"Central European country" - by saying this you win the Polish Internet. Here, in Poland, everyone is completely obsessed by the fact to which side of Europe a foreigner would assign our land (WE ARE NOT ON THE EAST! XD) You did it right, kisses, lol :-P
I am from Warsaw. I love Polish old towns. In Warsaw, we have the name "starówka" for such a district. The inhabitants of Kraków do not like this name. ;) Warsaw was destroyed, it had a difficult history, but that doesn't mean it's ugly now. Warsaw is specific, it has a lot of parks and a much nicer boulevard on the Vistula River than in Kraków.
Kraków is the previous capital of Poland. It is just older city, with many medieval buildings including Wawel Castle. Warsaw is the capital since around 1600, and the Royal Castle build around this year. I live in Łódź, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer Kraków. It is just more friendly for pedestrians. And it has better location (closer to mountains). Cheers!
Krakow is surely more beautiful due to its historical heritage and mountains, but Warsaw have the advantage of being the capital and located in the middle of Poland, so it provides a much better access to all the other cities in the country and similar distance to both the mountains and the sea, although when it comes to access to Europe, I prefer Wroclaw, and when it comes to the natural beauty, I prefer the Tri-City.
Krakow's assets are obvious and Sarah named them. I'd say that Poland's former royal capital is a better choice for the typical tourist (and for many people who wish to settle there permanently). Warsaw is not as easy to fall in love with. One needs to spend some time here, to get deeper into the city and its surrounding area, to start appreciating its uniqueness. Sarah didn't mention Warsaw's parks, that IMO are world-class, not only the Royal Baths, but also Skaryszewski, Praski... Vistula's riverbanks are fascinating in many places along the Warsaw section of the river. The Kampinos forest - hard to tell why so many youtubers don't notice its existence. What matters a lot for me is that Warsaw is a city that's constantly transforming, reinventing itself - a fascinating process to observe. IMO Warsaw offers stronger and more diverse urban vibes than Krakow. And... Warsaw is away from the Carpathian mountains, but much closer than Krakow to my beloved Masurian lake district.
These are all great points! Yes, Warsaw has beautiful parks, and there is a lot going on in the city itself. I haven't been to the Kampinos forest, though--something to put on my list ;)
?????? Kraków ( z którego jestem) to można porównywać z innymi miastami podobnej wielkości jak Wrocław, Poznań , Gdańsk, Katowice i Łódź, a i tutaj wypada lepiej tylko od tej ostatniej. Warszawa to metropolia pełną gębą " country in country" gdzie poziom życia , infrastruktura oraz wszystko inne jest na nieporównywalnie wyższym poziomie niż gdziekolwiek indziej w Polsce. Warszawę to można porównywać do innych europejskich stolic ...
Poznan i Gdansk, a tym bardziej Katowice sa duzo mniejsze od Krakowa., ale nie wielkosc decyduje o jakosci zycia i atrakcyjnosci.Warszawa ma swoje atuty, ale bywa meczaca, nie dla kazdego do zycia. Troche poruszasz sie w utartych schematach, niz w rzeczywistosci.
I wish Warsaw wasn't destroyed in WW 2, it was such a beautiful city, not that it's not today, but much more so. They need rebuild more of the classic Warsaw, and knock down the communist buildings, they're ugly. Hopefully they can rebuild more of the palaces and buildings soon and renovate the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall back to its 1938 design before the war.
I lived all my life in Warsaw until at the age of 37 I moved to a Atlanta suburb. I visited Kraków many times for longer or shorter stays. I love your observations about my country, and here a couple of my counter-points to this particular video 1. each time that I went Kraków felt it more cramped and less spacious with a little less nimble public transport. and traffic heavier. 2. in Warsaw we are farther from the mountains, all right, but we are closer to Mazury, Białowieża and the seaside. With 3hours plus some change on the train, and trains departing almost every hour, the Tri-city can definitely be a day trip thing. There is a lot of great flat-terrain hiking spots just around Warsaw itself. And Kampinos for example is a huge forest that can be explored on foot, or back-country skiing in the winter right off public transport. 3. None of the big Polish cities enjoys great air quality, but Warsaw feels much better than Kraków. 4. I think also Warsaw is a far more bikeable city than Kraków is.
