20 Krakow Attractions: Must-See & Unmissable Krakow Sights

Krakow has long been one of the top cities to visit in Poland because of its history, charm, and beauty. Its cobblestone streets, fascinating museums, and a wide array of Krakow attractions ensure that you will be kept busy.

Krakow was the first city I ever visited in Poland, back when I studied in Prague. The history of the city and the country as a whole, along with the architecture and food, sparked a keen interest that keeps me coming back to Poland occasionally.

I have been to Krakow twice, with November 2023 being my most recent trip. Returning after more than ten years, it was delightful to re-explore the city and see its development through all these years. I don’t particularly appreciate comparing cities, but after visiting several Polish towns over the years, Krakow sees more tourists than others. However, it is still far from overcrowded like most Central and Western European cities. 

The best way to discover the city and enjoy Krakow activities is on foot, as most of the top attractions in Krakow listed below are near each other; you don’t need to use public transport unless you tend to go to the Nowa Huta neighborhood or on a few day trips.

This Krakow sightseeing post includes all the top things to do in Krakow. Use these suggestions to craft a 2-3-4 day Krakow itinerary. Since my last visit to Krakow in November, I have also written a few more articles that compile a comprehensive Krakow guide with all the necessary information to know when visiting Krakow.

Why is Krakow so famous and worth visiting?

Kraków’s cobbled streets and medieval architecture transport you back in time, offering a glimpse into its glorious past. Unlike Warsaw, World War II barely affected Krakow tourist attractions, making it one of the most charming cities to visit in Poland. The landmarks remain authentic, but they do tell the horrific stories of the Nazi occupation.

Today, Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland after Warsaw, but it is also one of the oldest, with the first settlement dating back to Before Christ times. Between the mid-11th century and the beginning of the 17th, Krakow was the capital of Poland. Therefore, some of the most gorgeous and historical buildings date back to this time, including Poland’s oldest university – Jagiellonian University. 

From 1795 to 1918, Krakow was part of the Austria-Hungary monarchy, which influenced the city for over a hundred years. The city has a long Jewish heritage and culture, which is easily seen in the Kazimierz district. 

The city has a different vibe from other Polish cities – it’s a bit artistic and bohemian, where each district has its own character and is very different from one another.

While the city offers much to see, Krakow attractions are not limited to its city borders. There are important sights beyond, like the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with shimmering salt chambers filled with intricate carvings and statues; the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where you’ll learn more about the horrific acts of the Third Reich; and the charming village of Zalipie with its cottages decorated with folk art and decorative motifs. 

Krakow is also a great getaway to Zakopane, a resort town at the base of the Tatras Mountains. During winter, it is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders.

While I plan on updating this guide as needed, if you find any information provided here changed, I’d appreciate it if you reached out and left a comment below. 

Unmissable Krakow attractions in Old Town

The vibrant Rynek Główny, the Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Europe’s largest medieval market square. It is one of the main Krakow attractions and a place to feel the city’s heartbeat. 

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Rynek Glowny

Translated as the Main Square, Rynek Główny was constructed after the Mongol invasion in 1257 and measures an impressive 40,000 sq. meters. For centuries, it was always a vibrant hub of markets, culture, and social life that pretty much hasn’t changed. It served as a gateway to the West, connecting Krakow to the broader trade network. 

The most essential Krakow attractions are all laid out here, which I will discuss below in more detail. The townhouses surrounding the Main Market Square are among the most lovely buildings in the city. That said, I absolutely fell in love with Poznan’s Rynek Glowny, and I believe it’s one of Poland’s most stunning main squares.

Throughout history, the Main Square has played an integral part in the formation of the city as it has witnessed all the important celebrations, royal ceremonies, and lively gatherings. 

Even today, Rynek Glowny is where seasonal markets also take place. My first visit to Krakow coincided with the Easter holidays; therefore, I witnessed an Easter parade of locals dressed in traditional clothing – white dresses and shirts vibrantly embroidered with colorful patterns. 

If you plan on coming to Poland in winter and Krakow is on your itinerary, it is here where the city holds its annual charming Christmas Market, selling local winter delicacies, souvenirs, and handmade items.

The square remains the heart of Krakow, where everyone gathers, enjoys beautiful architecture and intricately decorated townhouses, or simply enjoys the scenery from nearby cafes and restaurants. I loved walking around the Main Square during sunset when the sky gets pink, purple, and orange, casting golden hues on surrounding buildings. 

