Top things to do in Krakow
Attractions, tours, and activities in Krakow
Recommended museums in Krakow
Where to find art and culture in Krakow
Krakow: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Krakow
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Old Town
In downtown
There’s a sense that things are constantly in flux in Krakow’s historic heart. Each of the colourful multi-level buildings that flank Stare Miasto Square are disproportionately sized, like gears that were stopped mid-locomotion. Join the rush of folks that pour into restaurants and bars for an evening of merriment.
Places to stay from $6 a night
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Grzegórzki
0.9 miles from downtown
Grzegórzki has the holy trinity of malls with Galeria Kazimierz, M1 and CH Plaza. All offer the expected – clothes, books and bric-a-brac. But it’s a pint-sized sausage stand known as "kiełbaski z niebieskiej nyski" that attracts folks by the dozen for a nibble of its famous fare. It’s right next to Hala Targowa, filled with flea-market finds from a bygone era. Join the queue.
Places to stay from $8 a night
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Zwierzyniec
1.4 miles from downtown
Everything good comes in threes. Zwierzyniec's Zoo holds half-an-Ark's worth of screeching, squawking animals that will delight children. Cracovia is a major football stadium, and wild and unkempt Blonia is Europe's largest urban meadow, filled with walking trails. Yes, you're spoiled for choice!
Places to stay from $7 a night
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Debniki
1.5 miles from downtown
Krakow is enveloped by natural beauty. However, if you don’t fancy the 100km-hike to the breathtaking Jurassic Highlands, Debniki delivers in droves. Zakrzówek Nature Park has kiwi-green and crimson meadows, moderate walking trails and brims with places to picnic. Alternately, try Lasy Tynieckie Park – the gorgeous Benedictine Monastery dovetails the forest and the Vistula River.
Places to stay from $20 a night
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Lagiewniki
2.9 miles from downtown
Walk Lagiewniki’s modest suburban streets and you’ll most likely see busloads of tourists bound for one destination. The black-and-white, modernist Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics. For the rest, it’s a sleepy suburb set to a backdrop of pines and linden trees, with a road leading far off into the Zakopane Mountains.
Places to stay from $26 a night
About Krakow
Including tips for the best time to visit Krakow
Legend has it that Kraków was built on top of a dragon's cave – and there's certainly a fairytale aura throughout the city's charming squares, palaces, and cathedrals. The beautiful old town is circled by forested parkland and home to the hilltop Wawel Castle overlooking the Vistula River.
Dive into Kraków's history by visiting one of its National Museum branches that are free on Sundays, or the Kraków Historical Museum, which features an underground exhibit beneath the current Market Square. The city is also home to Collegium Maius, a striking example of 15th-century Gothic architecture and also the oldest university building in Poland. Plan a visit on a guided tour to see the ancient astronomical tools used by former student Copernicus.
As Poland's second-largest city, Kraków has a vibrant nightlife with hundreds of bars hidden in cellars and courtyards, spanning across the old town to Kazimierz and beyond. If you're traveling between the end of November and December, you'll also get to experience Poland's oldest Christmas market in the square.
About 8 miles from the city is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an incredible series of chambers, pits, and tunnels more than 1,000 feet underground. Take a guided tour of almost a mile and a half of these subterranean corridors, then visit the onsite Saltworks Museum, which provides info about the mine's history and the salt's therapeutic properties.
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| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | 10 zł = $2.65 |
| Language | Polish |
| Average weekend price | $85 per night |
| Average weekday price | $93 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Krakow
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Krakow
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Main Market Square
0.1 miles from downtown
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Galeria Krakowska
0.5 miles from downtown
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Wawel Royal Castle
0.6 miles from downtown
Krakow reviews
What other travelers say about Krakow
The main square was our favourite place to be with a glass...
May 13, 2025
The main square was our favourite place to be with a glass of wine in the evening and wonderful restaurants. We took a city tour early in an electric golf buggy which was so valuable as we knew where to go after. We visited Auschwitz-Birkenau which was incredibly moving but a must visit to remember what happened. We visited the Ghetto and the Jewish Quarter. We will be back to explore further. Krakow is a beautiful city so clean and with lively people!
One of the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to.
May 11, 2025
One of the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere is fresh and lively, but also relaxed. Either on foot or by bike, there is so much to explore: the historic centre, surrounded by the old city walls, now mostly a beautiful park with centennial oaks and colorful flowers; the Wawel Castle which still guards over both city and river; and the old jewish district, Kazimierz, today full of things to see and do. A train ride away, are the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi Extermination Camps.
So much history packed into such a small city.
May 10, 2025
So much history packed into such a small city. The main tourist areas are all within easy walking distance of each other. Lots of great places to eat and drink and plenty of good walking tours providing plenty of information on the history of the city.
Loved the city.
May 10, 2025
Loved the city. Charming atmosphere and lots to do. The historic centre is marvellous, in excellent state, with beautiful churches. I recommend to rent a bike to discover the lakes nearby (Bagry & Zakrzówek) & the Tyniek abbey, where one can also do kayaking. Most respectful drivers I saw for cyclists and pedestrains in all visited countries; it is a quiet city, no horn heard in 10 days ! Nice green belt around the old town, and interesting museums, I recommend the Schindler factory museum, the Polish aviation museum & the technical museum. The salt mines are must-do, UNESCO heritage ! Just go for it :-)
Very safe.
May 10, 2025
Very safe. Lovely old architecture. Great value. Salt mine tour was fabulous. Auschwitz was a must do. Morskie oko and Kuchnia u Doroty were such delicious, valuable restaurants recommended by our pierogi cooking class local. Best rec! Pierogi cooking with Olga with fun and informative.
Krakow is a beautiful city with a rich history.
May 10, 2025
Krakow is a beautiful city with a rich history. It was not hit too hard during the second world war so a lot of its history remained intact. It is also a great drop off point for visits to the salt mine or Auschwitz Birkenau.
Popular places to stay in Krakow
Stay in some of the best accommodations Krakow has to offer
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Relaks Apartamenty Old Town, Krakow
From $121 per night
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AGA Tenis Apartments by Radwańska Old Town, Krakow
From $181 per night
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Main Square Apartments Old Town, Krakow
From $173 per night
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NOOK NOOK Apartments Kazimierza Wielkiego 104 Krowodrza, Krakow
From $77 per night
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H11 Aparthotel Old Town, Krakow
From $156 per night
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Other accommodations in Krakow
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Krakow
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Apartments
From $8 per night
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Villas
From $42 per night
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Cottages
From $42 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $18 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $81 per night
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Guest houses
From $12 per night
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Hostels
From $6 per night
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B&Bs
From $7 per night
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Homestays
From $11 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $7 per night
