How HelloCracow Made It Onto TripAdvisor's 'Best of the Best' List

Hello Cracow • September 17, 2025

Every traveler seeks an authentic, memorable experience. It is a search for a story, not only a sight. When a local agency wins the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best award, it signals something greater. The award reflects both the quality and quantity of traveler reviews, becoming TripAdvisor's most prestigious recognition worldwide. HelloCracow now stands among the top 1% of listings, joining a very exclusive group of experiences. Such recognition naturally raises a question: what mission drives a company that transforms simple tours into unforgettable journeys?

A love letter to Krakow

For years, our team at HelloCracow has followed one powerful mission: sharing Krakow's beauty and history worldwide. We are more than a tour company, but a group of locals deeply passionate about this remarkable city. Our mission is to provide authentic, locally rooted experiences that go far beyond a simple checklist of sights. We believe travel is about connection with places, people, and the stories that bring them to life. Each tour should leave travelers with lasting memories and a true sense of Krakow's unique soul. Receiving TripAdvisor's recognition is humbling proof that our passion resonates with travelers across the globe.

The TripAdvisor 'Best of the Best' distinction

The Best of the Best award is TripAdvisor's highest honor, given only to businesses showing consistent hospitality excellence. This recognition is not a popularity contest; it is earned through a rigorous, transparent process. The award considers both quality and quantity of genuine traveler reviews gathered over a full 12-month period. Its rarity comes from placing winners in the top 1% of all TripAdvisor listings worldwide. This makes it a powerful benchmark of truly world-class service. Our Auschwitz tour was highlighted as being "among the top 1% of things to do worldwide." That recognition shows our ability to approach profound and sensitive topics with deep respect and care.

Top 10 tours for your visit to Krakow

At HelloCracow, we believe in creating experiences filled with history and genuine emotion. Our tours are carefully designed to move beyond guidebooks and reveal the city’s living story. Based on traveler feedback, these are our top 10 tours. Each one has earned us trust and recognition from visitors worldwide.

1. Auschwitz-Birkenau

A profound journey to a UNESCO World Heritage site, approached with respect, care, and professionalism. TripAdvisor recognizes this tour among the top 1% of experiences worldwide, proving its importance and exceptional quality.

BOOK HERE

2. Wieliczka Salt Mine

Descend into an underground world of art and history, part of the first 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Discover salt-carved chapels and statues, a living testament to 700 years of remarkable history.

BOOK HERE

3. Zakopane

Escape to the Tatra Mountains for breathtaking landscapes and unique highlander culture. Enjoy traditions and taste local delicacies, including smoked oscypek cheese.

BOOK HERE

4. Schindler’s Factory

Enter Oskar Schindler’s former enamel factory, now a museum telling Krakow’s gripping wartime story. Learn about his heroic actions saving over a thousand Jewish lives.

World War II museum exhibit with Nazi flag

BOOK HERE

5. Dunajec River Gorge

Combine nature and tradition with a scenic rafting adventure through the Dunajec Gorge. Skilled local rafters guide visitors along breathtaking river landscapes.

BOOK HERE

6. Zalipie Painted Village

Discover folk art traditions in a village where every home is hand-painted. This fairy-tale experience offers charm far beyond typical tourist routes.

BOOK HERE

7. Wawel & Vistula River

Explore Krakow’s royal history at Wawel Castle and Cathedral. Then enjoy a peaceful Vistula River cruise revealing hidden views.

BOOK HERE

8. Jewish Quarter Kazimierz

Walk through a district where history and bohemian culture meet. Explore synagogues, courtyards, and sites featured in Schindler’s List.

BOOK HERE

9. Street Food & Krakow's Old Town: Historical Adventure

Taste authentic Polish dishes while exploring historic streets. This tour blends culinary adventure with a fascinating journey through Krakow’s past.

BOOK HERE

10. Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica & Rynek Underground

Experience Krakow above and below ground. Visit Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the medieval streets beneath the Main Square.

BOOK HERE

Your Adventure Awaits

At HelloCracow, we believe that the best way to see a city is to experience it like a local. Our TripAdvisor 'Best of the Best' award powerfully validates this belief. So, why just take a tour when you can have a story? Explore Krakow with a certified leader in cultural tourism and discover the magic for yourself.

HelloCracow Tours

< Older Post

Newer Post >

10 Essential Holocaust and WWII Books

By Hello Cracow • February 17, 2026

The city of Krakow stands as a unique monument to European history, where medieval grandeur meets the stark, haunting reminders of the 20th century’s greatest tragedy. For international tourists, a visit to Krakow is often a pilgrimage of memory. To truly honour this history, one must go beyond the surface-level sightseeing and delve into the narratives that define the Jewish experience in Poland. From the experience of Hello Cracow, a meaningful journey begins with preparation — specifically through the literature that has shaped our global understanding of the Holocaust. This report serves as a definitive guide for the modern traveller, weaving together historical analysis, literary recommendations, and practical travel expertise to ensure a visit that is both educational and deeply respectful.

Is Krakow Expensive in 2026? A Real Daily Budget Breakdown

By Hello Cracow • February 11, 2026

Krakow remains an exceptionally affordable destination for international travelers in 2026, offering a high-standard European experience at a price point significantly lower than Western capitals like London, Paris, or Vienna. While global inflation has led to moderate price increases, the city continues to offer ca. 50% discounts on hospitality, dining, and cultural attractions compared to the UK or Scandinavia. A mid-range traveler can expect to spend approximately 350-500 PLN ($ 110–$140/£75–£100) per day, which covers boutique accommodation, a restaurant meal, and entry to major historical sites. The retention of the Polish Zloty (PLN) and high card acceptance across the city mean visitors can get the most from their spending while enjoying easy digital payments.

