Starowiślna 38 Charming Apartment

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first walked up to Starowiślna 38, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside – it’s this quiet street that runs parallel to the main tourist drag, but that actually turned out to be one of its biggest advantages. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the Market Square madness, but you can actually sleep at night without drunk tourists stumbling past your window at 3 AM.

The apartment itself has this lived-in charm that feels authentic rather than sterile. I mean, it’s not going to wow you with luxury finishes or anything – the 7.7 rating is pretty spot-on, actually – but there’s something genuinely cozy about the place. The floors creak a bit (it’s an old building, what do you expect?), and the bathroom’s on the smaller side, but the kitchen is surprisingly well-equipped if you’re planning to grab ingredients from the Cloth Hall market and cook something up. What really got me was the light – these big windows face east, so mornings are gorgeous, though you’ll want to pack an eye mask if you’re not an early riser. The furnishings feel like they were chosen by someone who actually lives there rather than a corporate buyer, you know what I mean? Mismatched but somehow it works.

Location-wise, this is where the place really shines. Starowiślna connects you to everything without putting you in the middle of the chaos. Walk south for three minutes and you hit Wawel Castle – I’d recommend the early morning approach before the tour groups arrive. North gets you to St. Mary’s Basilica, and honestly, hearing those trumpets every hour from your window never gets old. The street itself has this great little café (Kawiarnia Nowa Prowincja) that locals actually frequent, plus a small grocery store that stays open later than you’d think. Parking is… well, it’s Old Town, so forget about it. But the tram stops on Stradomska are close enough, and if you’re flying in, the airport bus drops you at the main station – about a 15-minute walk with luggage, which isn’t terrible.

The building can get a bit echoey, especially on weekends when other apartments have guests coming and going, but it’s nothing compared to what you’d deal with at a hotel right on the square. Check-in was smooth enough, though the key pickup location moved since my booking (they’ll email you the updated info). One thing I appreciated – they left actual local recommendations, not just the obvious tourist stuff. Found this incredible pierogi place on Grodzka because of their handwritten note.

Is it perfect? No, and I think that’s actually part of its appeal. It feels like staying at a friend’s place in Krakow rather than a generic rental. The 4-star rating seems fair – comfortable and charming without trying too hard. If you’re looking for marble bathrooms and daily housekeeping, book elsewhere. But if you want to feel like you’re actually living in the Old Town for a few days, with easy access to everything but enough distance to maintain your sanity, this spot delivers.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $100. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 full bed and 2 × 1 sofa bed for Max. people: 6

Reviews

• I hope that this leakage problem will be solved in no time, because this place is absolutely gorgeous and suits perfectl – Julia from Netherlands – March 5, 2025 (6/10)

  It was just renovated.
  Everything was new and comfortable.
  Amazing location, my kids were watching trams the whole days long ☺️
  When the problem occurred we were relocated to another apartment right away.
  
  What could be improved: Everything was perfect until the last day, when something in this apartment started leaking oven the cafe downstairs.

• piacevole devo dire che cracovia e una bella citta, pulita e molto ordinata con persone educate – Raffaella from Italy – July 15, 2025 (8/10)

  L'appartamento pulito e confortevole, letti comodi , mancava un asciugamano e il doccino della doccia era rotto ma lo abbiamo sostituito noi, purtroppo con le finestre chiuse non si sentiva niente ma c'era caldo e aperte si sentiva molto la strada, se devo fare un appunto dalla camera in fondo un bel balcone che dava sopra una discarica , insomma una visuale non ottima
  
  What could be improved: appunto la discarica che si vedeva e forse la lingua italiana che purtroppo non la parla nessuno

• Un bon séjour à Cracovie – Francis from France – April 14, 2025 (8/10)

  L’emplacement est idéal pour visiter Cracovie, ou pour partir en excursion . Les tramways passent dans la rue, d’où quelques tremblements mais qui cessent la nuit.
  
  What could be improved: L’équipement de la cuisine est à compléter avec notamment, un four à micro-onde et des plats allant au four.

• Wyjazdy uważam za udany. – Anonymous from Poland – August 15, 2025 (8/10)

  Super lokalizacja. Atrakcje turystyczne blisko apartamentu. Wszędzie można dojść spacerem w 20 minut.
  
  What could be improved: Hałas z ulicy (tramwaje) jeżdżące w nocy i wcześnie nad ranem

• Labi – Anonymous from Latvia – July 21, 2025 (7/10)

  Atrašanās vieta, un pats dzīvoklis kopumā ļoti labi.
  
  What could be improved: Uz grīdas vairākas vietas bija netīrumi, izskatījās nekārtīgi uzkopts. Siltā ūdens padeve, bieži pazūda siltais ūdens, grūti bija mazgāties, kad ir bieža ūdens tempratūra maiņa.

• Good – Fabiana from Italy – August 9, 2025 (7/10)

• Exceptional – Charalampos from Lithuania – April 28, 2025 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS