Where to Stay in Krakow: Best Areas + Hotel Recommendations

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Krakow, you will probably find yourself choosing between Stare Miasto (Old Town) and Kazimierz. The good news is that you really cannot go wrong with either neighborhood! Both are walkable, packed with things to do, and well positioned for exploring Krakow. However, where you stay will shape your experience of the city more than you might expect. 

Stare Miasto places Krakow's biggest sights and top tourist attractions right on your doorstep. The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, the Wawel Castle complex, and some of the city's most beautiful historic streets are all nearby. Meanwhile, Kazimierz has a different, quieter feel. Krakow's historic Jewish Quarter is one of the best parts of the city for restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightlife, while still being easily accessible to the Old Town.

We stayed at H15 Palace in Stare Miasto during our trip to Krakow and spent plenty of time exploring both neighborhoods on foot. While we would choose to stay in Old Town again, there are plenty of reasons why Kazimierz might be the better fit for your trip to Krakow. 

Below, we will compare these two neighborhoods based on location, sightseeing, restaurants, nightlife, atmosphere, and overall convenience. We will also share the hotels we would actually consider booking in both neighborhoods.

If you are planning more than just where to stay in Krakow, our Krakow Travel Guide covers everything you need to know to plan the rest of your trip, including what to visit in Krakow and what to eat in Krakow. 

Table of Contents:

1. Stare Miasto: Best for First-Time Visitors
2. Kazimierz: Best for Restaurants & Nightlife
3. Stare Miasto vs. Kazimierz: Which Is Better?
4. FAQs About Where to Stay in Krakow
5. Plan the Rest of Your Krakow Trip

Stare Miasto: Best for First-Time Visitors

If it is your first time visiting Krakow, Stare Miasto (Old Town) is where we recommend staying. It is beautiful, incredibly walkable, well connected by public transportation, and puts you close to many of the places that you will likely want to visit during your trip. 

At the center of the neighborhood is Rynek Główny (Main Market Square), surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants, cafés, shops, and some of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall are located right here in Main Market Square, while Wawel Castle, Planty Park, and countless churches, museums, and historic streets are all located within a short walk.

There is also no shortage of restaurants or things to do in Stare Miasto once you have finished a day of sightseeing. The neighborhood has everything from restaurants featuring traditional Polish cuisine and international bites, to casual cafés, upscale cocktail bars, pubs, incredible bakeries, street food, and more. You certainly do not have to feel obligated to stay in Kazimierz to enjoy Krakow's nightlife. The area immediately around Main Market Square stays particularly lively in the evenings. 

Convenient Transportation Connections

One of the biggest advantages of staying in Stare Miasto is its proximity to Kraków Główny, the city’s main train station.

If you are arriving in Krakow by train, taking a day trip to the incredible Wieliczka Salt Mines, or continuing your journey elsewhere in Poland or Central Europe, staying towards the northern end of Stare Miasto is a no-brainer. You can be within walking distance of the train station, while still being only a few blocks from Main Market Square. 

Kraków Główny is connected to the Galeria Krakowska, a large shopping mall with plenty of stores and restaurants. Trams and buses also make it easy to reach other parts of Krakow from Stare Miasto, while still being walking distance to many of the attractions the city has to offer.

This combination is difficult to beat: easy access to trains and public transportation without sacrificing the experience of staying in Krakow's historic core.

Why We Think Stare Miasto is Worth the Extra Cost

The biggest drawback to staying in Stare Miasto is the price. Since it is such a convenient and desirable part of Krakow, hotels here can be more expensive than comparable properties outside of Old Town. That said, we think it is absolutely worthwhile to spend the extra money for the central location.

Krakow is still a relatively affordable European city to visit, particularly when compared to destinations like Paris, London, Vienna, or Amsterdam. Spending a little bit more money on a hotel in Stare Miasto can put you within walking distance of so many of Krakow's top sights, while reducing the amount of time and money you spend relying on public transportation.

