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Kraków/Old Town

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Inside the walls of Wawel, the old royal castle
Inside the walls of Wawel, the old royal castle

The Old City of Krakow, referred to in Polish as Stare Miasto, forms the historical kernel of this vibrant Polish city and is the first target for most travellers to the city, with regard to accommodation, eating out, entertainment, and attractions.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Orientation

The area of the Old City is bounded by the ring of lightly-forested parkland, known as the Planty, that used to mark the Old City walls and moat. The Wawel, the long-fortified hill at the southern end of the Old City, overlooks the River Vistula, and forms an integral part of this district. The centre of the Old City (and of Krakow itself) is the Rynek Glowny (the Main Marketplace) from which all the main streets radiate.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Major attractions

Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle
  • Wawel Castle, Wawel 5, ☎ +48 (0/12) 422-51-55 (+48 (0/12) 422-61-21, , fax: +48 (0/12) 421-51-77), [1]. Wawel is the name of a lime hillock situated on the left bank of the Vistula at an altitude of 228 metres above sea level. This is a symbolic place of great significance for Polish people. The Royal Castle and the Cathedral are situated on the Hill. Polish Royalty and many distinguished Poles are interred in the Cathedral and royal coronations took place there. It's considered to be the most beautiful castle in Central Europe, besides the Hradcany in Prague.  edit
  • Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), Rynek Główny 1-3, [2]. Sukiennice was built in the early 14th century in the middle of the Main Market as a trading hall in Gothic style. It got its present Renaissance look in 1555. In the 19th century, it was turned into a museum. The first floor was used for great banquets. Nowadays, souvenir shops are there.  edit
The town hall tower
The town hall tower
  • Town Hall Tower was once a part of the big 13th-Century Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall on the Main Marketplace. The town hall was destroyed by the Austrians in the 19th century after they took control of Krakow. Currently a museum is in the tower. You have a nice view of the city from upstairs.
  • Barbakan. Barbakan was built in the 15th century as the biggest European defense building of its kind. The Gothic Barbakan was meant to defend the Florian Gate from attacks of the Osman, which were thought to attack Central Europe after conquering Constantinople and the Balkans in the late Middle Age.  edit
  • Florian Gate is the only part of the town where ancient walls have survived. It consists of four towers and the arsenal and gives you a good idea of what the five kilometers of walls around the Old City looked like in the Middle Ages.

[edit] Squares

  • Rynek Główny (Main Marketplace), [3]. A fine medieval square at the heart of the Old City, currently being repaved and beautified, festooned with churches, restaurants and bars. It is the biggest medieval marketplace worldwide with more than four hectares of area and twelve streets beginning here.  edit
  • Maly Rynek (Little Marketplace) — A fine, recently renovated medieval square east of the Main Marketplace.
  • Plac Mariacki (Mary´s Square) — A fine medieval place east of the Main Marketplace, connecting it with the Little Marketplace. It was a cemetery in the Middle Ages, but is now a charming and quiet place with the Sculpture of a medieval Cracovian Student.
  • Plac Wszystkich Swietych (All Saints´ Square) — The name refers to the Gothic All Saints' Church that stood there until the 19th century. Actress Helena Modrzejewska and writer Joseph Conrad lived in houses at this square. There are two beautiful Gothic churches, the St. Francis and the Dominicanus, at its west and east end.
  • Plac sw. Marii Magdaleny (St. Mary Magdalene Square) — A fine square in the center of Okol, the oldest part of the Old Town just under the Wawel. The early baroque St. Peter and Paul Church and the Roman St. Andrew Church are there. In the middle stands the column of Piotr Skarga.
  • Plac Szczepanski (Stefanus Square) — The name refers to the Gothic Stefanus Church that stood there until the 19th century. The secession Palace of Art and Old Theatre are there.
  • Plac sw. Ducha (Square of the Holy Spirit) — The name refers to the Gothic Holy Spirit Church that is located on the square. Also the beautiful 19th century Slowacki Theatre is situated there.

[edit] Palaces

  • Palace Biskupow Krakowskich, Franciszkanska Street 3. (Palace of the Bishops of Krakow). This is a Renaissance palace with a beautiful yard. It is world famous as the home of Pope John Paul II. Starting in 1963, he lived there as the bishop/cardinal of Krakow. After he became pope, he always stayed at the Palace Biskupow Krakowskich while in Krakow. His small talks from the window with the Krakowians are very famous. Often one can find a candle in the window and many candles and flowers under it.
  • Palace Erazma Ciolka (Palace of Erazm Ciolek).
  • Palace Sztuki (Palace of Art).
  • Palace Wielkopolskich (Palace of the Wielkopolski).
  • Palace Zabarskich (Palace of the Zabarski).
  • Palace Pod Baranami (Palace Under the Lambs).
  • Palace Pod Krzysztofory (Palace under the Krzysztofory).

