Kraków is a layered city: alongside the Royal Castle and the Main Market you’ll find places that tell the story of the centuries‑long presence of the Jewish community — their everyday life, faith and the tragedies of the 20th century. A walk through Kazimierz and Podgórze can be a valuable family experience: it teaches empathy, introduces the city’s complex history and opens opportunities to talk with children in age‑appropriate ways.
You don’t need to see everything at once. A weekend plan lets you pick the most important points — synagogues, cemeteries, parts of the former ghetto and the Schindler Factory museum — so the day is interesting for adults and realistic to do with children or a stroller.
This guide gives you a concrete 1–2 day plan, a must‑see list, practical tips (tickets, hours, stroller accessibility), recommended spots for breaks and a short FAQ — all in a friendly style so your weekend in Kraków is calm and meaningful.
1‑day version (condensed): morning — walk around Kazimierz: Plac Nowy, Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue and the Remuh Synagogue with its cemetery; midday — light lunch by Plac Nowy; afternoon — cross the Father Bernatek Footbridge over the Vistula, take a tram to Podgórze and visit Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle; evening — family‑friendly dinner at a nearby restaurant.
2‑day version (more relaxed): day 1 — Kazimierz and child‑friendly stops (cafés, Plac Nowy, short workshops at the Old Synagogue or a local museum); day 2 — Schindler’s Factory (museum) and Podgórze: Ghetto Heroes Square, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, and a riverside walk along the Vistula. Leave space for rest and longer breaks for ice cream or coffee, especially if you have a stroller or small children.
When planning the afternoon, keep things flexible — sometimes it’s better to trade a sightseeing stop for a longer café break than to rush. Children will remember looks, short stories and feelings more than a long list of sites.
Kazimierz — the heart of the former Jewish quarter: Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy and the narrow lanes full of cafés and small galleries. This area is perfect for easing into Kraków’s atmosphere and a gentle first contact with history.
Old Synagogue (Szeroka Street) — the oldest preserved synagogue in Poland, now a museum branch. The interior and displays explain religious and cultural life of Kraków’s Jewish community. It’s a good place for a short, fact‑based visit with children if you adapt language and content to their age.
Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery — an authentic site with tombstones from the 16th–19th centuries. The cemetery is a place of memory and prayer; remember it is a place of worship and respect and maintain quiet. The synagogue is active and may be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Ghetto Heroes Square (Podgórze) and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle — a difficult but important stop: the square symbolizes the fate of Kraków’s Jews during the occupation, and the installation of empty chairs is very evocative. The Pharmacy Under the Eagle houses an exhibition about the ghetto and the courage of Tadeusz Pankiewicz.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Museum) — the exhibition “Kraków under occupation 1939–1945” is moving, interactive and emotionally intense. For families, check the age and sensitivity of your children; the museum is usually recommended for teenagers rather than very young children because of the difficult subject matter.
Father Bernatek Footbridge and the Vistula boulevards — a short, pleasant walk with nice views of Wawel. The footbridge links Kazimierz and Podgórze and is convenient with a stroller.
Garden of Experiences and the Museum of Municipal Engineering — if you want a child‑focused attraction, these are places to be active and take a break from heavier historical themes.
Adjust your language to the child’s age: younger children don’t need all the details; you can say that different families once lived here, with their own customs, and that during the war many people lost their homes and safety. With older children you can introduce concepts like ghettos, deportation and resistance, always emphasizing empathy and inviting their questions.
Use local stories and small details: short tales about everyday life, objects or people (for example the pharmacist who helped others) are better than dry dates. This keeps the balance between remembrance and the tourist experience.
Offer choices and breaks: remember a child may want to run or have ice cream; plan short stops. At sites of memory, calmly explain beforehand that you’ll be quiet and respectful — but avoid turning it into an over‑formal ritual that could discourage a young child.
Check opening hours in advance: some synagogues and small museums have irregular hours and may be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. The Remuh Synagogue is a place of prayer and can be unavailable on certain days. Schindler’s Factory is very popular — book tickets online if you plan to visit at a specific time.
Don’t plan overly long routes: a common mistake is trying to “see everything” in one day. Better to do less, more calmly — plan breaks for playgrounds, coffee or lunch.
Strollers and accessibility: Kazimierz has cobbled streets and some steps; the Old Synagogue and certain alleys can be harder with a stroller. If full accessibility matters, choose routes with flat pavements and check museum entrances in advance.
Respect at sites of memory: in cemeteries and synagogues keep quiet; do not sit on matzevot (tombstones) or enter fenced areas. Explain this briefly and matter‑of‑factly to children before you enter.
Tickets and visit time: allow at least 60–90 minutes for Schindler’s Factory. Plan 30–45 minutes for the Old Synagogue. For a leisurely Kazimierz walk with breaks, allow at least 2 hours.
Hamsa (Szeroka Street) — a Middle Eastern restaurant praised for its hummus and atmosphere; a comfortable spot for lunch after visiting Szeroka Street. It’s family‑friendly and offers a menu with choices for different tastes.
Glonojad — a popular vegetarian spot, welcoming to families and often recommended by locals; good for a relaxed lunch and a child‑friendly break.
Plac Nowy and zapiekanki — the iconic round building at Plac Nowy is famous for zapiekanki, a quick local snack; a handy option when you need something fast and want to feel the local vibe.
If you prefer a break in Podgórze, look for cafés around Ghetto Heroes Square — a good moment to talk about what you’ve just seen while having coffee or a snack.
Is the whole route suitable for small children? — Much of the route is suitable, but museum exhibits about the occupation may be too intense for preschoolers. For little ones, stick to walks in Kazimierz, the Father Bernatek Footbridge and outdoor play.
Do I need to book tickets for Schindler’s Factory? — Yes, it’s advisable to reserve in advance because the museum is one of Kraków’s most visited sites. Booking helps ensure a calm visit at a set time.
Are synagogues open on weekends? — Not all of them; check opening hours for each site and remember that synagogues and prayer spaces can be closed on Saturdays or on religious holidays.
Can I take photos in museums and cemeteries? — Rules vary: outdoor photography is usually allowed, museums may have restrictions (for example no flash). Check rules at each entrance.
The Old Synagogue was once a place where local figures like Tadeusz Kościuszko are said to have addressed the community — a detail that links local legend with broader Polish history.
At Remuh Cemetery some broken matzevot were incorporated into the cemetery wall as a kind of “memory wall” — a practical and symbolic solution after wartime destruction.
Ghetto Heroes Square is decorated with an installation of empty chairs — a simple but powerful symbol. You can tell a child that a lot of empty chairs can represent how many homes and families were suddenly left empty, a way to speak about loss without graphic detail.
Check the weather and wear comfortable shoes: cobbled streets and short inclines can be tiring for little ones. Plan your day with time for rests and unplanned stops.
Prepare short stories and questions: instead of a lecture, short tales and questions spark children’s curiosity. Example: “What do you think a pharmacy like that sold? Which medicines were different than today?”
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media. If you want a calm, comfortable visit with history told in an accessible way, consider a private guided walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact information can be found on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
