11 Things to Do in Krakow in Fall

Autumn is the last season to visit Auschwitz. A few weeks later, freezing temperatures can make this trip impossible. But Krakow has so much more to offer at this time of year! During this season, you can listen to the best European pianists and enjoy some of the country's most important festivities, such as Independence Day and the Conrad Festival. Read on and discover what to do in autumn!

It's not the most pleasant plan, but visiting Auschwitz is a must if you're travelling to Krakow. It's a way to delve into contemporary European history and learn about the atrocities that were committed there.

To do this, I recommend booking an excursion so you don't have to worry about how to get there. This way, you'll also be accompanied by a professional guide who will give you all the details of the history of this terrible place. You also have the option of combining your trip with the Wieliczka Salt Mines, an underground complex that will leave you speechless. Here are the different options:

• Excursion to Auschwitz from Krakow, from RM216
• Excursion to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum from Krakow, from RM218
• Excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, from 218
• Excursion to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow, from RM521
• Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, from RM609

In Poland, Halloween is overshadowed by the celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. On these dates, Polish families gather to clean the graves of their relatives, leave wreaths of flowers and light candles. The result is very evocative and it is worth visiting a cemetery to understand this aspect of local culture. This activity must be carried out with due respect.

I recommend visiting Rakowicki Cemetery, the largest and most important in the city. The cemetery is located at 26 Rakowiecka Street and covers an area of 43 hectares. It is famous for its funerary art and for housing the graves of famous historical figures. In one area, there are also the graves of British soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Rhine. If you enjoy these kinds of visits, I recommend reading the post about the best churches in Krakow.

To get here from the city centre, you can take the tram (line 2 from Teatr Bagatela) and get off at the last stop (Cmentarz Rakowicki). My recommendation is to purchase the Krakow Card with a museum and transport pass so you can make the most of your trip.

The International Piano Festival is the only cultural event in Krakow that is entirely dedicated to music. According to the organisers themselves, this festival aims to invite the world's piano elite to the city.

To ensure high standards of quality, the event features artists who have competed in international competitions in Warsaw (Frederic Chopin), Fort Worth (Van Cliburn) and Moscow (Tchaikovsky).

The festival is held at various venues throughout the city. If you want to continue exploring music after you leave, I recommend the Harris Bar (Rynek Główny 28), an establishment that has hosted big names in international jazz, or you can also book tickets for a Chopin piano concert.

11 November is Independence Day, a very important date for the Polish people. In 1918, after the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany, Poland regained its independence after 123 years! During this long century, the country had literally disappeared from the map, being divided between three foreign powers: the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia and the German Empire.

Unfortunately, the anniversary could only be celebrated on very few occasions because the country was annexed by Germany in 1939 and subsequently came under Soviet rule. The Poles had to wait for the fall of the Berlin Wall to celebrate it again!

For these reasons, Independence Day is deeply felt. In the morning, a mass is celebrated in Wawel Cathedral, followed by a military parade that leaves Wawel Hill, travels along the Royal Route, crosses Florianska Street and ends at Matejko Square. The army band accompanies the infantry platoons and cavalry troops. In the evening, crowds gather in the Market Square to sing patriotic songs. Take the opportunity to book a tour of Krakow's Old Town and learn more about this episode in history.

Herbaciarnia Czajownia is a must for tea lovers and a cosy place to warm up after a walk. The establishment is located in Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, so I recommend you visit it after taking a tour of Krakow's Jewish quarter.

The place is characterised by its cosy atmosphere, which invites you to spend some time within its walls. It has good Wi-Fi, so it's not uncommon to see freelancers and digital nomads there. If you have a real passion for tea, you'll find a wide variety of fragrances. In the list below you'll find the most unusual ones:

• Bai Mao Houe, a white tea from the Taimu Mountains in Fujian Province, China. Also known as "White Monkey", it is characterised by its strong grassy aroma.
• Darjeeling, a black tea grown on the slopes of the Himalayas. Like Champagne, this variety can only be grown in a single area.
• Gyokuro, a Japanese green tea with a high level of antioxidants. Its sweet fragrance reduces the vegetal notes.
• Chi Tse Bing Cha, a tea from southern China that is often given as a gift at weddings.
• Yogi Masala Chai, a blend of honey, ginger, cardamom, white pepper, aniseed, cloves and other spices.

Poland is famous for its mushrooms, to the extent that its most famous epic poem, Pan Tadeusz, contains a famous scene of mushroom picking. However, this practice is much older and is revived every year in one season: autumn. From the second half of October onwards, the citizens of Krakow arrive early in the forests surrounding the city. Mushrooms taste best if cooked on the same day they are picked.

