Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory (4 Lipowa Street) is today a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and one of the city's most visited memorial sites — the story of Schindler, described in the book and film, saved about 1,100 people and forms the core of the museum exhibition. Visiting the Factory usually takes around 1.5-2 hours and presents Krakow's fate during the occupation through the experiences of people who worked at the plant.
In the immediate neighborhood, in Zabłocie, you'll find MOCAK - the Museum of Contemporary Art (also on Lipowa Street), and a short walk further is Kazimierz and Ghetto Heroes Square with its characteristic 70 metal chairs commemorating the victims of the ghetto liquidation.
Opening hours and ticketing rules may change — in recent years institutions have introduced new regulations and online ticket sales. Check the museums' official pages for up-to-date information before you go.
This place carries a strong historical and emotional weight, so it's better to visit in the morning when it's quieter and you can focus on the exhibition. Many visitors combine this stop with nearby attractions — MOCAK, Ghetto Heroes Square or a walk to Kazimierz.
The Factory provides context for the rest of your sightseeing: after visiting, it's easier to understand the topography of Podgórze and the changes that affected this part of the city during and after World War II.
Practical tip - tickets for permanent exhibitions can be limited, and some regulations require reservations or name-specific tickets — buy them in advance if you want to be sure of entry at a specific time.
09:00-11:00 - Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory: start with the permanent exhibition; allow 1.5-2 hours for the displays and reflection. Pay attention to documents, testimonies and the local context.
11:15-12:30 - MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art): a short walk to contemporary shows, installations and the collection. MOCAK often opens around midday - check the hours so you can time your visit.
12:30-13:30 - Lunch in Zabłocie or en route to Kazimierz: try a local bistro on Zabłocie or head to Kazimierz for a wider selection (see restaurant recommendations below).
13:30-15:30 - Kazimierz: stroll through the historic Jewish quarter - synagogues, narrow streets and atmospheric cafés. Also visit the Galicia Jewish Museum (Dajwór 18), which offers permanent and temporary exhibitions about the history and culture of Galicia's Jews.
15:30-16:00 - Ghetto Heroes Square (Podgórze): a short, moving stop at the field of chairs and sections of the ghetto wall - a place for reflection and photography.
16:00-18:00 - Walk along the Vistula, optionally Wawel: if you have energy, cross the bridge to visit Wawel, or relax on the river boulevards; in the evening it's pleasant to return to Kazimierz for dinner.
Kazimierz has many excellent venues; if you want safe options with good reviews consider: Plac Nowy 1 (large menu, casual), Starka (Polish cuisine, atmospheric interior), Mleczarnia (cozy café/restaurant) and the mezze and Middle Eastern places along Józefa Street.
For quicker or more authentic street food try Plac Nowy and its surroundings — the area is known for zapiekanki and snacks. On Zabłocie you'll find several trendy bistros and cafés perfect for a light lunch after the museum.
Dining tip - reserve a table in the evening at popular Kazimierz restaurants, especially on weekends — local places fill up quickly.
Schindler Factory address: Lipowa 4, Krakow. It's part of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow; plan roughly 90-120 minutes for the visit.
Getting there: the nearest tram stops are Zabłocie and Plac Bohaterów Getta; Kraków Zabłocie train station provides quick connections to the Main Station (Dworzec Główny). Walking between Zabłocie and Kazimierz takes about 15-25 minutes depending on your pace.
Tickets and entry: many branches operate with online tickets or entry limits. Museums announce rules and possible changes on their websites; check a few days before your visit.
Many institutions (Schindler Factory, MOCAK) provide accessibility information (lifts, restrooms), but the content of the Schindler Factory exhibition can be difficult for younger children — museums sometimes recommend age limits or suggest preparing children for serious themes.
Photography: in most museums you may take photos and videos without flash, but rules can differ for temporary exhibitions; always follow signage in the exhibition spaces.
Safety: wear comfortable shoes — the day includes walking on cobbled streets; bring water on warm days, and in winter plan more frequent coffee or tea breaks.
Trying to see “everything” in one day often ends in rushing and exhaustion. Pick 3-4 priorities and enjoy them at a relaxed pace.
Not booking tickets to popular museums — many people try to get in at the last minute and find there are no places left. Buy tickets in advance or plan an alternative (a walk, a café, another site).
Eating only in the most touristy spots — prices are often higher and quality varies. Look for locally recommended places with good reviews.
Schindler's Factory and MOCAK operate in the same general area and have a spatial relationship - that makes it easy to combine history with contemporary art in one day.
Ghetto Heroes Square features 70 "floating" metal chairs - a powerful, evocative memorial visited continuously by people leaving candles and paying respects.
The Galicia Jewish Museum at Dajwór 18 mixes permanent exhibitions with an active educational program and is an excellent complement to a visit to Kazimierz.
How much time should I allow for Schindler's Factory? - Plan about 1.5-2 hours for the permanent exhibition; if you join a guided tour, add time for the meeting with the guide.
Do I need to reserve tickets far in advance? - In high season and on weekends it's recommended to buy tickets online ahead of time; several institutions introduced limits and new ticketing rules in recent years.
Can I visit Schindler's Factory and MOCAK on the same day? - Yes - they're close to each other and often combined on the same route.
Is this place suitable for children? - The Schindler Factory deals with difficult historical topics; consider children's age and sensitivity. Museums usually publish age recommendations.
For a calm and rewarding day: visit Schindler's Factory in the morning, buy tickets in advance, reserve a dinner table in Kazimierz and leave time for a relaxed walk along the Vistula.
If you found this guide helpful, share it on social media or send it to friends - you'll help them plan a better visit to Krakow.
If you prefer touring with a local guide, I recommend the services of local guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - details and offerings are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
