Where to Stay in Krakow: The Best places and Neighbourhoods
Historic, modern, cheerful and with cosmopolitan overtones, Krakow is one of the most surprising destinations in Poland. If you have made the decision to go there and need information about the most recommended areas to stay in Krakow, take note.
The best areas to stay in Krakow
Krakow has become a top destination, being one of the most popular cities in the country, whose attraction lies in its architectural treasures, gastronomy and the places where to enjoy it – it has more than 26 named in the Michelin Guide – as well as in the interesting enclaves that surround it such as the Auschwitz concentration camp or the Wieliczka salt mines.
As a result, the range of accommodation on offer in Krakow is very extensive and is growing all the time.
So when choosing accommodation in Krakow we must take into consideration other criteria such as proximity to the main points of interest, access to transport and, ultimately, comfort.
However, if we spiral thinly the most expensive neighbourhoods to stay in Krakow are Stare Miasto, Kazimierz and Podgórze.In contrast, the more economical Kleparz are Krowodrza and Pradnik Biały.
1.Stare Miasto
It is the ancient helmet of the city, declared Heritage of Humanity and, therefore, where the most valuable architectural attractions are located, making it one of the most recommendable and comfortable areas to stay in Krakow.
The starting point is the neuralgic plaza Rynek, the largest medieval square on the European continent, where the beautiful church of St. Mary is located.
From this square you can reach the Wawel Castle, which stands on the hill of the same name; the Park of Planty, which embraces it and preserves some remains of the ancient defensive walls, as well as St. Wenceslas’ Cathedral, the Town Hall tower or the Dragon Cave, where one of the mythological animals is said to have lived.
Its streets are full of souvenir shops, traditional shops, craft breweries, some jazz clubs and countless restaurants, where you can and should taste local dishes.
It is a small district, so there is not much distance from one point to another, and there is a wide range of hotels, many of which are located within the green belt of Planty Park.
As a central area, prices are more expensive than in other parts of the city, but lower than other European cities very tourist.In fact, you can sleep in a 4 star hotel for about 50 or 55 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN STARE MIASTO
2.Kazimierz
About two kilometers from the historical center is located this neighborhood, which was home of the Hebrew community until World War II, after which they were confined in the Podgórze ghetto, on the other side of the Vistula River.
It also brings together other monuments of interest such as the Gothic church of Santa Catalina, the basilica of Corpus Christi or the baroque church Na Skałce.It even has interesting museums such as the Ethnographic Museum or the Jewish Museum of Galicia, which is an extra opportunity to know a little more about the Holocaust and the history of the Jews.
But what makes it stand out is its offer of shops, local stores, wine shops, art galleries, antique shops, bars, cocktail bars and even an esplanade with food trucks, which are a powerful attraction for locals and visitors.
A quiet and alternative neighbourhood, which is an option to be considered for sleeping in Krakow, especially for travellers who want to go into the Hebrew past, enjoy local flavours or nightlife, without being too far from the centre.
The offer of accommodation is also very wide and varied and with prices similar to those offered in the Old Town, i.e. a hotel with 4 stars is also around 50 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN KAZIMIERZ
3.Kleparz
This neighbourhood is located north of Stare Miasto, just where Royal Road begins, one of the arteries that vertebrates the old city, marked by historical monuments.It is dominated by art nouveau and neoclassical style houses, among which there are a good number of shops, outdoor stalls, bars and restaurants.
It is very close to the Market Square or Rynek, and has other very quiet and charming as Jan Matejko, chaired by a large equestrian sculpture and decorated by the Church of San Florian or the Academy of Fine Arts.
Staying in this district of Krakow means being centrally located and also enjoying tranquility.You will also find a good offer of accommodation, whose prices are quite cheaper than in other central Krakow neighborhoods, being one of the cheapest to stay in Krakow. In fact, you will find without too much difficulty a 4-star hotel for about 40 euros.
ACCOMMODATION IN KLEPARZ
4.Debniki
This district is in the southwest of the city centre, just across the river Vistula.It was an independent town from Kraków until 1909, when it became part of its street map. Today, it is a residential district, where green areas predominate, the most prominent being Zakrzówek Nature Park or Bielany-Tyniec.
