Visit Krakow

Where To Stay In Kraków

If you’re wondering where to stay in Kraków, this comparision of the city’s key areas should help you decide. We describe the different parts of Kraków with the pros and cons, and hotel recommendations.

Mural in Podgórze
Mural in Podgórze – image © Jason Weaver

Where Is The Best Area To Stay In Kraków?

Where you stay will depend very much on what you want from your trip to Kraków. For historical splendour, you should pick one of the Old Town locations, although this comes with a price tag. If budget is a factor, the areas immediately outside the Old Town can be a good compromise. Meanwhile, Kazimerz has a special atmosphere all of its own. The good news is that central Kraków is very compact and many of the key attractions will be walkable from any hotel in or surrounding the Old Town. The outer zones are less convenient, although you may have a specific reason for making one of these your Kraków base.

AirBnB apartments are thriving in Kraków. However, the concentration of hotels in the centre, and the competition this brings, makes them arguably the more attractive option in terms of location and price. See our full list of Kraków hotels, broken down into different price brackets.

Kraków is a good destination all year round. For this reason, it’s wise to book well in advance. This is particularly true of the peak months of July and August. Christmas can also be busy – and cold. The spring months of May and June are a good option, as well as the autumn months of September and October.

Most areas are easy to reach from the airport, but an Old Town or Kleparz / Wesoła location are particularly convenient for the main train station. See our guide for reaching Kraków city centre from the airport. Alternatively, a private transfer will take you from Arrivals directly to your accommodation.

Booking sites like 12go let you check flights for your chosen dates and read our dedicated page on what to expect when flying to Kraków.

Hotels in Kraków
Hotel CopernicusHotel CopernicusLuxuryMore Info
Wawel HotelWawel HotelBoutiqueMore Info
Hotel JanHotel JanMid RangeMore Info
Hotele KazimierzHotele KazimierzBudgetMore Info

Alternatively, if you have a favourite brand you prefer to stay in, see our Chain Hotels in Kraków page.

Old Town

Most of Kraków’s key attractions, from St. Mary’s Basilica to Wawel Hill, lie within the cradle of Planty Park. The streets and buildings are beautiful and it’s hard to go wrong with any accommodation here. The Old Town is a few minutes walk from the main train station, as well as trams and buses, and you’ll always be moments away from a giddy array of places to eat and drink. Kraków has also done a great job of keeping the area relatively traffic free. However, the nightlife can be rowdy and you will almost certain pay a hefty overhead to stay in the very heart of things. For romance, though, Kraków’s Old Town is very hard to beat.

The Bonerowski Palace
The Bonerowski Palace – image © Jason Weaver

  • Bonerowski Palace
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Befitting such a grand name, the regal Bonerowski Palace is an historic, luxury building 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 Wawel
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Wawel is a small hotel with the personal touch. It’s Old Town location and Art Nouveau decoration are easy to fall in love with.
  • Hotel Jan
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Mid-priced Hotel Jan is a beautiful old townhouse, at the very heart of Krakow’s Old Town, with modern, cosy rooms.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Luxury Hotels in Kraków
Hotel CopernicusHotel CopernicusRooftop views of
Wawel CastleMore Info
Bonerowski PalaceBonerowski PalaceHistoric building on
Market SquareMore Info
Grand HotelGrand HotelA regal experience in
the heart of KrakówMore Info
Andel’s HotelAndel’s HotelA modern hotel, close to
the Old TownMore Info

Kazimierz

Just south of the Old Town, Kazimierz was historically the Jewish quarter of Kraków. Less regal than its neighbouring district, it has a crumbling beauty and a special energy of its own. It’s equally full of tourists in search of culture and excellent places to eat and drink, but somehow retains a sense of cool. There are lots of places to stay here and the area scores well with small, boutique hotels. You’ll find a number of galleries and museums, and it remains within walking distance of the Old Town attractions, with transport links fairly close by. You should generally expect to pay a little more in this area.

Queen Boutique Hotel
Queen Boutique Hotel – image © Jason Weaver

Kleparz and Wesoła

If you’re on more of a budget, the areas surrounding the main train station are an excellent compromise. Whilst the distrct is less exciting than the centre, the accommodation here is varied and never more than 5-10 minutes away from the Old Town. The transport is excellent and it is convenient for the large Galeria Krakowska shopping mall. You’ll also get to see some fine monuments, churches, and green spaces on your walk into town. The downsides are more traffic than the Old Town, which can make your hotel room noisy in the summer, and the relative lack of places to eat.