Krakow in February: A Kaleidoscope of Culture and Celebration

By Hello Cracow • February 5, 2026

Krakow in February 2026 stands as a monumental intersection of global modernization and deeply rooted Slavic tradition. Historically, the second month of the year was viewed as a quiet, frigid period of transition between the holiday season and the awakening of spring. However, the 2026 winter season has redefined this narrative, positioning the city as a vibrant cultural corridor. This transformation is driven by the strategic relocation of world-class events, such as the Intel Extreme Masters, alongside the local winter school break, which breathes a unique local energy into the city’s public spaces.

UNESCO Heritage Poland

By Hello Cracow • February 1, 2026

The definitive answer for travelers seeking the most profound cultural experiences in Poland is to focus on the Malopolska region, home to a dense concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Historic Centre of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. Visiting these sites during the winter months provides a unique, intimate atmosphere with fewer crowds, particularly when utilizing professional guided services to navigate the specific winter logistics, such as smog monitoring and early sunsets.

10 Essential Holocaust and WWII Movies

By Hello Cracow • January 21, 2026

Before you stand on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau or walk the halls of Schindler’s Factory , cinema can be a powerful bridge to the past. But in a world filled with romanticized "historical fiction," choosing the right source is a matter of respect. As local experts who walk these memorial sites daily, we advocate for the truth over "Hollywood tropes." The following films are raw, historically accurate reflections of human nature. Whether you are preparing for your first trip or reflecting on a past visit, these 10 essential movies provide the honest framework needed to truly understand the history of the Holocaust and World War II

Map of the Best Viewpoints in Krakow

By Hello Cracow • January 13, 2026

For the traveler visiting Krakow between January and March, the strategy for scenic viewing must shift radically from the summer playbook. Here is the bottom line: The famous medieval towers of the Main Market Square, the Town Hall Tower and the St. Mary’s Bugle Tower , are generally closed. Therefore, to capture the panoramic essence of the city in winter, you must pivot to two alternatives: The Mounds: Specifically Kosciuszko Mound and Krakus Mound. These offer the best open-air views. However, you are fighting daylight. Sunset occurs as early as 4:00 PM in January. You must arrive at Kosciuszko Mound by 2:30 PM to navigate the museum and reach the summit for the "Golden Hour" before it closes at 3:30 PM. Heated "Sky" Venues: Replace the wind-swept towers with glazed, heated observation decks. The best accessible view of the Old Town is from Cafe Szal (atop the Sukiennice), and the best view of the Wawel Castle is from the Groble Sky Bar or the riverside room interiors of the Sheraton Grand (as their open-air roof terrace is closed for the season). Chase the light early (sunrise is late, around 7:30 AM), prioritize the mounds for clear air days to see the Tatra Mountains, and reserve the evenings for ground-level magic like the illuminated Vistula Boulevards.

Krakow in January: A Kaleidoscope of Culture and Celebration

By Hello Cracow • January 6, 2026

January changes Krakow in a quiet, almost cinematic way. The crowds thin out, the pace slows, and the city exhales after December’s intensity. What remains is something more intimate: streets wrapped in winter light, church towers rising through morning mist, and the soft crunch of snow underfoot in the Old Town. This is when Krakow feels most authentic. The Vistula drifts lazily beneath a pale sky, cafés glow warmly against the cold, and medieval facades take on a storybook quality under frost or fresh snowfall. Without the pressure of peak season, the city reveals its rhythm, unhurried, reflective, and deeply rooted in centuries of history that still shape everyday life.

Krakow with Kids: A Practical Guide

By Hello Cracow • January 6, 2026

Krakow is one of Europe’s most family-friendly cities, blending medieval legends, interactive learning, and high-energy attractions. Its compact Old Town allows families to explore comfortably without long travel times or logistical stress. Indoor museums and attractions guarantee entertainment during rainy afternoons or winter weather. From high-tech exhibits to snowy walks around Wawel Royal Castle, experiences feel educational and exciting.

Experience the Magic of Christmas in Krakow

By Hello Cracow • December 26, 2025

The arrival of winter in Krakow signals a refined blend of cultural heritage, religious tradition, and tourism-driven urban space. As Poland’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city undergoes a visible transformation. It shifts from an academic and historical center into a multisensory festive landscape. This change extends beyond surface aesthetics. It reflects a profound socio-cultural process that has been shaped over centuries. Long-standing rituals, from elaborate nativity scenes to strict Christmas Eve customs, remain essential. Today, these traditions intersect with the expectations of a rapidly growing global tourism market.

Why an After-Work Trip to the Thermal Baths Is the Perfect Holiday Gift

By Hello Cracow • December 17, 2025

Holidays are coming, and gift dilemmas return every year. The best gifts aren’t things, but moments and memories. Krakow offers experiences that relax, inspire, and connect. Its historic streets mix culture, charm, and calm in every corner. Nearby Podhale hides geothermal waters that soothe body and mind naturally. People increasingly crave memories and shared moments over material objects. The joy of things fades quickly. Millennials and Gen Z prefer experiences that connect and inspire. Studies show 82% would choose experiences over objects , as memories shape personal stories. Evening trips to thermal baths provide a relaxing escape from work stress. They are premium gifts, creating laughter, shared moments, and lasting stories.