Kraków/West



In the early 20th century Kraków grew rapidly, engulfing surrounding neighbourhoods. This page covers those new areas north of the river, which are mostly west but include some north and east of Old Town. The places of interest to visitors are either in the ring a short walk from Old Town, or in the western parkland of Zwierzyniec (District VII, and not to be confused with the town of that name many miles to the east). The other districts are residential, though there's a strip of visitor accommodation along Highway 79 to the north. This page does not include western areas south of the river,  Kazimierz or the eastern post-war new town of  Nowa Huta.

Get in
is nearby to the west of the city, so it may be convenient to take a taxi direct to your accommodation instead of going downtown. The airport train stops at the suburban stations of Kraków Młynówka and Łobzów where you can change to other local transport.

The main are 500 m north of the Old Town bastions.

Trams run west along the riverbank as far as Salwator, and northwest to the end of Aleja 3 Maja at Cichy Kącik. The lines meet at Filharmonia west edge of Old Town, then rattle through the centre along Franciszkańska and Dominikańska. They emerge east side to run up the middle of Westerplatte then either branch east along Lubicz and Mogilska away out to Nowa Huta, or continue north and make a big loop to return to the west edge of Old Town. In late 2019 sections of track along Westerplatte are dug up.

See

 * is the extensive meadow west of Old Town. It was a swampy grazing land until the 19th century, then was drained to become a 48-hectare park suitable for large gatherings. World-shakers who have held mass audiences spellbound here include Napoleon Bonaparte, popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and Céline Dion.
 * (where the trams turn around) has a group of interesting churches.
 * The Church of St Salwator on Bronisława Hill was built in the 10th century in Pre-Romanesque style, with later Romanesque and baroque additions. Its small graveyard was full by the 19th century so the large Salwator Cemetery was opened in 1865 some 300 m west. Notable burials here include science-fiction author Stanisław Lem (1921-2006).
 * The Parish of the Holy Saviour (or "Church of St Augustine and St John the Baptist") and the Norbertines convent are on the south side of the highway. Most of the complex was rebuilt in 1596 and the interiors renewed in classical style in 1777.
 * The Parish of the Holy Saviour (or "Church of St Augustine and St John the Baptist") and the Norbertines convent are on the south side of the highway. Most of the complex was rebuilt in 1596 and the interiors renewed in classical style in 1777.


 * Woods surround the Kościuszko Mound. To the west is a partly urban strip along Starowolska, then further west is Lasek Wolski. This forest encircling the Piłsudski Mound and Zoo has several hiking and biking trails.
 * at ul 28 Lipca 1943 17a is a 16th-century Italianate Renaissance mansion now used to host cultural events.
 * is an elegant baroque complex, still an active monastery, atop Bielany hill. The rich church interior may be viewed by male visitors daily 08:00-11:00 and 15:00-16:30, while women are only admitted on a dozen days such as Easter.
 * Rakowicki Cemetery, 400 m north of the main railway station, was laid out in the early 19th century and contains notables such as Helena Modrzejewska, Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.
 * at ul 28 Lipca 1943 17a is a 16th-century Italianate Renaissance mansion now used to host cultural events.
 * is an elegant baroque complex, still an active monastery, atop Bielany hill. The rich church interior may be viewed by male visitors daily 08:00-11:00 and 15:00-16:30, while women are only admitted on a dozen days such as Easter.
 * Rakowicki Cemetery, 400 m north of the main railway station, was laid out in the early 19th century and contains notables such as Helena Modrzejewska, Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.
 * is an elegant baroque complex, still an active monastery, atop Bielany hill. The rich church interior may be viewed by male visitors daily 08:00-11:00 and 15:00-16:30, while women are only admitted on a dozen days such as Easter.
 * Rakowicki Cemetery, 400 m north of the main railway station, was laid out in the early 19th century and contains notables such as Helena Modrzejewska, Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.
 * Rakowicki Cemetery, 400 m north of the main railway station, was laid out in the early 19th century and contains notables such as Helena Modrzejewska, Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.
 * Rakowicki Cemetery, 400 m north of the main railway station, was laid out in the early 19th century and contains notables such as Helena Modrzejewska, Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.

Do

 * Football: the city's three soccer teams all have stadiums in this district.
 * KS Cracovia play in Ekstraklasa, the top tier. Their home ground is the Cracovia stadium, capacity 15,000, along Focha at the east end of Błonia park.
 * Wisła Kraków were relegated in 2022 and now play in I Liga the second tier. Their home ground is Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, capacity 33,000, north of Błonia park.
 * Garbania play in II Liga the third tier, and share Stadion Miejski.
 * KS Cracovia play in Ekstraklasa, the top tier. Their home ground is the Cracovia stadium, capacity 15,000, along Focha at the east end of Błonia park.
 * Wisła Kraków were relegated in 2022 and now play in I Liga the second tier. Their home ground is Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, capacity 33,000, north of Błonia park.
 * Garbania play in II Liga the third tier, and share Stadion Miejski.


 * Multikino is a multiplex cinema next to the waterpark.
 * Multikino is a multiplex cinema next to the waterpark.
 * Multikino is a multiplex cinema next to the waterpark.

Buy
Several larger and smaller shopping malls are located in the area. Big cluster of shops including IKEA and Galeria Bronowice lies next to the northern ringroad.

Drink
This area doesn't have many stand-alone pubs, head into Old Town for those. But you might try -
 * Whisky Bar Egon, a microbrewery at Urzędnicza 26 (a block south of Królewska), open daily 16:00-00:00.
 * Zielono Mi, a microbrewery at Królowej Jadwigi 4 (by Salwator tram terminus), open M-Th 14:00-00:00, F 14:00-03:00, Sa 12:00-03:00, Su 12:00-00:00.
 * Pub Amnezja for its beer garden and sausages at Kasztanowa 20 (near corner with Modrzewiowa), open 24 hours.

Budget

 * Student Hotel are a chain of college dorms that let spare rooms, especially during summer break but there may be availability throughout the year. Price, quality and convenience varies. As of Dec 2019 four are open: Bydgoska, Nawojka, Piast and Żaczek.
 * Żaczek is first choice as it's close to Old Town, just west of the National Museum on al 3 Maja. It has singles, doubles, triples, and quads available with and without bath. Price is from 100 zł single, 140 zł double.
 * Student Hotel are a chain of college dorms that let spare rooms, especially during summer break but there may be availability throughout the year. Price, quality and convenience varies. As of Dec 2019 four are open: Bydgoska, Nawojka, Piast and Żaczek.
 * Żaczek is first choice as it's close to Old Town, just west of the National Museum on al 3 Maja. It has singles, doubles, triples, and quads available with and without bath. Price is from 100 zł single, 140 zł double.
 * Student Hotel are a chain of college dorms that let spare rooms, especially during summer break but there may be availability throughout the year. Price, quality and convenience varies. As of Dec 2019 four are open: Bydgoska, Nawojka, Piast and Żaczek.
 * Żaczek is first choice as it's close to Old Town, just west of the National Museum on al 3 Maja. It has singles, doubles, triples, and quads available with and without bath. Price is from 100 zł single, 140 zł double.

Mid-range
There are a lot of hotels located next to the northern part of Kraków ring road.