Kraków Old Town Area Guide

Stunning by any measure, Kraków’s beautiful Old Town fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. Here is our guide to what to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Kraków’s historic centre.

Kraków’s Main Market Square

Kraków Old Town Area Overview

The Old Town will almost certainly be the focus of your first visit to Kraków. Most of the city’s key historical attractions, from St. Mary’s Basilica to Wawel Hill, lie within the 3km circuit of Planty Park, and there’s more than enough to eat, drink, and do for any length of trip, without fear of repeating yourself.

The cobbled streets and squares are largely pedestrianised and flat, which makes it excellent for strolling. The churches and grand houses are a mix of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque, so it’s hard to go wrong with any accommodation here.

Kraków’s Old Town has some stunning places to stay and Kraków remains a bargain compared to many other European cities, although you will pay a premium for the central location. See the pricing for Bonerowski Palace, Hotel Jan and Venetian House Aparthotel as examples of recommended hotels for different budgets right in the heart of things.

The Old Town is a five-minute walk from the main train station and is cut through the centre by a tram line. Buses run parallel with Planty Park, which means you are never more than 10 minutes’ away from a stop.

For romance, Kraków’s Old Town is hard to beat. Our selection of restaurants and bars, hotels, shops, and things to do should offer something for every taste, but the real fun is exploring and discovering great basement bars or little shopping arcades for yourself.

Kraków Wawel Royal Apartments

Things To Do And See In Kraków Old Town

Amongst the must-see attractions of Kraków’s Old Town are the grand Rynek Główny, one of Europe’s finest Renaissance squares, with St. Mary’s Basilica, the Sukiennice, the Old Town Hall Tower, and the fascinating Rynek Underground Museum.

Also highly recommended are the newly-restored Czartoryski Museum, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s sublime Lady with an Ermine, the 14th century Collegium Maius, and the Wawel Hill complex of cathedral, royal apartments, and castle grounds.

You can follow the Royal Route along the showcase streets of Floriańska, Grodzka, and Kanonicza, or see our Two-Day, Three-Day and Four-Day Kraków Itineraries for the best way to see the highlights.

Our Kraków Sightseeing page has more suggestions, along with recommendations for Things To Do In Kraków. A KrakowCard can also be a good investment, giving you access to lots of Kraków attractions.

All locations can be found on the map below.

Kraków Town Hall Tower

Kraków Old Town Highlights

• Market Square
  Kraków’s Rynek Główny is the centre of the historical Old Town. This lively 40,000 square foot blend of restaurants, museums, bars, shops, hotels, and historical landmarks is surrounded some of the most magnificent architecture in the city.
• St. Mary’s Basilica
  Keeping guard over the market square for seven centuries, the imposing Gothic spires of St. Mary’s has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A trumpeter plays the Hejnał mariacki on the hour from tallest spire. Make sure you visit during the opening of the Veit Stoss altarpiece.
• Sukiennice
  The Renaissance equivalent of a shopping arcade, the Cloth Hall is now a corridor of gift shops and crafts, and a great place for souvenirs. There is an art gallery on the upper floor (see below).
• Town Hall Tower
  Impossible to miss on the opposite side of the main square to St. Mary’s, this gothic tower is all that remains of the 15th-century town hall. There is an exhibition devoted to local government, but the real star is the 70m climb for views over the Old Town.
• Rynek Underground Museum
  Directly beneath the main square, this fascinating museum lets visitors wander back through 1000 years of Kraków’s history. Built around an extensive archeological dig, Rynek Underground is enhanced by imaginative interactive technology. Recommended.
• Czartoryski Museum
  Recently reopened after almost a decade of renovation, Kraków’s Czartoryski Museum is most famous for the Lady with an Ermine. The building now has an impressive new glass atrium. The first half of the museum gives context to the collection, with historical and military artefacts. The second half is an important art collection with works by Rembrandt and Raphael, culminating in an intimate experience with the da Vinci portrait.
• Collegium Maius
  Dating from the 14th century, Collegium Maius was the main campus for the Jagiellonian, one of the oldest (and most historically prestigious) universities in the world. Beyond the deceptive gateway is a gorgeous courtyard with balconies, which can be visited for free. Entrance to the building itself is only possible with a guided tour.
• Wawel Hill, Cathedral, Royal Apartments, and Castle Grounds
  Kraków’s Wawel Hill is the historical centre of the city itself. Perched on a limestone bluff on the banks of the Vistula river, the magnificent 14th-century Wawel complex is an imposing and symbolic image of the city’s medieval might and superlative architecture.
• Floriańska Street
  One of the key streets on the Royal Route to Wawel Hill, Floriańska is a great place to see how the old and the new interact in Kraków. In the neat and narrow gothic buildings, there are restaurants, shops, museums, and bars, and behind the elaborately decorated Renaissance façades, you can find a night club, hotel, or a sushi restaurant.
• Grodzka
  The Royal Route continues from Rynek Główny down Grodzka street, with a number of impressive churches and plenty of places to shop or stop for lunch.
• Kanonicza
  There are a few plush hotels down here and the former house of John Paul II on the right. But the real reason to take this backstreet is the stunning view of Wawel that emerges at the end of the street.

