What's Up Krakow - News, Events, Info - All For Expats In Krakow

11/02/2025

If you enjoy playing ping pong, you might be interested in this newly opened self-service 🏓table tennis🏓 room - PingPlace.

It's located at Osiedle Albertyńskie 1 (📍https://g.co/kgs/yJwGgNk).

You can book and pay for one of the six tables online: 🌐https://kluby.org/pingplace/rezerwacje.

The club also has a page: 🌐https://www.facebook.com/pingplacekrakow/.

08/02/2025

Have you ever wondered which districts of Kraków are the safest to live in? And which ones have the highest number of crimes?

Here's a brief overview for you, based on data from the Police Department as well as statistical surveys of local residents:

1. According to statistics, the most dangerous district is District I – Stare Miasto (Old Town).
In 2024, this area recorded:
- 764 cases of theft,
- 3 car thefts,
- 3 burglaries,
- 25 robberies,
- 3 cases of extortion,
- 50 cases of bodily harm,
- 20 fights and assaults.
Additionally, many residents report poor relations with their neighbors. The high crime rate in this district is undoubtedly influenced by the large number of restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues, which attract not only locals but also tourists from all over the world.

2. The second place goes to the districts of VIII Dębniki, IX Łagiewniki – Borek Fałęcki, and XIII Podgórze.
Recorded cases:
- 235 thefts,
- 17 car thefts,
- 20 burglaries,
- 10 robberies,
- 36 cases of bodily harm,
- 8 fights and assaults.
However, in Łagiewniki – Borek Fałęcki, residents positively rate their relationships with neighbors, despite a negative perception of noise levels and the amount of greenery.

3. Third place goes to the districts of X Swoszowice, XI Podgórze Duchackie, and XII Bieżanów – Prokocim.
The numbers here include:
- 232 thefts,
- 18 car thefts,
- 23 burglaries,
- 7 robberies,
- 1 case of extortion,
- 20 cases of bodily harm,
- 3 fights and assaults.
Additionally, District XII Bieżanów – Prokocim is known for traffic congestion and noise. However, Swoszowice is considered one of Kraków’s most beautiful districts and is home to Poland’s oldest spa with medicinal waters. That said, many Kraków residents find Swoszowice uninteresting. While the area is popular among seniors, commuters who travel daily to the city center—despite well-developed public transport—find the commute inconvenient.

Do Kraków Residents Feel Safe?
Overall, locals consider Kraków to be a safe city. The highest percentage of residents who feel their district is safe is in Dębniki and Krowodrza, while the lowest is in Prokocim-Bieżanów and Bronowice.

You can find the full survey report (Round I 2024) on the sense of safety among Kraków residents at this link:
🔗 Full Report: https://www.bip.krakow.pl/zalaczniki/dokumenty/n/529429/karta

07/02/2025

**Will Kraków police repeat last Friday’s operation this weekend?**

Last Friday, the police conducted a **taxi inspection campaign** across the city. Officers checked **driver sobriety, vehicle condition, and the legality of taxi services**, primarily during evening and night hours.

# # # **The results?**
🚖 **381 taxis inspected**
🚔 **246 violations detected**
📌 **38 drivers fined**
📌 **205 received warnings**
📌 **3 cases sent to court**

Will a similar operation take place this weekend? We’ll have to wait and see! 🚔👀

05/02/2025

⚠️Beware of your pets!⚠️

There have been new reports of 🐶dog ☠️poisoning in various areas of Kraków. Residents have reported that someone is placing poison in public spaces.

The Kraków Animal Welfare Society (KTOZ) issued an urgent warning:
_"Attention! Important information for dog owners. We have received reports that in the areas of Rusznikarska Street, Wybickiego Street, Krowoderskich Zuchów, Batalion 'Skała' AK Street, Krowoderski Park, and Osiedle Dywizjonu 303, someone is poisoning dogs. Unfortunately, according to reports, several animals have already died as a result."_
📌 Official KTOZ post: https://www.facebook.com/Krakowskie.Towarzystwo.Opieki.nad.Zwierzetami/posts/uwaga%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8F-bardzo-wa%C5%BCna-informacja-dla-w%C5%82a%C5%9Bcicieli-ps%C3%B3w-%EF%B8%8F%EF%B8%8Fotrzymali%C5%9Bmy-zg%C5%82oszenie-%C5%BC/1049728057195547/

A map has also been created, showing updated locations where poison has been found:
🗺 View the map: UWAGA - TRUTKI - https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=137HdlzBjbXgm3n56q9V8TEjJpwNrbKg&usp=sharing

⚠️ Stay alert, keep an eye on your pets, and report any suspicious substances to the authorities!