[edit] Churches

  • St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka), Plac Mariacki 5 (Located on the southern end of the Rynek), ☎ +48 (0/12) 422-55-18 ext. 21 (fax: +48 (0/12) 421-07-85), [4]. The first St. Mary's Church was built in 1220. The facade consists of two unequal towers. The tune (hejnal) is played from this tower every hour and on Polish Radio at noon. Inside the church, the east wall is taken up by the altar of Veit Stoss (1477-89). It is the largest piece of medieval art of its kind. There is also an altar with a stone crucifix by Veit Stoss. The wall paintings are by Matejko, Wyspianski, and Mehoffer.  edit
  • Church of St. Anne (Kolegiata św. Anny), ul. św. Anny 11, ☎ +48 (0/12) 422-53-18 (, fax: +48 (0/12) 421-51-41), [5]. This church was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in 1407 in Gothic style. It served as the University Church. It was rebuilt in baroque style in 1689 by Tylman from Gameren modeled on S. Andrea della Valle in Rome. The corpus of the church was composed of a wide main nave with three pairs of side chapels. The holy professor of theology Jan Kanty is buried there. His baroque grave is one of the most beautiful in Central Europe.  edit
  • St. Albert's Church. One of the oldest churches in Central Europe. History of the first wooden church on this site dates from 10th century. It is said to have been built by a pagan cult. Holy Adalbert preached before his missionary expedition to Prussia in the late 10th century. It was rebuilt in the 11th century in Romanesque style and enlarged in the 17th century in baroque shape.  edit
  • St. Peter and Paul Church. The oldest baroque building in Poland. It was built in 1597 by Jozef Britius for the Jesuit Order and completed by Jan Trevano. The stone facade is based on the Roman church Il Gesu.  edit
  • St. Andrew Church. This is the best example of the Romanesque style in Poland. It was built in the 11th century by Sieciech, palatine of duke Wladyslaw Herman. The fortifying character of the church is visible and the church was the only place the Krakowians could flee successfully when the Tatars conquered Krakow in 1241. Two beautiful slim Romanesque towers are covered with baroque helmets and the interior is baroque, too.  edit
  • St. Giles Church. This church was founded in the 11th century by Duke Wladyslaw Herman as a votive offering for the birth of their son. It was later rebuilt in the Gothic style at the end of the 13th century. The Holy Mass is offered in English on Sundays at 10:30AM.  edit
  • St. Trinity Church. St. Trinity Church, a Dominican church, was built in 1222 in Romanesque style (the refectory still is). It was rebuilt as a three-aisled basilica in the second half of 14th century and the 15th century. It is filled with a countless number of tombs and the set of burial chapels of the 16th and 17th centuries was second only to the Wawel Cathedral necropolis. The great fire of 1850 destroyed much of the church. There is an amazing late 14th century stone portal richly ornamented with carved floral motifs located here.  edit
  • St. Marc Church. This was founded in the second half of the 13th century by Duke Boleslaw Wstydliwy. On the wall of the apse stands the sculpted group Golgotha. Inside the church is a rococo pulpit with a worth seeing cross.  edit
  • St. Thomas Church. Built in 1618, this church was constructed in early baroque style for the Carmelichans. Later, it was used by the nuns of the hospital of the Holy Ghost.  edit
  • Holy Cross Church. It was constructed in 1186. The oldest part of the church is a stone presbytery, while a brick part of the construction dates from the 15th century. The interior is very beautifully decorated with wall paintings dating back to 1420, like 'The Agony in the Garden' in the chapel and a wonderful Gothic palm vault which is based on only one very high pillar.  edit
  • St. Martin Church — This church was raised in 1637 in Baroque style for the Discalced Carmelite nuns, but is now a protestant church. The Gothic crucifix above the altar is one of the oldest in Poland.
  • Pijary Church — Built in 1718 by Kasper Bazanka, the late baroque shape of the facade was made by Franciszek Placidi in 1759. It was based on the Il Gesu church in Rome, but aiming to enhance the frontal effect the architect added a decorative top story and flattened the divisions of the elevation.
  • St. John's the Baptist and St. John's the Evangelist Church — It was built by Piotr Wlast from Skrzynno in the 12th century in Romanique style. In the 17th century, the church was altered in Baroque style. The high altar contains a Renaissance painting called "The Mother of God redeeming the Slaves".
  • St. Francis Church (Franciscans) — Founded in the first half of the 13th century in Romanique style. In the 15th century, the church received its final Gothic form. In 1850, the grand fire of Krakow destroyed much of the church. The reconstruction and redecoration took several dozen years. The present secession interior was made by Stanislaw Wyspianski. The most authentic part of the church is the northern elevation of the transept, surviving almost intact in its 13th century form. A place of special beauty are the Gothic cloisters surrounding the rectangular viridarium, dating mostly from the first half of the 15th century.
  • St. Barbara Church — Founded in the 14th century by Mikolaj Wierzynek as a gothic grave chapel, it was remodeled in the early Baroque style in 1583. It housed a famous Jesuit college which competed with the Krakow Jagiellonian University. Next to the main entrance is the Gethsemane, a complex of stone sculptures by Veit Stoss.
  • Reformatory Church of St. Casimir — Built in 1666, together with the monastery in baroque style. In the crypta are graves of the brothers with mummified bodies, due to the special microclimate.
  • St. Joseph Church — This church was built in 1694 at the place of the Tęczyński Palace in baroque style. It was damaged in the big fire of 1850 but the interior was saved.
  • Church Of Our Lady Of Snows — Constructed in 1632 founded by Anna Lubomirska as a vote to commemorate the victorious battle in 1621 in Chocim against the Osmans. It was destroyed during the Swedish invasion in 1655 and rebuilt in 1671. The main altar has the painting of the "Our Lady Of Snows", the gift from the Pope Urban the VIII. Next to the church stands a cloister with some fragments of the defensive medieval architecture, like a brick tower from the 13th century.

