Can you combine historical memory, a short walk through some of Kraków’s most beautiful corners and a comfortable melex ride in one day? Yes — if you plan the route sensibly and set priorities. One highlight worth seeing is Apteka Pod Orłem in Podgórze — a place with a powerful historical charge, connected to Tadeusz Pankiewicz and the pharmacy’s activity during the Kraków ghetto years. Today the pharmacy is a branch of the Museum of Kraków and recalls real people, small acts of kindness and the hard choices of those times.
Apteka Pod Orłem is located at Plac Bohaterów Getta 18 in the Podgórze district. Between 1941 and 1943 it was run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz and became a place where ghetto residents sought medicine, information and sometimes shelter. After the war the place was preserved as a museum — the exhibition tells the story of the pharmacy’s work in the ghetto and the fates of people connected with it. The permanent exhibition was expanded in part thanks to donations in the early 2000s and today the pharmacy is part of the Museum of Kraków’s network, open to visitors interested in Kraków’s history and the history of the Jewish community.
This plan assumes a morning start and a moderate pace — not racing through every point but making the most of the melex comfort and the museums’ locations.
9:00–11:00 - Old Town: a short walk around the Main Market Square, a look at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and the Town Hall Tower; optionally visit one of the towers for a view.
11:00–12:00 - melex ride: a quick tour of selected parts of the Old Town and a transfer toward Kazimierz, with brief stops for photos.
12:00–13:30 - Kazimierz: stroll through the district and a quick stop at a recommended café or bar for lunch.
13:30–14:00 - melex ride to Podgórze and Plac Bohaterów Getta.
14:00–15:00 - visit Apteka Pod Orłem (permanent exhibition), then walk around the square and the Empty Chairs monument.
15:00–16:30 - Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum (if interested) or a short walk around Zabłocie — many melex routes finish in this area.
16:30–18:00 - return by melex or on foot to the Vistula riverbanks, have coffee and sum up the day. Depending on your pace you can swap the order of Kazimierz and Podgórze visits.
A melex is a small electric tourist vehicle — comfortable, quiet and eco-friendly. It’s very useful when you want to save energy and time between spread-out attractions in the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze. Typical rides last 30–45 minutes, but operators also offer shorter loops or tailor-made routes. Prices depend on the company and rental time — operators sell per-person tickets or vehicle rental for groups (often starting from a few hundred złoty for a set of routes). Many melexes offer audio guides in multiple languages, which helps you understand the context without hiring a separate guide.
Apteka Pod Orłem presents the exhibition “The Pharmacy in the Kraków Ghetto” — the display tells the story of the pharmacy’s work, the people connected with it and how they helped ghetto residents. Before visiting, check opening hours and any visitor limits. The ticket desk and entrance may be in an adjacent building, and some parts of the exhibition have limited accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility — contact the branch staff in advance if you need assistance. Note the small scale of the museum — 45–60 minutes is usually enough to see the exhibition calmly and absorb the historical context.
If you plan a day focused on 20th-century history, combine the visit to Apteka Pod Orłem with Oskar Schindler’s Factory — both sites are relatively close and show different aspects of life during the occupation. In the city center consider visiting selected branches of the Museum of Kraków, which offer varied exhibitions — from the city’s history to specialized themes. When planning the order of visits pay attention to opening hours and possible need to reserve tickets online, especially in the tourist season.
Podgórze and Zabłocie have several very good places to stop for a break. If you want a home-style, inexpensive meal look for spots offering daily menus and local specialties. For something more refined you’ll find cozy cafés and restaurants serving modern cuisine based on local produce. Near Plac Bohaterów Getta there are small bistros and eateries offering hearty lunches — good options for a quick, tasty meal between museums. If you prefer higher-end dining, consider a short ride or walk to Kazimierz where there’s a wider selection of fine restaurants.
Buy tickets in advance where possible — this helps avoid queues and disappointment, especially in high season. Arrange your melex route with the operator beforehand — not every vehicle is permitted to enter every street and some areas have restrictions. Check museum opening hours: not all institutions are open all day and some have breaks, closed days or limited displays. Wear comfortable shoes — even with a melex you’ll still walk between sites. Carry some cash and an ID in case smaller vendors prefer cash payments.
Trying to “see everything” in one day — it’s better to pick 2–3 priorities and spend more time with them than rush and not feel the place. Not reserving in season — especially for popular museums and special melex routes; book ahead. Expecting the melex to drop you exactly at every entrance — a melex is a convenience but does not replace short walks and planning for walking times. Skipping historical context — when visiting sites of memory, take a moment to understand their significance and read the exhibition information.
How much time should I allow for Apteka Pod Orłem? Usually 45–60 minutes is enough to calmly look around the exhibition and read the descriptions.
Will a melex take me to Oskar Schindler’s Factory? Some operators include Podgórze and the factory area on their routes, but confirm when booking.
Is Apteka Pod Orłem accessible for people with reduced mobility? The museum notes accessibility limitations — part of the entrance has a few steps; staff can assist if you contact them in advance.
When should I plan my main meal? Plan lunch around 13:00–14:00 — most museums remain open for afternoon visits.
If you want the day to be more than a checklist of places to tick off — an actual story about the city, its people and its sites — I invite you to use my help. I’m Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a guide who will tailor the pace and route to your interests, arrange a logical visit order and give tips to avoid queues. If you find this article useful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a better day in Kraków. For private tours and reservations you can contact me directly — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Thank you and see you on the route!
