If your friend group is in the early-career, every-zloty-counts phase, Krakow is the European reunion that won't haunt your bank statement. Sub-30 EUR hostels, milk bars that still cost 4 EUR for a full lunch, and free walking tours that aren't terrible.
Where To Sleep Cheap
Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel in Old Town has private rooms for groups at fair rates. Mundo Hostel in Kazimierz is the quieter alternative. If you're four or more, an apartment on the edge of Kazimierz beats hostel beds on price-per-person and gives you a kitchen.
Avoid hotels on the Main Square - you pay a square tax. Two blocks off it is cheaper for the same walk.
Eating For Almost Nothing
Bar Mleczny Pod Temida is the classic milk bar - traditional Polish food, often 4-6 EUR for a full meal. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy for pierogi nights, where 12 pierogi and a beer is under 10 EUR. Zapiekanka from the round building in Plac Nowy at 1am is the cheap reunion meal you'll remember.
Drinks: vodka shots at small bars in Kazimierz are 1-2 EUR. Local beer like Tyskie is 3 EUR even in nice bars.
Free And Almost-Free Things
Walking tours of the Old Town and Jewish Quarter are tip-based - tip 30-50 PLN per person if it was good. Wawel Castle grounds are free to walk; only some interior rooms charge. The riverside Vistula walk is free and one of the great underrated walks of Central Europe.
Practical Notes
- Daily budget
- 40-60 EUR per person all in
- Best months
- May, September
- Recommended stay
- 3 nights
