Where to Stay in Krakow → 6 Best Areas (With Prices!)

Are you as excited as me to visit this stunning cultural city? There’s no wonder this is one of the most visited cities in Poland, Krakow has a rich history and folklore stories that will enchant everyone from young to old! This city is home to the largest Market Square in Europe located in the Old Town, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was one of the first places to be added to the list when it was created in 1978!

I hope you’re ready for a holiday filled with delicious Polish food and sweets (which you can’t miss, they’re delicious), museum visits, and bar hopping! But let me get to the main point: where to stay in Krakow.

I’ve made a list of the best places to stay here, including a cool boutique hotel or 2, upscale hotels, and some affordable apartments. But don’t forget the most important thing: book them in advance. Krakow is one of Europe’s top places, and everyone will be hunting for the best hotels!

So let’s go, the Wawel Castle is waiting for us!

If you are in a hurry

If you want to book now, there’s no reason to wait any minute longer, here are the best hotels all located in The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the areas where to stay in Krakow that I will be talking about in this post:

1. The Old Town (Stare Miasto) – where to stay for the first time

You can never go wrong with a holiday in a place as filled with history as Krakow, Poland! With stunning architecture and tons of attractions, The Old Town or Stare Miasto in Polish, is one of the most charming places to stay in town, especially if you’re traveling here for the first time.

The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is the largest medieval town square in Europe! History lovers, this one’s for you! Imagine how the atmosphere must be like in a place like this, where you’re surrounded by buildings, like St Mary’s Basilica, a stunning piece of gothic architecture, or The Cloth Hall Museum.

Most of the attractions like the stunning Wawel Castle, are located within walking distance of Central Krakow so if you’re like me and enjoy exploring on foot, definitely stay here. Florianska Street is the main area in the city center where you’ll find many cafes, bars, and restaurants. It’s also kind of romantic and good for couples who like taking long walks!

The sights are just breathtaking here, it really offers a great insight into the city’s history and don’t think the hotels are any different. From modern ones to more traditional accommodations, you’ll find something here for every budget. But remember to secure a nice spot in the city centre you have to book it in advance to avoid losing something you really like!

Other accommodation in The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Things to do in The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

• Enjoy the atmosphere in the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny)
• Have a drink at the House of Beer bar
• Admire the architecture of the St. Mary’s Basilica and of the Krakow Barbican Monument
• Take a stroll around the Planty Park Krakow
• Try to not get scared at the Lost Souls Alley Escape Room
• See the beautiful St Florian’s Gate Tower
• Visit The Cloth Hall Museum and the stunning Wawel Castle 
• Indulge in the Polish cuisine at U Babci Maliny restaurant

2. Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) – the trendiest place in Krakow

Located south of the Old Town, and just a 20 minutes walk away from central Krakow, this area is the former Jewish Quarter. Although a long time ago this was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, now, Kazimierz offers its visitors a mix of the trendiest cafes, restaurants, and bars in the city.

All these stylish and cool spots brought a lot of young people, and all the young people brought a nice selection of clubs, so if you’re looking for a place to stay in Krakow, Poland where you can party after the sun sets and enjoy the nightlife, then Kazimierz is your location! You’ll also find a fair share of art galleries and museums in Kazimierz so there is plenty to do for all tastes.

As you walk around the streets in this part of the city and admire the sights, you might recognize some places from the movie Schindler’s List. They filmed a few scenes in this location as well!

You’ll find tons of affordable places to stay in Kazimierz, the hotels are definitely cheaper than in the city centre plus they’re more unique so if you’re looking for a nice boutique hotel then this is your spot!

Other options in Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

Things to do in Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

• Visit the Old Synagogue Museum 
• Listen to some music at La Habana Bar and enjoy the nightlife in Kazimierz
• Take a picture of the contemporary street art
• Go for a drink at the Cosmic Minigolf Kazimierz Bar
• Spend a fun day at the VR Studio Amusement Centre
• Admire the art at Gallery Sztuki in Kazimierz
• Have a cocktail at Le Scandale Garden Bar

3. Kleparz – where to stay in Krakow for families

Located 2 miles (4 km) north of the Main Market Square in the city centre, this area is the perfect place to stay in town for families who are visiting Krakow. Firstly because it’s situated within walking distance of all the attractions in the centre, while at the same time it’s far enough to avoid the big crowds and noisy streets!

Secondly, there’s only a 10-minute walk from the Main Train Station (Kraków Glowny) to Kleparz, so nothing is stopping you from visiting other parts of the city or even other parts of Poland! Warsaw is just 3 hours away, and there are tons of cool neighborhoods and hotels there as well!

You’ll also find a few parks where you can take the kids out to play and enjoy a breath of fresh air before your next museum visit. But let me not forget about the cool Womai Centre, a super fun place where you and the little ones can enjoy a wide range of activities that will probably keep you occupied all day. But remember it’s your holiday too and Kleparz is also home to some nice historical landmarks like the Church of St. Florian.

Other accommodation options in Kleparz

Things to do in Kleparz

• Spend a fun day with the kids at the Womai Centre
• Visit the Church of St. Florian in the city
• Take the kids to the cool playground in the Ogród Kasztanowy Park
• Go to Old Kleparz Market and buy lots of local sweets and products
• Enjoy a relaxing walk in the Park Kleparski
• Eat a delicious breakfast at Glonojad Restaurant 

4. Stare Podgorze – best place to stay in Krakow for history

Located 2 miles (3 km) south of the Old Town and across the Vistula River, this neighborhood is part of a bigger district of the same name which was an independent city before 1795. If you’re interested in the city’s history, especially of what happened during WWII, then this is the place for you.