04/02/2025

In the coming days, the following addresses may experience power outages:

📅Wednesday, February 5📅
🔌Gromadzka Street 58 and 62, ZDMK facility at Żołnierska Street (elevator and platform power supply for disabled persons) – 08:00 to 13:00
🔌Siemaszki Street 54A – 08:00 to 14:00

📅Thursday, February 6📅
🔌Pasterska Street, Skoczylasa Street – 08:00 to 15:00
🔌Okręglik Street 20, 25, 25A, Letnia Street 21A, B, Potrzask 94 to 100A, 93 to 101, including construction sites** – 08:00 to 16:00

📅Friday, February 7📅
🔌Mochnaniec Street (numbers 9 to 9M) – 08:00 to 13:00
🔌Part of Koszutki Street, Wieliczka, part of Modrzewiowa Street – 08:00 to 16:00

04/02/2025

It looks like we won’t be able to enjoy the popular entertainment complex **Hala Forum** this year.

A statement appeared on social media on **Monday, February 3**, announcing: **"Hala Forum closed."**

However, upcoming events at this venue are still listed on its website.

We’ll have to wait and see whether this is just a temporary closure or if the place will remain permanently shut.

02/02/2025

Until now, Krakow residents had access to two main points for nighttime and holiday medical car:
🏥NZOZ Kraków-Południe🏥 at **Szwedzka 27**,
🏥St. Raphael Hospital🏥 at **Armii Krajowej 5**.

However, from 📅February 1📅, there have been changes:

🔹 **New locations for specific districts**:
- **Residents of Krowodrza, Bronowice, and Zabierzów** can now use the **nighttime and holiday medical clinic** at the **5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ**, located at **Wrocławska 1-3** (**Building 1, tel. 12 63 08 338**).
- **Residents of Dębniki, Łagiewniki-Borek Fałęcki, Swoszowice, and Podgórze Duchackie** should now go to **St. Raphael Hospital** at **Bochenka 12** (**tel. 12 385 58 05**).

🔹 **Other medical points in Krakow** (available after regular **family doctor (POZ) offices close on weekdays**, and **24/7 on weekends and holidays**):
🏥St. Ludwik Provincial Specialist Children's Hospital🏥, **Strzelecka 2a**, **tel. 12 619 86 61**
🏥J. Dietl Specialist Hospital🏥, **Ferdynanda Focha 33**, **tel. 12 68 76 492**
🏥Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital🏥, **Na Skarpie 66**, **tel. 12 622 95 76**
🏥Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital🏥, **Złotej Jesieni 1**, **tel. 12 64 68 792**
🏥NZOZ Kraków-Południe🏥, **Kutrzeby 4**, **tel. 12 265 46 02, 12 656 00 55, 12 656 10 07**
🏥Gabriel Narutowicz City Specialist Hospital🏥, **Prądnicka 35**, **tel. 12 257 86 06**
🏥John Paul II Krakow Specialist Hospital🏥, **Prądnicka 80, Pavilion M-V, Entrance C**, **tel. 12 614 28 88**

01/02/2025

Starting today, applications for the **800 Plus** benefit for the new entitlement period (from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2026) can be submitted.

You can apply through:
👉 Your **PUE ZUS** profile,
👉 **Online banking**,
👉 The **Emp@tia** portal,
👉 The **mZUS** mobile app (available for smartphones and tablets).

All information and decisions regarding the **800 Plus** benefit are provided electronically via **PUE ZUS**, even if the application was submitted through online banking or **Emp@tia**.

If a parent applies through a bank or **Emp@tia** but does not have a **PUE ZUS** profile, the **Social Insurance Institution (ZUS)** will automatically create one based on the data provided in the application.

