Rynek Glowny (the Main Market Square) still performs its medieval function that its name suggests. The Cloth Hall especially 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 variety 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 different quality for sale. As the influx of Western tourists brings more money into the city, the amount 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 0700hrs 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 0700hrs until dusk) – though not quite so cheap as its older cousin. Cracow’s biggest flea market (open Sunday 0700hrs-1300hrs) is located at plac Nowy Kazimierz.
Huge 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 significantly and many shops tend to open and close later than in Western European countries. Shops are open Monday to Friday 1000/1100hrd to 1800/2000hrs and Saturday 1000hrs to 1300/1600hrs. Shopping malls, hypermarkets and the bigger shops are often open seven days a week and there are also a number of 24-hour shops. VAT is at 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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