Here you can also visit the Benedictine Monastery Tyniec, built in the 11th century, the Palace of Lasocki or the Chapel of St. Peter and Paul.The negative part is that the accommodation offer is quite reduced, whose prices are similar to those of the historical centre. Therefore, a 4-star hotel costs between 50 and 65 euros per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN DEBNIKI
5.Krowodrza
From the tourist point of view, it lacks the charm of other neighbourhoods, but it is excellent if you want to sleep in less busy areas than the centre and more authentic.
Although the supply of hotels is not very prolific, the prices are among the cheapest. Therefore, it is one of the best areas for sleeping in Krakow for those who do not want to spend too much on accommodation or for those who travel in the peak season and do not have many alternatives when it comes to choosing.For about 35 EUR you can stay in a 4 star hotel.
ACCOMMODATION IN KROWODRZA
In addition to this article about the best areas to stay in Krakow we recommend you: Where to stay in Warsaw
6.Pradnik Bialy
It is located at northwest, bordering with Krowodrza district.It is also a quiet residential area with plenty of green spaces and parks such as Krowoderski, Wyspiánskiego or Kosciuszki, places for recreation and relaxation for both locals and visitors.
It is also very close to some of the most important green areas such as Wolski Forest, the largest green area in the country.It is sheltered by the Sowiniec hill and dominated by a large forest and several reserves, which include hiking trails, cycling routes and many other possibilities to enjoy active tourism.
It is not far from the Krakow Zoo, where more than 250 species live, and it is an exceptional opportunity to enjoy the animal world, especially for those who travel with their families.
Another interesting visit is the botanical garden of the Jagiellonian University. It is the first to be opened in Europe and the oldest in the country.It contains more than 5,000 native and exotic species, making it an almost unavoidable date for botany lovers.
The hotel layout is generous and has more discreet prices than other more central ones.So if your budget is not too large, it is not out of the question to include this area among the possible ones for accommodation in Krakow. You can easily access a 3-star hotel for about 30 Euro per night.
ACCOMMODATION IN PRADNIK BIALY
7.Grzegórzki
This district is located one kilometer northwest of the heart of the city, on the left bank of the Vistula River.It has the honour of being the greenest district in Krakow, as it includes the Wolski Forest, which, as we have mentioned, is the largest in Poland, where you can enjoy Mother Nature in all her splendour, as well as a wide range of active tourism activities.
It is also very close to the Kosciuszko Mountain, one of the most curious places in Krakow, which we recommend you to visit, a monument erected in honour of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a general who is considered a hero by the Krakowers, as he led the revolt to free the city from Prussian rule.
As a curiosity, it is raised with land brought from different battlefields, such as Raclawicka, where the Cracovian army led by this general defeated the Prussians.
It also hosts the new Jewish cemetery, which allows to understand a little more the history of this culture in the Polish city; the botanical garden, which treasures native and exotic species; and the Strzelecki park, where you can disconnect between visits.
ACCOMMODATION IN GRZEGÓRZKI
8.Podgorze
Located on the other side of the Vistula river, it is one of the most interesting from a historical point of view, while it hosted the Jewish ghetto that the Nazis created with the aim of “cleaning” the city centre.
It preserves the remains of the wall located at Lwowska 25 and Limanowskiego 62, which separated this neighbourhood from the city, as well as memorials such as Bohaterów Square or the Heroes’ Square.
In this square you can admire the sculpture of the chairs, composed of about thirty chairs, each one representing 1,000 dead Jews, scattered around the square.Here you can also find the Eagle’s Pharmacy, the only one in the ghetto, which hosts an exhibition on the history of this neighborhood.
Another point of interest is Oskar Schindler’s factory, where hundreds of Jews worked as cheap labor.Today it houses a museum that traces the history of the German occupation and served as the theme for the popular film Schindler’s List, which also brought it into the world spotlight.
In the immediate vicinity is the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK), which hosts a large and interesting exhibition of contemporary art, mainly by Polish artists.
It is an interesting area to stay in Krakow for those who want to sleep in areas with an identity or a special historical significance.
What is the best area for your hotel in Krakow?
Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland and its historical charm has made it one of the main tourist destinations in that country.It is located on the banks of the River Vistula and after Warsaw, is the second most populous city in Poland. Its Historic Center , also known as Old Town (Stare Miasto) , was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1978 for its great historical significance.
