Kraków

Travel Guide
St. Mary\'s Basilica featuring a square or plaza, a church or cathedral and a city
Poland’s former capital is known for its architectural splendor, exciting contemporary art and fascinating history, with castles, ruins and museums around the city.

Krakow is known for its turbulent history as one of the oldest cities in Poland. Its museums, housed in former castles and decadent Renaissance palaces, are filled with royal treasures and Holocaust reminders. But Krakow lives as much in the present as it does in the past, with a thriving contemporary arts scene, weekend markets and a lively nightlife.

The city is more than 750 years old for five centuries it was Poland’s capital. Successive generations of monarchs constructed castles and cathedrals and instilled a regal air that’s still evident today.

Getting around is easy thanks to a reliable network of trams and buses. Many of the major attractions are located within the compact and easily walkable Old Town (Stare Miasto) district. Visit the decorative St. Mary’s Basilica, which houses one of the most spectacular altarpieces in Europe. Take a walk around the Planty gardens that lie where the old town walls once stood. The old town gate, the Barbikan, is one of the most impressive sights in the park.

Towering above the city is Wawel Castle. This castle has protected Krakow from invaders since the 16th century, and today houses stately rooms, displays of opulent jewels and collections of armor. While here visit the monumental Wawel Cathedral and the Dragon’s Den, a limestone cave where legend says a dragon once lived. 

Krakow’s history is intertwined with its Jewish community. Learn about this history at Oskar Schindler’s Factory, which found fame as the subject of the Steven Spielberg movie, Schindler’s List. The former factory has been turned into a comprehensive museum with haunting displays about the Holocaust. Head to the Galicia Jewish Museum, where photographs tell the story of what it means to be Jewish in modern-day Krakow.

In summer Krakow’s city parks come to life with open-air concerts and festivals. Picnic in Jordan Park or take a cruise on the Vistula River that cuts through the city. In winter, see Krakow covered in a layer of snow, giving the buildings of the Old Town a romantic air. 

Where to stay in Kraków

Krakow featuring heritage elements and a city as well as a large group of people

Kraków Old Town

5/5(306 area reviews)

Travelers to Kraków Old Town praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Planty Park and Rynek Underground.

Kraków Old Town
Krakow featuring modern architecture

Kraków City Centre

4.5/5(517 area reviews)

Kraków City Centre is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Town Hall Tower and St. Francis of Assisi Church and Monastery.

Kraków City Centre
Kazimierz featuring a city and a square or plaza

Kazimierz

4.5/5(73 area reviews)

Kazimierz is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Corpus Christi Basilica and New Square while you're in town.

Kazimierz
The Kraków Cloth Hall (Polish: Sukiennice), dates to the Renaissance and is one of the city's most recognizable icons. It is the central feature of the main market square in the Kraków Old Town

Warszawskie

If you're spending some time in Warszawskie, Galeria Krakówska and Royal Road are top sights worth seeing.

Warszawskie
Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow as well as a couple

Podgorze

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Podgorze. A stop by Oskar Schindler Factory or Ghetto Heroes Square might round out your trip.

Podgorze
Krakow is a great city. Vibrant night life with plenty of cool pubs.

Stradom

If you're spending some time in Stradom, Planty Park and Aquarium and Natural History Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Stradom
 Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow City Center
Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow City Center
4 out of 5
ul. Wygoda 8, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is NT$2,280 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$2,280
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (747 reviews)
"Clean and tidy Would stay again"

Reviewed on 2024/3/22

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow City Center
PURO Kraków Kazimierz
PURO Kraków Kazimierz
4 out of 5
ul. Halicka 14a, Kraków
The price is NT$2,897 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$2,897
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (964 reviews)
"Lovely hotel in an excellent area! Highly recommended"

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

PURO Kraków Kazimierz
Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town
Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town
3.5 out of 5
ul. Sw. Gertrudy 12, Kraków
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,712 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
NT$2,712
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
Great Location
"The hotel is ideally located, just a 10-15 minute walk from the train station, old town market square and Wawel Hill. The hotel is modern, clean and well presented. Would stay here again if we came back to Krakow."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fragola Apartments Old Town
Fragola Apartments Old Town
3 out of 5
ul. Sw. Jana 2 (Reception), Kraków
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle, and a kitchen. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (248 reviews)
Honest feedback
"Accomodation was not at the stated address. Our taxi dropped us at the reception address then we needed to walk across town to find our actual apartment. The apartment was out of the main old town area (5 min walk). Even though it was a nice standard we had anticipated staying at the advertised location. ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/19

Fragola Apartments Old Town
Aparthotel Stare Miasto
Aparthotel Stare Miasto
4 out of 5
Ul. Golebia 2, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 4-star boutique aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,053 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Great location."

Reviewed on 2024/3/20

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
Riverside Aparthotel
Riverside Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
Antoniego Józefa Madalinskiego 7, Kraków, Malopolska
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly apartment in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Wawel Castle and Main Market Square ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (139 reviews)
Riverside apart hotel perfect
"The apartment was fantastic .lovely clean and all we could ask for . All the staff were so helpful . Would definitely go back again. Only thing is no bars around this area we could find but as for hotel Was perfect ."

Reviewed on 2024/1/7

Riverside Aparthotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kraków

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
539
" "5 - Excellent 81.66666666666667%
4 - Good
107
" "4 - Good 16.21212121212121%
3 - Okay
12
" "3 - Okay 1.8181818181818181%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.30303030303030304%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 15, 2020

What great little town! Easy train ride from Warsaw

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 14, 2020

Kraków is a beautiful place with many things to see, all within walking distance for those who can handle walking for a few hours to sightsee the city. If not, there are many tours available by foot, vehicle, and bike. Enjoy!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 24, 2020

It is a beautiful city!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 12, 2020

Krakow is a beautiful city and the people are extremely friendly. The dollar goes a long way here. You can have an amazing dinner that would cost $200+ in the USA but only costs $75 in Krakow.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 27, 2020

Great place to visit 3 days

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 16, 2020

We loved everything about Krakow. An absolutely beautiful city!

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