The Krzysztofory Palace

Kraków Old Town Museums And Galleries

• Kraków Barbican, St. Florian’s Gate, and City Defence Walls
  On the northern tip of Kraków’s Old Town are the remnants of old city’s outer fortifications. The entire perimeter, now Planty Park, were once the old city walls.
• The Jan Matejko House
  Jan Matejko, one of Poland’s most celebrated painters, was born and died in this impressive house on Floriańska. The rooms on the first floor are unchanged since then, whilst the second floor has a display of his works. Matejko was also a collector, as demonstrated on the third floor.
• Museum of Pharmacy
  A small history of pharmacy spread across five floors of this Floriańska townhouse, with a full-scale recreation of a traditional dispensary.
• Palace of Fine Arts
  Jacek Malczewski’s freize around the exterior is the star here, symbolising the creative process. The other sculptures and details represent aspects of Kraków culture from start of the 20th century.
• The Szołayski House
  This branch of the National Museum offers ever-changing temporary exhibitions. It’s located on beautiful Szczepański, close to the main square, and is worth the visit to find out what is currently on display.
• The Krzysztofory Palace
  Located on directly on the main market square, the Krzysztofory Palace is a Baroque house containing a branch of the Kraków Museum. Parts of the museum are undergoing renovation but there is a permanent exhibition called Cyberteka, which looks at the urban development of the city until the early part of the 20th century.
• The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in Sukiennice
  Above the famous indoor market, the upper floor of Kraków’s Cloth Hall now houses the largest collection of 19th-century Polish painting, with themed rooms ranging from late Baroque through to Impressionist and Symbolist.
• Bunkier Sztuki Art Gallery
  Relocated from its former home in Planty Park, Bunkier Sztuki is a contemporary art space on the south side of Market Square.
• The Museum of Archeology
  Though the main collection features the pre- and early history of the Małopolska region, Kraków’s archeology museum is also worth a visit for exhibits from ancient Egypt, including human and animal mummies. The museum is noted for its splendid gardens and also has a separate branch in the Nowa Huta district.
• The Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace
  Tucked away in Kanonicza, this branch of the National Museum features religious art from the 12th to 17th centuries, as well as a collection of Orthodox art. There’s a room devoted to Veit Stoss, the sculptor who made St. Mary’s fine altarpiece.
• The Archdiocese Museum
  In addition to religious sculptures and paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, this museum is notable for the room where Karol Wojtyła (the future Pope John Paul II) lived. His furniture and belongings are on display.
• Natural History Museum
  Dating back to the late 19th century, Kraków’s Natural History Museum now includes live fish and various species of animal, as well as a tropical rainforest display, and some archive exhibits.

St. Adalbert’s Church

Kraków Old Town Churches

• St. Barbara’s Church
  With a porch decorated by the Veit Stoss workshop and an early 15th-century Pietà, St. Barbara’s is definitely worth a visit once you have seen St. Mary’s.
• Church of the Reformed Franciscans
  Located in ul. Reformacka, the microclimate in the crypt of this church has mummified the corpses. You can request a visit after All Saints’ Day on November 2nd and 3rd each year.
• Church of St. Anne
  In the old university quarter of the Old Town, St. Anne’s is a sumptuous example of the Polish Baroque, and contains the relics of St. John of Kęty.
• St. Adalbert’s Church
  Located on the south east corner of the main square, St. Adalbert’s is one of the oldest churches in Kraków and named after the saint who once apparently preached here. The exhibition space below continues the theme of the Rynek Underground Museum.
• Dominican Church
  Sat firmly on the edge of Planty Park, south east of Market Square, the Dominican Church and monastery is built in the Gothic style, with Baroque altars. Several notable Polish historical figures are buried here.
• Bishop’s Palace
  South of Market Square is the Bishop’s Palace with the Papal Window, a mosaic to commemorate the evening addresses Cardinal Karol Wojtyła made from there before becoming Pope John Paul II in 1978.
• Church of St. Francis of Assisi
  Though relatively modest, Wyspiański’s florid art nouveau decoration and the incredible stained glass make this one of my favourite churches in Kraków or elsewhere. Entry is free and there aren’t the kinds of crowds you’ll find at some of the more famous locations. Highly recommended.
• Saints Peter and Paul Church
  While not as old as its near neighbours, the Church of St. Peter and Paul, still commands a rich historical place in the story of Kraków and is worth a visit to see the sculptures adorning the gates.
• St. Andrew’s Church
  Dating from the 11th century, St. Andrew’s is considered one of the finest Romanesque churches in Poland. It is located next to Saints Peter and Paul.

