Krakow in Poland is a popular tourist destination in Central Europe, offering a host of captivating attractions such as the Market Square, Wawel Castle and the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter. However, tourists wonder about the safety of this city and its neighborhoods.
Here is a guide to tourist safety in Krakow with a list of neighborhoods to avoid and the best areas to stay.
Is Krakow a dangerous city?
Krakow is considered a safe destination. The crime rate is low compared to other tourist towns. Additionally, the most common crimes in Krakow are thefts, burglaries and other property crimes, while violent crimes are relatively rare.
This low level of crime is confirmed by statistics from Numbeo for 2024. Indeed, Krakow has a crime index of 28,78, which is considered relatively low.
See on the map published by Numbeo where Krakow is in green (low level of crime):
In comparison, Krakow is less dangerous than the majority of European cities like Edinburgh, Seville ou Budapest.
Krakow is therefore a safe city for tourists. However, as in all tourist cities, it is better to remain cautious by avoiding certain areas at certain times of the night.
Which neighborhoods to avoid in Krakow?
Nowa Huta is the only neighborhood to avoid in Krakow for safety reasons. This is the area with the highest crime rate in the city. In fact, it is an old city built during the communist era according to the Soviet model which is located east of Krakow. See location of Nowa Huta
Neighborhoods that are too lively and therefore noisy at night should also be avoided by tourists looking for peace and quiet. These mainly concern the districts of Śródmieście, Mokotów, some streets in Kazimierz and Florianska Street in the Old Town. All of these areas have many bars, clubs and restaurants open late at night.
Best areas to stay in Krakow
For a tourist stay, the best places to stay are the districts of Stare Miasto and Kazimierz and Podgórze. Indeed, these 3 districts are central and concentrate the majority of Krakow's tourist attractions.
Stare Miasto: The most touristy district of Krakow
This is the most popular area with tourists. There you can find the famous market square (Rynek Główny), St. Mary's Basilica, the old cloth hall (Sukiennice), the Wawel royal castle. It is the unmissable historic heart of Krakow, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Stare Miasto district is described as one of the safest and most interesting to stay in. It is a very lively area with many restaurants, bars and shops. Its location allows most major attractions to be explored on foot.
Kazimierz: Former Jewish quarter
Krakow's old Jewish quarter is popular with visitors for its artistic and bohemian atmosphere. You can admire numerous synagogues and discover the history of the local Jewish community before the Second World War. It is also a lively area with bars and restaurants.
Podgórze – Former Jewish ghetto
Although less touristy than the previous two, Podgórze attracts visitors interested in its tragic past, having housed Krakow's Jewish ghetto under Nazi occupation. Museums like the Oskar Schindler Factory allow you to learn more.
Where to stay in Krakow to visit the city on foot?
To visit Krakow on foot, it is best to stay in the Old Town district (Stare Miasto). It is the historic center which concentrates most of the city's tourist attractions and activities.
In addition, the old town is largely pedestrianized, which makes the visit very pleasant for walking. There are many hotels, apartments and youth hostels for all budgets.
Here is a hotel very well located in the historic center of Krakow: Pokoje Gościnne Św. Annie
Indeed, it is located 50 meters from the main market square and 700 meters from Wawel Castle.