This neighborhood is the home to the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory featured in the famous movie “Schindler’s List” which I mentioned before. Now it has been made into a museum that you can visit. During the war, this district was a ghetto where the Nazis brought displaced Jewish people, but many were saved with the help of Oskar Schindler and his company. You’ll also be able to see here the Fragment of Ghetto Wall monument.

Apart from this big historical landmark, there are many other attractions in this location, from the beautiful St Joseph Church to The Eagle Pharmacy Museum. 

You’ll find a wide range of accommodations here, from luxury hotels to more affordable ones, and a few nice restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a small tea break between sightseeing!

Other accommodation options in Stare Podgórze

Things to do in Stare Podgórze

• Visit the historical Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum
• Pay your respects at the Fragment of Ghetto Wall monument
• Visit the St Joseph Church
• Dive into the history of the neighborhood at The Eagle Pharmacy Museum
• Eat tons of chocolate at the Krakow Chocolate Manufactory
• Have a glass of wine at Krako Slow Wines Bar
• Spend a fun afternoon at the VRepublic – Virtual Reality Park

5. Grzegórzki – where to stay in Krakow for tranquility

Located 2 miles (3 km) east of the Main Market Square in the Old Town, this neighborhood is not the most touristy spot in Krakow. It’s mostly a residential area with a mix of families and young students as the University is located nearby. It’s the perfect place to stay in Krakow if you’re seeking some tranquility or if you want to experience that local vibe that you don’t really get in central Krakow.

FUN FACT: The University of Krakow was founded in 1364, making it the second oldest university in Central Europe.

You’re pretty close to the Old Town so you can always visit the side of the city if you wish, and I’m sure you’ll love the fact that in Grzegórzki the hotels are much more affordable. There are also a few nice attractions and restaurants that serve traditional food here as well, like Margit Restaurant, which is one of the best ones in the neighborhood.

The Botanical Garden is for sure the star of the show in Grzegórzki, with a long history and tons of beautiful flowers that you can admire on a tour here, the Garden is definitely an attraction that you can’t miss while you’re visiting Krakow. And if you like spending more time outdoors, the Grzegórzecki Park is also a nice spot where you can take a stroll at sunset before heading back to your hotel room.

Other accommodation options in Grzegórzki

Things to do in Grzegórzki

• See all the beautiful flowers in The Botanical Garden
• Enjoy a traditional dinner at Margit Restaurant
• Take a stroll around the Grzegórzecki Park in Kraków
• Visit the Monument of Military Proletariat Krakow
• Admire the art at Kazimierz Gallery

6. Ludwinow – where to stay in Krakow for budget travelers

Located 2 miles (3 km) south of the Old Town, this neighborhood is situated on the banks of the Vistula River and it’s one of the best places to stay when visiting Krakow on a budget. You’ll find a wide range of affordable hotels to stay in here.

You’re also going to be fairly close to the Old Town so you don’t have to worry about missing all the action because you couldn’t afford it! There are always practical solutions like this one. Often this district is overlooked by tourists but I’m sure you’ll appreciate its up-and-coming vibe and modern looks.

Although there aren’t as many big attractions here as you’ll find in the center of Kraków, there are a few green spots and gardens where you can relax, take long walks and get away for a bit from the city noise. I always need a break like this, especially if the city is super packed and the Rod Ludwinow Garden is perfect. I highly recommend you visit it during the spring when all the flowers are blooming!

Other accommodation options in Ludwinow

Things to do in Ludwinow

• Relax with a walk in the Rod Ludwinow Garden
• Have a cup of coffee at the Forum Przestrzenie Cafe
• Experience Krakow from above in a heated balloon
• Visit the Bartholomäuskirche Catholic Church
• Admire the views of the Vistula River in Kraków
• Have fun in the Robland Amusement Park
• Take a tour of the Dwor Kapitulny Museum

👑 Luxury price:	€170
Mid-range hotel:	€80
🛏️ Budget:	€30
🏠 Airbnb:	€50
💰 Accommodation prices:	Low
📍 Best Area:	The Old Town (Stare Miasto)
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Hotel Unicus Palace
👛 Best budget hotel:	Aparthotel Old Town

Frequently asked questions about Krakow

Conclusion

What a cool trip! I hope this article helped you decide where to stay in Krakow and which boutique hotel to book!

I know there are many options here but here are my 2 favorite ones both located in The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

• Unicus Palace – A luxury hotel that has a spa center
• Hotel Gródek – A 5-star boutique hotel that has a restaurant

All you have to do now is make sure you book them in advance! All the hotels on this list are the best ones and people will want to secure a good room, weeks or months before their holiday, so make sure you don’t miss your spot!

Enjoy the beautiful Krakow Stare Miasto area, explore the stunning Wawel Castle and run to the train station if you have some extra days for a quick trip to Warsaw or to Auschwitz Birkenau, the former concentration camp. I want to hear all about it so leave me a comment below if you want to share with us your adventures!

Safe Travels,

Victoria

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