Krakow for older person?

elsien

Looking at visiting Krakow with 83 year old parent next year. 

She has no mobility issues that need walking aids but does get tired with walking.
Which is the best area to stay which is easy to get to main attractions and places to eat? Old town? 

Thank you. 

zagfles

I went about 10 years ago but as I remember the main attractions are spread out a lot eg the castle, the jewish area, the ghetto square, Schindler's factory, salt mines etc, so it'll depend on exactly what you want to see. If you go to the salt mines there's a lot of walking, not sure if they provide wheelchairs etc.

As for any destination specific advice you're best asking on the tripadvisor forum https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g274772-i961-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html.

photome

I would stay near the old town square, lots of restaurants to choose from all round edge of square, there are lots of tours that run from there in "golf buggys" that go to all of the above mentioned places except the salt mine which you can reach by train, there is quite a bit of walking in the mine so that may be best left

tightauldgit

Yes somewhere near the main square maybe your best bet though I think most of the attractions are going to require walking so it depends how much they can manage. 

Indout96

This Feb we stayed at Hotel Santi just on the edge of old town square which was a brilliant hotel and easy walking distance to all the old town areas and restaurants, it has very large rooms with full sitting areas and a lift.
there is a taxi rank just over the road and the tram runs right past it.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g274772-d4874715-r830580906-Hotel_Santi-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html?m=19905
However please be aware that if your hotel is in the old town then most tour operators will not pick you up from there and you will need to walk out to a pick up area (normally about 10 mins walk) but I would still say that was easier overall.

Are you looking at Krakow for a specific reason as the main tours Auschwitz / Salt mines ect as both have an exceptional amount of walking and hundreds of steps (down only - lift back up) in the case of the Salt mines which may not be suitable. Officially there is a down lift for less mobile visitors but it was out of action when we went and our guide thought it might be a thing of the past so check before you book.

We used Crocow tours for all we went to and they were excellent 
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g274772-d2148079-r830820338-Cracow_Tours-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland

CKhalvashi

tightauldgit said:

Yes somewhere near the main square maybe your best bet though I think most of the attractions are going to require walking so it depends how much they can manage. 

I'd go just outside the main square, especially if using tours etc.

I've visited Krakow twice this year, once in transit and once on business. For the latter stayed in accommodation on Dietla, about 10 minutes walk from the main square but on a main road. In transit (due to a flight cancellation a 3 hour self-connection became a 27 hour one) we stayed on Lenartowicza, which is in a similar situation, but a bit further from the main attractions but on the upside in a quiet residential district about 10 minutes from the main square. On Dietla (which IMO is the better location), we stayed somewhere called Dreams Hostel, which was almost like a private apartment (private bed/bathroom and a shared kitchen on the ground floor, registration office was on the 3rd or 4th floor though but there shouldn't be a problem with calling and asking someone to come down and I'd advise making sure you request a ground floor in advance).

That said, if you need limited assistance with mobility, Bolt is a reasonably cheap way to get around (they're an app-based taxi service).

The best restaurants I found are in the vicinity of Dominikanska/Poselska streets and were much better value than close to Rynek (the main square) but only a few minutes walk away.

Jackie1813

We have been to Krakow twice before and are returning again this year for the Christmas Market.  Plenty of buggys around for transport. Tried staying in Old Town but, much prefer staying on the market square at the Venetian House Aparthotel which has lovely apartments and is a perfect location for a gentle walk around the Market.