Other Kraków Old Town Attractions

• Planty Park
  Encircling the entire Old Town, this pleasant park is a nice way to get from A to B, or to stop off for lunch on a hot day – there are plenty of places to sit.
• Juliusz Słowacki Theatre
  As much a useful navigational landmark as tourist attraction, the Słowacki Theatre has an opulent interior, with a grand staircase and impressively-decorated stage curtain.
• plac Szczepański
  Plac Szczepański was renovated just over a decade ago and features a number of beautiful buildings, including the Palace of Fine Arts and the Stary Teatr.
• Stary Teatr
  The Art Nouveau façade of the Stary Teatr is a particular highlight of Plac Szczepański.
• Adam Mickiewicz Monument
  A grand statue in the main square, dedicated to Adam Mickiewicz, considered Poland’s national poet and his remains are buried under Wawel Cathedral.
• Eros Bendato
  Another prominent Market Square sculpture, the ‘Eros Bendato’ statue (known as ‘The Head’), is on the far side of the Cloth Hall.
• Collegium Nowodvorianum
  Worth a visit in tandem with Collegium Maius, there is a fine arcaded courtyard and staircase.
• Dragon’s Den
  During the summer season (April-October), a lighthearted way to round off an afternoon on Wawel Hill is to exit through the limestone caves beneath the hill. After a giddy journey down some very narrow spiral stairs, you come out into a moody cave. Then, out, to the riverside and a statue of a fire-breathing dragon.

Hotel Copernicus

Where To Stay In Kraków Old Town

If you want to stay in the Old Town, you’ll generally pay a premium. As such, there is some excellent luxury, boutique, and apartment-style accommodation, with mid-price properties also on the more expensive side. More affordable hotels tend to be to the north and east of the Old Town. That said, Kraków is more reasonable than many other cities of equivalent beauty and you can stay somewhere really good at a price you would never find in some Western European destinations.

Hotel H15 Luxury Palace

Best Luxury Hotels In Kraków Old Town

• Hotel H15 Luxury Palace
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  H15 Luxury Palace is an absurdly sumptuous hotel in one of the Old Town’s typically atmospheric streets, close to the Czartoryski Princes Museum. From the historic façade and breathtaking lobby to the dizzying marbled bathrooms, a stay in the H15 is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.
• Hotel Saski Krakow Curio Collection by Hilton
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located in Sławkowska, one of the key streets off the Main Square, Hotel Saski is a newly renovated 5-star hotel with a 200 year history. Apart from the excellent location, there are full wellness facilities, including an indoor pool, and a contemporary take on classic Polish style.
• Bonerowski Palace
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Befitting such a grand name, the regal Bonerowski Palace is an historic building sat overlooking Main Market Square.
• Hotel Copernicus
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  An attractive hotel with gorgeous interiors and impressive rooftop views of Wawel Castle, Copernicus is a superb 5-star hotel.
• Hotel Unicus Palace Old Town
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Conveniently located to the north of Kraków’s Main Square, Hotel Unicus Palace has adapted an elegant historic townhouse into a luxurious and elegant accommodation with some bold design strokes. Rooms are spacious with some excellent views over a lively Old Town thoroughfare.
• Radisson Blu Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The location, restaurants, and top-class bar mark the Radisson Blu as a luxury hotel, with little 5-star touches in the rooms.
• Grand Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A regal experience in the heart of Kraków’s Old Town, the Grand is a classical, 5-star hotel with plenty of old-world charm.
• H15 Hotel Francuski
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Decorated in the Art Nouveau style, the luxurious H15 Hotel Francuski sits just inside the northern tip of the Old Town.
• Hotel Elektor Premium
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A small, well-maintained hotel in an historic building, Hotel Elektor Premium is in an excellent location for a romantic getaway.
• Stradom House, Autograph Collection
  (View on Booking.com)
  Not strictly speaking in the Old Town, but near enough, Stradom House dates back to the 14th century. It’s current incarnation was designed by some of the key figures behind Soho House and many consider this 5-star to be the finest hotel currently in Kraków.
• Orlowska Townhouse Apartments
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Housed in a lovely 17th-century tenement, Orlowska Townhouse bring a heavy dose of style to the apartment experience. Each set of rooms is individually based around unique and authentic antique furnishings.
• Pod Różą
  (View on Booking.com)
  Pod Różą blends historical elegance with modern luxury. A renovated Renaissance palace, it promises a cultivated stay, with fine dining and a wellness spa, in the very heart of the city.
• Polski Pod Białym Orłem
  (View on Booking.com)
  Just opposite St Florian’s Gate, 4-star Polski Pod Białym Orłem’s extravagant decoration is highly recommended.
• Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s Cracow
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A clean, modern hotel, close to Kraków Główny train station and the Old Town, Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s Cracow is particularly good for couples.
• Hotel Gródek
  (View on Booking.com)
  5-star luxury in the quieter part of Kraków’s Old Town, the Gródek is a character hotel with high standards.