Uważałbym w tej Atlancie, ostatnio oglądałem sporo filmików z interwencji amerykańskiej policji wobec obywateli, i tam Cię mogą zabić albo pobić w zasadzie bez powodu, w Polsce nie do pomyślenia jak tam działa policja.
It’s really hard to compare those cities - I love Warsaw for its opportunities, not for its beauty. There are districts that are beautiful, green and very elegant and there are districts that are grey. But is is changing all the time, there is always something under construction and new coming. I love it! There are so many parks, events, things to do with the kids. Sure, for tourists perhaps less, but I don’t mind this. It’s closer to the seaside and actually to many cities. You can make to Berlin in approx. 5h by train three times a day, have you tried? ;)
Both Krakow and Warsaw are great and I agree with you that they have slightly different things to offer depending on your preferences. I live in Wrocław which offers all the advantages of Krakow you mentioned and some more actually. In terms of location, it is even more convenient as it lies in the triangle of three capilol cities with the nearest one being Prague, than Berlin, and lastly, Warsaw. I am biased, obviously, but many of my friends from south of Poland prefer Wrocław to Krakow.
Poles are usually more attached to the place where they were born and lived in their youth. It is a matter of identity, sense of belonging, tradition, history. Of course, large cities attract people from smaller centers or provinces, they often come to work or study. And then they stay longer or even permanently. About 60% of students at the University of Warsaw come from outside the city and its surroundings. If only because it is the largest Polish university and, together with the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, the best. But they also like to return to their hometown, to their family, to familiar landscapes, to the places where they grew up. Warsaw is specific because its history is important, especially in the last century. If my wife is a 7th generation resident of Warsaw (I'm only 3rd :)), and one of her grandparents fought in the Warsaw Uprising, you probably can't imagine that we could live anywhere else. Moreover, Warsaw is more open to newcomers, more cosmopolitan and diverse than Krakow. It is also true that the inhabitants of both cities are in a bit of a conflict and like to say petty insults to each other. So one of Warsaw's jokes about Krakow: "How long does it take for you to be accepted in Krakow? Well, after about 300 years of living in this city, there is a good chance that the locals will recognize you as their own." Take care and good luck :)
If you like Kraków, you will definitely like Gdańsk and Wrocław. Many things you love in Krakow are there, but many things are different and in a positive sense.
Kraków is in a league of its own, in my opinion. It’s not just gingerbread cute candy pretty but it has real depth to it. The more you understand Poland the more you realize this.
Hi, thanks for your video. It's like comparing life in New York and Los Angeles to an American (if we put aside the population number difference obviously).
Yes, I agree. There are MANY other places to visit in Poland, but this was just a comparison of the two major cities, as people may find it helpful when deciding where to visit.
Sarah, watching this video is like a music to my ears. An american chica infatuated with my home town, just doesn't get any better. And I love the way you pronounce Kraków à la polonaise, so sexy, do it more often please.
I know that many people who travel from or to Krakow use Katowice airport beacuse of cheaper flights, good connections and so on. And Katowice is located very close to Krakow.
Considered moving to Krakow from Warsaw last year. Warsaw is cleaner and we found Krakow to be kinda dingy when you get just outside the central part of Old Town. When you get a little further out it is graffiti all over. Wola Justowska district made a good impression, but spending some time there the non-stop road work is a hassle. Going to/from Warsaw by car.....the roads going north from Krakow are like a maze....all be it planned/ dating back from centuries ago. Then, a huge flaw, Krakow air is the worst in Europe. Otherwise, the advantage of ski slopes being relatively close from Krakow is a plus. Recommend Kotlina Bialczańska skiing. Krakow Old Town is beautiful and amazing. For us, Warsaw hands down though 😉
So glad you love Warsaw! I know a lot of people who enjoy the city. To each their own ;) but yes, the traffic AND construction in Krakow is one of the biggest negatives right now.....it's SO BAD!
