Krakow is an amazing city for remote work. It’s affordable, the café scene is strong, and there’s enough to do outside of work that your evenings and weekends fill themselves without much planning. Whether you want a dedicated coworking space, a relaxed café, or a quiet library, there are great options for every type of workday.
After recently spending time remote working in Krakow, I came away with nothing but positive feedback for digital nomads and people planning a workation. Here are the reasons why I loved it and the places I kept returning to during my stay.
Remote working in Krakow: my favourite workspaces, cafés and libraries
I tried several different places to work during my stay in Krakow, but these were by far my favourites. I chose them not only for their fast wifi, comfortable workspaces and proximity to great coffee, but also because they’re located in different parts of the city.
Working from each one gave me the chance to explore a new area and experience more of Krakow between meetings.
Arteteka Regional Public Library
This was my favourite place to work. The building is modern, the desks are big, the wifi was reliable, and there’s a great café downstairs for when you need lunch or a change of scene.
It’s in Piasek, close to the western edge of the Old Town and near some of my favourite restaurants in the city. It’s also a short walk from Wisława Szymborska Park, where I spent most of my lunch breaks with a takeaway coffee. Best of all, it’s completely free.
💷 Cost: Free (but you need to sign up for a library card)
📍 Location: Between Piasek and the western edge of the Old Town
💡 Best for: Focused work, studying, and anyone who wants a free workspace
Yolk Workspace
Yolk was my go-to on meeting-heavy days. If you’re on client calls or need a more professional setup than a café or public library can offer, it’s a solid choice with proper booths for calls, decent meeting rooms, and chairs comfortable enough for a full day at the desk.
It’s not free, but the day pass felt reasonable given the quality of the space, and the on-site café serves great coffee and pastries. The location is a big plus too, between the southern edge of the Old Town and Kazimierz, and a short walk from Wawel Castle.
💷 Cost: Approximately £30/day for hot-desking, with extra for meeting rooms
📍 Location: Between the Old Town and Kazimierz
💡 Best for: Meetings, calls, and productive workdays
Tociekawa Specialty Coffee
I saved this spot for Fridays, my most relaxed workday. A local recommended it and it became one of my favourite cafés in the city.
The wifi is fast, the coffee is excellent, and there are usually a few other people working, which gives it a nice atmosphere without feeling crowded. The food’s good too, with sandwiches, pastries and coffee that made it easy to hang out there for a full day.
If you want something more relaxed than a coworking space, this is a great option. Also, it’s bigger than it first looks when you arrive, thanks to the downstairs, mezzanine and garden, so even if it’s looking busy, you’re likely to get a seat.
💷 Cost: Free to sit (with the expectation of buying food or drinks)
📍 Location: Near Krakow Old Town
💡 Best for: Relaxed workdays, light admin, casual working
Best areas to stay
Krakow is compact, so you’re rarely far from the action. Public transport is good, the city is walkable, and most popular neighbourhoods are within easy reach of each other.
I stayed in Piasek and loved it. It felt local and peaceful, while still being within walking distance of the Old Town and plenty of good cafés and restaurants. A few other areas I liked and worth considering are:
- Kazimierz: best for atmosphere, nightlife, and café culture. Packed with independent coffee shops, bars, and cultural attractions; a favourite among digital nomads.
- Old Town: best for first-time visitors, with the main sights on your doorstep, though it’s busier and more touristy than other neighbourhoods.
Getting around Krakow as a remote worker
Despite being Poland’s second-largest city, Krakow feels compact and easy to navigate. Trams and buses connect all the main neighbourhoods reliably, and it’s an easy city to walk.
I found myself walking almost everywhere, whether heading to a café, a coworking space, or just exploring after work.
Cost of remote working in Krakow
One of the biggest draws of working from Krakow is how affordable it is compared to most other European cities. Coffee costs around £2–4, a casual lunch is usually £5–10, and workspaces range from free to what I’d say was a very reasonable day rate.
Accommodation varies by location and season, but you can easily find well-located short-term stays for less than in cities like London or Paris.
What to do after work
Another massive pro to Krakow is how much there is to do outside of work. I easily filled my evenings and weekends by wandering and eating my way around the city.
Typical sights: Wawel Castle is a must-visit, especially in the evening when it’s quieter and the riverside walk below is extra peaceful. The Old Town is perfect for an aimless wander, with plenty of places to stop for a drink or dinner.
Parks and green spaces: Krakow is impressively green. The Planty forms a leafy ring around the Old Town and is ideal for a post-work walk or coffee break. A short distance away, Błonia Meadow offers wide open space where locals run, cycle and unwind – a good reset after a day at the laptop and one of my favourite areas.
Day trips: If you’re staying longer, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a strange, impressive underground world of tunnels and chapels carved entirely from salt. Auschwitz-Birkenau is also nearby; it’s heavy and overwhelming, but an important visit if you’re feeling up to it. Both are easy to reach and can be done in half a day or a full day, depending on your pace.
Summary: Is Krakow a good city for digital nomads?
Having worked remotely from cities across Europe, Krakow definitely strikes a unique balance between affordability, quality of life, great infrastructure, and culture.
It’s large enough to feel exciting but compact enough to navigate with ease. I found it to be a great destination for my remote-working trip and can’t wait to revisit!
You can read more of Jenny’s work on London Localite.
Looking for more remote work travel inspiration? Read our guides to the world’s best workation destinations and remote working in Europe.
Love this? Pin it for later!