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Garamond a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Best Boutique Hotels In Kraków Old Town

• Garamond a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Opened in October 2022, this 4-star hotel sits in Swietego Marka on the very edge of the Old Town, very close to Planty Park. The allergy-free rooms are brand new and spotlessly clean, and overall there are special touches that make the hotel feel very luxurious.
• Hotel Experior Boutique
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Hotel Experior Boutique is the perfect choice for travellers seeking a unique, luxurious escape in the heart of history. Its immersive Orient Express-inspired design, combined with a prime location near the Main Market Square, guarantees a truly unforgettable and atmospheric stay.
• Hotel Wawel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Wawel is a small hotel with the personal touch. It’s Old Town location and unique decoration are easy to fall in love with.
• Hotel Stary
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A luxury boutique hotel right in the Old Town, Stary is one of the most stunning and individual places to stay in Kraków.
• Hotel Teatr
  (View on Booking.com)
  Hotel Teatr achieves a great balance between centrality and cosiness. The historic townhouse merges traditional red-brick walls with contemporary design. Teatr is an excellent boutique hotel.

Venetian House Aparthotel

Best Self-Catering Apartments In Kraków Old Town

• Venetian House Aparthotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  If you’re looking for smart apartment-style accommodation in the very heart of Kraków’s Old Town, Venetian House Aparthotel is a great choice.
• Czeczotka Palace Apartments
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Occupying a corner of the Main Market Square, a Czeczotka Palace Apartment blends royal heritage with modern independence, all in a fantastic location.
• Aparthotel Stare Miasto
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  With exposed brickwork and wooden floors, Aparthotel Stare Miasto is unique and offers little touches of luxury. Superb location, too.

Hotels in Kraków

Hotel Copernicus
Luxury
More Info

Wawel Hotel
Boutique
More Info

Hotel Jan
Mid Range
More Info

Best Mid-Range Hotels In Kraków Old Town

• Hotel Wentzl
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Plush rooms and probably the best location in Kraków, Hotel Wentzl is extremely reasonable for the incomparable experience it offers.
• Hotel Rezydent
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Though it has some historical features and great views of Grodzka Street, some of Hotel Rezydent’s rooms are mixed.
• Pollera
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  There’s a touch of faded grandeur to Pollera’s Art Nouveau interiors, and a great location for the price.
• Hotel Polonia
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The grand exterior and classical European style make historical Hotel Polonia an attractive choice in a convenient location.
• Hotel Jan
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Mid-priced Hotel Jan is a beautiful old townhouse, at the very heart of Kraków’s Old Town, with modern, cosy rooms.
• Campanile Cracovie
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The Campanile is a very modern, very clean hotel with strong business facilities, but also sits in an attractive part of Kraków’s Old Town.
• Best Western Plus Kraków Old Town
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Amazing location in a rather beautiful building, this hotel has some eye-popping interiors which may not be to everybody’s taste.

Best Budget Hotels In Kraków Old Town

• Globtroter Guest House
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Quaint and charming, if a little old fashioned, the Globtrotter Guest House is just a block away from Market Square.

Szara

Places To Eat In Kraków Old Town

Kraków’s Old Town is very much heaven for foodies, with every style of food and budget catered for, and plenty of options for vegan diets. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay more the closer you are to the main square – stunning views come at a premium, but you only have to walk a few minutes to Plac Szczepański, for example, to eat at very reasonable prices.

We’ve listed restaurants alphabetically here but you can also find them by style of food on our dedicated Restaurants in Kraków page. You can also find the location of every restaurant on our Kraków map below. Michelin restaurants are marked in orange.

