Kraków

Travel Guide

Wawel Castle featuring a city, heritage architecture and château or palace
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing a square or plaza, night scenes and heritage architecture
Krakow Barbican which includes outdoor art, a city and heritage architecture
Krakow which includes interior views
Main Market Square featuring outdoor art and street scenes

The former capital of Poland is famous for itsarchitectural splendour, exciting modern art and a fascinating history, withcastles, ruins and museums. Known for its turbulent history, and as one of theoldest cities in Poland, Krakow's museums, housedin former decadent palaces of the Renaissance, are full of royal treasures andtell the city’s storied history. But Krakow livesas much in the present as in the past, and has active contemporary art circles,hip weekend markets and a vibrant nightlife.

The city is more than 750 years old and for fivecenturies it was the capital of Poland. Successive generations of monarchsbuilt castles and cathedrals and gave the city a royal prestige that now youcan still recognise.

It is not difficult to find your way around Krakow,thanks to the reliable network of trams and buses. Many of the main attractionsare located within the compact Old Town and are easy to explore on foot. In theornate St. Mary's Church you'll find one of the most spectacular altarpieces inEurope and the old city gate, the Barbican, is one of the most impressivesights in the park.

The WawelCastle is perched high above the city, a castle that has protected Krakowagainst intruders since the 16th Century. Nowadays, the castleinstead displays its stately halls, exhibitions of lavish jewellery and armour collections.For more about Krakow’s storied history, visit thehistoric WawelCathedral and Dragon’sDen, a limestone cave which, according to legend, a dragon oncecalled home.

Krakow's history isintertwined with that of the Jewish community. Visit the OskarSchindler Factory, made famous by the film Schindler's List by StevenSpielberg, to learn more about their struggles during the Second World War. Theformer factory has been converted into a large museum with Holocaust imagesthat you’ll not soon forget. The GaliciaJewish Museum shares what it’s like to be Jewish in contemporary Krakow.

In the summer, the Krakowcity parks alive with outdoor concerts and festivals. Enjoy a picnic in JordanaPark or enjoy a cruise across the city on the River Vistula. In winter you’relikely to see Krakow blanketed by a layer of snow,making the buildings in the historic city exude a romantic atmosphere.

Where to stay in Kraków

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

Kraków Old Town

5/5(777 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Main Market Square to St. Mary's Basilica – discover Kraków Old Town, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Kraków Old Town
Krakow featuring modern architecture

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
Kazimierz featuring a city and a square or plaza

Kazimierz

4.5/5(203 area reviews)

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

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

Podgorze

4.5/5(69 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 Krakus Mound might round out your trip.

Podgorze
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Wesola

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

Wesola
AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow

AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow

4 out of 5
Aleja 3 Maja 51, Kraków
The price is €133 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
€133
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (488 reviews)
"Lovely aspect on arrival, organised transport from the airport. Room was ready on arrival so early check in! Lovely staff, very clean. Only niggle was the temperature of the hot breakfast items. Very spacious room with good facilities. Local shop nearby & restaurants, cheap ride in to town."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
ibis Styles Kraków Centrum

ibis Styles Kraków Centrum

3 out of 5
Mogilska 53, Kraków
The price is €58 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
€58
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Main Market Square and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (185 reviews)
"great hotel"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

ibis Styles Kraków Centrum
1891 Garni Hotel

1891 Garni Hotel

4 out of 5
4 Podbrzezie, Kraków, Malopolskie
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €75 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€75
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (455 reviews)
"The décor was excellent. Staff was very friendly. Breakfast was very good. Overall experience was excellent. I would highly recommend this hotel."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

1891 Garni Hotel
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.
Aparthotel Best Views Luxury

Aparthotel Best Views Luxury

5 out of 5
ul. Zwierzyniecka 29, Kraków
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (245 reviews)
"The apartment is on the southwest not too far from Kraków’s old town. The Bolt from the station is longer than it should be because it must travel around the perimeter, which leads to a costly ride. If the weather is good, the walk from the station isn’t too bad. The apartment offered to us was not ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Aparthotel Best Views Luxury
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 (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,192 reviews)
"Room Was lovely, but Aircon was really noisy."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
MILESTONE Krakow Center Student Living

MILESTONE Krakow Center Student Living

3 out of 5
20A Grzegórzecka, Kraków, Malopolskie
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, valet parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Main Market Square and Oskar ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (48 reviews)
"Enjoyable stay"

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

MILESTONE Krakow Center Student Living
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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