Best places to stay in Krakow: discover why this Southern Polish city is one of the best destinations to visit in Central Europe

Where to stay in Krakow? Find more about the best areas to stay in this Polish city in this post covering the best locations in one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe.

Krakow exhales the beauty of Polish history and culture through its streets and alleys. The former capital of Poland preserves some of the country’s most unique cultural treasures in its also dynamic and vibrant center.

Tourism in Krakow: Overview

This unique city in Southern Poland has a flavor for almost every type of tourist. If you like architecture, It has one of the most preserved old towns in Poland. The city also offers excellent nightlife options, featuring great restaurants, cafes and clubs.

The city used to be the capital of Poland, and this can be easily perceived through its beautiful architecture. The Wawel castle is definitely one of the most impressive castles in Central Europe, and definitely worth a visit.

Its surroundings have also unique attractions worth visiting, such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Finally, Auschwitz and its eerie location is just 65 kilometers from the city center. You can also check here for day trips from Krakow.

Best Places to Stay in Krakow

Below there are three locations to be considered for a stay in Krakow. The Old Town is the most obvious choice.

The Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) is also a great option. Finally, the area near the train station (Krakow Glowny) can be handy depending on your travel arrangement.

Krakow Old Town

The Old Town  (Stare Miasto) has a unique architectural beauty and an exciting choice of cultural and gastronomic activities. It also has accommodations for all types of budget, from dorm beds to luxurious properties.

It is definitely a good choice as you will be at a walking distance to the very best of Krakow. However, it can be quite noisy during the evening depending on your accommodation and room.

Kazimierz

The Jewish Quater (Kazimierz) has a wide variety of affordable restaurants and bars. It is also relatively close to the Old Town, roughly 2 kilometers or a 15 minute walk from Kazimierz.

Finally the Train Station (Krakow Glowny) should be also considered if you are travelling by train to the city. It is attached to Galeria Krakowska, one of the biggest shopping malls in Poland. It is also very centrally located, being just 5-7 minutes from the old town by foot.

Budget Accommodation in Krakow – €

Tournet – an affordable, quality guest house in Kazimierz, the Jewish district of Krakow.

Pokoje Gościnne Wiślna – an excellent budget option in the old town of Krakow.

Hotel Astoria – this hotel offers an excellent value for money in the Kazimierz district.

Reasonably Priced Accommodation in Krakow – €€

Hotel Jan – a reasonably price hotel close the Krakow Market Square.

Hotel Imperial – an excellent hotel in the old town, very close to the Krakow Market Square.

Luxurious Hotels in Krakow – €€€

Hotel Stary – a refined luxurious hotel at the very heart of Krakow’s old town. Apart from its prime location, it includes a beautiful interior design and 2 swimming pools.

Hotel Copernicus – another luxurious hotel in Krakow old town with sumptuous style and cozy atmosphere, just a few minutes away to the Wawel castle.

Cost of Travel in Krakow

Even if the number of tourists in Krakow is constantly increasing, the city remains quite affordable. A budget day in Krakow starts from 25 euros per person upwards, including food and accommodation.

For those with a more flexible budget, anything above 60 euros per person will give you the best of Krakow, including excellent restaurants and reasonably priced hotels.

Food is definitely one of the great attractions in Krakow. Not only it is extremely affordable, but it is usually delicious. You can find great traditional polish restaurants at very affordable prices. You can also find good Jewish restaurants in the Kazimierz district and also excellent Vietnamese budget restaurants all around the city.

Accommodation is Krakow is also quite affordable, and cheaper than in Warsaw or Prague. You can find rooms for all types of budgets, and even luxurious hotels are rather affordable.

Transportation in the city is also quite inexpensive. Even if the city does not have a metro, its tram network is pretty extensive and modern.

Best Months to Visit Poland

Poland has a relatively mild climate year round, being the winter months the only exception. Since the region of Southern Poland has a strong influx of tourists, some specific months and occasions should be avoided.

From late March to May the temperature is mild, and the city is not as crowded as it is in summer. The same applies to September and October, when the golden autumn leaves give the city a romantic and quaint aspect. These months have a moderate influx of tourists, which pushes accommodation prices down.

Early December can be also a great idea, as you will be able to experience the Christmas Market. However closer to Christmas itself the city is once again pretty crowded.

Other Resources for Traveling in Central and Eastern Europe

If you are travel in Central Europe, you should definitely check some of our other guides. Click here to check where to stay in Lviv, or read or Warsaw guide.

You can also check our guide on the cost of living in Krakow and the cost of living in Warsaw.