The city of Kraków (www.krakow.pl) maintains a helpful network of tourist information offices around town conveniently located at main tourist junctures (look for "Info Kraków"). Here, you'll find rows of helpful flyers and brochures, including a very good one called Three Days in Kraków. They also dole out free maps and a wealth of suggestions, and can help find and book hotel rooms and excursions.

The main offices include the following. (Note: Some offices have earlier closing hours from Oct-Apr.) At press time, an additional office was being planned near the river on Podzamcze below Wawel Castle, but was not yet open:

  • Town Hall Tower: Main square; tel. 12/433-73-10; daily 9am-7pm
  • Sw. Jana 2: Old Town; tel. 12/421-77-87; daily 10am-6pm
  • John Paul II International Airport/Balice: tel. 12/285-53-41; daily 9am-7pm
  • Szpitalna 25: Old Town; tel. 12/432-01-10; daily 9am-7pm
  • Józefa 7: Kazimierz; tel. 12/422-04-71; daily 9am-5pm

Confusingly, several private companies also maintain info booths around town that are designed to look like official information offices, complete with the "i" out front (the international tourist information symbol). While these offices usually also hand out free maps and can be helpful in a pinch, be forewarned that they're in fact private companies selling a range of tours and services.

City Layout

Kraków's Old Town is relatively compact and comprised of the main square (Rynek Gówny) and the streets that radiate from it in all directions (bordered by what remains of the medieval town walls and the circular park, the Planty). Most of the main tourist sites are situated within a 10- or 15-minute walk from the square.

The Wawel Castle district comprises a second major tourist destination and is a 15-minute walk south of the main square, following Grodzka Street.

The former Jewish ghetto of Kazimierz lies about a 25-minute walk south of the main square beyond the castle. To save time, it's possible to take a taxi from the Old Town to Kazimierz. Expect to pay about 15 z. A number of trams also make the run between the two.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.