Warsaw Or Krakow: Which One Is Better To Visit? (2024)
When planning my trip to Central Europe, I wondered if I should visit Warsaw or Krakow.
The cities seemed similar enough, and I was short on time when backpacking Poland. Luckily I visited both cities and they are similar but quite different at the same time.
Spoiler alert – I loved both!
Krakow might be more picturesque and closer to other tourist attractions, but Warsaw has a unique atmosphere and great historical significance.
So, let’s compare Warsaw and Krakow and find out if you should visit one or the other (or both!).
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
Overview: Warsaw vs Krakow
Warsaw and Krakow have many similarities and some interesting differences.
| Warsaw | Krakow |
|---|---|
| Most of the city rebuilt after WWII | Authentic Medieval Old Town |
| A large city with diverse districts | Popular nightlife destination |
| Well-connected for day trips | Close to nature and UNESCO sites |
| International Airport | International Airport |
| Budget Friendly | Budget Friendly |
Overall, if it is your first time in Poland, I would pick Krakow.
However, Warsaw is also well worth visiting if you have more than 3 days in Poland or you’re considering returning to Poland to explore more of this beautiful country.
Tourist Attractions
- Winner: Krakow offers more authentic attractions
If we’re simply comparing the tourist attractions and sightseeing opportunities, Krakow is the one to go for.
Why is that so?
Warsaw was almost completely destroyed in WWII, so most of what you see today has been rebuilt.
Don’t get me wrong, the city looks fantastic, and if I didn’t know that the Old Town has been rebuilt I wouldn’t have guessed.
On the other hand, most of Krakow’s Old Town is authentic, complete with a 14th-century castle in the city center!
THINGS TO DO IN KRAKOW
Visit Wawel Castle and the Cathedral
Wawel Castle is the main tourist attraction in Krakow. This hilltop castle dates back to the 14th century and is free to walk around unless you want to see the interior.
You can also visit its unique cathedral. It is especially impressive from the outside, as it is built in at least 5 different styles. The story is quite simple actually, every time they had to restore something they just did it in the style of the era!
Explore Kazimierz quarter
Krakow’s Jewish quarter is full of history and has been housing Polish Jews since the 15th century.
The best way to explore it is by joining a walking tour, as you’ll get to learn about many hidden corners, hear the stories, and discover the culture.
See Krakow’s Medieval Fortifications
Krakow was a walled medieval city, and you can still see the remains of the wall surrounding the historic city center.
Not much of Krakow’s old wall is left, but you can visit Krakow’s Barbican – it is one of the last 3 fortified outposts of this kind still surviving in Europe!
Wander the Old Town
The historic center of Krakow is UNESCO-listed and dotted with many historical houses, palaces, and churches.
You can wander the cobblestone streets, admire Europe’s largest market square, and discover hidden gems – like the trumpeter on St. Mary’s Basilica’s Tower.
THINGS TO DO IN WARSAW
Join a free walking tour
Free walking tours are a fantastic way to learn about the city from a local.
I joined 3 different walking tours while I was in Warsaw because I was so fascinated by the history of the city. I went on a classic Old Town tour, a WWII Tour, and a Jewish History Tour.
There is so much you can learn on these tours, and you get to talk to a local and get some insider tips from them.
🚶 Browse all free walking tours in Warsaw here!
Stroll the cobblestone streets of Warsaw Old Town
I already told you that the city center was almost entirely destroyed during WWII, and most of the buildings you see today were rebuilt after the war.
However, if somebody hadn’t told me that the buildings were not authentic, I would have never guessed!
Old Town Market Square is one of my favorite spots, with the Mermaid of Warsaw statue in the middle.
Get off the beaten path in Praga
Praga is an alternative and trendy neighborhood situated across the river from the Old Town. Interestingly, many buildings in the area survived WWII, making it the oldest quarter of Warsaw.
It used to be considered a dangerous area, but today it’s a place where you’ll find many quirky shops, bars, and galleries.
Walk along the Royal Route
Royal Route starts from Warsaw Castle Square, passes by some of the main landmarks in the city, and ends at Wilanów Palace – King Jan III Sobieski’s residence.
Discover Warsaw Museums
With over 70 museums to explore, Warsaw offers plenty of indoor activities for a hot midday sun or a rainy day.
Some of the most popular ones include the Royal Castle, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum.
Admire the view from the Palace of Culture and Science
If you like nice viewpoints, head to the Palace of Culture and Science. The building was built as a gift from Stalin to Poland, and it is the second-highest building in Poland.
Getting There
- Winner: Both
Thanks to the well-developed airline network, reaching Krakow and Warsaw is equally easy.
Both cities are served by several low-cost airlines, so you can fly to both from all over Europe for under 20€ – if you book your tickets at the right moment of course.
Warsaw is the capital, so if you’re coming overseas it might be easier to fly into Warsaw.
Also, you can reach both cities by land – by bus or train.
The ease of getting around on a budget makes Poland one of the best countries for backpackers in Europe.
