Poland is a country that can rightfully be called a trading paradise. It has everything: cheap goods and high-fashion samples, antiques and products created with the latest technology, imported goods and typically Polish. If you set a goal to find the product that you need, you will definitely find it. This article has, for example, useful information where you can make the best shopping in Krakow.
Country Currency and Exchange
If this is your first trip to Poland, you should have minimal information about the currency, exchange options, and where this exchange can be made. Poland, being a member of the European Union, has not switched to the euro. The country has its own currency. Are you interested in what money in Poland? This is Polish zloty, and the bargaining chip is Polish penny. You should not change money in your country; there are enough exchange offices in Poland. They are at the airport, at the bus and train stations, in shopping and tourist centers. Moreover, you can pay for goods with a bank card at the cross exchange rate. The minimum exchange for the country's currency must be made at the entrance, since you will have to pay zloty to pay for transport and any services.
Important information about the Tax Free system for tourists who came to Krakow for shopping. For goods purchased in many Polish stores operating on the Tax Free system, you can make a return on value added tax (VAT). A condition is a purchase price in excess of 200 zlotys. Money is returned at the cash desk for chargebacks.
To Poland for shopping
The best shopping tour, of course, in the big cities of Poland, like Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk. They have not only shopping centers with seasonal sales, but also large outlets. Moreover, having arrived, for example, in Krakow by bus tour, you can travel to several cities in Poland, making shopping in them and visiting interesting places and sights.
For shopping, it is best to visit shopping centers. They always differ in their concentration of brands of clothes, shoes and accessories. In Krakow such are Galeria Krakowska, Galeria Bronowice, Bonarka, Galeria Kazimierz.
Outlets, which are located several tens of kilometers from large cities, are also waiting for their customers. The most fashionable, multi-brand and largest outlet in Poland is the Fashion House Center, whose points are located in several cities on the map of the country. This is where the assortment of brands is the widest, and promotions reach several tens of percent.
The prospect of getting discounts of up to 70% is tempting to shop for lovers of luxury brands and good design. Here you can find something that could serve as a gift from the trip. Therefore, sales centers are increasingly becoming objects for fans to carry out shopping tours to Poland.
Fashion House Center Fashion House
In the Fashion House shopping center, the minimum valid discount is 30%, and during the sale period it can be up to 90%! Why is this possible? In Fashion House outlet stores, customers can buy surplus products that are stored in production warehouses, the remains of seasonal clothing series, collections from previous seasons and models made specifically for the mall that are not available at traditional retail outlets.
Here you can choose the product of your favorite brand, but pay for it much less. The price category of goods in outlets is several times lower than the prices in shopping centers. Therefore, you can easily calculate the savings on the purchase. Purchases of goods of the following brands are especially economical in outlets: Guess, Furla, Pinko, Mango, Stefanel, Trussardi, Levi's and Kazar.
Outlet factory krakow
A shopping center where you can shop and not overpay for purchased goods, but rather receive discounts of 30 to 70%, is Outlet Factory. Here you can pick up clothes, shoes and accessories of your own style. More than 90 stores have goods for men and women, sports and children's clothing. In stores there are a lot of household goods, stationery, household chemicals.
The outlet has safe playgrounds where the center staff will look after the children while their parents are shopping. Having completed successful purchases, you can relax in a cafe with a cup of coffee or dine in one of the restaurants.
Galeria Bronowice Shopping Center
Of course, one of the largest, most modern and most visited shopping centers is also located in Krakow. This is the gallery Bronovitsa. It has more choice and variety of different models of clothes and shoes. This center is located in a convenient location for residents and tourists on the street. Stawowa 61 next to Ryn Ofiar Katynia. Near the center, 2400 free parking spaces awaiting customers. A large selection of Krakow stores designed for shopping allows you to conveniently make purchases in one place.
Galeria Bronowice is a good place not only for shopping, but also for relaxation. In the center there is a reading room, a relaxation area and even a cinema. Creative Planet was created in the mall, a place designed to entertain children while their mother is shopping in the mall.
Galeria kazimierz
A large shopping center in Krakow - Galeria Kazimierz, located in the Grzegorski district, and its name is associated with Kazimierz. In 2007, construction began on a six-story office part of the gallery, and was completed in 2009. This is a very convenient gallery for shopping, as it is located in the city center. Here there are not only shops of the Polish clothing market, which with its assortment can please fashion lovers, but also boutiques and designer brands known throughout the world.
The mall has shops selling cosmetics, perfumes and exclusive gifts. In the center, you can leave the child under the supervision of employees of the shopping center, taking up shopping.