One of the things to do in Krakow at night is to come here when the square’s buildings are lit up, creating a completely different scenario and atmosphere of the area. I truly enjoyed strolls around the court and its surrounding streets.

→ Recommended tour: The Old Town Walking Tour (based on tips, but you pay a meager booking fee) or Creepy Krakow, where you listen to ghost stories in a two-hour walking tour

St. Mary’s Basilica 

This stunning church dominates the square’s western edge with its high towers and elaborate Polish Gothic architecture. This red brick structure of the 14th century is gorgeous both inside and outside. 

The interior decoration has breathtaking details, some quite old, while others are relatively new. And if your visit coincides with sunny days, pay attention to the sun rays coming through the stained glass windows and casting gorgeous colors onto the floors.

The most special treasure here is the Veit Stoss Altarpiece, a 13-meter-tall wooden altar depicting scenes from the Virgin Mary’s and Jesus Christ’s lives. To see it up close, you must use the church’s side entrance and pay a fee.

Another fascinating aspect of St. Mary’s Basicila is that when the clock strikes every hour, it is followed by the hejnal mariacki, a trumpet signal/melody played by a human from its tower every day, all year round. Pay attention to the melody as it stops mid-stream to commemorate a famous trumpeter who was shot while alarming the citizens before a Mongol invasion. 

For breathtaking vistas of Rynek Główny and the surrounding cityscape, climb the stairs to the tower.

• Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11:30 am-6 pm; Sun & holidays: 2 pm-6 pm.
• Entrance fee: general – 15 PLN outside the prayer times.
• More info
• The tower is temporarily closed until April 2024. 

Cloth Hall 

In the center of Rynek Glowny, you’ll find the Cloth Hall. As the city became an important stop on the trade route back in the day, it needed a designated building. Merchants from Europe and beyond gathered here to exchange goods and sell silk, leather, spices, and wax, fueling Krakow’s economic prosperity.

The original Cloth Hall was wooden, but a new Gothic building was constructed in the 14th century. Over time, the building changed a few times, and the current building, which dates back to the 19th century, is different from the original construction. 

Through the arched entrance of the Cloth Hall, you’ll find numerous stalls selling a mix of traditional Polish handicrafts, amber jewelry, intricate lacework, and a wide range of souvenirs. Make sure you look up on the walls to see the coats of arms of the various Polish cities.

The Cloth Hall’s upper level houses an art gallery exhibiting one of the largest collections of 19th-century Polish artists displaying paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

While the ground floor is free to enter, you’ll need a ticket to visit the gallery. More information here.

The Town Hall Tower

Another tall tower you’ll see at Rynek Glowny is the Town Hall Tower, constructed in the late 14th century as the centerpiece of the Old Town Hall. Its red brick facade is spectacular, with beautiful stonework and delicate carvings. 

Currently, part of the Historical Museum, the only way to visit the tower is to go to its viewing deck by climbing more than 100 stairs. The panorama from here is worth the effort, though, as the red-tiled rooftops of the Old Town stretch out all the way to Wawel Hill.

• Opening hours: Mondays: 11 am-3 pm; Tue-Sun: 10 am-6 pm. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 18 PLN. Mondays are FREE. 
• More info and ticket purchase. 

Rynek Underground Museum

Beneath the Market Square lies the Rynek Underground, a museum dedicated to the Rynek Glowny that opened only in 2005, making it a recent addition to the Krakow attractions list. 

This exciting venue, located four meters below the city’s surface, takes you on a journey from Krakow’s earliest settlements to the modern era. Using hi-tech and immersive storytelling, it’s one of the best Krakow activities to enjoy in the late afternoon. 

The museum’s spacious halls showcase a remarkable collection of archaeological artifacts, remnants of medieval merchant stalls, tools, pottery, clay figures, burial grounds, historic coins, and interactive displays that bring Krakow’s history to life. 

I loved seeing the reconstructions of blacksmith and goldsmith workshops and a medieval weighing scale that still works and provides a person’s weight based on different city measuring rankings.

• Opening hours: vary each day. Closed every second Monday of the month. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 32 PLN. Tuesdays are FREE. 
• More info and ticket purchase. 
• Recommended tour: Guided tour of Rynek Underground Museum

Krakow attractions following the Royal Route

The Royal Route is another Krakow must-see attraction offering the possibility to trace the historical path of royal coronations from the iconic Floriańska Gate to the beautiful Wawel Hill.

