The Best Hotels In Krakow [Updated 2023 List]

Krakow, the former capital of Poland is now the cultural capital of Poland and is one of the many reasons it has become a major tourist destination in Europe. Once the home of Kings, it is now perfect for every type of traveler, no matter if you are interested in its rich history & culture, stunning architecture, or infamous party scene. You can

Deciding which area, what star rating, what website, or what advice to believe, can all get a bit overwhelming, especially when you want your trip to be perfect. 

That’s where we come in, we have put together this extensive list of the very best hotels in Krakow. 

To make life easier, we’ve broken down Krakow into different districts with the best hotels in each one. 

Krakow Districts 

Krakow is broken up into three main districts, the Old Town (Stare Miasto), Kazimierz & Podgórze. The three districts might be close to one another (all accessible by foot) but each has its own distinct vibe. In this section, we will break down each area and why you should (or shouldn’t) choose a hotel in each one.

The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

The beating heart of Krakow, Krakow’s old town, and surrounding streets are so beautiful that they’re UNESCO world heritage listed. As you walk down the cobbled streets, each building looks as stunning as it did years and years ago. The other good thing about the UNESCO honour is that any new buildings must adhere to strict regulations to keep them in line with the heritage-listed surroundings.

Krakow’s Old Town is the hub of all the main tourist attractions including St Mary’s Church, Wawel Castle, The Barbican & Cloth Hall. Some of Krakow’s best-rated restaurants & cafes are all nestled just off the main square, you could spend a weekend in Krakow and never need to leave the old town.

Besides the extra price tag for staying in the very centre of town one thing that you will notice is the thriving nightlife scene. After dark, Krakow’s nightlife comes alive,  you don’t have far to walk after a night out. The downside of this benefit is that it’s much noisier than other parts of Krakow, so you may find yourself surrounded by tipsy tourists if you are here over the weekend. 

Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

Kazimierz is the laid back version of the old town, tight streets filled with street art and cosy alleyways zig-zag their way around Kazimeriz leading to the main attraction Plac Nowy.

Popular among locals for its many food stalls, food truck parks, cafes and beer gardens, Kazimierz gets even busier at night, with most of the top-rated restaurants in Krakow located here. There’s also a string of dive bars, clubs and shot bars to enjoy your night out.

Kazimierz is the heart of Jewish culture in Poland, with a long and rich Jewish history. Here, explore this culture and even go for a cocktail in a repurposed synagogue called Herve.

Podgórze

The name Podgórze roughly translates to the base of a hill. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe on your next visit to Krakow, then Podgorze is where you need to stay. Podgórze is just over the river and a short walk or tram ride from Kazimierz and the Old town. This unique district is full of great restaurants and is home to many fresh up-and-coming bars.

Best Hotels in Old Town, Krakow

Hotel Indigo Krakow – Old Town

Hotel Indigo Krakow is located in a historic building built in 1836 right in the heart of Kraków. It’s only a few minutes walk to the main square via Krakow’s most famous street Florianska. 

The rooms were designed with inspiration from three of the country’s greatest painters, giving the hotel a truly contemporary feel that could only be described as an elegant boutique, while not taking from the luxurious & modern features you would expect in any top-rated hotel.  

Amenities include rainfall showers and complimentary WiFi, guests also have access to the sauna & fitness centre, intimate vodka bar, and restaurant Filipa 18 which serves modern Polish cuisine sourced from local markets. The hotel has recently added the charming Sky Bar on the 6th floor, which has a fantastic view of the Kościuszko Mound, Old Kleparz & Church of St. Florian.

For some more great hotels in Krakow check out Kayaks guide to the 16 best hotels in Krakow.

Source: Hotel Indigo

Sheraton Grand – Old Town

This five-star hotel is one of the biggest in Krakow with over 232 rooms, so it’s no surprise they have rooms to cater for groups of all sizes. The hotel offers spectacular riverside views as it’s located practically on the banks of the Wisla river, only a few steps from Wawel castle. 

To really enjoy the scenery you can visit the 360-degree view or relax in the glass-roofed atrium, swim laps in the heated indoor pool, workout at the 24-hour fitness centre, or eat at one of their four restaurants & cafes

Rooms have been recently renovated with the unique comfort of the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience bed.