• 3 Rybki
  Located in the Hotel Stary and very much in the upper price range, the elegant menu features contemporary inventions with fish and meat.
• Albertina Restaurant & Wine
  The lobster takes top billing at Michelin-listed Albertina, one of Kraków’s finest luxury restaurants, with first-rate Mediterranean food and atmosphere.
• Balaton
  With probably the heartiest portions in town, Balaton’s Eastern European fare puts the hungry in Hungary.
• Bianca
  Bianca is a great all-round Italian restaurant with excellent desserts and a decent choice for vegetarians. The menu is a little different from usual as it doesn’t feature pizza.
• Bistro Charlotte
  Charlotte is a French-style bistro with shelves of fresh, premises-baked loaves racked up behind the counter. Expect all-day continental breakfasts with croissants, jams, and good coffee. Bench tables add to the lively atmosphere or grab a seat in the window to look out over Szczepański.
• Boscaiola
  Boscaiola is a romantic choice, that’s also good for parties. The pizza and pasta menu is quite tourist focused, but does well if you’re looking to refuel.
• Cechowa
  Cechowa is a ridiculously reasonable introduction to Polish cuisine. Well-located and favoured by locals, this is highly recommended for budget travellers.
• Copernicus
  One of Kraków’s finest hotels also has an excellent restaurant with less than ten tables. Dinner consists of 5-9 tasting menus of modern Polish and European cuisine, including a vegan option.
• Cyrano de Bergerac
  Hidden away in an atmospheric brick vault, French restaurant Cyrano de Bergerac is highly recommended for romance.
• Czarna Kaczka
  Hearty regional fare for a reasonable price. Czarna Kaczka means black duck and that’s exactly the kind of traditional dish they specialise in.
• Europejska
  A stunning location on the Main Square and fine Art Nouveau interior gives Europejska one of the best views in town. A solid choice for a Polish breakfast.
• Farina
  At the upper end of the price spectrum, Michelin-listed Farina is one of the finest seafood restaurants in the city, but still offering good value for money.
• Fiorentina
  One of two Kraków restaurants awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for excellence at a reasonable price, the creative dishes at Fiorentina look and taste fabulous.
• Grande Grill
  A mid-priced steakhouse in a great location, Grande Grill is not the most sophisticated restaurant in the city but has a lively atmosphere.
• Gruzinskie Chaczapuri
  For something a bit different, Gruzinskie Chaczapuri has a strong Georgian influence, with a drinks list to complement. Hearty food is matched by the service.
• Hard Rock Cafe Kraków
  Burgers and cocktails combined with rock and pop memorabilia on the walls, the Hard Rock brand should be familiar to everyone.
• Indus Tandoor
  Well-priced with a lot of individual care from the kitchen, Indus is a good all-round Indian restaurant in a convenient location.
• Kawiarnia Jama Michalika
  Jama Michalika is hard to beat for history and atmosphere, although the dining experience can leave a lot to be desired. Drop in for a drink and a peak instead.
• Klimaty Poludnia
  Highly recommended as one of the best mid-priced Polish restaurants in the area, Klimaty Poludnia specialises in tasty gnocchi.
• Kogel Mogel Restauracja
  Although a little pricey, Michelin-listed Kogel Mogel is a highly-attractive Eastern European restaurant with vegan options.
• La Campana
  At its best in the summer months, La Campana is a good Italian restaurant with good desserts. The leafy outdoors area is the real star.
• Milkbar Tomasza
  Tomasza is a contemporary update on the milk bar, retaining the homely menu and price. A hearty breakfast will set you back about 5€, including a drink. It’s cosy, a little chaotic, and fills up soon after 8am.
• Morskie Oko
  A delightful traditional Polish restaurant that’s a cut above most of the competition. Everything looks great and tastes just as good.
• No 7 Restaurant
  An attractive looking restaurant in a fantastic location, the food at No 7 is fine but the experience is more about the view than anything.