Andel’s Hotel Cracow
Andel’s Hotel Cracow – image © Jason Weaver

Mid-Range Hotels in Kraków
Hotel WentzlHotel WentzlPlush rooms and
fantastic locationMore Info
Wielopole HotelWielopole HotelClassically furnished
3-star hotelMore Info
Hotel JanHotel JanBeautiful townhouse in Kraków’s Old TownMore Info
Hotel PolleraHotel PolleraArt Nouveau interiors and
a great locationMore Info

Piasek and Nowy Świat

Similar to the areas just north of the Old Town, the western districts of Piasek and Nowy Świat can also make a good compromise. There’s a broad range of hotels here, including some of the big international brands. This brings a lot of choice, both in terms of quality and price. Eating here is better than around the train station and you are well placed for some excellent attractions like the National Museum. There’s also some delightful residential architecture in the area. On the other hand, it feels more urban to me and the location is slightly less convenient than the other central districts.

Amber Boutique Hotel
Amber Boutique Hotel – image © Jason Weaver

Podgórze

South of the river and across the bridge from Kazimierz, Podgórze is currently undergoing a transformation. Site of some incredible attractions, including the Schindler Factory Musuem and a new contemporary art space, it also has some relatively unknown surprises for those prepared to explore. There are flashes of beauty, such as St. Joseph’s Church, but Podgórze feels very much like a residential area that is gradually accommodating tourists. There are some lovely cafés and places to eat, particularly around the river bank, and the district clearly has an exciting future. For now, however, it is probably a place to visit rather than stay.

Qubus Hotel Krakow
Qubus Hotel Krakow – image © Jason Weaver

Budget Hotels in Kraków
Miodosytnia AparthotelMiodosytnia AparthotelApartment-style hotel
in KazimierzMore Info
Hotel Grand FelixHotel Grand FelixGood quality hotel in
quiet Nowa HutaMore Info
Hotel AlfHotel AlfCheap and away from
the tourist trapMore Info
Hotele KazimierzHotele KazimierzComfortable and good value for moneyMore Info

Western Kraków

Outside the city centre, western Kraków has a number of upmarket hotels, as well as some good deals. There’s a lot of green space out here, including woods and forests, and some family friendly attractions like the zoo. Arguably, this side of Kraków is also more convenient for Oswiecim and Auschwitz-Birkenau. However, you’ll find yourself increasingly in residential territory and it’s not a great location for exploring the main attractions, even with a car.

Niebieski Art Hotel & Spa
Niebieski Art Hotel & Spa – image © Jason Weaver

Eastern Kraków

Despite its proximity to Nowa Huta and attractions like the Cistercian Abbey, there is currently scant incentive to use eastern Kraków as your base. There is little infrastructure here for tourists and most of the accommodation is aimed at Polish travellers. All the same, if central Kraków is all booked up, you can usually find a bargain.

  • Hotel Krakus
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Reasonably priced, clean and comfortable, with great staff and breakfasts, Krakus is 2.5 miles from the main attractions.
  • Hotel Felix
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Hotel Felix is a minimal, budget hotel in the historically fascinating area of Nowa Huta, to the north east of the Krakow.
  • Hotel Grand Felix
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    Good quality budget hotel in the quiet Nowa Huta neighbourhood, Hotel Grand Felix is a 25-minute tram ride from the centre.

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

Help With Choosing Your Krakow Hotel

 

Things To Do In Krakow

Start Planning Your Kraków Trip Now!

:: Find available Kraków hotels on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.

:: Wondering where to stay in Krakow before you book your hotel? See our comprehensive guide to the city's most convenient areas for visitors.

:: Find the cheapest flight to Kraków with 12go - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.

:: Book an airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.

:: Find out how to get your phone set up with a SIM card in Kraków.

:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Kraków.

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Get a KrakowCard 1-, 2- or 3-day pass that gives entry to almost 40 of the Kraków's fantastic attractions and unlimited use of the city's bus and tram network.

:: Need inspiration? Check our Kraków Itineraries for two-day, three-day, and four-day trips, as well as our Things To Do In Kraków guide for ideas of where to do and what to do.

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