Before anyone who loves Prague comes for me — hear me out.
It’s not that I didn’t like Prague. I really did. It’s beautiful, fairly affordable, and enjoyable to wander around. But after visiting both cities back-to-back, I honestly think Kraków was the better experience.
We didn’t really know what to expect from Poland before arriving. A day trip to Auschwitz was our main motivation, but the cobblestone streets, rich and often confronting history, and genuinely friendly locals quickly made Kraków one of the most memorable cities we visited in Europe.
Around a week and a half later, we arrived in the much-hyped Prague. While it’s undeniably stunning — and similar to Kraków in many ways — it also felt busier, more tourist-focused, and less personal. That’s when this became a genuine Kraków vs Prague comparison — and for us, Kraków came out on top.
Here are five reasons why I’d recommend visiting Kraków over Prague!
Quick summary:
Can Kraków really beat Prague? After visiting both cities back-to-back, I think it does. From fewer crowds and deeper history to lower prices and a more local feel, here are five reasons Kraków came out on top for us.
Recommended tours:
🏰 Old Town Krakow & Wawel Castle Walking Tour – Explore Kraków’s medieval heart with expert historical context
🏭 Schindler’s Factory Guided Tour – Understand wartime Kraków through powerful stories and immersive exhibits
🚢 Kraków Evening or Night River Cruise – See Kraków’s landmarks from the Vistula without the crowds after dark
1. Kraków’s Old Town is just as beautiful as Prague’s
Prague is most famous for its picturesque buildings and streets in the Old Town. But what if I was to tell you that Kraków has just as pretty streets and equally beautiful buildings — all without the ridiculous number of tourists?
Like Prague’s Old Town, Kraków’s historic centre feels straight out of a European fairytale, but without the same sense of overwhelm.
Walking through Kraków, magnificent churches seem to appear around every corner as you wander down cobblestone lanes. A rather impressive castle is perched on a hill beside the city, and the bell tower in the main market square chimes with St. Mary’s Trumpet Call every hour. If you’re looking for that classic European Old Town experience, you’ll absolutely find it here.
🏰 One of the best ways to get this local insight is on a guided walking tour of Kraków’s Old Town and Wawel Castle, where a knowledgeable guide can add context to places you’d otherwise just walk past.
2. Kraków is far less crowded than Prague
The Astronomical Clock in Prague is known as the second most overhyped attraction in Europe (after the Mona Lisa). I thought it was kinda cool, but it definitely didn’t deserve the insane number of tourists crowding around it.
There were people bottlenecking in a space barely 20 metres wide, all trying to get photos. My mild claustrophobia surfaced pretty quickly — I could never have imagined how busy Prague would be.
Even during busy periods, Kraków never felt as overwhelmingly crowded as Prague’s Old Town and main square. Sure, Kraków had tourists — mostly Brits who’d snagged great deals on budget airlines — but it never felt chaotic. We could walk down the main streets without elbowing people aside or worrying about how to cross the market square without trampling someone.
🚢 One of the most relaxing ways to see the city is from the water on a Kraków Evening Cruise along the Vistula River where you can drift quietly under scenic bridges and past Kraków landmarks like Wawel Castle.
3. Kraków feels more local than Prague
We did walking tours in both cities. In Prague, our tour was run by an American who’d lived there for a few years. The Kraków tour was led by a local university student who shared personal stories about growing up in the city.
That local perspective made Kraków feel like a city people actually live in, rather than one designed mainly for visitors.
Kraków’s Old Town was also full of locals shopping at Christmas markets, eating out at restaurants, or wandering around with family members. It was genuinely refreshing to be surrounded by people who lived there, rather than feeling like the city existed purely for tourists.
4. Kraków’s history is deeper and more confronting
While Prague has a long and fascinating past, Kraków’s history feels more immediate and emotionally confronting — particularly when it comes to World War II.
Kraków experienced some of the darkest chapters of the war, and the weight of that history is still very present. There are countless remnants throughout the city that show the devastating impact WWII had on its inhabitants.
You can visit Schindler’s Factory, walk through the former Jewish ghetto, see remains of the old city walls, or take a day trip to Auschwitz. Every street, building, and neighbourhood seems to carry a story — and many of them stay with you long after you leave.
🏭 You can book a Schindler’s Factory guided tour to add crucial context to your visit, helping you connect individual stories with the wider history of the city.
5. Kraków is cheaper than Prague for travellers
For budget travellers, Kraków is still noticeably cheaper than Prague when it comes to accommodation, food, and drinks — even as prices across Europe have risen in recent years.
We found everyday costs in Kraków consistently lower, from meals out to beers in local bars. While Prague is no longer the bargain destination it once was, Kraków still offers great value without feeling like you’re constantly watching your spending.
Accommodation followed the same pattern. In Kraków, staying centrally felt far more achievable on a budget, whereas in Prague we paid more for less space and a less convenient location.
If you’re travelling Europe with cost in mind, Kraków remains a city where your money goes further — without sacrificing atmosphere or experiences.
Is Kraków better than Prague? My honest verdict
Prague is undeniably beautiful, and I’m glad we visited. But Kraków surprised me in ways Prague didn’t. It felt more lived-in, more affordable, and far more emotionally resonant.
If you’re choosing between the two and want a city that still feels authentic while offering incredible history, culture, and value, Kraków would be my pick every time.
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