Kraków Old Town

Kraków

Krakow featuring a city and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
St. Mary\'s Basilica which includes a square or plaza and street scenes
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing night scenes, heritage architecture and heritage elements
St. Mary\'s Basilica featuring cbd and night scenes
Krakow showing a square or plaza

Discover ancient fortifications, atmospheric bars, varied museums, medieval treasures and royal palaces on a tour of Kraków’s fascinating historic centre.

Kraków Old Town (Stare Miasto) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site festooned with architectural gems. Explore cobblestone streets and squares framed by Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Browse galleries, visit museums and experience a slice of Kraków’s nightlife scene. The Old Town has been a flourishing commercial and political centre since the 11th century.

Enter via Floriańska Gate and follow a route once traversed by the Polish royal family. Marvel at the Barbican, a 15th-century defensive tower previously connected to Floriańska Gate by a drawbridge. Stroll past pubs and shops on Floriańska Street to Jan Matejko House and the Pharmacy Museum. Admire the collections at the Princes Czartoryski Museum – Gallery of Ancient Art.

Stand in Main Market Square to appreciate the enormity of one of Europe’s largest plazas. It houses the Cloth Hall, a glorious former merchant market, Rynek Underground museum and the 230-foot-tall (70-metre) Town Hall Tower. People-watch from cafés in old tenement houses. On the west side is the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków and Polonia Wax Museum.

Find impressive churches on the square’s east side. Among these are the Church of St. Wojciech, St. Barbara’s Church and St. Mary’s Basilica. Stroll south on Grodzka Street to the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and St. Andrew’s Church. Tour the Archdiocesan Museum of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla.

Climb up to a fortified royal complex on Wawel Hill. Major highlights include Wawel Cathedral and the 14th-century Wawel Royal Castle. Enjoy a break on the lawns of the Planty, ringed gardens on the grounds of Kraków’s old city walls.

After dark, beerhalls, clubs and live music venues provide nighttime entertainment until early morning hours. Attend concerts and theatrical performances at Slowacki Theatre.

The Old Town is a short walk from Kraków Glówny train station. Get around on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. The district extends into the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Visit Corpus Christi Basilica, New Jewish Cemetery, Remuh Synagogue and Wolnica Square here as well.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Kraków Old Town

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

4 out of 5
Ul. Rynek Glowny 44, Kraków
The price is €118 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
€118
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
Quiet, clean and gorgeous hotel in Main Square
"I could not believe how quiet this hotel was! Main Square is full of activity, but when you get to your room, you can’t hear any of the noise! The bed was super comfortable, the room was beautiful and clean, and the service was above and beyond all expectations! Free breakfast was excellent and saved ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
Hotel Rezydent

Hotel Rezydent

3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is €113 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
€113
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Great place great location"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Hotel Rezydent
Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

5 out of 5
Ul. Slawkowska 3, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is €197 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
€197
14 Aug - 15 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (305 reviews)
Elegance, excellence inside Kraków Old Town wall.
"Upscale elegance in the lobby, bar, restaurant and room. Outstanding breakfast buffet with included hot-cooked items. Refined room interior, comfortable bed."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton
Amber Design Residence

Amber Design Residence

4 out of 5
ul. Sw. Marka 35, Kraków
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Great!
"Great place. Clean, comfortable, great location."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Amber Design Residence
Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels

Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels

5 out of 5
Ul. Pijarska 13, Kraków
The price is €148 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
€148
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (402 reviews)
"Perfect , clean , the staff very professional"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Nomadic Urban Premium Suites

Nomadic Urban Premium Suites

4 out of 5
Sw. Tomasza 27, Kraków, malopolskie
The price is €105 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€105
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Main Market Square and Wawel Castle are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (91 reviews)
"Amazing place! Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Nomadic Urban Premium Suites
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.

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Kraków City Centre

4.5/5(2,381 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Main Market Square to Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice – discover Kraków City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Kraków City Centre
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Wesoła Zachód

While there might not be top attractions in Wesoła Zachód, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Main Market Square and Royal Road.

Wesoła Zachód
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Stradom

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

Stradom
Krakow

Piasek Południe

While visiting Piasek Południe, you might make a stop by sights like Malopolska Garden of Arts and Jozef Mehoffer House.

Piasek Południe
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Piasek Północ

If you're spending some time in Piasek Północ, Art Agenda Nova and Pryzmat Art Gallery are top sights worth seeing.

Piasek Północ
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Wesola

Travellers like the parks in Wesola, and Galeria Krakówska is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Wesola

Kraków Old Town

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