You’re planning a trip to Kraków, Poland, and wondering where to stay in Kraków and which neighborhood is the most convenient for sightseeing? I’ve gathered all the best accommodation recommendations I’ve received into this dedicated guide.
You’ll find places to stay at a variety of price points, all ideally located to help you explore the city with ease! I hope this helps you find the perfect place to stay and enjoy Kraków under the best possible conditions.
Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Kraków
First things first: Kraków has a very efficient public transportation system. There’s even a mobile app called Jakdojade that can geolocate you instantly, show nearby buses and trams with real-time departure info, and help you plan your routes — even if you don’t speak a word of Polish!
This means that if you choose to stay in the historic Old Town, you’ll still be able to reach other tourist areas like Kazimierz, Podgórze, or Nowa Huta with ease.
Here’s a map to help you visualize the city before your visit:
Also keep in mind that the cost of living in Poland is still significantly lower than in countries like England or the USA. This means you can often find high-quality accommodations at prices well below what you’d expect for the same level of comfort elsewhere.
I recommend staying in Stare Miasto, the Old Town — it’s the most charming part of the city, with its Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the iconic main square (Rynek Główny), and the beautiful St. Mary's Basilica. You can easily walk or take a tram to all of Kraków’s main attractions — like the Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarter and Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum. It’s also close to the train and bus stations if you plan on taking day trips to places like Auschwitz or the mountains in Zakopane.
Another great option is to stay in the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz), a very lively area filled with cozy cafés and local restaurants.
Where to Stay in Kraków on a Budget?
One of the cheapest and most flexible ways to stay in Kraków is to rent an apartment. You can use platforms like Airbnb or reliable hotel sites like Booking.com, which offers a wide selection of apartments for rent.
I’ve put together a selection of great places to stay, and here’s a helpful link to find a budget-friendly accommodation in Kraków.
1. Apartments 17 Szewska
Located right in the heart of the Old Town, Apartments 17 Szewska offer excellent value for money without compromising on location. Just a 5-minute walk from the Main Market Square and Town Hall Tower, these modern studios are perfect for exploring the historic center on foot. Each unit comes with a well-equipped kitchenette, air conditioning, and a private bathroom. You’ll also enjoy free Wi-Fi and the option to book a paid airport transfer for added convenience.
Check prices, photos, and book online here.
2. Uroczy
This apartment is located just outside Kraków’s Old Town, close to the main train station. Because it’s slightly outside the city center, it’s often cheaper — usually around €30 ($32 / £26) per night. It’s still within walking distance of tourist areas and public transport. The space is bright, with a fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom with shower, and a sofa bed.
Check availability, see photos, and book here.
3. Kazimierz Secret
If you like the idea of combining the independence of an apartment with hotel-like services, Kazimierz Secret is a great option. It typically costs around €50–60 ($54–65 / £43–52) per night. You’ll get a fully equipped apartment with kitchenette, coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, etc. There’s also front desk staff to help with questions, and a breakfast buffet available on-site.
The rooms are a bit dark and the decor isn’t the most modern, but the location is fantastic and the price very reasonable.
As the name suggests, this rental is located in the Jewish Quarter (34 Józefa Street), which is perfect if you want a cozy, lively area full of restaurants and cafés. You can find more info and book here.
Bonus Picks on Airbnb
Let’s start with a top-floor apartment just steps from St. Florian’s Gate (gateway to the Old Town). You can walk to the train station or the main square in 5 minutes. It starts at €80 ($91 / £67) per night. It’s part of Airbnb Plus — a curated list of rentals verified for quality.
If you’re into cozy and natural vibes, check out this warm, wood-decorated apartment, about 5 minutes’ walk between the main square and the Jewish Quarter. The hosts are “Superhosts” on Airbnb, with consistently excellent reviews. At the time of writing, it’s around €85 ($97 / £72) per night.
Where to Stay in Kraków for a Mid-Range Budget?
If you have a bit more to spend, here’s a handpicked list of high-quality hotels in Kraków — still very affordable by Western European or American standards! Many 4-star hotels offer rooms starting around €80–100 per night ($85–107 / £68–85), depending on the season, for a standard double room.
These are places I’ve either stayed at myself or received strong recommendations for. I always double-check reviews before recommending anything on my blog, but of course, don’t hesitate to read guest feedback yourself!
If the selection below doesn’t inspire you, here’s another useful link to browse more top-rated hotels in Kraków.
