Kraków Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Wawel Castle featuring a city, heritage architecture and château or palace
St. Mary\'s Basilica featuring a church or cathedral, night scenes and a city
Krakow Barbican which includes a monument, a city and street scenes
Krakow which includes interior views
Main Market Square which includes street scenes and outdoor art
Cathedrals, ancient synagogues, palaces, parks and even a dragon’s den make the former Polish capital one of the most fascinating European cities to explore.

Dating back to the seventh century, Krakow is among the oldest cities in Poland. The palaces and castles that were once home to the nation’s rulers and royal families have been converted to museums and are ideal places to learn about the city’s often troubled past. For five centuries Krakow was the Polish capital and while the monarchs may have left, their legacy can still be seen throughout the regal city.

History is just one of Krakow's draws: the progressive city is also home to an exciting contemporary arts community, colourful weekend markets and a fascinating underground nightlife.

Krakow’s efficient public transport system makes crossing the city easy, but many attractions are just a short walk from the city centre. See the beautiful St. Mary’s Basilica, home to one of Europe’s most revered altarpieces, or wander through the Planty gardens that once marked the city’s border. In the centre of the park you’ll find the Barbikan, once the entrance to Krakow.

Throughout the city are great vantage spots to photograph the Wawel Castle that looms above Krakow. Visit the castle to see its stately interior and a collection of military relics or to see the enormous Wawel Cathedral. Legend has it that a dragon once lived below in the limestone cave known as the Dragon’s Den.

Krakow’s Jewish influences are evident throughout the city its often-painful history can be discovered at Oskar Schindler’s Factory. After rising to international fame following the release of Stephen Spielberg’s movie, Schindler’s List, the factory was converted into a dedicated museum that outlines the haunting events of the Holocaust. The nearby Galicia Jewish Museum takes you on a fascinating photographic journey through the contemporary Jewish community in Krakow.

When dusted with snow, the picturesque city looks like something from a fairy tale. In the warmer months Krakow’s parks become central meeting places, home to open-air concerts and arts festivals. Pack a picnic lunch and head to Jordan Park or go on a boat for a tour of the Vistula River that splits the city in half.

Where to stay in Kraków

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

Kraków Old Town

4.5/5(43 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Main Market Square to Rynek Underground – 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(82 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
Kazimierz showing a city and a square or plaza

Kazimierz

4.5/5(6 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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Wesola

Travellers like the parks in Wesola, and Galeria Krakówska is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Wesola
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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
Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow as well as a couple

Podgorze

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
AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
4 out of 5
Aleja 3 Maja 51, Kraków
The price is NZ$230 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$230
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (469 reviews)
"- BARDZO PROFESJONALNA OBSŁUGA - SERWIS WYŚMIENITY - POSIŁKI - ŚNIADANIA - PRZEKĄSKI - BARDZO SMACZNE - WYGODNA LOKALIZACJA - TRANSPORT - STREFA WELLNESS WYSOKI STANDARD - BARDZO CZYSTO - ESTETYCZNIE - DUŻY PRZEKRÓJ INFORMACJI O MIEŚCIE KRAKOW - ZABYTKI - WYDARZENIA KULTURALNE - MUZEA"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
Radisson Blu Hotel, Krakow
Radisson Blu Hotel, Krakow
5 out of 5
17, Straszewskiego Street, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is NZ$233 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$233
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
Lads trip
"Thoroughly enjoyable break with friends.hotel was great , nice bar area to relax after a long day , hotel in a great location, very friendly staff. Highly recommend"

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Krakow
ibis Styles Kraków Centrum
ibis Styles Kraków Centrum
3 out of 5
Mogilska 53, Kraków
The price is NZ$89 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$89
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Royal Road and Oskar ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (158 reviews)
"Perfect deal in Krakow!"

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

ibis Styles Kraków Centrum
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.
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (371 reviews)
"Good flat,"

Reviewed on 20 Jun. 2025

Turnau City Aparthotel
Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
4 out of 5
Rynek Glowny 11, Kraków, Lesser Poland
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,222 reviews)
"Our stay was very good at Venetian hotel, the staff were very friendly and helpful nothing was too much trouble and would recommend a stay there 😎"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
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! (1,182 reviews)
"We stayed in this hotel in April and found the hotel to be very well located for the main attractions; it is just a short walk to the main square. The room was wonderful in what is a very old and historical building. Breakfast was high quality and freshly prepared when ordered. I was a little concerned ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Aparthotel Stare Miasto
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

Activities

Reviews of Kraków

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
58
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
28
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful city with lots to see and do. The Old Town is fantastic. We also went from our hotel to Auschwitz. An amazing experience.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very beautiful underrated city, lots to see and do, the square is a great mix of culture and happiness, go to Krakow you will not be disappointed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Walk.

5/5 - Excellent

RobertandBruno

Very easy city to navigate by foot. Tons of history.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

With only 2 days in Krakow, it wasn't possible to do and see everything that I wanted to, as one of those days included a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

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