Where to Stay in Kraków Poland for History & Culture – The Old Town or Kazimierz?
1. The historic Old Town of Krakow, Poland
➤ Why stay in the Old Town of Krakow
➤ The history
➤ What to see & do
➤ Where to stay in the Old Town
2. Kazimierz
➤ Why stay in Kazimierz
➤ The history
➤ What to see & do
➤ Where to stay in Kazimierz
Krakow, Kraków, or Cracow, is a picturesque city and former capital of Poland with a historic Old Town and an authentic Jewish district, Kazimierz. Choosing between them can be difficult when deciding where to stay in Krakow.
Church of St. Barbara, Cracow | Photo: Travel In Culture
Krakow offers almost everything in terms of culture, art, impressive churches, exciting castle history linked to the former kings of Poland, a fascinating dragon legend, and, not least, significant Jewish history and heritage, particularly in the Kazimierz District.
So, where to stay in Krakow to explore the heart of the city and feel the unique atmosphere – the ‘vibe of Krakow’?
The Old Town of Krakow is the perfect place to stay if you want to dive into the Royal history of Poland.
Wawel Cathedral & Royal Castle | Photo: Travel In Culture
A historic royal castle on Wawel Hill, even with a fabled dragon, is one of the highlights of the Old Town of Krakow. Inside the castle complex, there is today a museum with armoury and royal treasures on display, including the precious coronation sword. Wawel Cathedral can be found inside the castle walls, an impressive construction holding the sarcophagi of Krakow’s former kings in the crypt.
Cracow – Travel to Poland | Photo: Travel In Culture
The Main Square (Rynek Główny) is the other focal point, with Sukiennice (also known as the Cloth Hall) adorning the old marketplace that still serves as a vibrant street market for food items and handcrafted souvenirs – with a fantastic atmosphere! Traditional Polish products, such as delicate fabrics, religious icons, amber jewellery, leather jackets and fur hats, are also sold inside the historic covered Cloth Hall, which existed already in the 13th century, although in the beginning in a more primitive form. Also, an exclusive museum of paintings is inside Sukiennice.
The Cloth Hall, Sukiennice, Cracow | Photo: Travel In Culture
In addition to Sukiennice, the Main Square features several other spectacular constructions. St Mary’s Basilica is one of the top sights. The highest tower is shrouded in legend since a young trumpeter, who in the 13th century wanted to warn the citizens about an imminent Mongol invasion by playing the trumpet, was killed during his act. That is why the hourly trumpeter tune from the top of the basilica appears incomplete.
The Town Hall Tower | Photo: Travel In Culture
Also, the traces of the former Kraków Town Hall are visible in the Main Square, with the unique Gothic stone and brick Town Hall Tower as the only remnant (and is one-of-a-kind in Poland!). It dates to the 14th century. Time has put its mark on the building since the original tower was struck by lightning towards the end of the 17th century, and a terrible storm caused it to lean a few years later. In 1820, the Town Hall was torn down, except the tower, to provide more open space in the Main Square.
Main Square | Photo: Travel In Culture
In addition to strolling around the Main Square, trying traditional dishes of Poland from the plentiful market stalls, and exploring the Sukiennice building and its fascinating handicraft shops, you can climb the old stairs of the Town Hall Tower for a fabulous view of Krakow Old Town! Also, the fine Romanesque Church of St Wojciech, which is one of the oldest churches in Krakow and Poland still in use, is worth a visit.
Horse-drawn carriages line the marketplace to offer visitors a tour of the city from a different angle. It is picturesque and romantic, particularly at night, when the square is illuminated!
Medieval fortifications | Photo: Travel In Culture
The Old Town of Krakow was once protected by solid defence structures, which today mark the entrance to the city through St Florian’s Gate. The route continues along the historic buildings lining St Florian’s Street (Floriańska). It is a fine mix of historical constructions and Polish royal history from when Krakow was the capital of Poland.
Florianska Street | Photo: Travel In Culture
You can take a nice walk from the Barbican Defence Gateway via medieval cobbled Floriańska down to Wawel Castle and Cathedral, also known as the Royal Road – and perhaps end up at the legendary Dragon’s Den close to the Vistula River. On the way, you will pass Saints Peter and Paul Church, a marvellous Baroque-style church with a Foucault pendulum, demonstrating the Earth’s rotation.