01/02/2025

**Public Transport Changes in Kraków from February 1**

From today (February 1), there are significant changes in Kraków's public transportation schedule. Additionally, a new bus stop has been introduced in the northern part of the city.

🚋Tram Lines🚋
👉 School-year frequency schedules have been reinstated.
👉 Lines **19 and 49** have been restored.

🚌Bus Lines🚌
👉 **Lines 130, 179, 701, 704** – School-year frequency schedules have been reinstated.
👉 **Lines 132, 511** – Midday services have been restored.
👉 **Line 147** – The winter break frequency remains unchanged:
- **Weekdays**: every **15 minutes** during peak hours and **20 minutes** off-peak.
👉 **Lines 156, 189, 413, 420, 433, 482** – These lines have been reinstated.
👉 **Line 164** – All Sunday and holiday routes have been extended to **Mydlniki Wapiennik P+R**.
👉 **Lines 189, 199** – New operating hours:
👉 **Weekdays**: **5:30 AM – 8:00 PM**
👉 **Saturdays**: **9:00 AM – 6:30 PM**
👉 **Sundays & holidays**: No service.
👉 **Line 203** – Additional weekday routes between **Czerwone Maki P+R** and **Skawina Podgórki** (skipping the **Tor Kajakowy** and **Kolna Kapliczka** stops).
👉 Increased frequency to **every 30 minutes** on this section.
👉 Departure times from the main terminals remain unchanged.
👉 **Line 494** – Midday services have been restored.
👉 Due to the completion of the **Azory bus charging station**, the route to **Os. Pod Fortem** will return to its original course:
**Azory – Weissa, Różyckiego, Makowskiego, Stachiewicza, Wrocławska – … – Os. Pod Fortem**.
👉 **Line 496** – Now terminates at **Skotniki Szkoła** every day of the week.

# # # **Bus Stop Changes:**
👉 Due to a university name change, the **AWF/PK** stop has been renamed to **AKF/PK**.
👉 A **new stop, Majora 03**, has been introduced on **ul. Dobrego Pasterza** (near house number **67**).
👉 Served by **lines 132 and 139** in the direction of **Al. 29 Listopada**.
👉 The **Cmentarz Mydlniki 01** stop (toward the city boundary) has been moved **80 meters back** (closer to the cemetery entrance).

31/01/2025

Looks like they started those new machines today !

In the first half of February (unfortunately, the exact date is unknown), new 🎫ticket machines will be simultaneously launched in all 🚌Mobilis buses. These machines will only accept contactless payments, and most importantly – they will no longer print paper tickets.

When purchasing a ticket, passengers will need to tap a contactless payment card, phone, or smartwatch with a payment function on the machine. The system will assign the purchased and securely encrypted ticket to a specific payment card. Nothing will be physically stored on the card or device.

During ticket inspections, passengers will also need to tap their card on the inspector’s device. However, inspectors will not have access to any card data – the card will simply serve as a transaction identifier.

Passengers will be able to purchase all types of single-use tickets, from 20-minute and hourly tickets to daily and weekly passes, according to a city official. However, the system will not allow the purchase or extension of long-term passes.

31/01/2025

Looking for ideas on how to spend this weekend? Here are a few suggestions that might interest you:

1. **Roller Skating at Galeria Kazimierz** – A roller-skating rink is open all week, including weekends! Hours: Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry and skate rentals are free.

2. **Last chance to visit the Aviation Museum for only 2 PLN!** – This special offer is available for children and school-age youth and ends this weekend.

3. **Neighborhood Garage Sale – Saturday, February 1** – Taking place at *Prosecco.kr* and *Wino i Panino* (Królowej Jadwigi 195 & 193a). You can buy or sell all sorts of items.
📌 Facebook event link: [https://www.facebook.com/events/1150600300007632](https://www.facebook.com/events/1150600300007632)

4. **English Speaking Club** – Another session of this popular event takes place tomorrow! A great chance to practice your English in a fun environment.
📌 Facebook event link: [https://www.facebook.com/events/715608944041630/715609114041613](https://www.facebook.com/events/715608944041630/715609114041613)

30/01/2025

You can now register for the Cracovia Marathon on Roller Skates, which will take place on April 5 in Kraków.

