Top things to do in Krakow
Attractions, tours, and activities in Krakow
Recommended museums in Krakow
Where to find art and culture in Krakow
Krakow: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Krakow
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Old Town
In downtown
There’s a sense that things are constantly in flux in Krakow’s historic heart. Each of the colourful multi-level buildings that flank Stare Miasto Square are disproportionately sized, like gears that were stopped mid-locomotion. Join the rush of folks that pour into restaurants and bars for an evening of merriment.
Places to stay from $5 a night
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Grzegórzki
0.9 miles from downtown
Grzegórzki has the holy trinity of malls with Galeria Kazimierz, M1 and CH Plaza. All offer the expected – clothes, books and bric-a-brac. But it’s a pint-sized sausage stand known as "kiełbaski z niebieskiej nyski" that attracts folks by the dozen for a nibble of its famous fare. It’s right next to Hala Targowa, filled with flea-market finds from a bygone era. Join the queue.
Places to stay from $7 a night
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Zwierzyniec
1.4 miles from downtown
Everything good comes in threes. Zwierzyniec's Zoo holds half-an-Ark's worth of screeching, squawking animals that will delight children. Cracovia is a major football stadium, and wild and unkempt Blonia is Europe's largest urban meadow, filled with walking trails. Yes, you're spoiled for choice!
Places to stay from $6 a night
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Debniki
1.5 miles from downtown
Krakow is enveloped by natural beauty. However, if you don’t fancy the 100km-hike to the breathtaking Jurassic Highlands, Debniki delivers in droves. Zakrzówek Nature Park has kiwi-green and crimson meadows, moderate walking trails and brims with places to picnic. Alternately, try Lasy Tynieckie Park – the gorgeous Benedictine Monastery dovetails the forest and the Vistula River.
Places to stay from $17 a night
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Lagiewniki
3.1 miles from downtown
Walk Lagiewniki’s modest suburban streets and you’ll most likely see busloads of tourists bound for one destination. The black-and-white, modernist Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics. For the rest, it’s a sleepy suburb set to a backdrop of pines and linden trees, with a road leading far off into the Zakopane Mountains.
Places to stay from $22 a night
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 $26 per night
This weekend
From $41 per night
Next weekend
From $74 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | 10 zł = $2.28 |
| Language | Polish |
| Average weekend price | $89 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
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Main Market Square
0.1 miles from downtown
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Galeria Krakowska
0.5 miles from downtown
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Wawel Royal Castle
0.6 miles from downtown
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Krakow reviews
What other travelers say about Krakow
A beautiful pleasant city, especially the old town.
October 2, 2023
A beautiful pleasant city, especially the old town. The cafes and restaurants are really great offering tasty food for reasonable prices. Galleria Krakowska is an excellent mall. The traffic jams are crazy, especially on Mondays. You'd better use tram instead of car or bus!
I adored this wonderful medieval city.
October 1, 2023
I adored this wonderful medieval city. So much to do we couldn't fit it in in a short 3 day trip. People very friendly and services were very efficient. Beautiful churches and places of interest. Wonderful atmosphere. I could of cried when I left. I will go back for sure.
This is my third visit to Poland.
October 1, 2023
This is my third visit to Poland. The Good Food, Good People is all which makes Cracovia a must on your next trip. We were there ( +17000 people from over 60 nations globally ) for an Global business convention and training. So business and Pleasure made this trip truly memorable.
it's a great old city with it's own vibe.
September 27, 2023
it's a great old city with it's own vibe. Downtown is warn, Jewish streets are magic. Many places with original decorations and food. Often you can hear authentic music. I was able also to look at Krakow at night from the mountain - it is adorable!
See Leonardo’s “Lady with ermine” in the Czartoryskich...
September 25, 2023
See Leonardo’s “Lady with ermine” in the Czartoryskich museum so get there early and avoid the crowds. Didn’t need to book in mid September. The Old town and Kazimierz are crowded in the afternoon and especially evenings. Easy to use the buses and trams which are very punctual and cheap. Not ideal for handicapped people, lots of steps and few ramps.
The hotel location is very good, in particular for the...
September 23, 2023
The hotel location is very good, in particular for the people travelling by train. From the hotel you can reach very easy and fast old town and many of other attractions. Kraków is a very nice city.
Popular places to stay in Krakow
Stay in some of the best accommodations Krakow has to offer
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Topolowa Residence Grzegórzki, Krakow
From $91 per night
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W Sercu Krakowa Aparthotel Old Town, Krakow
From $102 per night
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Hotel H15 Luxury Palace Old Town, Krakow
From $177 per night
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Art Boutique Old Town, Krakow
From $85 per night
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H11 Aparthotel Old Town, Krakow
From $108 per night
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Other accommodations in Krakow
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Krakow
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Apartments
From $7 per night
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Villas
From $36 per night
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Cottages
From $36 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $15 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $70 per night
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Guest houses
From $10 per night
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Hostels
From $5 per night
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B&Bs
From $6 per night
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Homestays
From $12 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $6 per night
