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The Best Hostels in Kraków, Poland

Krakow Market Square is in the heart of the Polish city's Old Town
Krakow Market Square is in the heart of the Polish city's Old Town | © Sopotnicki / Shutterstock
Photo of Jonny Blair
Jonny Blair
1 February 2021
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The beautiful city of Kraków in Poland is a highlight of any backpacker’s Eastern European trail. You can stroll by the Vistula River, admire Wawel Castle, sample the bohemian charms of the Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, or take day trips to Ojcow National Park, Auschwitz or the Wieliczka Salt Mines. Some of these hostels are party pads but others in or near Kraków’s lovely Old Town are more peaceful, just take your pick.

Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel

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A bed and bedside tables in a bright room with a skylight at Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel
Courtesy of Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel / Expedia
Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel is located in a renovated three-storey 19th-century tenement building, just a short walk from both Kraków’s Old Town and the main train station. A range of rooms are available, from private doubles and singles to shared 10-bed dorms. The common area has a coffee machine and animal lovers will be happy because pets are welcome to stay here too.

The Little Havana Party Hostel

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Wooden tables and chairs in a spacious dining area at the Little Havana Party Hostel, with wood panels along part of the wall
Courtesy of The Little Havana Party Hostel / Booking.com
If you plan to party on the pretty streets of Old Town Kraków, basing yourself at the Little Havana Party Hostel is a good starting point. The lively bar has fun decor, with mint-coloured walls, leather sofas and wooden flooring. A free welcome shot comes with each booking, plus there are dozens of bars on the streets nearby. This is a good place to make new friends if you are travelling alone.

Bison Hostel

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Two wooden bunk beds with curtains in a hostel dorm room at Bison Hostel in Krakow
Courtesy of Bison Hostel / Booking.com
Bison Hostel is located just outside the Old Town and is a decent option for those who are arriving into the nearby train station, Kraków Główny. There is a tour desk here to help organise trips to places such as Auschwitz and for shoppers, the huge Galeria Krakowska is just a five-minute walk. Simple yet clean rooms range from bunk bed-style, shared-dorms, to open-plan doubles and twins.

Submarine Hostel

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A bed, bookshelf, potted plants and a chair with a small table in a guest room at Submarine Hostel
Courtesy of Submarine Hostel / Hostel World
Bright and colourful rooms are a theme running throughout Submarine Hostel. In front of the leafy gardens of Planty Park, the vibe is very relaxed and you are just a short distance from the Old Town. Parking is available nearby, while all beds have foam pillows and an individual reading light.

Greg & Tom Party Hostel

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Five wooden bunk beds with bedding and individual lights in a hostel dorm room at Greg & Tom Party Hostel
Courtesy of Greg & Tom Party Hostel / Expedia | Courtesy of Greg & Tom Party Hostel / Expedia
The Greg & Tom Hostel group has three different hostels in Kraków, and this is the one you want if you’re here for the nightlife. Party Hostel promises seven nights a week of partying, with Polish students acting as your guides around the city’s bar scene. All rooms have electronic key cards and safety boxes and breakfast is free of charge every day. The futuristic showers have a radio and massage function.

Mundo Hostel

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A bed with blue bedding and art of a beach with palm trees in a guest room at Mundo Hostel
Courtesy of Mundo Hostel / Booking.com
Instead of struggling to get a good night’s sleep because you’re sharing a dorm with the late-night crew, you can find peace at Mundo Hostel away from the buzz of Old Town Kraków. Sip a tea or a coffee on the summer patio, stroll by the Vistula (Wisła) River, admire the nearby Wawel Castle and freshen up in preparation for sampling the bohemian charms of the nearby Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, at night.

Mosquito Hostel

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A bed, wardrobe, bedside table and potted plant on the windowsill in a bright orange guest room at Mosquito Hostel Krakow
Courtesy of Mosquito Hostel Krakow / Booking.com

Mosquito Hostel is one of the most popular and well-known hostels in Kraków, near the centre of town with a free breakfast, fast wifi and tours to Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mines on offer. Dorms vary between six, 10 and 12 beds, while private rooms are available for an extra fee. Welcoming staff will encourage you to take part in the pub crawls, plus communal eating and drinking games. It’s a great hostel for solo travellers as you will easily make new friends here.

Flamingo Hostel

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A bed, wooden crate bedside table, wardrobe and artwork of silhouetted birds sitting on a line in a guest room at Flamingo Hostel
Courtesy of Flamingo Hostel / Expedia
Located on the edge of Market Square in the centre of Kraków’s Old Town, Flamingo Hostel has large common rooms and well-equipped kitchen spaces, hosting thousands of backpackers each year. The dorms are a lot more modern and stylish than many other hostel options in the city, plus there are also private rooms. Join a vodka tasting tour or ask for more details on river rafting or hiking in the Ojcow National Park.

The Secret Garden

A bed with pink bedding, bedside table and green curtains in a guest room at Secret Garden Hostel
Courtesy of Secret Garden Hostel / Expedia

The Secret Garden is a little treat in Krakow’s Kazimierz District, one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city. There are economy rooms for those on a budget or if you want a bit more luxury, the hostel also offers studio apartments. Each of the rooms has a unique name associated with The Secret Garden book. The reception is open 24 hours, the breakfast buffet is free every morning and wifi is included. The kitchen is available for everyone to use and it includes tea, coffee, milk and water for no extra charge.

Old Walls Hostel

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A wooden bunk bed and a floor lamp in a guest room at Old Walls Hostel in Krakow
Courtesy of Old Walls Hostel / Expedia

The Old Walls Hostel is an excellent city-centre option in Kraków on Ambrożego Grabowskiego just a short walk from Old Town square. You can choose from mixed dorms that range from four to ten beds. Bed linen, a towel, luggage storage, wifi and usage of the washing machine are all included in the price. Staff can help you organise tours, trips and excursions within the city.

Apart Ginger Hostel

White and wooden bunk beds in a hostel dorm room with a green wall at Ginger ApartHostel
Courtesy of Ginger ApartHostel / Expedia

For those wanting to stay a little outside the city centre, the Apart Ginger Hostel has eight or 12-bed dorms, plus a six-person female dorm. Rooms are clean, comfortable and modern and decorated with the hostel’s signature shade of lime green. Orthopaedic mattresses ensure a good night’s sleep, plus the hostel stocks all the essentials, such as toothpaste and slippers, in case you forget yours. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast, plus afternoon tea and coffee.

These recommendations were updated on February 1, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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