There are also a lot of hotels in and around Stare Miasto, ranging from smaller boutique properties to luxury five-star hotels and international hotel chains. You do not need to book a five-star hotel like we did to enjoy everything this neighborhood has to offer. There are options here for a wide range of budgets!

Ultimately, we think it makes more sense to spend a little more on a centrally located hotel in Krakow and look for savings elsewhere in your trip budget.

Where We Stayed: H15 Palace

We stayed at H15 Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel during our trip to Krakow and absolutely loved it! We initially chose the hotel for its location: it is a short walk from Kraków Główny, making our arrival and departure by train incredibly easy, while still placing us within Stare Miasto. The Czartoryski Museum is just around the corner, and the Main Market Square is only a few minutes away on foot.

The hotel itself was another big part of the appeal. As its name suggests, H15 Palace occupies a beautiful historic palace dating back to the 19th century, with grand architecture and plenty of character throughout the property. Our room was spacious and comfortable, and the staff could not have been friendlier or more eager to help throughout our stay.

The hotel also has an on-site spa, which was one of the amenities we specifically looked for when deciding where to stay in Krakow. Since we were in Krakow to celebrate my birthday, we splurged on massages at the hotel's spa and spent much more time using the steam room and saunas than we probably would on a typical trip. Plus, after spending long, cold November days sightseeing around Krakow, having the spa waiting for us back at the hotel was especially nice.

Between the beautiful setting, spacious room, genuinely wonderful service, spa, and incredibly convenient location, H15 Palace ended up being one of the highlights of our stay in Krakow. We would happily stay there again, particularly if arriving in (or departing) the city by train. 

👉 Stay Where We Stayed: Book H15 Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel on Expedia

More Hotels in Stare Miasto 

There is no shortage of choices for hotels to choose from in Stare Miasto. The following hotels were all ones that we considered for our own trip to Krakow. We narrowed down our recommendations based on location, amenities, overall value, and proximity to the places you will likely want to visit, with options across a range of price points.

Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton

Just one block from the Main Market Square, Hotel Saski Krakow is a great option if you are looking for a luxury stay in the center of Stare Miasto. The historic property also has an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, fitness center, and spa. 

👉 Check Rates & Availability of Hotel Saski Krakow on Hotels.com

The Bonerowski Palace Boutique Hotel

Located in Krakow's Main Market Square, The Bonerowski Palace Hotel is a small, boutique hotel occupying a building dating back to the 14th century. With only 16 rooms and suites, The Bonerowski Palace Boutique Hotel offers a more intimate stay compared to Krakow's larger luxury hotels. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, Amalia Steak & Fish, which is highly rated and open to the public.

👉 View Current Deals for The Bonerowski Palace Boutique Hotel on Expedia

Hotel Polski pod Białym Orłem

Located directly across from St. Florian's Gate, Hotel Polski pod Białym Orłem combines a historic setting in the Stare Miasto with convenient access to Kraków Główny and Galeria Krakowska.

👉 Book Hotel Polski pod Bialym Orlem on Expedia  

Garamond, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel 

The Garamond, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is located on the northeastern side of Stare Miasto, near Planty Park and a short walk (0.3 miles/500 meters) to St. Mary's Basilica. The hotel features Art Deco-inspired interiors that pay homage to the building's history as the former headquarters of the national daily newspaper, the Ilustrowany Kuryer Codzienny. The hotel features a highly-rated, on-site restaurant, Kuryer Restaurant. Please keep in mind that the Garamond is adults-only. 

👉 View Available Rooms at the Garamond on Expedia 

Hotel Jan

Hotel Jan is located in a historic, former tenement house and is located a little over 160-feet (49 meters) from Main Market Square. One unique feature of Hotel Jan is that they offer single rooms, perfect for solo travelers. 

👉 See Rates & Availability for Hotel Jan on Expedia 

Kazimierz: Best for Restaurants & Nightlife

Kazimierz offers a different experience from Stare Miasto, despite being just a short distance away. It is one of Krakow's best neighborhoods for restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightlife, but also an area with a long and complicated history, scars of which are still visible throughout the neighborhood today. 

