Krakow

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 104th  

As the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow was the official capital of Poland until 1596. Today, it’s still a thriving hub of academic, economic and artistic activity, so it’s no surprise that Krakow is a new entry this year in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, coming in 104th place.

Often called the prettiest of Poland’s cities, Krakow is situated on the Vistula river in the Lesser Poland area and dates back to the seventh century. Emerging from World War II as the only major Polish city to not suffer serious damage, Krakow is uniquely steeped in history, with incredible architecture everywhere you look. The city’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

If you’re looking to explore this stunning city, visit the Wawel Royal Castle – an iconic landmark which was home to three dynasties of Poland's monarchs. Or, take a walk inside St Mary’s Basilica, known for its impressive altarpiece and awe-inspiring stained-glass windows.

You can even combine historical sight-seeing with some retail therapy by visiting the Cloth Hall, the world’s oldest shopping center, dating back over 700 years. Wherever you choose to go, you will be surrounded by galleries, cafes, museums and restaurants.   

Krakow possesses three world renowned universities, all of which are featured in the QS World University Rankings®. These are Jagiellonian University, Cracow University of Technology and AGH University of Science and Technology. Of the three, Jagiellonian University earns the distinction of being the top university in Poland, having been ranked 338th in the world.

Do you think Krakow deserves to be the Best Student City? Let us know your thoughts.

Internationally ranked universities in Krakow

More about Krakow

• To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.*