• NOTA_RESTO by Tomasz Leśniak
  Hearty comfort food with bold flavours is the speciality of celebrity chef Tomasz Leśniak. The menu includes Beef Wellington duck ravioli, and a range of Polish steaks.
• Old Town Restaurant Wine & Bar
  Old Town Restaurant is a fantastic exponent of Polish cuisine and hospitality and one of the most enjoyable mid-priced places in the city.
• Pierogarnia Krakowiacy
  Szewska is a good street for browsing. Keep your eyes open for Pierogarnia Krakowiacy, the charmingly ramshackle pierogi restaurant on the right.
• Piwnica Pod Kominkiem
  Piwnica Pod Kominkiem is a romantic, medieval restaurant with a nice traditional Polish menu and good cocktails. Good value for money.
• Pod Aniołami
  Good food and a dramatic interior make Pod Aniołami worth consideration, although it is perhaps a little overpriced.
• Pod Baranem Restauracja
  Close to the Castle and Cathedral, Pod Baranem is appealing and homely, and its mid-priced Polish menu is highly recommended.
• Pod Nosem
  Traditional Polish is given a contemporary twist in this cosy Old Town restaurant. Star dishes include hare, venison, and deer, with the very best local ingredients.
• Pod Różą
  An impressive glass-covered atrium in one of Kraków’s most iconic streets, Pod Różą uses well-sourced local ingredients to create international modern dishes with a strong Polish influence.
• Pod Wawelem Restauracja
  As much an event as a restaurant, Pod Wawelem has eye-popping portions of meat, to be washed down with litres of beer, and should be experienced at least once.
• Polskie Smaki
  A simple but steadfast traditional budget restaurant, Polskie Smaki has a canteen feel but is a great way to get to know local cooking.
• Ratuszowa Krzysztof Janarek
  Don’t expect too much from the food, which is aimed at tourists. The real reason to visit Ratuszowa Krzysztof Janarek is to spend time with one of the best views in the city.
• Restauracja Galicyjska
  With a very reasonable tasting menu of Polish flavours, Galicyjska is very romantic and scores pretty well on most aspects.
• Restauracja Miod Malina
  With standards far higher than the mid-priced menu would suggest, Miod Malina is a highly recommended Polish restaurant with excellent customer service.
• Restauracja Padre
  A little more expensive than average, but still one of Kraków’s top mid-priced places to eat, Restauracja Padre features fresh Mediterranean and Polish fish and meat dishes, as well as lovely desserts.
• Restauracja Stodola 47
  A good value, mid-priced Polish restaurant, Stodola 47 offers big portions, which should raise a smile and fill a hearty appetite.
• Restauracja Tradycyja
  Something of a tourist restaurant, Tradycyja takes full advantage of its Main Square location. The service and value are pretty good, however.
• Smak Ukrainski
  Specialising in Ukrainian food and drink, Smak Ukrainski is rudimentary but authentic, and overall a recommended experience for value and service.
• Szara
  There’s good value and evening terrace dining at this well-located brasserie-style restaurant on Market Square. The menu features hearty Polish, French, and Swedish classics.
• Trattoria Soprano
  A diverse Italian menu in a charming, rustic environment, Trattoria Soprano is a strong contender in the mid-priced range when measured against the competition.
• W Starej Kuchni
  Laid back service and a homely feel, added to the big portion of Polish favourites, make W Starej Kuchni a highly recommended mid-priced option in any category.
• Wesele
  One of the better mid-priced restaurants on the Main Square, Wesele remains a little touristy. Everything looks nice, from the view to the presentation of the food.
• Wierzynek
  Dating back to the 14th century, Wierzynek is one of Poland’s oldest restaurants and eating here is a real event. The food is imaginative and the venue itself is stunning. Expensive but worth the outlay.
• Wisniowy Sad
  At first glance, Wisniowy Sad is a little shabby. The menu, however, has a few surprises and scores highly for value, taste, and atmosphere. Worth a second look.

