Kraków

Travel Guide

Wawel Castle which includes château or palace, a city and heritage architecture
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing a square or plaza, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Krakow Barbican which includes outdoor art, a monument and heritage architecture
Krakow showing interior views
Main Market Square featuring street scenes and outdoor art
Poland’s former capital is known for its architectural splendour, exciting contemporary art and fascinating history, with castles, ruins and museums around the city.

Krakow is known for its turbulent history as one of the oldest cities in Poland. Its museums, housed in former castles and decadent Renaissance palaces, are filled with royal treasures and Holocaust reminders. But Krakow lives as much in the present as it does in the past, with a thriving contemporary arts scene, weekend markets and a lively nightlife.

The city is more than 750 years old for five centuries it was Poland’s capital. Successive generations of monarchs constructed castles and cathedrals and instilled a regal air that’s still evident today.

Getting around is easy thanks to a reliable network of trams and buses. Many of the major attractions are located within the compact and easily walkable Old Town (Stare Miasto) district. Visit the decorative St. Mary’s Basilica, which houses one of the most spectacular altarpieces in Europe. Take a walk around the Planty gardens that lie where the old town walls once stood. The old town gate, the Barbikan, is one of the most impressive sights in the park.

Towering above the city is Wawel Castle. This castle has protected Krakow from invaders since the 16th century, and today houses stately rooms, displays of opulent jewels and collections of armour. While here visit the monumental Wawel Cathedral and the Dragon’s Den, a limestone cave where legend says a dragon once lived. 

Krakow’s history is intertwined with its Jewish community. Learn about this history at Oskar Schindler’s Factory, which found fame as the subject of the Steven Spielberg movie, Schindler’s List. The former factory has been turned into a comprehensive museum with haunting displays about the Holocaust. Head to the Galicia Jewish Museum, where photographs tell the story of what it means to be Jewish in modern-day Krakow.

In summer Krakow’s city parks come to life with open-air concerts and festivals. Picnic in Jordan Park or take a cruise on the Vistula River that cuts through the city. In winter, see Krakow covered in a layer of snow, giving the buildings of the Old Town a romantic air. 

Where to stay in Kraków

Krakow which includes a city and heritage elements as well as a large group of people

Kraków Old Town

5/5(777 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Rynek Underground to St. Mary's Basilica – discover Kraków Old Town, a destination also famous for its shopping.

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 Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice to Town Hall Tower – discover Kraków City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Kraków City Centre
Kazimierz showing a city and a square or plaza

Kazimierz

4.5/5(203 area reviews)

Kazimierz is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Old Synagogue and Galicia Jewish Museum while you're in town.

Kazimierz
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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 Royal Road and Little Market Square.

Wesoła Zachód
Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow as well as a couple

Podgorze

4.5/5(69 area reviews)

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Podgorze. A stop by Oskar Schindler Factory or Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s Pharmacy in Krakow Ghetto might round out your trip.

Podgorze
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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
Hotel Europejski
Hotel Europejski
3 out of 5
Lubicz 5, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is S$146 per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
S$146
includes taxes & fees
15 Apr - 16 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (998 reviews)
"Nice staffs. Beautiful decorations"

Reviewed on 2 Apr, 2025

Hotel Europejski
AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
4 out of 5
Aleja 3 Maja 51, Kraków
The price is S$135 per night from 11 May to 12 May
S$135
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (434 reviews)
Great Stay!
"Gorgeous hotel. Quiet location with a shop nearby. 10 mins into the centre with tram stops just outside. Nice staff & offered everything you could need."

Reviewed on 1 Apr, 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
Amber Design Residence
Amber Design Residence
4 out of 5
ul. Sw. Marka 35, Kraków
The price is S$176 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$176
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"Great location and close to downtown love it"

Reviewed on 7 Apr, 2025

Amber Design Residence
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.
P&J Apartments
P&J Apartments
3 out of 5
Florianska 39, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (516 reviews)
"Pretty good, enjoyed the stay!"

Reviewed on 11 Apr, 2025

P&J Apartments
Aparthotel Stare Miasto
Aparthotel Stare Miasto
4 out of 5
Ul. Golebia 2, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 4-star boutique aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,137 reviews)
"Staff were very helpful especially Olga had breakfast there 2 mornings delicious"

Reviewed on 11 Apr, 2025

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
Turnau City Aparthotel
Turnau City Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
ul. Szlak 50/220, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Royal Road and Main Market Square are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (347 reviews)
location is great
"Great location, good communication for remote access. Mattresses were thin and hard, so if you like a firmer place to sleep, then this is your location. I would not oppose returning here."

Reviewed on 7 Apr, 2025

Turnau City Aparthotel
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.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Kraków

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1985
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
392
4 - Good 16%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 1%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Was looking forward to this trip, but always next year.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

lovely place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Because of the Corona virus we couldn't visit what we wanted to, but we will definitely come back as the city was beautiful & seemed very safe with plenty to do & lovely restaurants.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were there when all museums were shut then we had 24 hours notice to leave the country before the borders shut, so we had to stop our trip short. But otherwise it was fun!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Krakow especially the old town is beautiful! There are plenty things to see and plenty of places to eat! We stayed for 5 days but could easily see everything in 3!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Went for a short city break, Kraków is a lovely city we stayed in the old town just on the square. Location was good with easy walking to restaurants, shops, and other things of interest.