Kazimierz was actually established as a separate city from Krakow in the 14th century and remained independent for centuries before eventually becoming a part of Krakow in 1800. Over time, it became home to a significant Jewish community, and the eastern portion of Kazimierz developed into the center of Jewish life in the area. That history is still visible today in the neighborhood's synagogues, cemeteries, museums, and streets around Szeroka Street (Ulica Szeroka). Szeroka Street is largely considered the heart of Kazimierz's Jewish quarter.

The neighborhood changed dramatically during World War II. Following the Nazi occupation of Krakow, the city's Jewish population faced increasing persecution, forced displacement, and expulsion. In 1941, the Nazis established the Krakow Ghetto across the Vistula River from Kazimierz in the Podgórze neighborhood, forcing the city's remaining Jewish residents from their homes and into the ghetto.

Prior to the start of World War II, approximately a quarter of the city's population was Jewish. However, by the end of the Holocaust, nearly 90% of the city's Jewish residents had been killed. The devastating loss of a community that once shaped Kazimierz for centuries fundamentally changed the neighborhood and its identity in the decades that followed.

After decades of decline and neglect following World War II, Kazimierz began experiencing a revival, particularly after the fall of communism in Poland in 1989. Today, restored historic buildings sit alongside restaurants, cafés, galleries, bars, and hotels, and the neighborhood has once again become one of the liveliest parts of the city. While the Jewish population in Krakow is a tiny fraction of what it used to be, many still call Kazimierz home. 

In many ways, Kazimierz reminded us a lot of the Jewish Quarter in Budapest. Both neighborhoods have painful histories that remain an important part of their identity, while also becoming some of their respective cities' most popular areas for dining and nightlife. Like in Budapest, it is important not to let Kazimierz's modern reputation overshadow the Jewish history that makes it such a significant part of Krakow. 

Why Stay in Kazimierz? 

Despite feeling so distinct from Stare Miasto, Kazimierz is still very centrally located in Krakow. You can easily walk between the two neighborhoods, while trams and public buses provide convenient connections between the two neighborhoods and beyond. 

There is also plenty to keep you in Kazimierz itself. The neighborhood has an incredible collection of restaurants, cafés, street art, cocktail bars, and nightlife spots, along with historic sites and museums to explore during the day. Wawel Castle and the Vistula River are nearby, and crossing the river into Podgórze puts you close to several important sites associated with Krakow's World War II history.

For travelers who want to remain close to Krakow's major attractions but would rather stay away from the busy Main Market Square, Kazimierz is an excellent alternative to Stare Miasto. While you give up some of the convenience of staying in Stare Miasto, particularly if you are traveling through Kraków Główny, you get to experience one of Krakow's most historically significant and lively neighborhoods mere minutes from your hotel. 

Best Hotels in Kazimierz 

Like the hotels we recommend in Stare Miasto, these are all properties that we have thoroughly researched and would genuinely consider booking for a stay in Kazimierz. While we have not stayed in this neighborhood ourselves, each of the hotels below is rated at least three-stars, has consistently excellent guest reviews, and is centrally located for exploring Kazimierz and the rest of central Krakow.

1891 Garni Hotel

1891 Garni Hotel (formerly known as Hotel King Salomon) is a stylish four-star hotel in Kazimierz, conveniently located on the border of the Kazimierz and Stare Miasto neighborhoods. The hotel dates to 1891, features an on-site restaurant, 122 guest rooms, and a fitness center. Its location in Kazimierz places you within a short walk of many of the neighborhood's best restaurants, historic synagogues, and nightlife. 

👉 View Available Rooms at 1891 Garni Hotel on Expedia 

Metropolitan Boutique Hotel

The Metropolitan Boutique Hotel is located a five-minute walk from Remuh Synagogue & Cemetery, one of the most historically significant Jewish sites in Kazimierz, and only a 15-minute walk from Wawel Castle. Its convenient location makes it easy to spend time exploring both neighborhoods. The hotel features 59 rooms, including family rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, and fitness center. 