LaMAMA

Shopping In Kraków Old Town

As well as restaurants and bars, Kraków’s Old Town is packed with shops for unique souvenirs. From local specialities, like flavoured vodka and amber jewellery, to Polish film posters and blue ceramics, there is plenty to choose from.

For more practical shopping, during your stay, see our Shopping In Kraków guide for information on malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, and 24-hour shops.

Every location is on our Kraków map below.

• Sukiennice
  The Renaissance equivalent of a shopping arcade with a little of everything, including amber, crafts, and more tacky items. You can pick up some distinctive gifts to take back home.
• Pasaż 13
  Tucked innoculously behind the façade of two historic town houses, Pasaż 13 is what you might call a boutique shopping mall. Ingeniously constructed in a relatively small space, this cluster of fashion stores is accompanied by a delicatessen, restaurant, and bar with an extensive wine cellar. Worth a visit just for the architecture.
• Kurant
  Kurant is a little bit of everything – a bookshop, a cafe, a music venue, and a gallery. You can mingle with Kraków creatives, get a great cup of coffee and cake, and buy some gifts to take home with you.
• Kobalt
  This shop at the tail end of Grodzka specialises in the distinctive blue or brightly-decorated ceramics known as Bolesławiec pottery. Densely patterned flowers and animals feature heavily and you’ll find some unusual limited editions.
• DekorArt
  As with Kobalt, this shop specialises in Polish ceramics. I particularly like the Christmas tree lanterns and decorated Easter eggs.
• Muzeum Bursztynu
  This small amber museum doubles up as a gift shop, with the more imaginative side of the craft on display. You’ll learn about the history of amber, as well as the varieties and properties of the stuff.
• World of Amber
  Poland is renowned for its honey-coloured resin, as the Amber Road ran down from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean since at least the time of the Pharoahs. In truth, you’ll find shops all over the city. All the same, World of Amber in Grodzka is like a sumptuous and beguiling cave of beautiful objects, from Deco-style bracelets to objects like boats and chess sets.
• Pijalnia Czekolady E.Wedel
  E. Wedel is one of the better known brands of chocolates in Poland. This ‘Chocolate Lounge’ is right on the main square, with a tasting menu of different treats, as well as a full range of gifts to take home with you.
• Karmello
  Although a chain rather than a native of Kraków, Karmello is a nice place to pick up some handmade chocolates as gifts. Beer truffle, anyone? You can ask for them to be personalised and pick them up later. It’s also a café with a range of deliciously thick chocolate drinks, such as apple cinnamon and mint, and window views of Grodzka.
• Góralskie Praliny
  Chocolates, ice creams, pastries, and all manner of other sweet treats, you can also buy hand-painted chocolates and other regional specialities, like Edelweiss chocolate from the Tatra highlands.
• Ciuciu Cukier Artist
  Ciuciu Cukier Artist bills itself as the “Smallest Factory of Sweets in the World”. This little candy store makes sweets by hand with natural ingredients and techniques that date to the 17th and 18th century. You can watch them being made or even take part in a workshop to create your own lollipop. Shows take place on the hour and last 20-40 minutes. There’s a small charge for children.
• Castle Sweet
  Treasure chests and barrels in an atmospheric cave with dozens of different sweets and candies to pick and mix. Worth visiting but check the prices before buying!
• Szambelan
  Sklep Szambelan is a fascinating and unique little shop, focused on all things liquid. They sell delicious vodkas, meads, and absinthes, decanted from bulbous flasks, which you can taste before you buy, but also oils, vinegar, tinctures, and a range of artistic bottles in different shapes and sizes. However, the stunning range of vodka is the star of the show.
• Delikatesy 13
  In the basement of the plush Pasaż 13 shopping centre, Delikatesy 13 is a posh Italian delicatessen. While much of the stock is fresh cheese, fruit, and meat, you can also buy nice jars and bottles of luxury foods.
• LaMAMA
  Good quality colourful clothes for kids. From hats, socks, leggings, scarves and trousers, there’s some great stuff here for newborns up to teenage.
• HARPERS Shoes
  Some people cannot resist a new pair of shoes when they’re travelling. HARPERS make good quality Polish shoes and offer excellent customer service.
• Sephora
  Sephora is a retail chain of upmarket cosmetics and beauty products. A trip here might be as much to treat yourself to a bit of luxury as to buy souvenirs.
• Bajo
  Beautiful selection of wooden toys, from tricycles to pull-along dachshunds. There are also soft toys. Everything is well-made and beautifully designed. A real highlight.
• American Bookstore
  It may seem strange to buy books in English as souvenirs in another country, but this tidy little store has a number of local interest titles that you may not find at home.
• Empik
  Empik is a chain store selling books, magazines, and other media. This quirky branch is right on the main square, with corridors of books and plenty of seating while you browse. You’ll also find things like cards and calendars.
• Galeria Plakatu
  Polish poster design is world-famous for its bold style and idiosyncratic originality. Though small, Galeria Plakatu has an impressive range of posters for film, theatre, and proganda, as well as postcards.
• Galeria Autorska Andrzeja Mleczki
  Andrzeja Mleczki is a well-known Polish satirical illustrator. You can buy prints, cards, mugs, books, and so forth, many with a particular Kraków flavour.
• Gologorski Gallery
  Instantly recognisable by the white skeleton bicycle outside on Grodzka Street, the Gologorski Gallery is an idiosyncratic space, stuffed with work by local artists.
• Antykwariat Księgarski
  Next door to Galeria Plakatu, this secondhand bookshop also sells maps and postcards. As with film posters, the design of many Polish book jackets can be striking and original, and this is a great place to find something special for the bibliophile in your life.
• Antykwariat Kamiński
  A beautifully atmospheric antique bookshop, specialising in a range of subjects, including many art books. You can also pick up photographs and antique postcards.
• CONNAISSEUR Salon Dzieł Sztuki
  Gallery and auction house for late 19th and early 20th century Polish art. Well regarded, the items are reliably sourced and verified.
• Galeria Dyląg
  A private gallery specialising in mid-20th-century Polish artists such as Mieczysław Janikowski and Ewa Kierska. At time of writing, you could buy a drawing by Adam Hoffmann for less than 500€.
• Jan Fejkiel Gallery
  Art historian Jan Fejkiel opened this contemporary gallery of prints and drawings in 1991. They claim to have the largest selection of contemporary graphic art in Poland, so it’s a good place for to get some pieces of current work.