[edit] Monasteries

  • Dominicans — The Dominicans came in 1222 to Krakow. After the Tatars destroyed this monastery, they rebuilt it. Duke Leszek, the Black of Krakow, and Bishop Iwo Odrowaz were buried inside the church in the 13th century. Also the great Italian Humanist Fillipo Callimachus was buried there in the 15th century. His grave was made by Veit Stoss and Peter Vischer. There are 13 chapels inside the church, the Sobieski Chapel with graves of the family of king Jan III Sobieski, the golden Myszkowski Chapel full of pretty baroque and gold, the manierist Dominican Chapel by Santi Gucci are the most beautiful. The Renaissance cross ways are full of epitaphs and baroque paintings by Tomasz Dolabella. A beautiful Romanique Crypta is under the cross ways.
  • Franciscans — The Franciscans came in 1237 to Krakow. Their first monastery was destroyed by the Tatars in 1241 and 1259. In 1269, the saint Salomea was buried inside the St. Francis Church. In 1462, 1655 and 1850 parts of the monastery burned. The inside is Gothic and secession. The famous window "Good Father the Creator" by Stanislaw Wyspianski is there. The cross ways are very worth seeing with their Gothic frescoes. It has been a basilica since 1920.
  • Klarysek is a small monastery near the Wawel.
  • Dominikanek is a small monastery east of the Little Market.

[edit] University Buildings

  • Collegium Maius — This is the oldest of the university buildings, erected in 1364 as part of the University of Krakow. It was completed in 1400 and has preserved its Gothic scape. It has a beautiful court yard and chambers, of which the stuba communis is considered to be the most important. Niclaus Copernicus, Jan III Sobieski, and John Paul II studied here. Today, there is a university museum in the building with the instruments of Copernicus, the first globe with America, and many other medieval instruments. The first liquefaction of oxygen was there in the 19th century.
  • Collegium Novum — One of Central Europe's most beautiful Neogothic buildings. It was built in the 19th century and has been the headquarters of the Jagiellonian University since then. The big neogothic stairways inside the building are worth seeing.
  • Collegium Juridicum — This is a Gothic building in the oldest part of the Old City ("Okol"), opposite the Peter and Paul Church. It has a very nice Renaissance Yard with Arcades and Sculptors of Igor Mitoraj.
  • Collegium Medicum — This is a Renaissance building in the academic part of the Old City opposite the St. Anna Church, which is the university church since 1409. It has a very nice Renaissance Yard with Arcades.
  • Pope John Paul II Akademia — Big neogothic building under the Wawel Castle and Cathedrale at the beginning of the Planty Park.

[edit] Fine Bourgeois Houses

  • Kamienica Jana Dlugosza (Jan Dlugosz House).
  • Kamienica Hippolitow (Hippolitow House).
  • Kamienica Pralatow (Pralatow House).
  • Kamienica Bonerowska (Boner House).
  • Kamienica Czynciela (Czynciel House).
  • Kamienica Dziekanska (Rektors House).
  • Kamienica Hetmanska (Hetman House).
  • Kamienica Margrabska (Dukes House).
  • Kamienica Montelupich (Montelupi House).
  • Kamienica Pecherza (Pecherz House).
  • Kamienica Pod Jaszczurami (House under the Lizards).
  • Kamienica Szara (Grey House).
  • Kamienica Szolajskich (Szolajski House).
  • Kamienica Pod Jemiola (House under the Mistletoe).

[edit] Parks

The Planty
The Planty
  • Planty. The Planty is a park surrounding the old city. It was set up in the 19th century at the place where the old town walls used to be.
  • Wawel Gardens.
  • Franciscus Gardens.

All over Old Town you can find campus parts of the second oldest university in this part of Europe: Jagiellonian University. You are free to enter (and leave) all buildings at your leisure (mind the students milling around every day of the week).

