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 centre 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-metre) 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

Things to do


Top hotels in Kraków Old Town

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only

4 out of 5
Ul. Rynek Glowny 44, Kraków
The price is Rp2.066.836 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
Rp2.066.836
Rp2.232.182 total
10 Sept - 11 Sept
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Great place to stay ,clean safe ,great location"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town

Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town

5 out of 5
ul. Florianska 28, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is Rp3.582.972 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp3.582.972
Rp3.869.610 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (997 reviews)
"Location is just perfect."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town
Hotel Rezydent

Hotel Rezydent

3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is Rp1.972.161 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
Rp1.972.161
Rp2.129.934 total
15 Sept - 16 Sept
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! (997 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay here. Was a little loud at night but didn't really bother us that much. Everything we wanted to do and had booked was all within walking distance from the hotel. Not our typical kind of breakfast but overall we were happy with everything on our trip :-)"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Hotel Rezydent
Aparthotel Stare Miasto

Aparthotel Stare Miasto

4 out of 5
Ul. Golebia 2, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is Rp1.724.408 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
Rp1.724.408
Rp1.862.375 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
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! (1,192 reviews)
"Room Was lovely, but Aircon was really noisy."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
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 Rp3.712.653 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp3.712.653
Rp4.009.665 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (309 reviews)
"excellent property,perfect location very friendly stuff and most of all beautiful swimming pool,perfect to relax,very quite,would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton
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! (1,008 reviews)
"Excellent hotel in the heart of the old city, would recommend to anyone traveling to Krakow. Should I return to Krakow, I will certainly stay again."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 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.

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