Registration will be open until March 25 or until the limit of 400 participants is reached.

Competitors will have to complete a distance of over 42 kilometers. The route consists of 12 laps around Błonia Park in Kraków. Participants must finish within a maximum of three hours, by 12:00 PM. Half of the course (21 km) must be completed within 90 minutes; otherwise, participants will have to stop and leave the route.

Registration link: https://online.datasport.pl/zapisy/portal/zawody.php?zawody=10698

30/01/2025

In the first half of February (unfortunately, the exact date is unknown), new 🎫ticket machines will be simultaneously launched in all 🚌Mobilis buses. These machines will only accept contactless payments, and most importantly – they will no longer print paper tickets.

When purchasing a ticket, passengers will need to tap a contactless payment card, phone, or smartwatch with a payment function on the machine. The system will assign the purchased and securely encrypted ticket to a specific payment card. Nothing will be physically stored on the card or device.

During ticket inspections, passengers will also need to tap their card on the inspector’s device. However, inspectors will not have access to any card data – the card will simply serve as a transaction identifier.

Passengers will be able to purchase all types of single-use tickets, from 20-minute and hourly tickets to daily and weekly passes, according to a city official. However, the system will not allow the purchase or extension of long-term passes.

29/01/2025

Starting January 29, the Wawel Dragon will stop breathing fire for about a month.
This is due to the need for technical maintenance of the gas installation.

28/01/2025

Today, January 28th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the Krakow Climate Education Center at ul. Wielopole 17a (📍https://g.co/kgs/X3nvY1o) is organizing a fantastic event. Residents will have the opportunity to exchange plants and books.

Details

Plant Exchange:
🪴The goal is to bring plants you’d like to share with others.
🪴Each participant can bring any number of plants.
🪴Plants brought for exchange can be fully grown or cuttings.
🪴Plants should be placed in the designated area.
🪴It’s important that the plants are healthy and free from any visible diseases.
🪴Selling plants on the premises of the Climate Education Center is prohibited.
🪴If you don’t find any plants to take, you can leave your own plants at the Center.

Book Exchange:
📚The goal is to bring books you’d like to share with others.
📚Each participant can bring any number of books.
📚Books brought for exchange can be new or used.
📚Books should be placed in the designated area.
📚Books should not show excessive signs of wear and must be complete.
📚Selling books on the premises of the Climate Education Center is prohibited.
📚If you don’t find any books to take, you can leave your own at the Center.

08/01/2025

Planned Power Outages:

**January 9 (Thursday)**
🔌 Stadionowa Street: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d – From 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
🔌 Ojcowska Street: 25–47, 54–84; Na Polach Street: 6, 8, 8a; Sosnowiecka Street: 3; Stawowa Street: 178; Nawojowska Street – From 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

**January 13 (Monday)**
🔌 Samostrzelnika Street: 2b, 4, 6, 8 – From 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

05/01/2025

On January 6, the streets of Krakow will host the colorful Three Kings Procession. It will consist of three sections: blue, green, and red.

The procession will follow three traditional routes:
🔵 The blue (African) procession will depart around 11:40 AM (after the 11:00 AM Mass at St. Florian's Church) from Matejko Square, pass by the Barbican, go along Floriańska Street, and head to the Main Market Square.
🟢 The green (Asian) procession will leave around 11:00 AM (after the 10:00 AM Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church) from Dębniki on Konfederacka Street. It will proceed along Bałuckiego Street, through Dębniki Market Square, over Dębnicki Bridge, and continue via Retoryka Street, Garncarska Street, Studencka Street, and St. Anne Street to the Market Square.
🔴 The red (European) procession will set off around 11:00 AM (after the 10:00 AM Mass at Wawel Cathedral) from Wawel Hill, down Grodzka Street to the Market Square.

All three sections of the procession will meet at the Main Market Square around 12:00 PM, gathering in front of the stage near the Town Hall Tower. The leading kings will pay homage to the newly born Christ Child.

Earlier, starting at 11:00 AM, the stage will feature the sounds of Polish carols and pastorals.

02/01/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Cuore Di Falena, Nata Kalynovska