[edit] Museums and Galleries

  • National Museum, Kraków (Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie), al. 3 Maja 1, ☎ +48 (0/12) 29 55 500 (fax: +48 (0/12) 29 55 555), [6].  edit — Has several branches throughout the city.
  • Czartoryski Museum, [7]. — In here, you will find "Lady with an Ermine" (also known as the Polish Mona Lisa) by Leonardo da Vinci and "The Landscape with Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt van Rijn.  edit
  • The Sukiennice[8] — This is one of the best collections of 19th century paintings in Poland.
  • Jan Matejko Museum[9] — Atelier of one of the best known Polish painters.
  • Stanislaw Wyspianski Museum[10]
  • Krakow Historical Museum (Muzeum Historyczne Miasta Krakowa)[11] — Has several branches throughout the city. The newest is Rynek Underground.
  • Rynek Underground[12] — Shows relics of structures hidden under the current Market Square surface. Admission free on Mondays.
  • Archeological Museum[13] ul. Senacka 3.
  • Natural History Museum and Aquarium[14] ul. Św. Sebastiana 9, very interesting place, especially for children. Live fish, amphibia, reptilia and insects, spiders etc. In the Natural History part unique woolly rhinoceros from twelve thousand years ago (not alive). Tickets: adults 20 PLN, children (<16) 14 PLN. Family ticket (2+2) 60 PLN.
  • Bunker of Art (Bunkier Sztuki) [15] — Gallery of contemporary art very near city center. There is also a book shop and nice cafe in the "bunker".
  • International Cultural Centre [16] - Very well prepared temporary art exhibitions in a nicely remodeled and renovated building on Main Square. There's also a library and a terrace on the roof with views of the city centre.
  • Tadeusz Kantor Museum Cricot[18]
  • Pharmacy Museum[19]

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Theaters

  • Juliusz Słowacki Theatre (Teatr Słowackiego), pl. Św. Ducha 1, ☎ +48 (0/12) 424 45 00 (), [20]. If you're walking the most direct route from the train station to the Rynek (or vice versa), it's nearly impossible to miss this building. Its stunning facade is enough reason to visit, but attending one of the theater's performances sweetens the deal.  edit
  • Old Theatre (Stary Teatr), ul. Jagiellońska 5, ☎ +48 (0/12) 422 4040 (), [21]. Located in a Krakow style Art Nouveau building next to pl. Szczepański.  edit
  • Kameralny Theatre ul. Starowiślna 21, Old Theatre second stage.
  • Bagatela Theatre[22] ul. Karmelicka 6 (corner with Krupnicza). Light plays, comedies mostly.
  • Groteska Theatre[23] ul. Skarbowa 2. Puppet theatre, plays for kids mostly but they also do experimental stuff for mature audience.
  • Scene under the Town Hall[24] (Scena pod Ratuszem) Rynek Główny 1. The scene located in Town Hall's basement is part of People's Theatre (Teatr Ludowy) based in Nowa Huta.
  • PWST Theatre[25] Academy for the Dramatic Arts school's theatre.
  • STU Scene[26] al. Krasińskiego 16-18
  • KTO Theatre[27] ul. Gzymsików 8
  • Krakow Opera (Opera Krakowska), ul. Lubicz 48, ☎ +48 12 296 61 00, [28].  edit
  • Krakow Philharmonic (Filharmonia Krakowska), ul. Zwierzyniecka 1, ☎ +48 12 619 87 33 (), [29]. Tu - Fr 11AM - 2PM, 3PM - 7PM.  edit

[edit] Cinemas

  • ARS [30] A film theater located in the city centre with five screens named Sztuka, Aneks, Reduta, Kiniarnia, Salon and differing in atmosphere. For example in Reduta popcorn and cola are forbidden and Kiniarnia is basically a cafe with a screen. European, art cinema, retrospectives, documentaries, classics. Definitely not a multiplex experience.
  • Kino pod Baranami [31] Located in a beautiful palace on Main Square, it has three screens. Similar to ARS with their selection of films. They have special screenings of polish films with subtitles in English!

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Rynek and the surrounding streets have fashionable clothing stores.

There is a big mall Galeria Krakowska[35] near the main railway station. You can find clothes (like H&M), souvenirs, bookstores etc. in there.

[edit] Bookstores

Empik Rynek Główny 5, big store on the Main Market. Books, newspapers (not only Polish) and music take up a whole building.

