Hotel Rubinstein stands at number 12 Szeroka Street, the broad cobbled square at the centre of Kazimierz, and it is one of the best-known hotels in the old Jewish quarter. The hotel is named after Helena Rubinstein, the cosmetics entrepreneur born in Kazimierz, and its interiors reflect the district's history with period furnishings and a warm, traditional style. Szeroka Street is surrounded by synagogues, restaurants with live music, galleries and bars, so a stay here puts you at the centre of Kraków's most atmospheric neighbourhood. Wawel Hill is a short walk to the north and the Old Town is about fifteen to twenty minutes away on foot, while the riverfront and Schindler's Factory are within easy reach by tram or on foot. The hotel is small and personal, with a restaurant and a bar, and service that is attentive without being formal.
Choosing a room
Rooms vary in size and layout because the building is historic, and rooms facing Szeroka Street have the most character. Evenings in Kazimierz can be lively, with music from nearby restaurants and the crowds of the weekend, so choose a quieter room at the back if you are a light sleeper.
What the stay is like
Kazimierz feels very different from the Old Town. It is quieter during the day, a place for cafes, galleries and slow walks between synagogues, and busier after dark when its bars and restaurants fill. A stay here suits visitors who want to experience the district at all hours, from the early morning when the streets are empty to the evening when klezmer music drifts from restaurants.
The hotel is a short walk from the Remuh Synagogue and cemetery, the Old Synagogue and Plac Nowy, where the weekend market and the famous zapiekanka stalls operate.
Who it suits
Couples, history lovers and travellers interested in Jewish heritage, food and nightlife. The trade-off is distance from the Main Market Square, which is a pleasant twenty-minute walk but not next door, and the noise that comes with a lively district. If you want a more modern design in the same neighbourhood, look at the other Kazimierz hotels; if you prefer the Old Town's central position, choose a hotel nearer the square. Book early for festival weeks, especially the Jewish Culture Festival in summer, when Kazimierz fills with visitors.
Getting around
The tram stops on Dietla Street are a few minutes away, and Wawel, the Vistula boulevards and the Galicia Jewish Museum are all within a pleasant walk. Taxis and ride-hailing cars reach Szeroka Street easily, although the central square is a pedestrian area, so ask the hotel where drivers can stop. On Sundays and public holidays some cafes close, but Plac Nowy and the main restaurants stay busy. Winter visitors will find the quarter quiet and atmospheric, and the Christmas season brings lights and markets within walking distance.
Why stay here
- ✓Szeroka Street location
- ✓Restaurant
- ✓Bar
- ✓Historic building
- ✓Walk to the Old Synagogue
- ✓Walk to Plac Nowy
- ✓Tours and tickets nearby
- ✓Walk to Planty park
Good questions
Where is Hotel Rubinstein?+
On Szeroka Street in Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter.
How far is it from the Main Market Square?+
About fifteen to twenty minutes on foot, or a short tram or taxi ride.
Is the area noisy at night?+
Kazimierz can be lively in the evening. Ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.