Baroque Saints Peter and Paul Church, with a Foucault pendulum | Photo: Travel In Culture
Within a few square kilometres, there is very diverse architecture. Almost all style periods are represented in Krakow, from Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque to the Polish variant of the Art Nouveau style around the turn of the 20th century. A fine example of an Art Nouveau building (with an Art Nouveau façade) is Helena Modrzejewska National Old Theatre (Narodowy Stary Teatr), completed in 1906 by the sculptor Jósef Gardecki.
Art Nouveau façade of Helena Modrzejewska National Old Theatre | Photo: Travel In Culture
Close to the Old Theatre, you will also find the oldest building of the medieval Jagiellonian University (from 1364), Collegium Maius, as well as the Church of St Francis of Assisi, with a Monastery of the Franciscan Order and beautiful Art Nouveau stained-glass windows.
Collegium Maius, Cracow | Photo: Travel In Culture
Finally, try an obwarzanki (a Polish sesame or salt-sprinkled bagel) at one of the bagel carts, which can be found everywhere in the city.
Cracow – Travel to Poland | Photo: Travel In Culture
Consider staying in Kazimierz to explore Jewish history and culture in Krakow and Poland.
Remah Synagogue Cemetery | Photo: Travel In Culture
Until the 19th century, Kazimierz was the fourth-largest Jewish town in Poland, separated from Krakow by the Vistula River. The town was named after King Kazimierz the Great, who founded it. Nevertheless, today, Kazimierz is considered a separate district from Krakow.
Remah Synagogue | Photo: Travel In Culture
Remah Synagogue | Photo: Travel In Culture
Kazimierz has, ever since the 15th century, been a thriving Jewish community with several synagogues and a well-functioning Jewish cultural life, coexisting with ethnic Polish culture. Therefore, the town has attracted Jews from many places in Europe. However, in the 16th century, a wall was erected to separate the Jewish society from the Christian, thus creating a Jewish ghetto (oppidum ludaeorum). Affluent Jews later moved to Krakow.
The Ghetto Wall | Photo: Travel In Culture
During WWII, the Nazis forced most Jews into first a ghetto (Podgórze) and then the concentration camps and gas chambers, and only a minor part of the Jewish citizens managed to escape and rescue themselves.
The Old Synagogue in Kazimierz | Photo: Travel In Culture
Today, six synagogues and several other institutional buildings remain for the Jewish community in Kazimierz, estimated to consist of over a hundred Jews. Likewise, there are several Jewish restaurants with traditional Jewish cooking and dishes.
Kazimierz | Photo: Travel In Culture
An annual Jewish Culture Festival takes place in June, where the locals gather around their cultural heritage. In addition to the Jewish culture, Kazimierz is also a vibrant district of the city with young people and a cultural life that attracts visitors and locals alike.
The Old Synagogue, Kazimierz | Photo: Travel In Culture
Visitors can enter some synagogues to gain insight into the Jewish tradition, e.g., Old Synagogue (also a museum), High Synagogue, and Remah Synagogue (sometimes written Remuh). The latter has a large cemetery in Kazimierz, where significant Jews were buried. You will notice the Jewish tradition of putting pebbles on the graves.
Photo: Travel In Culture
Across the river, Schindler’s Factory is open for visitors. That is the focal point of Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List.
Schindler’s Factory | Photo: Travel In Culture
The former Ghetto Wall (restricting the Jews), shaped like gravestones, are also visible close to Schindler’s Factory. Nearby, the art installation in Zgody Square, or Jewish Heroes Square (where each of the 33 oversized chairs represents 1,000 Jewish lives), is a tribute to the Jews of the former Ghetto, whose destinies were decided on this very square. From Zgody Square they were transported by train to nearby concentration camps.
The Jewish Heroes Square | Photo: Travel In Culture
When in Kazimierz and Krakow, a day tour to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps is also a possibility – to see for yourself the locations of the Holocaust horrors during WWII. Book tour to Auschwitz and Birkenau (affiliate link)
You can get more inspiration for Cracow in 9 Things to Do in Cracow
Read next: Moselle River Road Trip and Amsterdam’s Historic Places
Where to Stay in Kraków Poland, Krakow Old Town or Kazimierz
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Where to Stay in Kraków Poland, Krakow Old Town or Kazimierz:
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Travel to Poland – Cracow