Where to Stay in Krakow: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels
From the leafy Podgorze neighborhood to the iconic Stare Miasto, choosing where to stay in Krakow can be difficult. Luckily, Poland’s second-largest city offers a little something for everyone!
On my first time in Krakow, I stayed in the Nowy Swiat neighborhood and loved its local feel and low prices. But there are truly so many good options!
I’m not a local — but that’s just it. I’m bringing you this advice on where to stay in Krakow as a fellow traveler! I’ve been in the trenches of trying to choose where to stay, sifting through hundreds of options.
I’m also a notorious over-thinker, which means I’ve truly spent hours researching the best neighborhoods and hotels. It’s a flaw that also makes me a pretty good travel planner if I do say so!
This guide is here to help you choose where to stay in Krakow, including some of the best hotels in the city.
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On my first visit to Krakow, my husband and I stayed in a tiny Airbnb in the Nowy Swiat neighborhood and loved its balance of a quiet, more residential feel while still being just a 10-minute walk to the center of Old Town.
If I were headed back, I would book a stay at TRIBE because it’s sandwiched right between Krakow’s main train station and the historic center. I LOVE traveling Poland via train and know we would be moving on from this beautiful city by rail.
My other top contender would be the New Port Aparthotel. A floating hotel with views of Wawel Castle? Say less!
Where to Stay in Krakow: The Best Hotels & Neighborhoods
Quick Guide on Where to Stay in Krakow
First-Time Visitors: Stare Miasto (Old Town)
Families: Nowy Swiat
Budget-Travelers: Podgorze
History Buffs: Stare Miasto (Old Town) or Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter
Foodies: Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)
If You’ve Been Here Before: Kleparz
Old Town (Stare Miasto)
The beating heart of the city, Krakow’s Old Town, is a feast for the eyes. The Gothic spires of Saint Mary’s Basilica tower over the Rynek Glowny, Europe’s largest medieval square and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This concentrated core is a true stunner with gorgeous architecture around every corner and cobblestone lanes.
For first-timers or those who only have a day or so, staying in Krakow’s Old Town (Stare Miasto in Polish) is ideal as it puts you close to most of the main attractions.
Best For: History and architecture
Pros & Cons
Pros: Walking distance to most things to do, delicious restaurants, and nightlife.
Cons: Can be expensive and crowded. Parking can be difficult to find.
Where I would stay: If you’re going to stay in the heart of Krakow, Nomadic Urban Suites is one of the best options!
For those traveling for a special occasion (or if you don’t mind splurging) there are two unique options to choose from here. The Penthouse Apartment or Dragon’s Cave are both incredible stays, one in a subterranean stone cellar and the other with unparalleled views of Saint Mary’s Basilica.
Amber Design Residence is another great option that’s a little less pricey and offers pretty rooms, although keep in mind that breakfast is served in a nearby restaurant.
Kazimierz
The trendy, artistic, and ever-historic Kazimierz is Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. You can truly feel the past seeping through the cobblestones of this neighborhood, and while some of its history is dark, Kazimierz has undergone a vibrant revitalization.
If you love spending hours at a cafe or discovering amazing restaurants, this is the Krakow neighborhood for you.
Best For: Cafes and restaurants
Pros & Cons
Pros: One of the most historic neighborhoods in Krakow, beautiful architecture, oodles of cafes and delicious restaurants.
Cons: Can be crowded and noisy, especially on weekends.
Where I would stay: While a lot of hotels in Kazimierz have noise issues, the 1891 Garni Hotel is just far enough out of the heart of Kazimierz to be peaceful. You’re a 7-minute walk from the Old Synagogue and an even shorter distance from delicious zapiekanka (Polish pizza) in Plac Nowy.
Nowy Swiat
Just west of the historic center, Nowy Swiat is a local neighborhood where I stayed on my first trip to Krakow.
In my humble opinion, Nowy Swiat offers the best bang for your buck in terms of Krakow neighborhoods. You’ll be just steps away from both Wawel Hill and the historic center, yet won’t be paying an arm and a leg as it’s a little more out of the way.
Best For: Local feel
Pros & Cons
Pros: Feel like a local, close proximity to the historic center, and less expensive.
Cons: Not much nightlife, a bit more off-the-beaten-path.
Where I would stay: Tucked inside a stunning, salmon-pink Neoclassical building, Hotel Golden Queen is one of my favorite options in Krakow! The design of this space is truly wow-worthy, including the reception area and huge sauna. Did I mention your steps from Wawel Castle, too?
