer details, and quality operating, since place is correct regarding banking companies for the WisÅa River.
Bonerowski Residence âââââ
Sophisticated rock palace-hotel featuring a huge spiral stairway and a variety of original medieval style elements with Renaissance and Baroque details. Gay-popular, Bonerowski residence is a lavish residential property where the background and heart of many eras are intertwined with modern tools, convenience, and kitchen areas worldwide.
Queen Boutique Resort âââââ
A fashionable lodge very positioned amongst the Krakow Old city and Kazimierz hipster area. Original rooms, a magnificent view over to the Wawel Castle and monastery landscapes from balcony rooms and expert staff members that will address you like the fabulous Queen you might be some of the multiple reasons to stay here. Regularly named among the best resort hotels in Poland, with a spa, a sauna, a cocktail club and an upscale restaurant with a comfortable fireplace.
Resort Indigo Krakow âââââ
In the heart of Old Town, this industrial-chic hotel blends historical Polish art with contemporary design. We appreciated the stylish boutique spaces with rain baths and subdued décor stimulated by three of the country’s biggest painters.
Everything is directly on your own doorstep, however, if you do not feel making, the onsite creative chefs offer local areas of expertise sourced from the nearby Old Kleparz grocery store, or the close club assists unorthodox cocktails.
INX Design Hotel ââââ
An excellent hotel into the historic district of Kazimierz fuelled by energy, special layout, and Art Deco style. Rational, unpretentious modernism with a tip of unconventionality â a concept lodge in Krakow was always likely to be gay-popular, and when the distance to two gay organizations was not enough, they even added the benefit of a relaxed club, airy cafe, fitness center, and spa.
Cracowdays âââ
a lovely boutique resort with an alluring location from inside the really center of Cracow. Guest kitchens are available each and every year, bicycle leases make navigating around the town a breeze therefore the annex apartment, with a mezzanine and an exposed-beam ceiling, consists of residing and dining locations and a kitchenette â optimal if taking a trip in a more substantial party.
PURO Kraków Stare Miasto ââââ
A modern, glass-fronted building with stylish and innovative concept, floor-to-ceiling house windows with town views and a stylish worldwide cafe. We are obsessed with their particular notion of spaces as useful works of art and love how they are common overloaded with natural light, smartly equipped and designed with indulgent showers.
Topolowa House âââ
Deluxe furnished apartment rentals are found on four flooring with the tenement house or apartment with enough space, a kitchen area, a dining place, and features. Found in the Grzegórzki region, about quarter-hour through the Old city on foot, this apartment in Krakow is perfect for having considerably more confidentiality and alternatives for pre-drinks or web hosting.
Liv’Inn Aparthotel âââ
Colourful, clean, radiant and contemporary â This is the smartest choice for a budget lodge in Krakow this is certainly however only a little enjoyable! The town is about quarter-hour out on foot, however it is among the leading critiques hotels in every of Krakow. An enjoyable and safe base from where to explore Krakow.
Dizzy Daisy Hostel ââ
Since there is no gay hostel in Krakow, should your looking the most affordable bed in town, after that this modern hostel can be your best bet! Cozy with a warm style, the Dizzy Daisy Hostel is actually a soothing and safe base where to explore Krakow.
If you’d like to check out the Krakow nightlife with brand new pals, or just save yourself some cash, check them out â they will have exclusive rooms, flats, and dorms; just be sure to bring your earplugs!
Gay Nightlife in Krakow
The gay pub world in Krakow is much smaller compared to in Warsaw, so there are merely many organizations openly courting the LGBT group.
There’s also no specified gay location in Krakow, however the hipster Kazimierz Old Jewish area hosts the 2 greatest homosexual clubs â and everything from hip beverage dens to shabby-chic vintage retailers.
If you are contemplating straight hedonistic clubbing, the high street of FloriaÅska and Szewska inside the ancient city is actually fuelled with sex-crazy college students every week-end, so there are some LGBT+ friendly establishments dotted within. Read our very own Gay Krakow chart right at the end if you can’t choose which place to go!
Make sure you inspect sites and Facebook pages for up-to-date information, and be careful! Poland is among the the very least liberal countries when you look at the EU, and open displays of affection away from homosexual taverns can cause trouble.
LGBT Krakow is growing, however, and exactly what better way could here be to aid the strong Krakow gay world than moving the night away along with your brand-new queer familyâ¦
Just don’t forget about the good judgment!
Gay Clubs in Krakow
Cacon Audio Club
Ask whoever has been to Gay Krakow, additionally the beginning they’re going to tell you straight to choose Canon Music Club. Conveniently the best homosexual nightclub in Krakow, with three pubs, a backyard garden terrace, as well as 2 dancing flooring â among which is the biggest dance flooring when you look at the town!
The music is actually typical disco music, gay anthems and well-known hits coupled with futuristic light impacts, movie projections, and a sensational speakers, in case you are not into that, attempt the greater amount of advanced Sala Coco area with sufficient seating and its distinctive vibes.
Every monday and Saturday, a professional human anatomy painter paints guests, drag shows take place usually, or on Thursday nights, you can find generally speaking interesting lectures, author’s evenings or film screenings to start out the evening very early. Fabulous electricity pulls largely younger guys, but it is also favored by lesbians in Krakow.
LaF Klub
(Temporarily or completely shut. If you know some thing, kindly advise an edit.)
A straight-friendly lesbian club in Krakow with a heaving party flooring and groovy songs. Things warm up rapidly very early here and get before the early beginning â nevertheless later it becomes, the greater number of inhibitions remain behind and experimental the competition will get⦠free of charge entry, but this place is actually sort of difficult to find; read »
Cafe Mlynek
» passageway and along the doorways off to the right.
Lindo Café & Bar
A Krakow gay club near to the city center with vibrant colors, wonderful crowds of people, and friendly team. The right place to go if you want laid-back pubs using the good-looking organization over all-night flushed dance flooring. Lindo Gay pub has new drinks and Instagrammable milkshakes through the day, although rainbow margaritas at night tend to be all of our preferences!
Gay-Popular Venues in Krakow
Klub Pozytywka
(Temporarily or forever shut. Once you know something, please advise an edit.)
A modern-style club bringing in a mixed crowd, but it’s surely gay-popular. Although many on the different nightlife during the Kazimierz region is more hipster-curiosity shop-type vibes, Klub Pozytywka is smooth, trendy and entirely modernist. Also, it is a nice location for coffee during the day with fast WiFi, but at night it’s more live songs, delicious cocktails and frivolous enjoyable.
Bomba Na Placu
(briefly or once and for all closed. Once you know something, please advise an edit.)
A concealed jewel. inside old middle of Krakow with a nightclub in the weekend downstairs. Not technically a homosexual club in Krakow, nevertheless would think so because of the audience it attracts: the artsy, trendy, designer kinds! A thorough collection of beers and cocktails, fun activities and helpful staff.
Krakow Slow Wines
An attractive drink club in the edge of Krakow is full of natural lighting, gentle wooden hues, and an edgy warehouse setting. With a world-class choice of wines from entirely environmental vineyards, this is actually the perfect location to chill out, enjoy certain sunglasses and chat in an unforgettable environment. Found close to
Schindler’s Factory
, so that it can easily be combined if you find yourself going the whole way out right here.
Le Scandale
A six-room mega-bar with a diverse selection of drinking conditions all in one place. Our favorite may be the Great Gatsby-themed beverage club and/or backyard Le Scandale with summertime Tiki club (it is not
Honolulu
however their Mai-Tai’s {are almost