Must SeeFree
Main Market Square
Old Town
Europe’s largest medieval square, with the Cloth Hall, a basilica and horse-drawn carriages.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Food lovers
Open all day
Krakow
A medieval market square, Wawel Castle and a layered Jewish quarter.
Plan your Krakow trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
Overview
Why go to Krakow
Krakow survived the 20th century almost intact, so the old town is genuinely medieval: Europe’s biggest market square, a hilltop castle and a historic university. Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, is now its liveliest district for food and bars.
- Where
- Lesser Poland, Poland
- Recommended stay
- 2–4 nights
- Best time to go
- May–September for warm weather; December for Christmas markets. Spring and autumn are lovely and quieter.
- Approx. daily budget
- £40–85 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Krakow cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£35–50a day
- Mid-range traveller£75–110a day
- Luxury traveller£155+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 14 Top picks in Krakow
Must See~£8
Wawel Royal Castle
Wawel Hill
The former seat of Poland’s kings, with a cathedral, royal apartments and a courtyard on a hill above the river.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers
Closed some days; timed entry
Must See~£3
St Mary’s Basilica
Main Market Square
A Gothic church with a spectacular blue, star-covered ceiling and an enormous carved altarpiece.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; closed during services
Must SeeFree
Kazimierz Jewish Quarter
Kazimierz
The old Jewish district, with historic synagogues, vintage cafés and street art, now one of the liveliest areas.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Culture lovers
Streets open all day
Hidden Gems
See all 3 Beyond the checklist
Viewpoints~£4
Kościuszko Mound
Zwierzyniec
A 19th-century artificial mound with panoramic views over the city and the Tatra mountains on a clear day.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Photographers
Daily; closes at dusk
Hidden GemsFree
Podgórze
Podgórze
A district across the river with its own market square, the former ghetto wall and growing café scene.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hidden GemsFree
Nowa Huta
Nowa Huta
A Soviet-era planned district of wide boulevards and socialist-realist buildings, now a fascinating alternative tour.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open all day
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Krakow
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listingWawel View Hotel
Stradom, Krakow
Excellent valueValue score 81 out of 100
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Krakow, in a central location.
From £80 per night · check current availability
Best LocationHighly Rated
Example listingHotel Rynek Królewski
Old Town, Krakow
Very good valueValue score 77 out of 100
Rated 9.1/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Krakow, in a central location.
From £95 per night · check current availability
Best Budget Choice
Example listingKazimierz Courtyard
Kazimierz, Krakow
Very good valueValue score 76 out of 100
Rated 8.8/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Krakow, in a central location.
From £55 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
See all 4 Where to eat
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą
A classic milk bar serving cheap, hearty Polish dishes in a canteen setting.
Known for: Pierogi, soups, potato pancakes
Under about £9 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Stary Kleparz Market
A big open-air market with fresh produce and food stalls, popular with locals.
Known for: Fresh produce, snacks
Under about £9 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Hamsa
A busy restaurant serving Middle Eastern dishes and hummus, known for its generous portions.
Known for: Hummus, Middle Eastern plates
About £9–18 per person
Good for Families · Groups
Pod Aniołami
A restaurant in medieval cellars serving Polish and Central European dishes, with a candlelit atmosphere.
Known for: Traditional Polish dishes
About £18–30 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
A suggested Krakow itinerary
3 nights Couple
Krakow · Highlights
Krakow in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Krakow picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, Main Market Square, Wawel Royal Castle, St Mary’s Basilica
- Day 2 · Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, Kościuszko Mound
- Day 3 · Nowa Huta
Plan Krakow your way
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