Bona ul. Kanonicza 11, books in different languages, cracoviana, art albums and nicely designed children books. Also a cafe.[36]

House of Albums ul. Zwierzyniecka 17, shop full of albums on art, film, photography, architecture and more.[37]

There are also several interesting antique book shops in the centre.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

  • U Babci Maliny, ul. Szpitalna 38, ul. Sławkowska 17, [38]. The name literally means At Raspberry Grandma in Polish. Genuine Polish food that might be served by your grandmother which is cheap and delicious. Enjoy the atmosphere, where you sit at benches with complete strangers and wait for your number to be called to enjoy some delicious food. The menu is in Polish but there are English menus available - ask. The area downstairs is impressively presented, with hearty traditional meals in the evenings served by waitresses wearing traditional dress, and live piano music. Very good and very cheap students restaurant with Polish cuisine. Self-service, but very nice interior. Not easy to find in a cellar of the PAN. Ask students for location. No alcohol, no smoking. From EUR 2.  edit
  • Green Way, ul. Mikołajska 14 (just off the Small Square), ☎ +48 12 431 10 27, [39]. 10am-10pm. Quite wide variety of vegan and vegetarian food, with amazing huge smoothies (labelled cocktails) for under EUR 1. Self-service, friendly staff, and a huge variety of products from soups to samosas to enchilladas to satisfy anyone who typically eats meat too. from EUR 2.  edit
  • Gospoda Koko, ul. Gołębia 8, ☎ +48 12 430 21 35, [40]. 8am-3am, yes 3am!!!. Quite small, quirky self-service restaurant. The menu is in Polish only, but staff speak English and are happy to help. The fare is typically Polish, the daily deal is a soup followed by a main served with a side salad at a fixed price of 14zł. Half of this for less hungry costs 9,5zł. Extremely good value for money. 14zł.  edit
  • Naber Cafe/Lody u Jacka i Moniki, corner ul. Sławkowska/ul. św. Tomasza. Delicious desserts, coffees, and ice cream.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • Cechowa, ul. Jagiellonska 11, [41]. Traditional Polish cuisine, not expensive. A TAM exhibition in the pub in the cellar.  edit
  • Chimera, ul. św. Anny 3, [42]. Restaurant with traditional Polish cuisine located in a cellar and an inexpensive salad bar (with big variety of salads) located in the yard of a Renaissance house. Beer garden and wine cellar.  edit
  • C.K. Dezerter, ul. Bracka 6, ☎ +48 12 422 79 31. a very warm and friendly place — the posh side of rustic in atmosphere and decor. The food is a great blend of traditional Polish and mainly central European cuisine, large portions, and exceedingly good value. 50-60PLN, including wine.  edit
  • Da Pietro, Rynek Główny 17, [43]. Italian cuisine, very good pizzas.  edit
  • Glonojad, Plac Matejki 2, [44]. 9am-10pm. Home made vegetarian meals, pastries, fresh juices, shakes, and smoothies plus great view of Matejko Square. Free WiFi and PC. Inexpensive.  edit
  • Invito Pizza&Pasta, ul. św. Tomasza 33 (a couple of roads away from the main Old town square, 3 minute walk), ☎ 12 421 30 92, [45]. Mostly pizza and pasta, but a huge selection of each, with chicken, soup and other dishes too. Pizza is great value, but you cannot physically eat a small pizza alone, and a large is best shared between two very very hungry people, or three. Pasta dishes are also large but single portions. Staff speak English, with English menus available, though mostly frequented by locals. Football often showing. starters from 1.50 EUR, mains from around EUR 4.  edit
  • MOMO, ul. Dietla 49, ☎ +48 609 685 775. Daily from 11AM-8PM. Organic vegetarian and vegan food.  edit
  • Paese, ul. Poselska 24, [46]. Corsican cuisine, a lot of fish dishes.  edit
  • Poezja Smaku, ul. Jagiellonska 5, [47]. Traditional Krakow cuisine.  edit
  • Rooster, ul. Szczepańska 4, [48]. The food servers are pretty Polish girls in shorts. The steak is great and the atmosphere too if you are into that kind of thing. Prices are moderate.  edit
  • Vega Vegetarian Bar, ul. Krupnicza 22, [49]. Good food, reasonable prices, no beer.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Miód i Wino, ul. Sławkowska 32, ☎ +48 12 422 74 95 (), [50]. Restaurant with amazing medieval times interiors. Food is very good (try the duck) and often served after a little chivalry show by young waiters. 20 euros to get filled.  edit
  • Cyrano de Bergerac, ul. Sławkowska 26, [51]. Very good wine and French cuisine. Expensive.  edit
  • Wentzl, Rynek Główny 19, ☎ +48 12 429 52 99, [52]. Polish, European cuisine.  edit
  • Wierzynek, Rynek Główny 15, [53]. Traditional Polish cuisine, according to the legends, the oldest restaurant in Poland. Mikołaj Wierzynek invited several kings and the German Emperor in 1364 to a feast there and gave them the golden dishes they ate from.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Cafes

The cafe tradition of Krakow reaches the Battle of Vienna in 1683, when the Polish hussars returned with a lot of conquered Osman Coffee. Some of the most famous cafes are:

