Between historical flair and modern student life: Krakow, the hidden Gem for Erasmus+

Yes, I know: when you think of Poland, you probably think of communist concrete blocks, grey Eastern Bloc vibes and the question of whether there is any WLAN at all. But hey, wait a minute! Krakow is anything but that. It's not called the Las Vegas of the East for nothing - only with more culture, less kitsch and a real historical soul. The city is a hotspot for Brits, Americans, Italians and Spaniards, but in Austria this diverse place for the next vacation, or even Erasmus, hasn't quite arrived yet. I've often been looked at strangely when I’ve told people that I'm going to Krakow for a semester abroad - but here's proof that this city has much more to offer than what meets the eye. So, why not immerse yourself in the Polish metropolis through Erasmus and find out what lies behind the old walls of this wonderfully diverse city?

A brief introduction

Poland is a fascinating country with a rich history, vibrant culture and an open-minded student community. Thanks to affordable living costs, excellent universities and a unique blend of tradition and modernity, Poland is an attractive destination for students from all over the world. Poland is located in Central Europe and borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. The currency is the Polish złoty and the official language is Polish, although English is spoken a lot, especially among the young population and in the city centre, as the national language is unfortunately not so easy to learn.

Krakow

Krakow is located in the south of Poland on the Vistula River and is the country's second largest city with around eight hundred thousand citizens. Around an hour and a half further south are the Tatra Mountains, which are home to the popular Zakopane ski resort and several national parks.

Due to its proximity to the mountains and the beautiful city centre, Krakow is also the most expensive city in Poland and is often compared to Munich. But don't worry, the prices are still very reasonable compared to Austria.

The Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the heart of Krakow: cobblestones, Gothic churches and the huge market square, where street musicians and, in winter, magical Christmas markets create a wonderful atmosphere. Here you can feel the historic charm of the city - perfect for a coffee in one of the quaint cafés or a stroll along the Vistula.

Then there is Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter, which is now one of the hippest spots in the city. During the day, vintage stores, hip cafés and galleries invite you to stroll around, while at night the district turns into a party hotspot with underground bars and live music in back courtyards.

If you like industrial charm, Podgórze is the place for you. Formerly a rather rough neighbourhood, today it is a creative hotspot with alternative clubs, art projects and a unique blend of urban flair and history. Oskar Schindler's factory (known from the film “Schindler's List”) is also located here and is well worth a visit.

And then there's Nowa Huta - the socialist planned district with huge squares, monumental buildings and an atmosphere all of its own. A bit retro, a bit raw, but definitely an experience, especially for architecture freaks.

No matter what vibe you're looking for - Krakow has it! From historic alleyways to hip cultural spots and industrial charm, the city offers the perfect spot for every taste.

Student life in Krakow

The former imperial city is ideal for Erasmus, because with around two hundred thousand students there is a young, lively atmosphere here, which is why the streets are very full and the beer glasses are never empty! Thanks to the Erasmus programme (each of the universities has its own ESN organisation), there is an active international community, numerous events and affordable accommodation for students.

The best-known university is the Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, but the technical universities (Politechnika Krakowska and AGH University) and the University of Economics are also popular places to study. As I am studying architecture, my exchange took place at Politechnika Krakowska, whose buildings are spread all over the city. I will never forget the old baroque clergy house in Kanonizca Street in the middle of the old town, where I always had architectural history and photography courses.

Besides studying, Erasmus in Krakow also means discovering a new bar every evening. The city has more bars per square meter than any other city in Europe - and the drink prices are so low that for the first time in your life you don't have to worry about your budget (at least until the last week of the month). The vodka bars are particularly famous, with countless flavours to choose from. Thanks to the various ESN groups, parties and events take place in different clubs almost every day. But even if you want to explore the nightlife on your own, you'll find what you're looking for. Krakow is a popular hotspot for party tourists from England and Scandinavia, which is why the city never sleeps (except on Sunday mornings ;) ). The techno scene in Krakow in particular flourishes with events at spectacular locations - whether in baroque theatres, old industrial halls or on roof terraces with a view over the city.

In addition to the legendary parties, Krakow has so much more to offer: impressive museums, some of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen and monuments steeped in history.

One of my absolute favourite places is definitely the Wawel Castle, which towers over the city. In addition to exciting exhibitions, you can also find the largest Renaissance courtyard in the world here - a real highlight!

