Staying in Kraków's Old Town
Your exact street matters more than your distance from the square here. Floriańska carries a steady flow of visitors toward the Barbican, while Grodzka forms the walking route toward Wawel. Look at the entrance as well as the address: rooms facing an internal courtyard can feel quite different from those above a busy pedestrian street.
At a glance
- Best for
- A first, short visit
- At night
- Busy; loud on some streets
- Getting around
- On foot; trams on the Planty ring
- Price level
- €€€€
The market square, St Mary's and the Cloth Hall at the door, and the whole walled center on foot.
Good for
- A first trip of two or three nights
- Walking everywhere on flat streets
- Seeing the square early, before the tour groups
Think twice if
- You want value: this is the most expensive part of Kraków
- Your room faces a bar street and you sleep lightly
- You want to feel you are somewhere local
How Old Town (Stare Miasto) compares with the rest of Kraków
What is near Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Barbican
From the north side of the market square, walk about 10 minutes along Floriańska and through St Florian's Gate.
Collegium Maius
Walk about five minutes west from the square to the university courtyard on Jagiellońska. Check official access arrangements before visiting.
Planty park
The paths are about five minutes from the square in most directions, offering a shaded alternative to the central streets.
Eating in Old Town (Stare Miasto)
The streets directly around the square have plenty of sit-down restaurants, but check menus before choosing a terrace. Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą on Grodzka suits a straightforward Polish lunch. Camelot Café is an option near the northern end of the center.
Getting around from Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Walk within the central pedestrian streets and use the tram stops around their edges for longer journeys. Teatr Słowackiego serves the north-east side, while Plac Wszystkich Świętych is useful to the south. Choose tram lines by destination and check current routes before boarding.
Hotels in Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Search the area on the booking sites, where the prices are. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Other areas of Kraków
Staying in Kraków's Old Town
Can a taxi reach my accommodation?
Vehicle access is restricted on some central streets. Ask your accommodation for the nearest permitted drop-off point, especially if you have heavy luggage.
Which room should I request?
Ask whether the room faces the street or an internal courtyard, and whether there is a bar or restaurant directly below.
Is the station within walking distance?
Allow roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the market square to Kraków Główny, with extra time to find your platform inside the station.