Undoubtedly, the Historical Centre is the best area to stay in Krakow , because it brings together the main attractions of the former capital of Poland.Starting with the emblematic Market Square (Rynek Glowny) , the largest medieval square in Europe surrounded by terraces, bars and restaurants where you can discover the local gastronomic proposal, and historical buildings such as the Basilica of St. Mary and the Tower of the Old Town Hall .In the Historical Centre, which you can visit on foot, you will also find the iconic Planty Park , an extensive green area that surrounds the entire old town and is the place where the defensive walls of Krakow used to stand.
If you are interested in knowing where to sleep in Krakow , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Warsaw, where to stay in St. Petersburg, where to stay in Berlin or where to stay in Vienna.
Krakow’s historical center, the best area to stay
Although Warsaw is the official capital of Poland, Krakow is considered by locals as the heart of the country, because it was for a long time the official capital and still retains its political, economic and cultural importance.It has been the venue for major sporting events and has been selected as the European City of Sports, a city full of history that managed to survive the Second World War and its devastating impact.
Its historical centre has been declared a World Heritage Site and the Market Square (Rynek Główny) is one of the most representative icons, the largest medieval square in Europe, with 40,000 square metres.It has an important historical and social significance, not only because it was designed in 1257, but it has been the meeting point of merchants, as well as public events, celebrations and even fateful episodes during the Second World War.it is a space of obliged visit and in its surroundings, you will be able to see medieval palaces, Renaissance and Baroque facades, innumerable terraces and even horse carriages very recommended for the tourists.you will also be able to find one of the main monuments of the city, the Basilica of Santa Maria that shows two towers of different heights.And if you prefer to see the city from the heights, you can climb the Old Town Hall Tower, 70 meters high and dating from the fourteenth century.
The old town of Krakow is surrounded by the emblematic Planty Park, a large green space that has 21 hectares and 8 kilometers long, where you can enjoy beautiful gardens, take a walk or take time to rest among the trees.This municipal park also preserves its historical imprint because it occupies the place where Krakow’s defensive walls used to stand, in fact a small sample of the fortifications is still preserved: the Florian Gate and the Barbican.
For its part, the Wavel Castle is another of the city’s highlights, just a few minutes’ walk from the historical centre.It’s located on the Wawel Hill by the Vistula River and has multiple stops of interest to visitors such as the Wavel Cathedral, the John Paul II Cathedral Museum with valuable objects on display, the Dragon Cave with tunnels 270 meters long and the Wawel Royal Palace built in the eleventh century.
University life vibrates in many corners of Krakow thanks to hundreds of young people who come to the city to study, probably justifying the fact that the city has become one of the largest centres of entertainment in Europe, with pubs, clubs and restaurants that cater for all tastes.And for those who prefer a more conservative place full of history, there is the Jama Michalika café, the oldest in the city and the country.
Other areas to stay in Krakow
Without a doubt, the best area to stay in Krakow is the historical centre, but there are other areas we recommend for your stay in Krakow.
Kazimierz
It is the Jewish quarter of Krakow with great historical importance because for many years it was the most prominent in Eastern Europe. Founded in 1335, Kazimierz is characterized by its fourteenth-century walls and its emblematic monuments such as the Church of St. Catherine, the Basilica of Corpus Christi and the Baroque church Na Skałce.Although it has preserved its historical side, Kazimierz has also become a popular place among tourists because of the large number of cafes, theatres and nightlife venues, especially visited by young people, and its architecture shows signs of modernity and alternative culture.
Debniki
One of the most peaceful areas for your accommodation is Debniki.It is located in the southwest of the city and is mainly a residential area with a wide range of architectural examples from 19th century facades to the Jagiellonian University building complex, where you can find the famous Benedictine monastery Tyniec dating from the 11th century, a district to walk and experience the city from its many open spaces such as Bielany-Tyniec Park (Bielańsko-Tyniecki Park Krajobrazowy).
Kleparz
It is the old quarter of Krakow and is located north of the Old City, just where the popular Royal Road begins.
Pradnik Bialy
For those who are looking for tranquility during their holidays in Krakow, Pradnik Bialy is the ideal place, located in the north of the city and is one of the areas that visitors like for its green spaces, such as the Krowoderski Park.
