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 Rezydent
Hotel Rezydent
3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is ₹9,511 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹9,511
₹10,271 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (996 reviews)
"A hotel that is located just off the old town square. The room was very spacious and the bed was comfortable. Tea and coffee making facilities were also provided in the room. Just note however that Krakow is a city where the bars and clubs run until the early hours so you will hear people on the ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 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 ₹10,932 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹10,932
₹11,806 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
"Fantastic stay, staff, room, breakfast and location all superb, will be back 😊"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 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
The price is ₹16,762 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
₹16,762
₹18,103 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
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! (298 reviews)
"Great location and top notch hotel."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels
5 out of 5
Ul. Pijarska 13, Kraków
The price is ₹12,822 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹12,822
₹13,848 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (390 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Amber Design Residence
Amber Design Residence
4 out of 5
ul. Sw. Marka 35, Kraków
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Old Town boutique with great service
"Great boutique with suites and kitchenettes. Great 24 hr service. NE edge of Old Town."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Amber Design Residence
Hotel Unicus Krakow Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Hotel Unicus Krakow Old Town - Destigo Hotels
4 out of 5
ul. Sw. Marka 20, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is ₹9,991 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹9,991
₹10,791 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (958 reviews)
"The property was really nice, we did not manage to sample the restraunt as it was under constructiom"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Hotel Unicus Krakow Old Town - Destigo Hotels
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