And when the sun is shining, there is no better place than the banks of the Vistula. Whether it's a jog along the idyllic running track, a relaxing boat trip or simply a coffee on one of the houseboats - here you can enjoy life to the full.

If you look closely, you will find man-made hills all around Krakow, all of which are developed and offer great views over the city and the surrounding countryside. In addition to all the historical sights and vibrant nightlife, Krakow also offers plenty of green spaces to relax in. The city is full of parks that are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle.

A real highlight is the Błonia Meadow - a huge green space in the middle of the city, ideal for jogging, cycling or simply lazing in the sun. Here you can meet sports enthusiasts, students having picnics and sometimes even large open-air events. Planty Park, which runs like a green ring around the old town, is also perfect for a relaxing stroll. And if you want even more nature, you should visit Jordan Park - with beautiful paths, small ponds and plenty of space to take a deep breath.

Living in Krakow

In Krakow, universities have their own halls of residence and as an exchange student you are automatically offered a place. Most students share a room with one other person, which means less privacy but is unbeatably cheap. Double rooms are available from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty euros per month - a price that would be unthinkable in many other European cities. The halls of residence are spread all over the city: While AGH's accommodation is centrally located, Politechnika Krakowska's halls of residence are a little out of town - a reason for me to decide against it.

If you're looking for more privacy but don't want to miss out on an international environment, you can opt for private halls of residence such as Milestone or Shed, which are considerably more expensive but offer an in-house gym, cinema and so on.

Another popular and frequently used option among Erasmus students is to look for accommodation through agencies that specialise in international students. These agencies arrange both shared rooms and their own flats - usually in good locations and at affordable prices. I myself opted for a studio flat just a few minutes' walk from the centre - a choice that quickly proved to be ideal. The flat soon became a hotspot for film evenings and pre-drinking together before heading out into Krakow's nightlife.

Food scene in Krakow

Forget your diet. Polish cuisine is hearty, delicious and cheap! The legendary pierogi (stuffed dumplings) are served with everything your heart desires. Zapiekanka - a kind of Polish pizza baguette - is the perfect after-party snack at three am. Also a big favourite: the purple perch soup or the doughnut-like pączki! Thank me later.

Street food is generally very popular in Poland and, in addition to various food halls, you can also find stalls in many places where you can eat your fill. You'll also notice small, blue carts in the city centre, which are traditionally run by senior citizens and sell bagels. Yes - you read that right, because the bagel as we enjoy it today in every hipster café originally comes from the Jewish neighbourhood in Krakow!

And if you're on a tight budget again and are forced to cook for yourself instead of going to a restaurant, you can shop relatively cheaply in the city's numerous supermarkets and save a few złoty in the process.

Speaking of restaurants: whether you're a meat lover or a vegan like me - there's definitely something for everyone here and there's a damn big choice!

Public transport

While public transport is quite expensive in Graz, Krakow is extremely student- and budget-friendly. The public transport network stretches throughout the city and consists of trams, suburban trains and buses, which run very reliably around the clock. A twenty minute ticket costs the equivalent of just fifty cents and a monthly ticket is available for an unbeatable twenty euros if you are studying at a Polish university. And if you miss the last bus - don't panic! Uber and Bolt are super cheap here. You can often get across the city for two to three euros, which makes coming home after a long night of partying pretty relaxed. Even a journey from the city centre to the outskirts rarely costs more than five euros.

The fifty percent discount doesn't just apply to public transport in Krakow, but also to the rest of Poland. So my friends and I only spent a few weekends in Krakow and instead travelled to other, easily accessible cities such as Wroclaw, Warsaw, Łódź or Gdansk on the Baltic Sea. However, Krakow is also a great starting point for trips to Prague, Bratislava and Budapest and has several train stations as well as an airport around twenty minutes away, which is mainly frequented by low-cost airlines.

Your semester abroad in Krakow - what are you waiting for?

Krakow is a real insider tip for Erasmus students! The city offers a unique mix of history, culture and modern student life - all at affordable prices. Whether it's impressive architecture, a lively party scene or cosy cafés - everyone will find their place here. There is also a great international community that makes Krakow one of the most exciting Erasmus destinations. If you fancy an unforgettable adventure, you should definitely consider spending your semester abroad in this fascinating city. So why not try Krakow?

Got a taste for more? On the TU4U intranet, the "Erasmus+ Partner Universities" page gives you an overview of all Polish universities available through the Erasmus+ programme. There you’ll also find general information on Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Studies in Europe. Start planning your own semester abroad today!