Planty Park

The park encircles the historic center where Krakow’s old walls and fortifications used to be. It offers a tranquil escape from the city’s vibrant energy, and its size makes you feel like you are outside the city center.  

I can only imagine how nice and refreshing it would be to sit under the shade during hot summer days when various flowers and plants bloom in different colors. 

Even though we visited Krakow in November and the weather was slightly colder, late evening walks were one of the most enjoyable things to do in Krakow Old Town for us.

The Barbican and Old Defence Walls

Back then, Krakow was a walled city with seven entrance gates stretching over two kilometers. The gates would close at night.

Today, only a part of Krakow’s medieval fortifications remain on the northern edge of Old Town. The horseshoe-shaped Barbican once served as the city’s outer gate, guarding against invaders. A few meters from it, you’ll find the Old City Walls and St. Florian’s Gate leading to Florianska Street and eventually to the Main Square. 

Both Krakow attractions are temporarily closed. Check updates here.

Wawel Hill and Castle

Perched atop Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River, Wawel Castle is a beautiful palace that served as the residence of Polish kings for many centuries.

Even though the place was renovated and rebuilt several times, its current look is an interesting mixture of styles – its earliest structures date back to the 10th century, and lavish expansions were made in more recent centuries. This makes Wawel Castle one of Krakow’s most popular attractions. 

Explore the Royal Apartments, once the private chambers of Polish kings, and see their lavish lifestyle. Step into the Wawel Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture where Polish kings and queens are buried. Walking the grounds of Wawel Hill has no entrance fee, including the Arcaded Courtyard (Dziedziniec Arkadowy), making it one of the free things to do in Krakow.

You must pay to enter the Wawel Castle, its exhibitions, and Wawel Cathedral. Since there are limited tickets online and a huge line at ticket offices, I recommend getting your tickets online as early as possible. 

When planning a visit, remember that you can choose which exhibitions or attractions to see and need to buy separate tickets for each. A Wawel Cathedral ticket gives you access to the Sigismund Tower and the royal crypts. 

Therefore, allocate at least half a day to explore everything or the central parts of Wawel Hill.

• Opening hours: vary on days and seasons. 
• Entrance fee: vary based on exhibitions and rooms to visit. More info and ticket purchase.
• Recommended tour: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour

Wawel Dragon and its cave

Located beneath Wawel Hill, this cave is the source of many legends about fire-breathing dragons and heroic deeds that every Polish kid knows. 

Legend has it that a fearsome beast, the Wawel Dragon, terrorized the city by demanding regular offerings of cattle. Eventually, a clever young shoemaker offered the dragon sheep filled with sulfur and placed it near the Dragon’s Den.

After eating it in a single gulp, the sulfur ignited within its belly, causing pain and a burning sensation. It ran to the nearby Vistula River to drink water, but the water worsened everything, and the dragon exploded. 

You can explore the cave where the dragon allegedly lived. At the entrance, you can see a statue erected based on this legend, which gushes fire from its mouth at around 10-minute intervals. 

The statue is free to see, but you must purchase a ticket for 9 PLN to enter the cave at the machine at the entrance or the Wawel Castle ticket office.

Krakow sightseeing of the Jewish Quarter and beyond

Located adjacent to Old Town, Kazimierz is a historic district with a unique charm. With its labyrinthine streets, a wide range of places to eat in Krakow, and historic landmarks, this neighborhood is one of the main Krakow attractions. 

On the other side of the Vistula River is another neighborhood, Podgorze, which has its fair share of dark history of being the grounds of the Krakow Ghetto. Today, it is an up-and-coming district.

Kazimierz

One of the best things to do in Krakow is to wander the streets of the Kazimierz, once a thriving Jewish Quarter that has seamlessly transformed into a vibrant hub of art, music, and culinary delights.

Founded in the 14th century, Kazimierz was a separate city until 1791, when it became part of Krakow. It has gone through changes, but it always retained its spirit. 

The neighborhood has a different appeal and character than the neighboring Old Town. It has a more local vibe and becomes extremely lively in the evenings, making it a perfect place to experience fantastic Krakow nightlife in its bustling bars and cafes. 

During the day, wander along Szeroka Street, once the busy center of Jewish life, and admire the beautifully preserved synagogues. Venturing into the alleyways, you can find hidden courtyards, passages, and charming cafes. During weekends, Plac Nowy Square hosts a small flea market where you can rummage through vintage items.

