Kraków Old Town

Kraków

Krakow showing heritage elements and a city as well as a large group of people
St. Mary\'s Basilica which includes a square or plaza and street scenes
St. Mary\'s Basilica which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and night scenes
St. Mary\'s Basilica showing city views and night scenes
Krakow featuring a square or plaza

Discover ancient fortifications, atmospheric bars, varied museums, medieval treasures and royal palaces on a tour of Kraków’s fascinating historic center.

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 center 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-meter) 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 P7,292 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P7,292
P7,876 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"Great place to stay ,clean safe ,great location"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
Hotel Rezydent

Hotel Rezydent

3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is P6,958 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P6,958
P7,515 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
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! (998 reviews)
"Brilliant place"

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Hotel Rezydent
Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

5 out of 5
Ul. Slawkowska 3, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is P12,424 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P12,424
P13,418 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
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 Aug 12, 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 WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
Perfect peaceful city centre hotel
"Absolutely loved this hotel, central location but quiet side street so very peaceful. Easy short walk into the centre. Rooms are spacious and really comfy beds - we had family connecting rooms with the kids. They got a little treat box at check-in too. Breakfast is in a restaurant a short walk round ..."

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2025

Amber Design Residence
Nomadic Urban Premium Suites

Nomadic Urban Premium Suites

4 out of 5
Sw. Tomasza 27, Kraków, malopolskie
The price is P8,211 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P8,211
P8,867 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Main Market Square and Wawel Castle are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (93 reviews)
"Honestly, I can’t say anything negative about this place! Awesome location, friendly, helpful staff, and quiet rooms although right in the thick of all the action! Beds were comfortable. Rooms were clean. Loved having complimentary slippers, coffee and water in our rooms. Breakfast options were plentiful ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Nomadic Urban Premium Suites
Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels

Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels

5 out of 5
Ul. Pijarska 13, Kraków
The price is P9,498 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P9,498
P10,257 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (405 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel, staff very friendly, nice updated rooms, fabulous breakfast, love the eggs benedict, and the crepes suzette for dessert made tableside was amazing."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Hotel H15 Francuski Old Town - Destigo Hotels
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

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Wesoła Zachód

While Wesoła Zachód isn't home to many top sights, Main Market Square and Royal Road are some notable places to visit nearby.

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Stradom

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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.

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Wesola

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Kraków Old Town