1. Hotel Unicus
Let’s start with Unicus (check prices and photos here): a dream location in the Old Town, perfect for exploring Kraków on foot. It features a sauna, a fitness center, and high-quality dining. Unicus is truly a great place to stay!
2. Sky Hotel Kraków
Next up, the Sky Hotel, a 4-star hotel located just a 10-minute walk from the Main Market Square. It has a 24-hour front desk, airport shuttle service, and tour booking assistance. The breakfast is particularly well-reviewed, as is the hotel overall.
3. Hotel 32 Kraków Old Town
is located at 32 Zwierzyniecka Street, just a 10-minute walk from Wawel Castle. This 3-star hotel has beautifully designed rooms, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and some rooms include a terrace (look for “Double Room with Terrace” when booking).
4. Hotel Wentzl
It doesn’t get more central than this 4-star gem — Hotel Wentzl sits right on Kraków’s Main Square (Rynek Główny)! The rooms are spacious and cozy, and despite being housed in a 15th-century building, the hotel offers all modern comforts. The welcoming staff also gets high marks in reviews.
5. Hotel Senacki
Located at 51 Grodzka Street, Hotel Senacki is a 4-star property across from the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, in the southern part of Old Town. Its location is ideal: 5 minutes to Wawel Castle, 7 minutes to the Jewish Quarter, and 4 minutes to St. Mary’s Basilica. Breakfast is served in beautiful vaulted cellars from the 14th century.
6. The Warszauer Hotel
A newer addition to Kraków’s hotel scene, the Warszauer opened in 2022 in the Jewish Quarter. This stylish 4-star hotel features modern decor and some rooms include balconies. It’s already receiving excellent reviews — definitely worth a look!
7. Hotel 1891 Garni
Also located in Kazimierz, the Hotel 1891 Garni is a 4-star property offering everything you need for a great stay: well-equipped rooms (with kettles, Wi-Fi), a friendly bar, fitness center, restaurant, and airport shuttle service.
8. Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem
Last but not least: Hotel Polski Pod Białym Orłem (see rates and photos here), a beautiful 4-star hotel near St. Florian’s Gate, in the northern part of the Old Town. It has an in-house restaurant serving Polish specialties and is just a short walk from both the train station and Main Square.
Exceptional & Luxury Hotels in Kraków
To wrap up this guide, here’s a selection of luxury hotels and boutique stays — Kraków’s most elegant and high-end accommodations. That said, don’t let the word “luxury” scare you off! Thanks to Poland’s lower cost of living, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that staying in a 5-star hotel here is more affordable than you’d expect elsewhere in Europe.
If you’re planning a special getaway or romantic weekend, these hotels offer the perfect mix of charm, comfort, and value.
1. Hotel Copernicus
This is without doubt one of the most stunning places to stay in Kraków. Hotel Copernicus is a 5-star property located in a Renaissance-era building with a gorgeous vaulted cellar pool. It also offers a sauna, massage services, and all the excellence you’d expect from a Relais & Châteaux property — all in the southern part of the Old Town.
2. H15 Palace Hotel
If you prefer a sleek, contemporary style, the H15 Palace Hotel is a fantastic choice. This 5-star property offers spacious rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, jacuzzi, sauna, and excellent dining. Located in the northern part of the Old Town, it’s just a 5-minute walk from the Main Square.
3. Hotel Stary
offers a refined and elegant atmosphere in the heart of Kraków. It features a full spa, fitness room, sauna, steam room, and two swimming pools with counter-current systems set in beautiful vaulted cellars. Rooms have unique decor, and some include balconies.
The 5-star hotel also offers excellent Polish cuisine, plus a stylish bar, café, and even a club. Best of all, it’s just one minute from the Main Market Square.
4. Hotel Pod Różą — Kraków’s Oldest Hotel
Finally, there’s the 5-star Hotel Pod Różą, which translates to “Under the Rose.” Just one minute from St. Mary’s Basilica, this hotel is set in a beautifully restored Renaissance palace. It preserves historic charm while offering all the modern comforts: spacious rooms, spa, and wellness center.
5. Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town
Finally, check out the more upscale Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town (view photos and pricing here). Its standout feature? A heated indoor pool, full spa, jacuzzi, and fitness center. All rooms have terraces.
I hope all these options help you figure out where to stay in Kraków and make the most of your trip to this incredible city. For more travel tips and ideas for things to do, don’t forget to check out my Kraków travel guide. Have a wonderful trip!
