Kraków Old Town Travel Guide

Kraków

Krakow which includes a city and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing a square or plaza and street scenes
St. Mary\'s Basilica which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and night scenes
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing central business district 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 center 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-meter) 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


Top hotels in Kraków Old Town

Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem

Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem

5 out of 5
ul. Pijarska 17, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
Excellent, charming hotel on old town. Neatly and beautifully decorated. Walking distance to everything. Comprehensive breakfast to die for. Staff are amazing. Olivia is a gem. It’s not a modern building, so expect old school beauty and elegance.

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem
Hotel Rezydent

Hotel Rezydent

3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is ₹7,790 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹7,790
₹8,413 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,006 reviews)
Location, location! On the edge of popular market square, loaded with restaurants and historical sites. Cabs and bus transportation a few yards away. Special mention to breakfast room staff. Natalya and her coworker (sorry I did not catch her name)were on top of everything every minute, and I thoroughly ...

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Hotel Rezydent
Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

4 out of 5
Ul. Rynek Glowny 44, Kraków
The price is ₹11,215 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
₹11,215
₹12,112 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,063 reviews)
The room was very comfortable and clean, the breakfast was good with a lot of choice and staff were very friendly.

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2025

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

5 out of 5
Ul. Slawkowska 3, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹17,196 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
₹17,196
₹18,571 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (335 reviews)
Amazing breakfast with fabulous helpful staff

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton
Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town

Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town

5 out of 5
ul. Florianska 28, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is ₹16,324 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
₹16,324
₹17,630 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,008 reviews)
We had a room on the interior of the 3rd floor so not much of a view but a large skylight with a motor driven shade. It was super cozy and very quiet, and very large. Well appointed with free waters and a Nespresso machine and hot water kettle (and caffeinated and decaf options for coffee and tea). ...

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town
Aparthotel Stare Miasto

Aparthotel Stare Miasto

4 out of 5
Ul. Golebia 2, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is ₹8,374 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
₹8,374
₹9,044 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,217 reviews)
Great value hotel in a fantastic location, just a couple of minutes from walk from the main square. Breakfast was really good, we didn’t have it included but were able to get a discount for staying in the hotel. Rooms were spacious, didn’t use the kitchen facilities but all seemed good. Would definitely ...

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Kraków Old Town

Krakow which includes 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
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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 Travel Guide