  • Cafe Bunkier, pl. Szczepański 3a. Big patio open to Planty park right next to Bunkier Sztuki gallery of contemporary art.  edit
  • Cafe Larousse, ul. św. Tomasza 22. Very good coffee, with The Great French Encyclopedia on the walls.  edit
  • Cafe Lody u Jacka i Moniki, ul. Sławkowska. one of the first café's in Krakow. They have the best ice cream in Krakow in the summer and the best coffee in the city in the autumn and winter time! They offer very good cakes, especially the traditional kremówka - a vanilla flavored cream cake or a warm apple pie with whipped cream. Try out their hot chocolate and fruit cocktails, all this for very good prices.  edit
  • Café Malaga, Rynek Główny 11, courtyard. A cozy, small café where you can enjoy a Krakowian iced coffee, huge Polish cheesecake and a variation of hot and cold drinks. It specializes on wines from the Spanic Malaga district, but offers a large variation of Polish beverages and cakes. Even though it might be tricky to find, it's worth checking out for the atmosphere alone!  edit
  • Cafe Mozaika, ul. Gołębia 5. Artistic interior.  edit
  • Loch Camelot, ul. św. Tomasza 17. Naive art pictures and good szarlotka (apple cake). Klezmer music and cabaret Loch Camelot.  edit
  • Jama Michalika, ul. Floriańska 45, [54]. The most famous cafe in Krakow, with secession interior. The legendary cabaret Zielony Balonik (Green Balloon) was there in the 19th century. Most Polish artists of Young Poland met here and left some pieces of art. frequented and decorated by artists of the Young Poland (Młoda Polska) movement. Plenty of art nouveau style and original paintings.  edit
  • Mamy Cafe, ul. Sławkowska 20, [55]. Children friendly cafe with great interiors. Perfect if you want to enjoy a cup of coffee and take your toddler with you.  edit
  • Massolit, Felicjanek 4/2, ☎ (48) 012 432 41 50, [56]. A cafe is only a part of a great English-language used book store. You can browse the shelves and read English-language newspapers. They also have some American style bagels. 5 - 7 PLN.  edit
  • U Literatów, ul. Kanonicza 7. Very cultural cafe, meeting point of poets and writers.  edit
  • Wedel Cafe, Rynek Główny 46, [57]. A cafe with a beautiful medieval courtyard, on the main square. Wonderful chocolate drinks and cakes.  edit

If you're looking for a more American coffee experience, check out Coffeeheaven (Karmelicka 5 and Galeria Kazimierz) or Tribeca Coffee (Rynek Glowny 27).

[edit] Bars

  • Ambasada Śledzia (Herring Embassy), ul. Stolarska. 24/7. Nice outside patio and interesting interior with poetry written all over the walls. Every drink (coffee, tea, beer, vodka shot) is 4 PLN, most of the food 8 PLN and if you want to try some typical polish dishes eaten for lunch as well as between vodka shots this is the place.  edit
  • Alter Ego Café, ul. Floriańska 13, ☎ +48 12 421 05 90, [58]. Polish food and beer.  edit
  • Betel, pl. Szczepański 3. Great beer garden in a courtyard.  edit
  • Bomba Na Placu, pl. Szczepański 2/1. Interesting interior, free concerts on weekends.  edit
  • Cafe Art, Rynek Główny 23, [59]. Decorated with bits of old church organ, they specialize in cocktails. Try the Kamikaze or Mad Dog - a shooter containing vodka, raspberry liqueur, and Tabasco sauce.  edit
  • Harris Piano Jazz Bar, Rynek Główny 28, [60]. A packed underground jazz bar with great music - 6,5zł for a beer, get there early to get seats. Live concerts every day.  edit
  • Klub RE, ul. św. Krzyża 4, [61]. Underground bar with alternative music concerts. In summer they have one of the nicest beer gardens in the city.  edit
  • House of Beer, ul. św. Tomasza 35 (entrance from św. Krzyża), [62]. Currently has the widest selection of beer in all of Krakow. Over 150+ beer labels from all over Europe + 8 beer taps.  edit
  • Paparazzi, ul. Mikołajska 9, ☎ +48 12 429 45 97, [63]. Best cocktails in town. A cozy place with a lot of pictures of known people and great atmosphere. Every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m a special menu with each order made double!  edit
  • Pauza, ul. Floriańska 18, [64]. A long-time trendy bar in the centre of Krakow, popular with students.  edit
  • Pergamin, Bracka 3-5. Pergamin, chill-out music bar.  edit
  • Pierwszy Lokal na Stolarskiej po lewej stronie idąc od Małego Rynku (The First Place on the Left Side of Stolarska if You Come from Small Square), ul. Stolarska 6/1. Best name ever! They have really good beer on tap called Smocza Głowa (Dragon's Head) which is made in Krakow and hard to get.  edit
  • Piękny Pies, ul. Sławkowska 6, [65]. A legend.  edit
  • Wódka Cafe Bar, ul. Mikołajska 5, [66]. Small place with around a hundred different vodkas to be tasted.  edit

[edit] Clubs

  • Centrala, Mały Rynek 4, [67] Jazz concerts in one of the basements below Mały Rynek.
  • Climatic, ul. Sławkowska 13/15. Dancing music.
  • Frantic, ul. Szewska 5. [[68]] House music.
  • Jazz Club u Muniaka, ul. Floriańska 3. Good Polish jazz played by Trio Muniaka.
  • Kitsch ul. Wielopole 15, [69] Noone really understands how many clubs are in that building, maybe it's just one night club with several floors and with that several different styles. Loud, crowded, run-down, you know the drill. A must. krakow-kitsch@tlen.pl. (This one is now closed because the building fell apart. November 2011)
  • Ministerstwo, ul. Szpitalna 1. [[70]]
  • Pod Jaszczurami, Rynek Główny 8. Legendary student club with live music.
  • Razzy Dazzy Jazz Club, ul. Tomasza 11A. Club with live jazz music.