→ Recommended tour: Kazimierz Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Old Synagogue

Being a Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz used to have several dozen synagogues before WWII. Today, only a handful remain. Some remain active, while others are converted into museums, cultural centers, or restaurants.

The Old Synagogue, built in the 15th century, now serves as a museum showcasing the life of Jews in Krakow. 

As you step through the arched entrance of the oldest synagogue in Poland, pay attention to the bimah, a raised platform where the Torah is traditionally read. It has some intricate carvings. Don’t forget to see the original Kodesh, another gorgeous piece that once housed the Torah scrolls. 

• Opening hours: Mondays: 10 am-2 pm; Tue-Sun: 10 am-6 pm. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 18 PLN. Mondays are FREE. More info and ticket purchase

Remah Cemetery

The cemetery, dating back to the mid-16th century, is the final resting piece of some of the most prominent figures of the city’s Jewish community, as well as from Prague and Vienna.

This oldest Jewish cemetery in Poland operated until the mid-19th century when a new one on Miodowa Street opened. 

When Nazis occupied Poland, they destroyed the cemetery and took the tombstones to use as paving stones in the concentration camps or sold them for profit. Since the liberation, the cemetery underwent serious restorations, and original monuments were returned and re-erected. However, it still represents a small fraction of what it used to be.  

• Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Thur: 9 am-5 pm; Mon, Fri, Sun: 9 am – 4 pm. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
• Entrance fee: FREE.

Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

One of the Krakow must-see places is the Shindler’s Factory Museum, devoted to a German businessman, Oskar Shindler, who saved nearly 1,200 Jews from being deported to concentration camps. Shindler’s story became world-famous after Steven Spielberg’s all-time classic movie Shindler’s List.

The factory’s administration building now houses a museum that chronicles the city’s experience under Nazi occupation from 1939 to 1945, the life of Jews, and Soviet “liberation.” It is a pretty interesting museum with stunning displays and informative boards, so devote enough time to it on your Krakow itinerary. 

Walking through the museum’s carefully curated exhibits, you are transported back to the turbulent years of the war. It shows how Nazis oppressed Poles and later Jews, seizing their homes and businesses, stripping away their freedoms, and threatening their very existence.

The museum also sheds light on the complex relationship between Jews and Poles during this tumultuous period. Read stories of collaboration, betrayal, compassion, and solidarity as Poles risked their own lives to protect their Jewish neighbors.

• Opening hours: Mondays: 10 am – 2 pm; Tue-Sun: 9 am-6 pm; Closed every first Tuesday of the month. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 32 PLN; Mondays are FREE with limited tickets. More info. Alternatively, buy a skip-the-line ticket here. 
• Recommended tour: Schindler’s Factory Tour with Entrance Ticket

Remnant of Krakow Ghetto Wall

In the Podgórze neighborhood in Krakow, you’ll find the remnant of a Krakow Ghetto, one of five major urban Nazi ghettos established during World War II, which served as a place of exploitation, terror, and persecution for the city’s Jewish population.

The ghetto, established in 1941, encompassed a crowded area measuring approximately 20 hectares and became home to over 16,000 people.

Barbed wire and a three-meter-high wall surrounded the ghetto, with the top section of the gate resembling Jewish gravestones. 

Within the ghetto’s borders, the Jewish community endured despicable living conditions. Each inhabitant was given a mere 2 square meters of living space, forcing families to share cramped quarters. The lack of adequate sanitation, food, and medical care worsened the situation, leading to widespread disease and malnutrition.

One of the information desks I saw at Shindler’s Factory Museum said that several ‘local’ stores sold a legal ratio of food whose nutritional value was set by Nazis and equaled 250-300 calories a day! 

The Krakow Ghetto was a place for the Nazi’s systematic extermination of the Jewish population. Between June 1942 and March 1943, the ghetto was liquidated, and the inhabitants were sent to concentration camps of nearby Belzec and Płaszów, as well as to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Ghetto Heroes Square

Ghetto Heroes Square, formerly known as Zgody Square, is near the Krakow Ghetto Wall. It was once a hub of Jewish life and now reminds people of the extraordinary courage and resilience of Kraków’s Jewish community during the darkest times.

This was the exact square where Nazis would gather Jews before deporting them to camps; therefore, it became a stage for unimaginable acts of cruelty.

In 2005, the square transformed, shedding its former name and embracing a new identity that honored the memory of those who perished. Renamed the Ghetto Heroes Square, this became home to a unique and powerful memorial – a field of 33 oversized chairs.

