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

Hotel Rezydent
Hotel Rezydent
3 out of 5
ul. Grodzka 9, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is P6,033 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P6,033
P6,515 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"Lovey hotel right in the centre of krakow. Nice rooms, very clean and nice shower. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Plenty of places to eat all around the location. Would stay again if I was in Krakow."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel Rezydent
Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
4 out of 5
Ul. Rynek Glowny 44, Kraków
The price is P7,287 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P7,287
P7,869 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
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! (1,005 reviews)
Krakow highlight
"There were lots of good hotel in krakow. But this one was GREAT! VERY good bfast. Very nice room, drinks were also a big +."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only
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 P11,173 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P11,173
P12,067 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
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! (296 reviews)
"Excellent location"

Reviewed on Jun 23, 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! (1,002 reviews)
"We loved our stay here! The property was clean and the staff was so friendly. I felt very comfortable and safe here. The outside noise wasn’t loud and the location was perfect. When we come back in December, we will definitely stay here again. Thank you, Amber design."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Amber Design Residence
Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town - Destigo Hotels
5 out of 5
Slawkowska 13-15, Kraków, Malopolskie
The price is P8,769 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P8,769
P9,470 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kraków. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Main Market Square and Royal Road are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (155 reviews)
"✅"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town - Destigo Hotels
Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
4 out of 5
Rynek Glowny 11, Kraków, Lesser Poland
The price is P4,260 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P4,260
P4,601 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,221 reviews)
"I loved the location, walkable for tourist stuff on the square. Safe, with 24-7 door and reception. Staff were responsive. Clean, everything in the room as advertised. Only thing I disliked was the WiFi never worked well on 1 device, never worked at all on a second device."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Venetian House Market Square Aparthotel
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 featuring modern architecture

Kraków City Centre

Kraków City Centre is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Main Market Square and Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice.

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.

Wesoła Zachód
Krakow is a great city. Vibrant night life with plenty of cool pubs.

Stradom

If you're spending some time in Stradom, Aquarium and Natural History Museum and Dzok Monument are top sights worth seeing.

Stradom
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Piasek Południe

If you're spending some time in Piasek Południe, Malopolska Garden of Arts and Jozef Mehoffer House are top sights worth seeing.

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.

Piasek Północ
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Wesola

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

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Kraków Old Town