There is an unusual attraction in Krakow - Tram Parties. Lots of people drinking and dancing in a tram that rides around the city, later (after 11 pm or so) everyone moves to one of clubs. [71]

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Atlantis Hostel, ul. Dietla 58, ☎ +48 12 421 08 61 (), [72]. Isn't the Hilton, but cheap, clean, nice and friendly!  edit
  • Blue Hostel, ul. Westerplatte 12/7, ☎ +48 12 429 59 34, [73]. Cozy and homely atmosphere, but aimed more towards the Polish than international tourists.  edit
  • Cybulskiego Guest Rooms, ul. Cybulskiego 6, ☎ +48 12 423 05 32, [75]. Near centre, nice place.  edit
  • Dizzy Daisy, ul. Pędzichów 9, ☎ +48 12 292 01 71, [76]. 30-85PLN.  edit
  • DJ Hostel, ul. Rakowicka 12 (near the Main Train Station (''Dworzec Główny'')), ☎ +48 12 430 34 79, [77]. Rooms with 2-8 beds. Very nice and helpful owner.  edit
  • Football Corner Hostel, ul. Wróblewskiego 3/4, ☎ +48 12 633 95 17 (), [79]. Dorms for 4, 6 and 8 persons. Free breakfast, Wifi and live broadcast of football matches 40 - 55 PLN.  edit
  • Let's Rock Hostel, ul. Grodzka 34, ☎ +48 12 430 30 53 ‎ (), [80]. Let's Rock Hostel! is a vivid addition to the famous Good Bye Lenin Hostels in Poland.  edit
  • Greg and Tom Hostel, ul. Pawia 12, ul. Zyblikiewicza 9, ☎ +48 12 422 41 00 (), [81]. Clean and friendly hotel - great value for the money.  edit
  • Hostel Premium, ul. Pomorska 2, ☎ +48 12 292 22 11 (), [82]. Rooms for 1-4 and dorms for up to 8 people. All with ensuite facilities, all with TV, SAT, and internet connection (cable or wi-fi). 30 - 160 PLN.  edit
  • Hostel Rynek 7, Rynek Główny 7, ☎ +48 12 431 16 98 (), [83]. View on the Market Square from every window! 40 -150 PLN.  edit
  • Mama's Hostel, ul. Bracka 4, [84]. Next to Main Square. 6, 8, and 10 person/room. Free breakfast.  edit
  • Mundo Hostel, ul. Sarego 10, ☎ +48 12 422 61 13 (), [85]. Located just between Old Town and the Jewish City. Spacious, themed rooms (mainly double ones). Clean and modern. 60 - 90 PLN.  edit
  • Old Town Hostel, pl. Szczepański 6/5, ☎ +48 12 429 59 64 (), [87]. checkout: 12:00. Nice and clean and situated in the very center 50 zł dorm, 150 zł app.  edit
  • Tulip Hostel, ☎ +48 12 430 18 26 (). One of the best situated hostels in Krakow - 2 minutes by foot from the Main Market Square. Tulip has its own polish restaurant, and climatic pub in the cellars. Sleep, eat, and have a drink in one place.  edit
  • Tutti-Frutti Hostel, ul. Floriańska 29, [90]. If you get a lower dorm, expect A LOT of noise until gone midnight as reception is directly outside the door of your dorm, as are the bathrooms! Definitely not for people who want to go to sleep early.  edit
  • The Stranger Hostel, [91]. The only hostel with an entertainment and media den that's built a reputation as a social hub. The hostel offers broadband internet connections, Wi-Fi, fast computers, DVD movies, and X-Box games projected onto a 3-meter screen!  edit

[edit] Mid-range

Krakow offers a large number of two and three star hotels, priced at €25-40 per night. Be sure to look out for hotels that are located in centrum (city center) or przy centrum (near the city center). The most expensive of these hotels are actually in the Old Town proper.