These big and empty metal chairs represent the countless lives lost during the Holocaust. The concept draws inspiration from the recollections of Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a Polish pharmacist who heroically ran a pharmacy within the Kraków Ghetto (more below). 

In his memoirs, Pankiewicz vividly described the scene of Jews being assembled in the square, their belongings piled around them as they awaited their fate. The image of these individuals sitting on their chairs, waiting for the unknown, left an indelible mark on Pankiewicz.

Most chair monuments face Pankiewicz’s former Under the Eagle Pharmacy. Three of them face Lwowska Street, where a fragment of the original ghetto wall is located.

Under the Eagle Pharmacy

During the establishment of the Krakow Ghetto, the Under the Eagle Pharmacy, run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a Polish pharmacist, was a spark of hope for many Jews within the ghetto. 

After graduating from the university, he took over his father’s pharmacy in 1933. When Nazis founded Krakow Ghetto, despite the offer to relocate to the safer side of the city, Pankiewicz chose to remain within the ghetto walls, determined to serve his community, and became the only pharmacy in the area.

With the meager supplies available, Pankiewicz and his staff tirelessly provided essential medications to the ghetto’s residents, often free of charge. Beyond providing medical care, the pharmacy also started various undercover activities. 

Pankiewicz and his staff, Irena Drozdzikowska, Helena Krywaniuk, and Aurelia Daner-Czortkowa, risked their lives to smuggle food, money, and information into the ghetto. It also served as a refuge and shelter for those facing deportation to the concentration camps. 

Now a museum, the customer room shows the place’s and its people’s history. The prescription room exhibits a diverse range of survival prescriptions, and the storage room is where people used to gather and find refuge.

• Opening hours: Wed-Sun: 9 am – 5 pm; Closed on Mon and Tue.
• Entrance fee: adults – 18 PLN; Wednesdays are FREE. More info and ticket purchase

The Museum of Contemporary Art

If you are interested in modern art, include the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK) in your Krakow itinerary.

MOCAK’s expansive galleries blur the boundaries between traditional art and contemporary innovation, presenting thought-provoking installations, captivating paintings, and sculptures that challenge perceptions and rebel against conventional expectations.

You can explore various forms of art from abstract expressionism to digital art, photography, and performance art.

• Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 11 am-7 pm; Closed on Mondays. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 20 PLN. Thursdays exhibitions at Level -1 are FREE. More info

Other noteworthy Krakow attractions within and beyond its city borders

Nowa Huta

Nowa Huta, located in the city’s eastern part, is a former industrial hub that used to be a symbol of socialist brilliance. 

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the area shed its industrial skin and became a neighborhood of historical significance. As many tourists don’t venture this far, it is one of the offbeat things to do in Krakow. 

With its street arrangement, overall layout, and grandeur of structures, Nowa Huta is one of the most expansive planned socialist realist communities. It was a utopian city. 

After the industrial era, Nowa Huta reinvented itself, embracing a new identity but remembering its past. With old and new cafes and bars scattered along the neighborhood, it indeed gives you the feeling of what it used to be. 

Start from the neighborhood’s heart, Plac Centralny, and stroll along the spacious boulevards. For me, the most important and exciting landmark in Nowa Huta was the Administration building and its bomb shelter (similar to the one we have in Tbilisi) of the former steel factory.

To visit, you must join a group tour organized by Fundacja Promocji Nowej Huty, aiming to popularize Nowa Huta among Poles and Krakow visitors. Independent visits are not possible, and the price of the tour is worth every penny. 

But besides this, Nowa Huta hides one of the most unique churches I’ve ever seen – Arka Pana (Lord’s Ark)- as well as Nowa Huta Museum and Nowa Huta Underground, both housed former bomb shelters, making them one of the unique museums in Krakow.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp

One of the must-see Krakow attractions is the horrifying place of Auschwitz-Birkenau. That said, I understand it is not for everybody, especially those with faint hearts. But if you can stomach hearing terrible stories and seeing disturbing items and pictures, I think dedicating a day or a half-day to do a day trip will give you a whole different perspective and understanding of humanity and the history of Poland.

Situated approximately 60 km west of the city, Auschwitz is a sight that evokes all the emotions at the same time. 

