Krakow has always been home to intellectuals, scientists and freethinking men and women. This atmosphere is remarkable and can be seen with a city tour, exploring Krakow in a sustainable, green way. There are many chances to be entertained, at night, but Krakow also has a lot to offer to eco-minded travelers. Green vocation is not at its best, but some improvements have been made in the recent years. Entertainment can suit everyone, architecture, history and art during the day, bar and clubs when the night falls. Walk or bike across the medieval Old Town, stop by at one of the numerous organic vegetarian restaurant, and finally enjoy the night in the vibrant Kazimierz.
Getting around in Krakow
The beauty of Krakow deserves a visit on foot; in the Old Town everything is within walking distance and so it is in Kazimierz. Other interesting and ecologic options are horse cabs, bike rickshaw, electric cart and bike.
Using public transportation for a Krakow city tour, means you have trams and buses at your disposal. There is no subway but the surface system is pretty dense and reliable. Prices are fairly cheap, like 3.2 zloties (about 0.7 euros) for a one way ticket (either tram or bus); unlimited travel passes are also available: 24h for 12 zloties, 48h for 20 zloties, 72h for 30 zloties and one week for 40 zloties.
Eco activities and tour
An activity that combines an eco-tour and a way of getting around is the Kracow electric car, a 60 minutes tour to discover the Old Town’s Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque buildings, and visit the Jewish Ghetto.
This environment oriented lasts one hour, which is enough to have a brief knowledge of the most important Krakow highlights.
Isango offers ecotours and nature trails in Krakow, including the Auschwitz – Birkenau tour.
An instructive and funny way for eco-minded travelers to discover Krakow is to join one the bike tours and Krakow Bike Tour seems to do a nice job.
Green accommodation
When it comes to choose for a sustainable place to stay, here are a bunch of green accommodation, from basic hostels to fine hotels.
Elephant on the Moon is the first eco hostel in Krakow, located a few steps away from the Old Town; they use energy savings light bulbs, recycle waste and are sensitive towards water consumption.
Green Energy is a 3 star eco-friendly hotel that provides customers with any comfort.
Radisson Blu Krakow is 5 star accommodation right in the city centre, winner of the “Leaders of Sustainable Development” contest organized Forbes Magazine.
It is considered one the most important environment-oriented initiative in Poland, as it complies in full with the eco-certification BS8901.
At Radisson Blu the goal is to keep emissions at the lower level, while involving the local community in the business.
Organic food and vegetarian dining
In Krakow there is no such a lack of vegan/vegetarian options and Momo restaurant have an excellent reputation among travelers and locals. They prepare vegan dishes with organic food and apply a very reasonable price.
Polakowski is a place to go to try real (and good) local food; it is a self service, very fast, cheap and very close to the Old Town Square.
Similar good stuff can be said about Glonojad restaurant in Plac Matejiki 2; this place is very popular among both veggie and not, so it is the ideal restaurant for mixed couple or group of friennds!