Before the war, Kraków’s Kazimierz was a lively Jewish quarter, but the ghetto created by the occupiers was located across the Vistula River, in Podgórze. This small, non-obvious topographical difference helps explain why it’s worth combining both riverbanks on a walk: Kazimierz shows prewar urban fabric and traces of everyday life, while Podgórze and the area around Schindler’s Factory give the context of occupation and the ghetto.
That route design is also practical for families: short stops in the dense layout of Kazimierz are easier to manage with young children, and a shorter walk to Podgórze lets you add more serious—but well-prepared—memorial sites without wearing out the youngest participants.
In this article you’ll find ready-made routes (60 and 120 minutes), a list of family-friendly museums, tips on talking to children about difficult topics, and practical advice on tickets, food and logistics.
Spring in Kraków brings milder weather, longer days and streets that are not yet as crowded as in summer. Spring light is soft, which makes it easier to read facade details and inscriptions on tombstones at Remuh Cemetery or in townhouse gateways. A spring walk also naturally invites ice-cream stops, café breaks and rests in parks.
For families, spring is when many cultural institutions run themed walks and educational programs. It’s worth checking current guided walks and booking in advance, especially for timed-entry exhibitions like those at Schindler’s Factory.
Also, spring lets you see memorial sites amid greenery: cemeteries and small squares look less austere than in winter, and children tolerate short walking sections more easily.
Check opening hours and entry rules—some museums sell timed tickets and it’s smart to buy them ahead to avoid queues.
Bring comfortable shoes and layered clothing—cobblestones and changeable spring weather call for comfort. For small children a light backpack with snacks and water will be useful.
Set the visit rhythm: short 10–15 minute modules for the youngest (street – symbol – photo), a playground or coffee break every 45–60 minutes. Plan to end the route where children can move freely.
Talk briefly before you leave about what you’ll see and how to behave at memorial sites. A few simple rules (quiet, respect, follow photo restrictions where posted) will make the visit easier and help children understand the context.
Start: Kazimierz – Szeroka Square. A short visual introduction: what the prewar quarter looked like and what details to look for on facades. This "narrative setup" frames the whole visit.
Old Synagogue (if you go inside) or a walk around it – a brief account of the synagogue’s role before the war, with emphasis on associations and symbols children can grasp. If you enter, plan for a maximum of 15–20 minutes.
Remuh and the cemetery – a short stop at the tombstones, explaining a few symbols (for example, the kohen’s hand) in simple words. This is a place of quiet, so plan a calm moment and a short ritual, like one sentence summarizing what we saw.
Optional: a quick stroll to Plac Nowy for a snack (zapiekanka, café) and finish. If you have energy, 15–20 minutes more will take you toward Miodowa and the Tempel to see architectural traces of postwar repairs.
Start: Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. This is the most complete stop to give context to Kraków’s occupation in 1939–1945. Reserve timed tickets in advance and plan 45–60 minutes for the permanent exhibition. For families with younger children consider a shorter introduction or a condensed visit.
After exiting: Plac Bohaterów Getta and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle (Apteka pod Orłem) of Tadeusz Pankiewicz. These places help convey the scale of the ghetto and daily realities of Podgórze residents. A short visit of 10–15 minutes lets you feel the topography and compare it with Kazimierz.
If time and stamina allow: get to the Płaszów camp memorial site by short ride or walk. Even a brief stop and moment of reflection is valuable, remembering to prepare children emotionally. Check access conditions beforehand and whether any maintenance or temporary exhibitions are running.
End the route somewhere children can rest and eat—there are many well-rated spots in Podgórze and Kazimierz that combine simple food and a friendly atmosphere.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory – the key stop for understanding occupied Kraków. Buy online tickets and choose a timed entry. For families with small children consider shortening the visit and building in breaks, and prepare them for harder content before the visit.
Branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków – the Memory Route that links Schindler’s Factory with the Pharmacy Under the Eagle and Pomorska Street is a convenient way to learn in both indoor and outdoor contexts. Check combined tickets and the option to reserve a guide.
Outdoor sites: Plac Bohaterów Getta, fragments of walls and Płaszów memorial places. Outdoor visits give space for children to move and process emotions in the open air. Don’t forget a short context explanation and to show respect for memorial spaces.
Adjust your language to the child’s age: for the youngest, simple phrases like “people once had a very hard time” are enough; older children can receive more concrete details, always in a safe, controlled tone.
Avoid excessive emotional or brutal detail. It’s better to focus on individual stories, acts of courage and helping gestures that children can understand and remember.
Offer an active task: look for three details – a symbol on a tombstone, part of an old sign, a different plaster color. This helps engage younger participants, turning observation into an educational game.
After the visit give space for conversation and questions. You can suggest a simple form: each child says one word that stayed with them, or draws a quick picture of what they remember most.
Trying to “see everything” in one day – this leads to fatigue and a lack of reflection. Choose a shorter, well-thought-out route and leave room for questions and breaks.
Not booking timed tickets for Schindler’s Factory or other timed exhibitions. This is a frequent cause of disappointment—timed tickets limit queues and lack of planning can mean long waits or no entry on a given day.
Not adapting the topic to children’s ages. Too brutal details can overwhelm the youngest; use simple stories and positive examples of courage and help.
Neglecting logistics on cobbled streets—strollers can be difficult on some sections. If you plan to use a stroller, check the route in advance or have an alternative plan.
Are memorial sites suitable for children? Yes, but they require adapting the message to the child’s age and short time blocks. Outdoor stops are often easier to accept than long museum exhibitions.
Do I need to book Schindler’s Factory? It’s recommended to buy tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and in the tourist season. Also check days and hours of free entry if you want to use that option.
Can you photograph at memorial sites? In many outdoor places YES, but some museum areas prohibit photography. Respect signs and requests for silence.
How to combine Kazimierz and Podgórze in one walk? The easiest way is to cross on the Bernatek Footbridge or take a short tram/bus ride. Combining both banks gives a fuller context to the story.
Kazimierz: Plac Nowy – stalls with snacks and small bars offering quick, tasty meals. A good place for a short break with kids.
Kazimierz: Mleczarnia – a friendly café with a homely atmosphere, often highly rated by families; a nice spot for dessert and a rest after the walk.
Around Podgórze: the Pharmacy Under the Eagle is not only a memorial but also an interesting starting point for further walking; nearby you’ll find several well-rated places serving home-style food.
If you want something more restaurant-like after a long route, choose places with good reviews and child-friendly menus—restaurants offering simple, local dishes and quick service are the best choice after an intense day.
Fragments of tombstones from the Jewish cemetery were in the past used as building material in the Płaszów area—this lesser-known, emotional fact explains some cinematic images and landscape elements at the memorial site.
Many synagogues in Kazimierz survived as building shells but their postwar functions changed repeatedly—from storage to exhibition spaces. Reading facades and plaster texture can reveal postwar repairs and changes.
Look closely at details: traces of old signs, different plaster colors or varying brick textures often reveal postwar repairs and modifications that tell about how memory endures in the urban fabric.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media—this is the best way for the idea of thoughtful, family-friendly sightseeing to spread.
If you’d like a route tailored to your family, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. On the site you can find contact details, route offers and the option to book a date. A private tour guarantees pace and content matched to children’s ages and a calm, structured narrative.
Thank you for your attention and I wish you pleasant, peaceful and respectful walks around Kraków—spring is an excellent time to see traces of history and tell them to the youngest in a safe and valuable way.
