Kraków: A City That Surprised Me—And One I’ll Never Forget!

Kraków wasn’t originally at the top of our list—but wow, am I glad we came. It turned out to be one of the most unexpected towns I have visited.

We rolled into town toward the end of our European road trip, tired but still ready to explorer. Kraków has lively squares, rich history, amazing what people say is food, and a night scene that felt electric. I had a hard time with the food but I was the only one.

Kraków: Charm, Energy, and Really Good Pierogi

From the moment we arrived, I was struck by how alive this city feels. Street performers filled the squares with music, the architecture was stunning, and there were cafes and restaurants tucked into every corner. It’s the kind of place that feels both youthful and ancient at the same time. It is getting revived after WW2 and the paint it went thorugh.

We strolled the Old Town, loved that place, explored the Wawel Castle area, and the group tried traditional Polish food. The kids loved the buzz of the city, and they stayed out clubbing both nights and they loved the night vibe. Kraków is full of surprises in the best way.

Auschwitz: A Place Everyone Should See, and No One Should Forget

The next day, everything changed. We drove to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

I don’t even know how to put this into words—but I’ll try. Walking through the gates felt heavy. The air was different. Certain areas still carried a smell that hit hard and lingered, and at times I thought I was going to throw up. We moved through the exhibits in silence, taking in photos, documents, and artifacts that told the story of unimaginable cruelty.

The numbers are staggering—but it’s the shoes, the suitcases, the hair… that stay with you. The personal items. The stolen lives.

It’s not an experience I wanted, but it’s one I’ll never forget. I believe everyone should see it—so that we never forget what humans are capable of, and what we must never allow again.

I left shaken. Grateful. Angry. Humbled. And absolutely committed to honoring those lives by living mine with empathy, courage, and truth. The cruelty of humans are unfathomable!

Pro Tip: Do buy tickets before hand https://www.auschwitz.org/en/ The guided tours are 6-7 hours long with no break! I recommend doing a self guided tour.

Final Reflections

As we left Kraków to head toward Copenhagen, and eventually settle in for our time in Sweden, I found myself replaying the past 48 hours over and over.

Kraków gave us light and laughter. And it gave us darkness and depth.

That’s the thing about travel—you never really know what’s waiting for you. But this city? It changed me.

I’ll be back. Not for closure—but because it deserves more time. More respect. More stories told.