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About Krakow

Including tips for the best time to visit Krakow

Legend has it that Kraków was built on top of a dragon's cave – and there's certainly a fairytale aura throughout the city's charming squares, palaces, and cathedrals. The beautiful old town is circled by forested parkland and home to the hilltop Wawel Castle overlooking the Vistula River.

Dive into Kraków's history by visiting one of its National Museum branches that are free on Sundays, or the Kraków Historical Museum, which features an underground exhibit beneath the current Market Square. The city is also home to Collegium Maius, a striking example of 15th-century Gothic architecture and also the oldest university building in Poland. Plan a visit on a guided tour to see the ancient astronomical tools used by former student Copernicus.

As Poland's second-largest city, Kraków has a vibrant nightlife with hundreds of bars hidden in cellars and courtyards, spanning across the old town to Kazimierz and beyond. If you're traveling between the end of November and December, you'll also get to experience Poland's oldest Christmas market in the square.

About 8 miles from the city is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an incredible series of chambers, pits, and tunnels more than 1,000 feet underground. Take a guided tour of almost a mile and a half of these subterranean corridors, then visit the onsite Saltworks Museum, which provides info about the mine's history and the salt's therapeutic properties.

Tonight

From $46 per night

This weekend

From $107 per night

Next weekend

From $107 per night

Most popular time to visit October-December
Cheapest time to visit January-March
Local currency 10 zł = $2.48
Language Polish
Average weekend price $85 per night
Average weekday price $89 per night
Average stay 2 nights

Points of interest in Krakow

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Krakow

Latest articles featuring Krakow

Inspiration and insider tips for things to do in Krakow

10 dishes to try on your next trip to Kraków

Sweet treats or savoury street-fare, there's something for every palette in Kraków.

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8 reasons to visit the Krakow Christmas Market

Eat your way around one of Europe’s most picturesque markets.

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Where to stay near Krakow's Main Market Square

4 cosy apartments around Europe’s largest medieval square.

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Where to stay near Krakow's Wawel Castle

5 places to base yourself close to Poland’s former royal residence.

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Krakow reviews

What other travelers say about Krakow

10

Amazing place, great for sightseeing, shopping and enjoying...

August 10, 2023

Amazing place, great for sightseeing, shopping and enjoying the historical buildings / museums. Although, keep fingers crossed for the weather (it was raining a lot during our 1 week stay in early Aug)

Akos
Akos Hungary
10

Wow what a total transformation to the krakow I visited back...

August 9, 2023

Wow what a total transformation to the krakow I visited back in the late 80’s.The square was alive with people from all over the globe.The tram service is fantastic with an app you can download to buy from 24 hr to 72 hr travel. While it’s wonderful to be in the centre square prices on food and drink reflect it. I strongly recommend you visit the old Jewish quarters many wonderful cafes and food trucks to choose from while also honouring those who were put here in beyond pleasant circumstances. Make sure to have comfortable water proof shoes and should you want to buy some nice leather boots etc there are great bargains to be got. One of our most favourite Indian restaurants to eat was indian masala not far from the square the food service and value for money is excellent.We stayed in INX hotel which was a really comfortable and spotless clean hotel also great value for money and the tram literally runs by it three stops into the main square. I felt safe in krakow at night also I will definitely return. Hope this helps

Adminxx
Adminxx Ireland
10

If you like to socialise and try polish food go to krakow...

August 9, 2023

If you like to socialise and try polish food go to krakow (The Old Town) great food the local polish people are so friendly and Krakow is just amazing for trips The castle, the salt mines Schindlers Factory and of course The very sad but a massive part of history that everyone should be educated about and that is Aushwitz.

ALISON
ALISON United Kingdom
10

The city is very interesting and full oh history.

August 9, 2023

The city is very interesting and full oh history. The hotel is central, few steps away from old town Kraków. The metro is right there and so are sone shops and a pretty garden. Nice area and calm. The hostel itself isn’t pretty snd isn’t clean ( I can speak for the bedroom and the bathroom ) the mattress is soft and noise so are the bunks. At each little move you can hear everything and can easily awake the other guests. Only few sockets to plug phones or technology tools. The sheets and pillow cases are very old., over used. The bathrooms are dirty, hair is everywhere, no hangers to hang clothes or towels once in the showers, ground floor dirty and always wet. People don’t flush the water after using the wc ( not the property’s fault after all ) the staff is very nice and welcoming, helpful and always smiling. The poor girls have to manage both, reception and cleaning the hostel such as msking the beds, Laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and probably the rest of the hostel which I didn’t not visit such as the kitchen, common area and so on…!

Paola
Paola Italy
10

Very nice city with a rich and interesting history.

August 7, 2023

Very nice city with a rich and interesting history. We visited Wawel castle, house of Czartoryski, Schindler's factory museum, Jewish museum. It was a big pleasure to walk and stroll in the old town.

Vaimaro
Vaimaro Lithuania
10

Beautiful charming city.

August 7, 2023

Beautiful charming city. It is the city which suffered the holocaust during the world war. And the tragic atrocities towards the Jews can be seen at Auswitch and Bikaneur. Also Schindlers factory exhibition. The city has many historical buildings and churches. The market square is a good place I enjoyed the walking tour

MGBhat
MGBhat India

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