I will say that Hotel Golden Queen is one of the more expensive options in Nowy Swiat. There are dozens of great hotels and apartments that are well under $100/night.
If you’re on a romantic trip and want an old-world feel, Hotel Maltanski is the perfect option. Think breakfast in your private courtyards, surrounded by vines, and antique furniture.
Podgorze
A sprawling neighborhood south of the Vistula River, Podgorze is great for budget travelers or anyone who prefers space to spread out over proximity to the city center.
This section of the city hugs the Vistula River, which means it’s long and spread out. But what it lacks in being close to the historic old town of Krakow, it makes up for by being a short jaunt to sites like Schindler’s Factory, Ghetto Heroes Square, and Krakus Mound.
Krakow’s excellent public transportation also means that you’re never very far from the main attractions!
Best For: Green spaces
Pros & Cons
Pros: Close to Schindler’s Factory and the Jewish Quarter, ample green spaces.
Cons: Far from the historic center, it can feel a bit remote.
Where I would stay: If you want to be walking distance to the Jewish Quarter (aka Kazimierz) or you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, the Plaza Boutique Hotel is the perfect option. Not only is it inexpensive, the rooms are super spacious and beautifully decorated.
If you want a really unique stay in Krakow, you won’t find a better property than the New Port Aparthotel. This floating hotel is one of (if not the) coolest places to stay in the city. Balconies overlook the Vistula River and the spires of Wawel Cathedral in the distance.
Kleparz
Tucked north of Krakow’s historic center, Kleparz is sandwiched between the city’s main train station and the Rynek Glowny.
This down-to-earth neighborhood is one of my favorite alternatives to staying in Krakow’s old town, and it’s really convenient if you’re arriving in the city by train or planning to travel onward by train.
Stroll the streets to admire the Mloda Polska architecture (Poland’s version of Art Nouveau) or head to the Stary Kleparz, hands down the best market in the city for fresh produce!
Best For: Train station and markets
Pros & Cons
Pros: Close to the train station and historic center, local feel, best market in the city.
Cons: Can be noisy depending on where you stay.
Where I would stay: TRIBE is just a 10-minute walk from the city center, while also being located literally right across from Krakow’s main train station! A funky design aesthetic, an amazing restaurant, and a sauna, too? Sign me up!
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Krakow
What is the best area to stay with kids in Krakow?
The best area to stay in Krakow with kids is the historic center. It’s easy to navigate with strollers and offers endless entertainment within a short walking distance.
If you’re traveling with teenagers, I think you could get away with staying in any neighborhood, but they’ll probably be most impressed by the historic center or Nowy Swiat, which is close to the Wawel Castle.
Where to stay in Krakow for first-timers?
On my first visit to Krakow, I stayed in the Nowy Swiat neighborhood and loved that it was both close to the city center and Wawel Castle, yet less expensive than staying in the historic old town.
I also think that the hotels in Nowy Swiat offer the best bang for your buck in the city. Still, you can’t go wrong with staying in the historic center, especially if you only have one day in Krakow.
What areas should I avoid in Krakow?
I never felt unsafe in Krakow. In fact, I felt much safer than walking around my hometown here in the U.S. I truly don’t think you can accidentally stroll into a “bad” neighborhood in Krakow.
That being said, you should always take precautions when traveling to a place that isn’t familiar. I follow two rules when I’m traveling: 1.) Don’t walk alone at night, and 2.) Don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
Where to Stay in Krakow for Auschwitz
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps are actually located about an hour’s drive west of Krakow. There isn’t really a recommended neighborhood in Krakow for visiting Auschwitz, but if you wanted an easier drive, it might be better to stay on the west side of town in a neighborhood like Nowy Swiat, since you’ll be headed in that direction.
How many days do you need in Krakow?
I highly recommend spending at least three days in Krakow. This gives you enough time to really get under the city’s skin and see the best sights without being rushed. You’ll also have time for a day trip to Auschwitz or the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Krakow
When I head back to Krakow, I’m planning to stay at TRIBE in the Kleparz neighborhood or at the floating New Port Aparthotel on the Vistula River.
Let me know where you’re planning to stay in Krakow! Is it entrenched in UNESCO sites in the Stare Miasto? Or maybe you’re planning to spend your days sipping coffee in the cafes of Kazimerz?
Whatever you choose, rest assured that you’re about to have an incredible time in one of Poland’s best cities.
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