The Best Hostels in Kraków, Poland

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.