In Krakow, you can sample some tasty mushroom-based recipes at Pod Aniołami, a restaurant housed in a 13th-century building that was the residence of Krakow's goldsmiths for over three hundred years.

In autumn, chefs recommend two specialities: boletus soup with noodles and white mushroom soup with noodles. In both recipes, the mushrooms used by the chefs have been picked in Gorce National Park, which is located just over an hour from Zakopane. Consider booking a trip to Zakopane!

In autumn, the leaves turn red, yellow and orange, transforming every park into a magical place. Krakow has green areas where you can admire this phenomenon. Book a tour of Krakow and discover them for yourself. Here is a list of the must-see destinations:

• Zakrzowek, a park a short distance from the city centre. It is characterised by a blue lake that occupies the hollow of an old stone quarry. It is very popular with locals who come here to barbecue or stroll in the woods surrounding the pond (Salezjańska 19). To get there from the city centre, simply take the tram (line 52, Poczta Główna stop).
• Planty, a green belt surrounding Krakow. At the end of the 18th century, the old city walls were demolished and the space once occupied by the walls was gradually transformed into a garden. In autumn, there is nothing better than strolling among the English gardens and Belle Époque buildings.
• The Botanical Garden of the Jagiellonian University (Mikołaja Kopernika 27), the oldest in Poland. To escape the cold, you can see the tropical spices that grow in its greenhouses. For more information, I recommend consulting its official website.
• Wolski, a forest that stretches over hills. It is located 8 km from the old town and has marked trails for hikers and cyclists. There is also a horse riding trail and a cross-country ski trail. In addition to trees, with a little luck you will see deer, badgers, foxes and other wild animals. If you are interested in this, I recommend reading the post about the best excursions from Krakow.

The Conrad Festival is the city's most important literary event. The event is named after Józef Teodor Konrad, better known as Joseph Conrad. The author of "Heart of Darkness" was born in Berdyczów (then part of the Russian Empire) on 3 December 1857 into a family involved in the Polish nationalist movement.

Orphaned at an early age, he had to leave the country and ended up enlisting on a ship in Marseille. This event changed his life as it motivated him to write adventure novels.

After his death, the people of Krakow paid tribute to him by establishing a festival in his honour. The aim of the festival is to raise awareness of the most important works of world literature and to hold artistic and social discussions. Polish and international writers participate in this event, which explores a specific theme each year. On the last day, the Conrad Prize (a statuette in the shape of a telescope) is awarded to the author of the best debut work of prose.

The Krakow Book Fair is held on the same dates as the festival. During this time, the Polish city is an ideal destination for all novel lovers.

The event is held at Expo Krakow (ul. Galicyjska 9) and brings together publishers, authors, translators and literature enthusiasts. It is located on the outskirts of the city but is very easy to get to. You can take the bus (lines 174 and 178) or the tram (lines 1, 14 and 22).

Did you know that gospel and Krakow are linked in two ways? The genre derives from the songs that black slaves used to sing on plantations in the southern United States. In the 1930s, this music experienced a boom in America and gradually spread to other parts of the world.

Since 2006, it has found a niche in the Polish city that hosts 7xGospel every autumn, a curious and undoubtedly interesting festival. The events are usually held in the Kärcher Hala concert hall (Aleja Marszałka Ferdynanda Focha 40), which is a stone's throw from Błonia Park, a very popular area in Krakow during the summer months.

Another musical festival in Krakow is the Sacrum Profanum Festival, which combines classical music masterpieces with jazz and other genres. The first edition was held in 2003 and in just a few years it has become an unmissable event for lovers of artistic fusion. The event usually takes place between the end of September and the first half of October. The concerts take place at various locations:

• Congress Centre (Marii Konopnickiej 17).
• Łaźnia Nowa Theatre (O siedle Szkolne 25).
• Florianka Hall (Sereno Fenn'a 15).

The inhabitants of Krakow often refer to autumn as "Zlota Polska Jesień", which translates as "Poland's golden autumn". At this time of year, the trees are tinged with orange and red and temperatures rarely reach the freezing levels of winter. Therefore, visiting Krakow in autumn is ideal! If you want more information, I recommend reading the post 10 tips for travelling to Krakow.

If you are looking for an affordable getaway, Krakow is the ideal destination. At this time of year, you can book a hotel room or a holiday home at very reasonable prices. What's more, during autumn, the city does not welcome large numbers of tourists, so you can visit the main attractions without huge crowds.