@@SarahAchleithnerAnd glad you love Krakow! Generally speaking, Poland is fantastic!! ....been here for 20 years. Quality of life is terrific. The food much better than in the States (I'm from NYC, a foodie). As far as lifestyle Poland has very few negatives. Hey, near Krakow you have Polish Tuscany....over toward Busko-Zdrój/ Solec-Zdrój...have some property that we'll be developing.
Cześć Sara.Zauważyłem u ciebie progres.Już nie mówisz kraj Europy Wschodniej tylko Środkowej. To nie jest obsesja Polaków tylko fakt.Wiele ludzi nie zauważa faktu ,że Europa geograficzne kończy się na górach Ural. Gegraficzny środek Europy wychodzi gdzieś na Ukrainie lub Polsce. Zależy gdzie przyłożyć oko. Pozdrawiam,szczęścia i pomyślności życzę.
Sarah, I am Polish but moved to America as a small child. Now I am an adult and moved back to Poland. I have been trying to decide whether to settle in Krakow or Warsaw (I have family in both). You probably know both better than me! Thanks for this video. I think I'm going to stay in Krakow around Grzegórzki.
That's great to hear! Both cities have their pros and cons, but I personally prefer Krakow because it's smaller, has a more charming feel, and is better located to places we like to travel. The Grzegorzki area is really nice here!
I've heard Poles in Warsaw don't like those in Krakow, and the one's in Krakow don't like them back, some kind of rivalry that goes back a long time. 😁
I'm traveling to both cities in August & I'm so excited. My original itinerary only included Warsaw, but I decided to arrive a few days early to check out Krakow & your information in the video confirms that I made the right decision. Whenever I'm in Europe I love when something similarly strikes me as "quintessentially Europe", so will be wonderful to enjoy that. ☕️🇵🇱
Hello Sarah, I wish you are well! I'm coming to Poland for a week, I'm interested in seeing some sights, but I also want my friend and I to see some nightlife. Which of the two cities do you think is better?
Great question! I'm partial to Krakow because I think it's more historic, the vibe is better, and it's a bit cheaper than Warsaw. The nightlife in Krakow is good, as well.
Yes, that is definitely do-able! You can spend a day in Warsaw, and a few days in Krakow. It's only a few hours drive between the two cities, or you can easily take the train.
Hopefully I'll be in Krakow in a couple of months. I've already applied for the Visa, just waiting for the interview appointment at the embassy. Coming from Pakistan to Krakow. I'll live there now, permanently.
Krakow has a much better location, and Warsaw has a compelling culture and tradition associated with the city. the latter is difficult to appreciate without a good knowledge of Polish
You're not objective at all. Warsaw is amazing so is Krakow. It's not enough to be in a city several times to say that you know city really well. You don't know Warsaw, you didn't catch its vibes, you have no idea, how comfortable life in Warsaw is and amazing sorroundings of Warsaw are. And it doesn't seem you even tried to understand this city. Such comparisons are fun when there is more balance in them. But you admiration to Krakow is really nice.
YOU ARE JUST JELUS THAT " KRAKOW " IS AND ALLWAYS WILL BE SEEN AS THE " CAPITAL OF HARTS " IN POLAND 🇵🇱✝️✡️🇮🇱☦️🕎🇵🇱 I PERSUME YOU ATE NOT A REAL WARSOWIAN LIKE MOST BUT A " JAR (SLOIK) "
I'm Warsaw's fan. Kraków is exclusive and you will not be Kracovian if you don't have at least grandparents from Kraków. Warsaw is inclusive. You can be Warsovian and will be accepted in 5 minutes if you only wish so. I love Warsaw's vibe. It's vivid, modern and unpretencious. Kraków is a bit to pompous for me. Best!
I was only comparing these two cities for the purpose of this video. Will consider doing one on Wroclaw in the future! We have also been to the tri-city area a lot, and really enjoyed it.
Come on Sarah. It is like comparing Prague and Hong Kong. So, if you know what life is for, and what beauty is, Krakow has no competition in Poland. It's not the choice between cities but betwen states of mind. The problem is that cities like Warsaw degenerate people, so they are usually unable to judge that they stuck in a swamp.