Bar Lindo, Kraków

Nightlife In Kraków Old Town

There are so many bars in Kraków, it feels as if you could find somewhere different every night of the year. We’ve listed some to get you started but the real fun is in exploring and discovering great basement bars for yourself. Most are open until the early hours. The Old Town is also where you’ll find many of Kraków’s clubs, though the area is still under-represented by live music.

You can find an overview of Kraków bars, clubs, and music venues on our Kraków Nightlife page. All locations can be found on the Kraków map below.

• Staropolskie Trunki
  The mood in the Old Town also changes as the nightlife kicks in. If you want to get to know this side of Kraków, there are probably hundreds of bars to choose from. Start with Staropolskie Trunki on Floriańska and see what you can find tucked away in passageways and underground.
• Wódka Cafe Bar
  This tiny, atmospheric bar is the ideal place to get to know the wide world of Polish vodka.
• Międzymiastowa
  Right on Rynek Główny, this contemporary restaurant and bar should please most tastes and is a great standby.
• Polski Pub
  Right on the top edge of Rynek Główny, with plenty of seating outside, Polski Pub makes a handy meeting point. You can eat, drink, and watch sports on the screens inside.
• Teatro Cubano
  Cuban cocktails and high-tempo Latin music, and open until dawn at the weekend.
• Mr. Black Cocktail Bar
  Vintage cocktail bar, close enough to the main square, with a huge range of drinks and welcoming bartenders.
• Lindo Bar
  Tucked just inside the Old Town, Lindo is a colourful, lively gay bar, with seating upstairs and a dancefloor on the lower level.
• Movida Cocktail Bar
  Movida pitches itself as the Kraków hangout where you’ll bump into the stars. True or not, there’s an extensive menu of well-made and well-priced cocktails.
• Frantic Club
  Open from Wednesday to Saturday until 5am, Frantic is a lively, bright vodka bar and club in the centre of the Old Town.
• Klub Społem Deluxe
  Cellar dive bar with vintage posters on the brickwork and a simple dance floor.
• Choice Club
  A classy, exclusive, almost sci-fi interior with a VIP service.
• Szpitalna 1
  Club and live music venue, with excellent sound system and underground vibe.
• Klub RE
  Bar with beer garden and regular live indie music events.
• Prozak 2.0
  “What happens in Prozak stays in Prozak” – one of Kraków’s oldest electronic club nights.
• Harris Piano Jazz Bar
  As the name suggests, this excellent Main Square venue starts with jazz and works out to include live blues, funk, soul, and hip-hop.
• Chopin Concert Hall
  Daily piano performances of Chopin music in the 15th-century Dębinskim.

Teatr Słowackiego tram stop, Kraków Old Town

How To Get To Kraków Old Town

• On foot from Kraków Glówny train station (10m-30m): Kraków’s main train station is practically across the road from the Old Town. However, the journey will depend which part of the area you are trying to get to – the northern end is a 10-minute walk, but it will take 30 minutes to reach the southern end. Leave the station via Galeria Krakowska shopping mall and walk south along Pawia. Once you reach the
  Teatr Słowackiego tram stop, you’ll see Planty Park ahead of you to the right. This marks the outer border of Kraków’s Old Town.
• By taxi from John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport (approx. 27m): Although the train service into Kraków is very convenient, it is faster to take a taxi, which can also drop you off exactly where you need to be. Taxis leave from directly outside the front of the airport or you can book a private transfer in advance.
• By bus from Kraków Glówny (10m): If you need to get to the middle of the Old Town, there are trams, which cut right through the centre. Leave the train station via Galeria Krakowska and walk for 2m to the Teatr Słowackiego bus stop, just opposite Planty Park. You could catch the 18, which travels 3 stops counterclockwise around the Old Town and get off at Plac Wszystkich Świętych. Or catch the 3, 10, or 52 in the opposite direction, getting off at Poczta Główna, just outside Planty Park.

Where Are These Places Located?

Find these locations on the Visit Kraków Google map:

• Open the Visit Kraków map
• Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example
• If you are using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location

Map pins are color coded:

• YELLOW: Kraków Sightseeing
• GREEN: Kraków Transportation
• DARK RED: Restaurants in Kraków
• ORANGE: Michelin Restaurants in Kraków
• LIGHT RED: Kraków Bars / Clubs / Music Venues
• BLUE: Kraków Hotels
• PURPLE: Shopping In Kraków