Kazimierz is a place where history blends with everyday life: synagogues, cemeteries, narrow streets and cafés create a unique atmosphere. For a student or an Erasmus participant it’s an ideal area for a short walk that packs a lot into a small space — you can see the main sights, feel the atmosphere and enjoy good food along the way. Learning about Kraków’s Jewish layer helps you understand the city’s story and notice how memory and culture are present in the urban landscape today. The district combines elements of remembrance (museums, cemeteries, memorial sites) with living culture (cafés, music, festivals).
Kazimierz is logistically compact: most key points lie close to each other, so even a short 2–3 hour loop lets you see the most important places. It’s also a great spot for photos and meeting friends — evenings bring lively restaurants and music, while daytime offers quiet corners for reflection. The richness of architecture and the symbolism on tombstones are an extra draw for anyone who likes history outdoors and photography.
If you want deeper context, visit contemporary sites of memory that work with history through exhibitions and educational programs. That way your visit won’t be limited to surface sights but will give you a chance to understand the long and complex history of Kraków’s Jewish community.
Plan your route around the axis Szeroka - Miodowa - Józefa - Kupa - Plac Nowy; this is the most logical and efficient layout when you have limited time. Choose a morning or afternoon walk outside peak tourist hours to avoid crowds on Szeroka and at the main synagogues.
If you want to enter synagogues or cemeteries, check opening hours and rules about photography and dress in advance. On cemeteries keep quiet and show respect, stay on marked paths and don’t step on gravestones. Places of worship often prohibit eating and loud behaviour.
Buy tickets for selected museums in advance, especially for Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum and the Galicia Jewish Museum during high season. Bring comfortable shoes — cobbled streets and short slopes are normal. If you’re an Erasmus student, carry your student ID — many places offer discounts.
1) Old Synagogue (Szeroka St.) - the oldest preserved synagogue in Poland, today serving as a museum and an excellent introduction to the history of Kraków’s Jewish community. Pay attention to the building’s form and the displays showing everyday life before the war.
2) Remuh Synagogue and the Old Cemetery on Szeroka St. - a small, still-active house of prayer associated with Rabbi Moses Isserles; next to it lies one of Poland’s oldest Jewish cemeteries, where tombstones carry rich symbolism and family stories.
3) Isaac Synagogue (Kupa St.) - an impressive Baroque foundation from the 17th century that lets you see the monumental scale of the former community and often hosts cultural events.
4) Tempel Synagogue (Miodowa St.) - representing the Reform movement; inside notice the mosaics and check for concerts, especially during local festivals.
5) Galicia Jewish Museum (Dajwór St.) - a modern museum of Jewish memory and culture, strong in photography and temporary exhibitions; excellent if you want to understand social contexts and remembrance of the Holocaust.
6) Oskar Schindler’s Factory (Museum) and the former ghetto area in Podgórze - an emotionally and educationally powerful site; the factory exhibition and memorial spots in Podgórze show where the ghetto was located and how occupation life was organized.
7) Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle - a memorial point that tells the story of the ghetto’s residents; in the museum-pharmacy you’ll see everyday history and stories of people who tried to help during the war.
8) New Jewish Cemetery (Miodowa area) - a calm, green space important for understanding burial practices and tombstone symbolism; it’s also a place for reflection away from the busiest tourist routes.
9) Szeroka, Józefa streets and Plac Nowy - walking these streets you’ll browse tenement houses, gateways and photo spots, and you’ll find places to try local street food (zapiekanki) as well as great coffee and stops between sights.
10) Crossing the Vistula: Father Bernatek Footbridge and Podgórze - walking over the bridge you’ll see the contrast between Kazimierz and Podgórze, then find memorial points of the former ghetto and industrial traces of Kraków’s history.
Kazimierz is famous for its diverse food scene. If you want flavours inspired by Jewish and Middle Eastern traditions, places like Hamsa Hummus & Happiness or restaurant Ariel are often recommended and well-reviewed. Plac Nowy is the heart of street food — the classic zapiekanka and many bars are a great option for a cheap, quick meal after a walk.
For accommodation choose Kazimierz if you want to be close to nightlife and sights, or the Old Town if you plan other routes as well. Hostels and small guesthouses are popular among students because they combine good location with affordable prices. When booking, check reviews and the location relative to the walking route you plan to take.
If you prefer a quiet place near greenery, consider guesthouses outside the very centre of Kazimierz with good public transport connections. Many travellers also praise small boutique properties with character and a local feel.
Treating Kazimierz only as a party district. It’s a place of memory and culture — take time for museums and cemeteries, not only clubs and bars. Arriving only for evening outings makes it easy to miss important sites and context.
Showing disrespect in places of remembrance. Don’t shout in cemeteries or synagogues, don’t stand on gravestones, don’t eat on a cemetery or take joking photos. Basic etiquette is worth observing.
Buying all souvenirs in the first shop you see. Walk down side streets — there you’ll often find local galleries, books and crafts with better quality and more meaningful context.
The Kraków ghetto was located in Podgórze, on the other side of the Vistula, not in Kazimierz — this is a common mistake. Kazimierz was historically the centre of Jewish life, but Podgórze was the site of the ghetto during World War II.
Many synagogues in Kazimierz survived because after the war they were used for other functions, and some have been preserved as museum or cultural spaces. Thanks to that you can still see a variety of architectural styles from Gothic to Moorish accents.
The Jewish Culture Festival is not just music: it also includes workshops, lectures and themed walks that introduce you to a wider cultural and historical context. If you catch festival events, a visit gains extra dimensions.
How much time should I set aside? For a basic loop around Kazimierz, 2–3 hours is enough; if you want to visit museums and cemeteries, plan half a day or a full day. The most meaningful visits are often spread over a few shorter outings.
Is a guide necessary? Not required if you have limited time and only want to see places from the outside, but a guide provides context and stories you won’t find in brochures. If you want to deepen your knowledge, consider touring with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Are the sites accessible for people with limited mobility? Some places have obstacles (cobblestones, steps, narrow entrances). If you need accessibility arrangements, check entrance availability and barrier-free access in advance. Museums usually have information about accessibility on their websites.
Kazimierz is a district that gives a lot — stories, flavours and places to pause. For Erasmus students and other students it’s a great space to get to know Kraków culturally and socially. When planning your route, combine sightseeing with coffee breaks and local food to fully catch the atmosphere.
If this text was helpful, share it with friends or on social media. If you want to explore with someone who knows Kazimierz from the inside, I encourage you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact and details can be found on the main page of zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a good trip and mindful sightseeing!