  • Accession Bed&Breakfast [92], ul. Garncarska 8. tel +48 12 37 93 557. Located on the first floor of a turn-of-the-century Krakow townhouse within between 10 minutes walking distance of Krakow's main tourist attractions.
  • Hotel Batory [93], ul. Sołtyka 19. Three star hotel located downtown Krakow, just minutes from the Old Town, train, and railway stations, as well as, main shopping centers. Batory is known for its ambiance and family atmosphere.
  • Hotel Logos [94], ul. Szujskiego 5. Is a cozy and elegant hotel of three star category with location in the center of the Krakow - Old Town recommended by the Polish Hotel Association. Logos is known for its excellent food and wide range of extra services.
  • Poselska 20 [95], ul. Poselska 20. tel +48 513 158 056. Elegant hotel rooms in a renovated apartment house located on beautiful Poselska street, one of the most beautiful streets in Krakow.
  • Tango House Bed & Breakfast [96] , ul. Szpitalna 4. Boutique style lodging right around from the Main Market Square. Tango House is a cozy bed and breakfast with a Tango theme, warm staff while offering modern rooms, stylish bathrooms, wireless internet, daily maid service, and satellite TV.

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Copernicus, Kanonicza 16, ☎ +48 12 424 34 00 (, fax: +48 12 424 34 05), [97]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 1PM. Tucked away on one of Krakow's most beautiful streets, Kanonicza. If you're looking for an authentic European feel, while maintaining a five-star experience, this is the place.  edit
  • Hotel Grand, ul. Sławkowska 5/7, ☎ +48 12 424 08 00 (, fax: +48 12 421 83 60), [98]. checkin: 4PM; checkout: Noon. Traditional luxury secessionist palace belonging once to the Czartoryski Family, who founded the Czartoryski Museum in the 18th century not far away.  edit
  • Hotel Pod Różą, ul. Floriańska 14, ☎ +48 12 424 33 00 (, fax: +48 12 424 33 51), [99]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: Noon. The oldest, and one of the best hotels in Poland. It showcases a very good restaurant and wine cellar. Tsar Alexander I and Franz Liszt stayed here. A Renaissance building with a beautiful gate. Read the Latin writing above the entrance.  edit
  • Hotel Wentzl, Rynek Główny 19, ☎ +48 12 430 26 65 (, fax: +48 (0/12) 430 26 64), [100]. One of the best known high class hotels in Krakow and the only one located right on Rynek Główny. Set in a 15th century house, John Wentzl opened the Wentzl restaurant in this building in 1792 €159+.  edit
  • Ostoya Palace Hotel, ul. Piłsudskiego 24, [101]. A newly opened four star in a 19th century mansion about 5-10 minutes walk from Rynek Główny. The rooms are beautifully furnished in pastel colors with custom-made furniture. If possible get a ground or first floor room; the second floor rooms (while still very nicely apportioned) have skylights rather than windows. Staff are very friendly and helpful; the buffet breakfast is also good, with tasty pastries, cheese and ham, and proper coffee.
  • Radisson Blu, ul. Straszewskiego 17, [102]. Situated within walking distance from Main Market Square and Royal Wawel Castle.
  • Sheraton Krakow, ul. Powiśle 7, [103]. A five star hotel located right on the Vistula river with a great view of the Wawel castle.
  • Venetian House Aparthotel, Rynek Główny 11, [104]. A new and luxurious apartment hotel located directly on Krakow's Main Market Square.

[edit] Apartments

  • AAA Krakow Apartments [105], ul. Cybulskiego 2. tel +48 12 346 46 70 Luxury standard apartments in modern city centre developments for holiday lets and business rentals.
  • Apartments Krakow Informer [106], ul. Kochanowskiego. tel +48 692 335 366. Apartments in centre of Krakow, about 5 min walk from the Main Market Square. All apartments are modern, clean and offer more space than you would find in a hotel at the same price.
  • Apartments Indalo [107], ul. Tarłowska. tel +48 12 431 00 91, +48 501 088 434. Apartments in centre of Krakow, about 5 min walk from the Main Market Square. Not only affordable, but also quiet and comfortable. Indalo also has a cafe and gallery.
  • Apartments Yourplace [108], ul. Biskupia 4/3. +48 12 3505 850, +48 12 2629 748. Specially chosen apartments for travelers in the center and surroundings of the city.
  • Apartments u Zeweckiego [109], ul. Szlak, Radziwiłłowska, Ariańska. tel +48 12 429 55 96, +48 602 819 644. Apartments near the centre, about 5-14 min walk from the Main Market Square. Price for 2 person €40-50.
  • Krakow Apartments [110], tel +48 504 941 759, claudiocorciulo@hotmail.com Apartments in Main Market Square (Only in Italian language).
  • Old City Apartments, Szczepańska 1, [111]. The best located apartments in Krakow - on the corner of Main Market Square. Enjoy accommodation in historic places!
  • P&J Apartments Krakow [112], ul. Floriańska 39. tel +48 12 431 00 26, +48 609 880 208, info@apartmentskrakow.eu info@apartmentskrakow.eu. Self-contained apartments situated in the Old Town.
  • SODISPAR Apartments & Aparthotel [113], ul. Lubelska 12. tel +48 600 19 13 13, 0800 19 13 13 (from Poland) info@sodispar.pl info@sodispar.pl. Apartments in the Old Town.

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