Source: Sheraton Grand

Hotel Copernicus – Old Town

Hotel Copernicus is housed in a renaissance building with a Gothic façade on the oldest and undoubtedly most beautiful street in Krakow.

Some of the hotel’s many features include original historic interiors, sauna & swimming pool in the repurposed cellars, Michelin guide recommended restaurant, stunning glass courtyard, and intimate library. In the summertime, sit out on the terrace with panoramic views overlooking Wawel castle.

Rooms are spacious, fitted with style furniture that matches the historic times & all marble bathrooms for that truly royal touch. This property is recommended for couples or those looking for the royal feel. 

It’s no surprise that past guests included Noble prize winners, Morgan Freeman, George W. Bush – the president of the United States and Prince Charles of Wales.

Souorce: Hotel Copernicus

Stradonia Serviced Apartments – Old Town

Next up on the list is not a Hotel but it certainly deserves a mention on our list. At the time of publishing, Stradonia Serviced Apartments was one of the top-rated of all hotels on Tripadvisor – that’s no small feat for a hotel that’s technically not a hotel. 

The best way to describe Stradonia is luxury serviced apartments without the hefty price tag that come with a 5 star rated hotel,  just 200 m from one of the city’s greatest treasures, Wawel Royal Castle. The property is located in a renovated 16th-century building with a shared lounge and co-workspace and a 24-hour reception. 

The property has a classic contemporary design that lets you relax from the moment you step through the door, every room includes a balcony or a terrace, a kitchenette with a dishwasher and an oven, perfect for couples, business travelers, large groups, or families.

Source: Stradonia Apartments

Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto – Old Town

Opposite the entrance to Galeria Krakowska and the railway station. Less than 15 minutes from the Main Square, perfectly located in relation to all the most important places in Krakow

One of the top features of this hotel is its top-notch tour desk and ticket service that is great for those who want assistance in planning their trip on the ground. 

It has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and a huge shared lounge that is perfect to wind down after a long day exploring Kraków, The Winestone Restaurant is award-winning and is often frequented by guests from customers not staying in the hotel.

Source: Mercure Hotel

Best hotels in Kazimierz, Krakow (Jewish District)

Puro Hotel Kazimierz

Located on the border of Kazimierz, Puro Hotel is perfectly situated in one of the trendiest parts of Krakow while only being a few minutes walk to the centre of Old Town. 

The hotel offers a full fitness centre, sauna, 2 external terraces, and a garden. There are multiple shared lounges and from the lobby, you can enter the popular cafe MAK bread & coffee as well as Halicka restaurant.

The rooms are chic modern, fully equipped with a private bathroom fitted and include free toiletries, flat-screen TV, fridge air conditioning & more. 

Source: Puro Hotel

Metropolitan Boutique Hotel – Kazimierz  

The Metropolitan is one of the most beloved hotels in Krakow, well at least according to the 2,951 guests that have left a review on TripAdvisor. This support pushes the Metropolitan Boutique Hotel to the #1 spot in the hotel’s category (while only being a 4-star hotel). 

This hotel doesn’t have one stand-out feature like some of the others on the list, it’s a well-rounded property that has just the right amount of everything to suit almost all types of guests.

It is a newly renovated 19th-century building located between the Old Town & Kazimierz, close enough to be walking distance to all the hot spots yet far enough away from the noise so you can unwind after a long day. Guests can relax in the lobby bar and enjoy a meal in the on-site restaurant Fab fusion that which offers live music most nights of the week. 

Source: Metropliton Hotel

Best hotels in Podgorze, Krakow

Qubus Hotel – Podgorze

Situated on the banks of the Vistula river you can enjoy a complimentary boat cruise on their bright red Q-boat that will take you from your hotel all the way to the foot of the Old Town &  Wawel Castle.   

The hotel includes an elegant restaurant that serves award-winning buffet breakfasts, two separate bars one of which is a cosy piano bar perfect for a cocktail after a long day. There is also a swimming pool and hot tub on the top floor with great city views.

If you are here for business you can enjoy the fully equipped business centre available to all guests. 

(We are not affiliated in any way with the mentioned hotels and we do not receive any financial benefit or aid for linking to these hotels. This list was compiled because we truly enjoy these hotels and want you to have the best time possible on your visit to Krakow).

Source: Qubus Hotel