Hotel H15 Francuski stands at number 13 Pijarska Street, on the northern edge of the Old Town beside the Florian Gate and the stretch of medieval walls that survives from the city's fortifications. The hotel has a long history as one of the city's established addresses, and its interiors favour classic furnishings. The location is excellent for sightseeing: the Czartoryski Museum with Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine is on the next street, the Main Market Square is a few minutes' walk down Floriańska Street, and the railway station and the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre are close at hand. Rooms are decorated in a traditional style, in keeping with the building and the street.
Choosing a room
Rooms facing Pijarska Street are bright and give a feel of the Old Town, while courtyard-facing rooms are quieter. Room types differ, so check the options for families or longer stays. The hotel is in a historic building, so check the layout and accessibility when you book, including whether a lift serves your floor.
What the stay is like
Calm, comfortable and extremely convenient. Because the Florian Gate is the traditional entrance to the Royal Route, you can start each morning by walking the same route kings once followed, from the gate down Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square and onward to Wawel Hill.
The northern Old Town is also quieter than the area immediately around the square, and many cafes and restaurants on nearby streets cater to locals as well as tourists. The station is a short walk, which is helpful for early day trips to Wieliczka, Auschwitz-Birkenau or Zakopane.
Who it suits
First-time visitors, art lovers heading for the Czartoryski Museum, couples and business travellers who want a central position with quiet nights. The trade-offs are a more traditional style than the trendy design hotels and a location that is a few minutes farther from Kazimierz. For a more contemporary setting in the same area, look at Hotel Indigo; for a luxury alternative, look at Hotel Stary. Book ahead for the Christmas market season, spring weekends and summer, when the Old Town fills with visitors.
Getting around
You can reach the Barbican and the Florian Gate in a minute, the Main Market Square in about five, and Wawel Hill in roughly fifteen to twenty on foot. Trams and buses run from the station area, and taxis are easy to find. Because this part of the Old Town sits inside the Planty ring, evenings are generally calmer than around the square, while a good selection of cafes, bakeries and restaurants lies within a short walk.
When you book, ask about luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures, which is useful if you are catching a day trip or a train.
Why stay here
- ✓Pijarska Street location
- ✓Next to the Florian Gate
- ✓Walk to the Main Market Square
- ✓Walk to the railway station
- ✓Cafes and restaurants nearby
- ✓Walk to Planty park
- ✓Tours and tickets nearby
- ✓Historic building
Good questions
Where is Hotel H15 Francuski?+
On Pijarska Street in the northern Old Town, next to the Florian Gate.
Is it close to the railway station?+
Yes, the station is a short walk away, which suits early day trips.
Is it near the Czartoryski Museum?+
Yes, the museum is on the next street.