👉 Check Rates & Availability at Metropolitan Boutique Hotel on Expedia 

PURO Kraków Kazimierz

PURO Kraków Kazimierz is a stylish four-star hotel with a noticeably more contemporary feel than many of Krakow’s historic properties. With 228 rooms and suites, an on-site spa, fitness center, and other exclusive experiences for guests like free guided city tours, museum tickets, and bike rentals, PURO Kraków Kazimierz makes for a comfortable stay in Kazimierz.

👉 Book Your Stay at PURO Kraków Kazimierz on Expedia 

Columbus Hotel

Columbus Hotel is a small hotel with just 32 rooms located in the heart of Kazimierz, within a short walk of many of the neighborhood's best restaurants, historic synagogues, and cultural sites. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery. While the Columbus Hotel does not offer the same high-end amenities as many of the other hotels in this guide, it is a great option for budget-conscious travelers looking for a centrally located hotel in Kazimierz. 

👉 View Current Deals for the Columbus Hotel on Expedia 

Stare Miasto vs. Kazimierz: Which Is Better?

If you are visiting Krakow for the first time, we recommend staying in Stare Miasto. Being within walking distance of the Main Market Square, many of the city's top attractions like Wawel Castle, Kraków Główny, restaurants, shops, and public transportation makes the Old Town incredibly convenient, particularly when you are still learning your way around the city. 

That does not mean Kazimierz is not a great place to stay! We would give Kazimierz stronger consideration for a return trip to Krakow, especially if you have already spent plenty of time exploring Stare Miasto. It also makes sense to stay in Kazimierz if you plan to dedicate a significant portion of your time visiting the Jewish cultural and historic sites in the neighborhood, or if you are looking for accommodations that are more budget-friendly. 

If being within a short walk of restaurants and nightlife are important to you, either neighborhood works well. You certainly do not need to stay in Kazimierz to find great restaurants or bars. Stare Miasto has plenty of both, particularly around the Main Market Square. Kazimierz, however, is especially well known for its dining and nightlife, with a huge concentration of restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars, and pubs throughout the neighborhood. 

Ultimately, we do not think you can really go wrong with staying in either neighborhood. However, if you asked us for our preference, we would choose Stare Miasto without hesitation. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Stare Miasto and we found it incredibly easy to use it as a base for exploring the rest of Krakow, including the Wawel Castle complex and the incredible Wieliczka Salt Mine. When we wanted to spend time sightseeing in Kazimierz, we simply hopped on a tram and were there in a matter of minutes. For us, that convenience alone made Stare Miasto an ideal base. 

FAQs About Where to Stay in Krakow

Choosing between Stare Miasto and Kazimierz is only a part of deciding where to stay in Krakow. Below, we answer a few frequently asked questions about location, transportation, budget, noise, and finding the right accomodations for your trip to Krakow. 

Can You Walk from Stare Miasto to Kazimierz? 

Yes! Stare Miasto and Kazimierz are close enough that you can easily walk between the two neighborhoods, especially if you are in the Wawel Castle area. However, if you face inclement weather, or are traveling a longer distance, Krakow's public transportation is efficient and easy to use. During our trip to Krakow, we took the tram from Stare Miasto when we wanted to spend time sightseeing in Kazimierz, which was affordable and far quicker than walking.

Do You Need to Stay Near Main Market Square in Krakow?

No. While Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) places you in the center of Krakow's historic core, you do not need to stay immediately on the square to have a convenient location within Stare Miasto. The neighborhood is compact and walkable, so a hotel several streets away can still put you within a short walk of Main Market Square and the rest of the neighborhood's top attractions.

In fact, there can be a number of advantages to staying toward the northern side of Stare Miasto, a few blocks from Main Market Square, particularly if you are traveling by train. The north end of Stare Miasto places you within a short walk to Kraków Główny, while still having the Main Market Square, restaurants, shops, and major sights all within walking distance.