Long-distance buses are the most popular way to get around on a budget. I used Flixubs to get around the country.
International trains to Poland are usually more expensive but can be much faster and more comfortable.
Accommodation
- Winner: Both
You can find any type of accommodation in both cities, from backpacker hostels to boutique hotels.
The difference in prices, if you can even say there are any,ise so small that it shouldn’t affect your decision.
Here are some of the best places to stay in both cities for every budget.
Where to stay in Krakow?
TOP Pick: AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow
Mid Range Option: Aparthotel Maargick
Backpacker Hostel: Greg & Tom Hostel
Where to stay in Warsaw?
TOP Pick: PURO Warszawa Centrum
Mid Range Option: Apple Inn
Backpacker Hostel: Oki Doki Downtown Hostel
Getting Around
- Winner: Krakow is walkable, but both have great public transport
Warsaw is much bigger than Krakow, and you’ll probably have to use public transportation to get around.
Once you’re in the Old Town it is walkable, but public transport is the best way to get to the other interesting districts.
You can still walk everywhere in Warsaw as I did because I was backpacking Poland on a strict budget.
However, walking for half an hour along a 2 lane road with nothing special to see is probably not the best use of your time.
On the other hand, the Old Town of Krakow is a fantastic place to walk and admire your surroundings.
Nightlife
- Winner: Krakow, but Warsaw is great too!
Krakow is known as one of the best party places in Europe and a must-stop on every backpacking Europe itinerary.
Nightlife in Poland is generally quite lively. Polish love to gather in bars for drinks and cheap beer is usually a drink of choice.
I found nightlife in Warsaw a bit more upscale, as in more cocktail bars compared to pubs and small nightclubs in Krakow.
Krakow is known as one of the cities with the highest number of bars compared to the number of inhabitants, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
As a solo traveler, you can stay in a party hostel, join several Krakow pub crawls, or even go on a party boat!
Krakow party boats are especially popular in the summer when you can spend a couple of hours on a river cruise with an open bar.
Cost of travel
- Winner: Both
The prices in Poland are quite similar throughout the country, and there is not much difference in the cost of travel to either city.
The price of food and drinks is similar, and you’re going to pay around 10€ for a dish in an average restaurant in both cities.
Depending on when you go to Poland, the accommodation in Krakow can be more expensive than in Warsaw.
For example, thanks to its fairytale-like setting, Krakow is a popular European Christmas Market destination.
While finding affordable last-minute accommodation in December might be difficult, the prices are almost identical during summer.
Overall the cost of travel in Poland is on the lower end of the average cost of backpacking Europe.
Better for backpackers
- Winner: Krakow
Now, if you’re backpacking Europe and have a lot of places on your bucket list, which one should you visit?
If you can only visit one, I’d go for Krakow.
Yes, Warsaw is beautiful, but Krakow is the backpacker destination.
Krakow has several popular party hostels which are known as some of the best hostels in Europe.
The city offers a perfect balance of lively nightlife and sightseeing, and you can see many tourist attractions for free.
As it is a student city, it also has many cheap eateries, bars, and fun activities.
Still, Krakow is not all about nightlife, as it is also a great base for day trips in the area. You can visit the infamous Auschwitz, and Salt Mines, or go hiking in the Zakopane region.
Krakow is better for you….
Krakow is the most popular city to visit in Poland and for a good reason!
It is a beautiful city with cobblestone streets, picturesque houses and a castle in the city center!
The city is close to important historical sites like the Auschwitz memorial and the UNESCO site Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Krakow is also the backpacker hub of Poland, with endless bars, nightclubs, and party hostels.
It is one of those cities that have something for everyone!
Warsaw is better for you…
If you already visited Krakow, you should definitely go back to Poland and visit Warsaw.
Poland’s capital is not as iconic and popular as Krakow, but it is a great city break destination with fun things to do year-round.
Warsaw is also a great place to learn about the history of the country, see the places
Should you visit both Warsaw and Krakow?
Yes! It is worth visiting both Warsaw and Krakow if you have enough time in Poland.
However, if you only have time to add one to your itinerary, you won’t be missing out too much.
These two Polish cities are quite similar, and I felt like I’ve heard about the same historical events in both cities, but from a different perspective.
At the same time, Krakow and Warsaw are different enough that you won’t be bored by visiting both, as they offer diverse tourist attractions and sightseeing opportunities.
Summary: Visit Warsaw or Krakow
If you only have time to visit one of the cities, I’d pick Krakow.
I spent 3 days in each city, and while Warsaw is a beautiful city, Krakow offers everything Warsaw has and then some more.
Krakow is the most tourist place in the country for a reason. The city has a well-preserved medieval city center, a hilltop castle, and many historical sites.
Also, Krakow is a great base for day trips in the region, whether you’re looking for nature escapes in the Zakopane mountains, or want to visit important sites like Auschwitz.
Still, if you have more than 3 days in Poland, it is definitely worth adding both cities to your Poland itinerary!
