By The River

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to By The River on Nadwiślańska, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside. The Podgórze district isn’t exactly where most tourists end up, you know? But that’s actually what makes this place special. You’re staying in the real Krakow, not some touristy bubble, and once you step inside… well, let’s just say that 9.5 rating isn’t an accident.

The thing about this location is that it’s properly by the Vistula – I mean, you can literally hear the water at night if you crack open your window. Most “riverside” hotels are blocks away, but here you’re maybe fifty meters from the actual riverbank. The staff mentioned they get a lot of repeat guests who specifically request river-facing rooms, and after staying here, I get it completely. Morning coffee while watching the occasional kayaker drift by? Pretty hard to beat. Plus – and this is something I only figured out after walking around – you’re about a fifteen-minute stroll to Wawel Castle, but on the quieter south side of the river. No crowds of tour groups stumbling past your hotel at 7 AM.

What really got me though was how they’ve managed to feel upscale without being stuffy about it. The rooms have this sort of understated elegance thing going on – decent-sized bathrooms (you know how hit-or-miss European hotel bathrooms can be), actually comfortable beds, and the kind of lighting that doesn’t make you look like a zombie in the mirror. I stayed there in September when it’s still pretty busy season-wise, but the whole place felt calm. Maybe it’s because Podgórze hasn’t been completely overrun yet, or maybe they just know how to manage the vibe. The check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – none of that fake chatty stuff, just genuinely helpful people who actually knew the neighborhood well enough to give proper restaurant recommendations.

Here’s what I mean about the local knowledge: when I asked about dinner spots, instead of sending me back across the river to the obvious places, they pointed me toward this fantastic little restaurant two streets over that I never would’ve found otherwise. That’s the kind of insight you get when your hotel staff aren’t just working in the area – they’re actually part of it. The whole experience felt like staying somewhere that happens to be really well-run rather than somewhere trying desperately to impress you, if that makes sense.

To book hotel in Krakow during the famous Krakow Film Festival season, visitors should make reservations well in advance as the city attracts history enthusiasts and cultural travelers from around the world.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $84. Studio Apartment with 1 sofa bed and 1 queen bed for Max. people: 2

Reviews

• Recommend this place. – Viktorija from Lithuania – July 31, 2025 (10/10)

  The apartment is not far from the old town. It had all the necessities. The river view from the window. Downstairs plenty of cafes. It wasn't difficult to find a parking near the property.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Exceptional – Andriy from Ukraine – April 16, 2025 (10/10)

  Everything

• Wonderful – Liz from United Kingdom – September 19, 2024 (9/10)

  Comfortable, relaxing place to stay with great facilities. Good location and fab to be so close to the river.
  
  What could be improved: Didn't realise the code required you to press a certain button- so was outside for a while which wasn't great after a late flight.
  Another resident helped and then it was straight forward.

• Excellent stay, we will for sure come back – Magda from Germany – August 24, 2024 (10/10)

  It felt like home, one of the best apartments for rental we have stayed in. We liked attention to detail in furnishing, wooden floors etc. Very good communication with the owner. And dogs welcomed.
  
  What could be improved: If I really need to look for downsides perhaps noise from the street but windows are great and they isolate the noise. Also, it was a bit too bright for me in the morning, but also not that important.

• Very good. – Pragya from India – July 24, 2024 (9/10)

  1) The location was excellent with tram station and grocery shops nearby.
  2) Lots of kitchenware, plates and glasses etc. for three of us.
  3) There was a dressing cum storeroom, very convenient.
  4) All necessary items like iron, bathroom soap etc. were available
  
  What could be improved: 1) There was no lock in the bathroom door, not convenient with family members.
  2) For long stays (more than 10 days) one cleaning should be included.

• Lovely place to stay in for a short trip to Krakow. Very convenient location – Aleksandra from Poland – June 15, 2024 (10/10)

  The location was amazing and the apartment very spacious for its size. I also really liked the kitchen and shower as well as the balcony. I would recommend this place to everyone who likes to have a walking distance to all the exciding tourist attractions, yet have a peaceful place to rest in the evening.
  
  What could be improved: No place to put clothes in the bathroom and missing some shower matt to avoid making all the bathroom wet, otherwise everything was great.

• A nice efficiency in a lively and loud location. – Paul from France – May 23, 2024 (9/10)

  Great location with a nice view.
  
  What could be improved: It’s loud. The building needs more soundproofing. The bathroom needs better ventilation.

• Wonderful – Panu from Finland – March 25, 2024 (9/10)

  The apartment was really cozy, spacious and modern. Also the host was really friendly and flexible.
  
  What could be improved: There wasn't too much to complain. If there is a need to mention something minor, it would be following: we could not lock the toilet door, the bed cover could have been a bit bigger and warmer, and the pan hand holder was loose/almost dropping out.

• very nice place to spend time for city break – Jaroslaw from Poland – November 29, 2023 (10/10)

  close to the river, tram and grossery, calm place

• Excellent place to stay, very close to Krakow centre, Kazimierz district and to the Wisla river. – Marcel from Slovakia – November 10, 2023 (9/10)

  Location, cleaniness, modern furniture
  
  What could be improved: Too soft matress (personal opinion only)

SURROUNDINGS