Is It Noisy to Stay in Krakow's Old Town?

It can be, depending on where exactly you stay in Stare Miasto. Stare Miasto has an active restaurant, bar, and nightlife scene, and the streets immediately surrounding the Main Market Square can remain lively well into the evening.

If you are sensitive to noise, traveling with small children that go to bed early, or are simply looking for a quieter hotel stay, pay attention to your hotel's exact location. Staying a little farther from the busiest streets immediately surrounding Main Market Square can give you the convenience of an Old Town location without being directly in the center of the noise. 

Is Kazimierz Cheaper Than Stare Miasto?

Hotels in Kazimierz are generally less expensive than comparable properties in Stare Miasto. However, Kazimierz is still one of the city's most popular neighborhoods, so it should not be automatically considered a budget area.

If price is your main consideration, Kleparz, just north of Stare Miasto, is generally a more budget-friendly neighborhood to consider. In particular, there are a number of budget-friendly hotels surrounding Kraków Główny and Galeria Krakowska which still places you within a short walk of Stare Miasto. 

Travelers on a tighter budget can still find affordable hotels and hostels throughout Krakow, including in both Stare Miasto and Kazimierz. If you are looking for a hostel in Krakow, our affiliate partner Booking.com, has a helpful listing of the best hostels in Krakow.

Where Should You Stay in Krakow If You're Arriving by Train?

If you are arriving or departing Krakow by train, we recommend staying in Stare Miasto, particularly towards the northern end of Old Town (particularly the area near St. Florian's Gate and the Czartoryski Museum). Kraków Główny is located immediately outside of the historic center, so you do not have to sacrifice convenience with staying in a desirable area of the city.

Being close to the train station was the main reason we chose to stay at H15 Palace. We could walk between the hotel and the train station with our luggage while still being just a few minutes from Main Market Square and Cloth Hall.

The location is also worth considering if you plan to take a day trip to either the Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum from Krakow by train. Staying within walking distance of the main train station makes early departures and late arrivals much easier, while also saving you the cost of a taxi or public transportation to reach the station.

Where is the Best Area to Stay in Krakow with Children? 

For families visiting Krakow with children, we would generally recommend staying in Stare Miasto. Staying close to many of the city's main attractions can mean less time spent getting from place to place, while the neighborhood's walkability makes it easier to return to your hotel during the day when needed.

However, the hotel itself is just as important as the neighborhood. Some Krakow hotels cater more toward adult travelers or may be adults-only (like the Garamond), so families should check the property's policies and room configurations before booking. We would also recommend booking a hotel that offers family rooms or family suites, which can provide valuable extra space when traveling to Krakow with children. 

Families with younger children may also want to consider a hotel on a quieter street, away from the busiest nightlife around Main Market Square. Kazimierz can certainly work for families, too, and the Metropolitan Boutique Hotel offers family rooms if you want to stay in this part of the city. If you are still deciding where to stay in Krakow our affiliate partner, Booking.com, has a helpful list of family-friendly hotels in Krakow, making it easy to compare properties with rooms and amenities suited to traveling with children. 

Plan the Rest of Your Krakow Trip

When deciding where to stay in Krakow, Stare Miasto and Kazimierz are the two neighborhoods we recommend. For a first visit, Stare Miasto remains our top choice thanks to its central location, proximity to Kraków Główny, and walkability to many of the city's major sights. Kazimierz is an excellent alternative, particularly for returning visitors, travelers interested in exploring Krakow's Jewish history and cultural sites, or anyone who wants to be especially close to the neighborhood's restaurants and nightlife.

Once you have decided where to stay in Krakow, head over to our Krakow Travel Guide to plan the rest of your trip. We cover the practical details we wish we knew before visiting, along with transportation tips, sightseeing recommendations, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Krakow. 

Still deciding where to stay in Krakow? Leave us a comment below ⬇️ with your questions, or let us know where you stayed and whether you would recommend it to other travelers.