Other popular shopping centers
At the mention of shopping centers one should not forget about Galeria Krakowska. Galeria Krakowska is located next to the Main Train Station, steps from the center on 5th Pavia Street. This is a very popular shopping spot in Krakow, which owes its very advantageous location in the city center. Galeria Krakowska consists of 250 stores, where visitors are waiting for goods of world and Polish brands. The gallery area is 60,000 m 2 . Near it is 1,400 parking spaces.
The next important place on the map of Krakow's shopping centers is Bonarka City Center. It was opened in 2009. This huge complex grew up on the site where the cement factory and chemical plant were once located. The existing Bonarka shopping area looks like an endless shopping center, where all the brands of Poland are assembled. The center is located at ul. Kamieńskiego, 11. On an area of 92 thousand m 2 there are more than 230 stores. 3200 parking spaces have been allocated for personal vehicles. The trading area of Bonarka is removed from the center, but in 45-50 minutes you can get to it by city bus.
These places, however, are only part of what Krakow offers to its residents and those who come for shopping tours to Poland. It is also necessary to add such places that you should not go around in search of the right product. These are the shopping centers M1, Krokus or Galeria Plaza - the first shopping center created in Krakow.
Where to shop in Krakow? The choice is yours. From the review done above, you can decide which shopping centers and outlets in Poland are worth visiting. Numerous stands on the main squares of cities attract the attention of residents and tourists, advertising products at competitive prices.
Targeted shopping tours
In addition to an individual visit to Poland, there is a standard shopping program in Krakow, offered by travel agencies in Moscow. The program is designed for three days and includes visits to three large shopping centers. These include Galeria Krakowska, Galeria Kazimierz and Bonarka City Center (described in the article above). You can make changes to the shopping program related to the wishes and possibilities of the client. Tourists come from Moscow to Krakow to combine business with pleasure: to make purchases and visit the sights of Krakow and its environs. At the request of the tour participants, a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine can be arranged. From this trip you can bring an original gift for households, colleagues and friends. These are all kinds of salt figures, lamps and bags of salt.
What to bring from Poland?
According to the shoppers, the most interesting and memorable souvenirs from Poland are handmade amber jewelry, as well as paintings made from amber chips. Fine porcelain and ceramics with designer paintings will surely be appreciated by lovers of exclusive items.
If you need magnets, key chains or cups with inscriptions for gifts, they are best purchased in the malls of the Cloth Hall (pictured above). Here is a large selection of such goods.
If you are interested in sweets shopping, Wavel store will satisfy lovers of chic dark chocolate with cocoa content up to 90%. As a souvenir, you can bring beautiful curly chocolate and candy sets.
What else to bring from Poland? Those who have repeatedly visited this country are advised to buy a local tincture - Goldwasser. This is a liquor with a balsamic medicinal flavor. It contains anise and caraway seeds. This “Golden Water" is only comparable with the Czech Becherovka balm. And do not spend all the zlotys to the last, bring with you to show what money is in Poland. This can also be a good souvenir.
How to fly to Krakow?
The distance between Moscow and the old Polish capital is approximately 1,400 kilometers. Since Poland is located in the Schengen area, a Schengen visa is required to cross the border. Presumably, you have it if you are going for shopping.
There are no direct flights from Moscow and Russian cities to Krakow. This means that you will fly to Krakow airport by transfer in Warsaw, and then by local airlines. Tickets should be taken for each flight segment separately. This option is cheaper and costs about 130 euros. In comparison, if you take a direct ticket Moscow - Krakow (with a deliberate landing in Warsaw), the cost of such a ticket will be approximately 270 euros.
In any case, once at the airport in Krakow, which is located 11 km from the city, do not rush to use taxi services. You can come to the city by bus number 292, which runs from the airport to the center. There is also a night bus number 902. It carries passengers arriving by night flights. Bus tickets can be purchased at the machine at the bus stop for PLN. There is also a railway station. By train "Balice Express" you can come to Krakow. Tickets are sold by the conductor on the train.
To Krakow by train and car
If you travel by train, shopping experts advise you to go to Warsaw, and from there to Krakow by electric train of the Polish railway. Once again, local communication within the country is cheaper than a direct flight from Moscow to Krakow.
It is quite convenient to go to Krakow with a personal car. True, the travel time will be about 18 hours. You should also consider the cost of gasoline and payment of some autobahns.
Nevertheless, the most popular and economical shoppers consider the trip to be a comfortable bus adapted for long trips. Traveling takes approximately 30 hours. Ticket price will be 70 euros. The road can be brightened up by watching movies and working with gadgets.