Oswiecim, once a quiet town, became a primary point of Nazi brutality as it transformed into a concentration camp. The Nazis expanded their reach to the adjacent village of Brzezinka, encompassing a vast 425 acres, and called it the Auschwitz-Birkenau in German. The entire operation was top secret, and the area was kept inaccessible.

Describing the place is a challenge; it’s an experience best felt firsthand. A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is an emotional and moving journey through a chilling chapter in history, exposing the harsh reality of the cruelest ruler of the 20th century.

You can explore the museum independently free of charge if you purchase/book a ticket in advance (tickets are issued in limited numbers). However, I strongly recommend opting for a tour with an educator from the museum. Read my detailed post about how to get from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

• Opening hours: the museum opens at 7:30 am every day, but it has different closure times depending on the season. 
• Entrance fee: FREE without a guide and if booked in advance. Adults with a guide – 90 PLN. More info and ticket purchase
• Recommended tour: we took this Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Pickup Options, which was very well organized with friendly staff. 

Wieliczka Salt Mine

You’ll find unique and captivating Krakow sightseeing – the Wieliczka Salt Mine – just a stone’s throw from the city. This historic mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been producing table salt since ancient times, making it one of the world’s oldest operational salt mines.

Throughout its extensive history, Żupy Krakowskie (Kraków Salt Mines) company oversaw the royal salt mine. However, commercial salt mining stopped in 1996 due to decreasing salt prices and flooding within the mine. 

At 327 meters deep, the mine unfolds quite stunning attractions, featuring shafts and labyrinthine passageways stretching to at least 287 kilometers. 

Over centuries, skilled miners have transformed the mine’s chambers into a masterpiece of sculpting and architecture, creating breathtaking chapels adorned with meticulous salt carvings and statues. 

Unlike the expected pristine white, the rock salt here has natural hues of grey and looks like granite.

In addition to the sculptures and chapels, visitors can explore displays showcasing historic salt-mining technology and walk by an underground lake.

• Opening hours: the museum opens at 7:30 am every day, but it has different closure times depending on the season. 
• Entrance fee: Adults – 116 PLN. More info and ticket purchase
• Recommended tour: Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with optional pickup

How many days do you need to visit Krakow?

I often get asked, “Is 2 days enough for Krakow?” or “How many days do I need in Krakow?”. 

My answer is always almost the same – it solemnly depends on your choice, budget, and the time you can spend here. 

Three days are ideal to see the most essential Krakow attractions and go on one of the day trips. I spent 2 days in Krakow on my first visit, and we managed to see the iconic sights of the Old Town and stopped by the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on our way from Prague to Krakow. 

On my last visit in November, we spent six nights in Krakow to fully immerse ourselves in the city and make the day trips without a rush. 

However, I understand that not everyone can spend this many nights in Krakow. Therefore, 3-4 days is perfect, depending on the time of the year you are in Poland, your interest, and nearby places you’d want to visit. 

In addition to knowing how many days you should spend here, it’s also important to know what to wear in Krakow based on seasons and months.

Where to stay in Krakow

Whether you’re a savvy traveler or a luxury seeker, hundreds of apartments or hotels in Krakow cater to all tastes and budgets. Here are some places to stay in Krakow based on my personal recommendation and the research I’ve done. 

Budget-friendly: Hostel Pod Wawelem (★9.0) offers a cozy and pleasant ambiance situated just steps from the Wawel Royal Castle. The hostel provides comfortable beds, shared bathrooms, and a communal kitchen, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking a central location.

Mid-Range: Hotel Stary (★9.1) is located in the historic center and boasts stylishly appointed rooms, a delightful breakfast buffet, and an inviting lounge area. Guests are within a short stroll of the main Krakow attractions.

Hotel Wyspiansk (★8.3) has a bohemian spirit with modern comforts and artistic flair. Inspired by the works of renowned Polish artist Stanisław Wyspiański, this hotel features artfully decorated rooms, a cozy restaurant, and a relaxing spa, providing a tranquil retreat.

Boutique option: Hotel Indigo Krakow – Old Town (★9.3) is an elegant hotel in Krakow that oozes sophistication. Situated among the cobblestone streets of the city’s historic center, this hotel features stylish rooms, a rooftop bar with breathtaking city views, and a vibrant restaurant serving contemporary Polish cuisine.

Luxury option: The Grand Hotel (★8.4) is a historic landmark incorporating elegance and timeless charm. This five-star hotel boasts opulent accommodations, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a rejuvenating spa. 

→ None of them suit your needs? Here are more hotels in Krakow to check out.

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