Shopping
Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square) still performs its medieval function that its name suggests. The Cloth Hall in particular is a good place to find all manner of souvenirs and Polish handicrafts, such as lace, dolls and leather goods, as well as high-quality, reasonably priced amber jewellery. The Cepelia stores, on ulica Bracka, and the range of shops clustering around the Hotel Cracovia, are also worth a visit for Polish handicrafts. The section of the Old Town wall on ulica Florianska is given over to local artists, who present works of varying quality for sale. As the influx of Western tourists brings more money into the city, the number of smart boutiques continues to grow, especially on ulica Florianska, and, to a lesser extent, on ulica Szewska.
The colourful, vegetable market Stary Kleparz (open from 0700 until dusk) at Rynek Kleparski, just to the north of the Old Town, is one of the oldest markets in Poland, dating back to the 14th century. A little further north, around plac Nowy Kleparz, at the end of ulica Dluga, the longest street in Cracow, is another vegetable market (open from 0700 until dusk) – although not quite so cheap as its older cousin. Cracow’s biggest flea market (open Sunday 0700-1300) is located at plac Nowy Kazimierz.
Large supermarkets, such as Carrefour, ulica Zakopianska 62, Geant, ulica Bora Komorowskiego 37, Hit, ulica Wielicka 259, and the 24-hour Tesco, ulica Kapelanka 56, usually offer the best prices for traditional Polish products, such as vodka and Krowki (literally ‘Little Cow’) sweets.
Opening hours vary considerably and many shops tend to open and close later than in Western European countries. Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 1000/1100 to 1800/2000 and Saturday 1000 to 1300/1600. Shopping malls, hypermarkets and the larger shops are often open seven days a week and there are also a number of 24-hour shops. VAT is 22%. Tax-free shopping is available at various venues displaying the ‘Tax Free Shopping’ sign (tel: (022) 853 3755; website: www.globalrefund.pl).
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