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 $19 a night
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Lagiewniki
3 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 $24 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 $78 per night
This weekend
From $140 per night
Next weekend
From $116 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | 10 zł = $2.50 |
| Language | Polish |
| Average weekend price | $77 per night |
| Average weekday price | $82 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
Krakow reviews
What other travelers say about Krakow
We liked the little coffee shops and hidden bars in the...
May 9, 2024
We liked the little coffee shops and hidden bars in the alleyways. The main square is too touristy, the side streets are better for places to eat and drink, and prices are lower. Do not like the horse drawn carriages, the horses don’t stop, they are not given water no matter how hot it is and they look exhausted and broken in their eyes!!! I would never pay to do this, these horses suffer for tourism and it needs stopping!!!! Pod Wawalem is a great place to eat and drink due to the nice atmosphere and good food! The home made lemon vodka is amazing! The British stag do’s ruin what is such a beautiful city.
Krakow is a beautiful city.
May 7, 2024
Krakow is a beautiful city. Very easy to get around on trams, €1 per trip anywhere. Lots of lovely reasonably priced restaurants. Riverside is gorgeous to walk along, take a boat ride. Lots of very interesting museums.
the old town is excellent, vibrant and busy but such a...
May 6, 2024
the old town is excellent, vibrant and busy but such a lovely area. if you've never been then I highly recommend a visit, or two! food and drinks are relatively cheaper than the uk. a litre of lager around 6 pounds, premium spirits somewhat dearer. food is extremely good value and again cheaper than the uk. there are the usual tours on hand but booking before you go can save but best to compare. we had changes to our tour plans so always best to stay on top of last minute messages and texts but all said a lovely busy three day break, check out Harris piano bar in the main square, just as I remember it 16 years ago( but ill swear it had moved)! 6/6-50
Lovely city with lots to do.
May 4, 2024
Lovely city with lots to do. Very flat and easy to get around. Really great restaurants (highly recommend Starka restaurant jozefa 14 and Czarna kaczka poselska 22) with plenty of choice in both the old Town and Jewish quarter. Everyone spoke English so also very easy to communicate. The cost of food etc was very reasonable as compared with the UK, so can have a good value break here. We went on two 'free' walking tours - one in the old city and one in the Jewish quarter (with walkative tours) - both lasted 2.5hrs and were very good. We also went on a day long tour to Auschwitz and the salt mine (with Mr Shuttle) - obviously going to Auschwitz was very sobering, but we were glad we went. We had a great time - hope you do too!
Beautiful clean city.
May 3, 2024
Beautiful clean city. Very safe. Good public transport. Easy to communicate with the local people. I particularly liked the Jewish quarter. There's a very nice restaurant there called Ariel, it used to be a Rabbi's home. I recommend eating indoors for the best experience. I have uploaded photos.The day trips we went on were to Auschwitz Birkenau and the Salt Mine, I highly recommend them.
Had 3 full days in this beautiful city.
May 3, 2024
Had 3 full days in this beautiful city. Did Auschwitz, Salt Mines and Zakopane which included funicular and thermal baths. Plenty of walking was undertaken from the Jewish District down to Podgorze to see Oskar Schindlers factory and the remains of the Ghetto Wall by way of Lover's Bridge and acrobat sculptures and a lovely walk along the river. Heading in the other direction took you to Wawel Castle and via Planty Park to the Old Town Square. A fabulous city and I would highly recommend it to friends
Popular places to stay in Krakow
Stay in some of the best accommodations Krakow has to offer
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K4 APARTHOTEL KRAKÓW Old Town, Krakow
From $148 per night
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Topolowa Residence - LoftAffair Collection Grzegórzki, Krakow
From $66 per night
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EXCLUSIVE Aparthotel Kraków Lubicz 40 Grzegórzki, Krakow
From $120 per night
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Art Boutique Old Town, Krakow
From $102 per night
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PURO Kraków Kazimierz Old Town, Krakow
From $112 per night
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Other accommodations in Krakow
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Apartments
From $7 per night
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From $40 per night
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Serviced apartments
From $17 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $77 per night
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Guest Houses
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From $5 per night
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From $7 per night
