Did you know that in the very heart of Kraków you can play on arcade machines whose history goes back to the 1930s? The Pinball Museum is located in historic cellars near Wawel and blends a passion for games with the atmosphere of medieval walls — a perfect complement to a short Melex tour of the Old Town and Kazimierz. This guide will help you plan an efficient, enjoyable and stress-free afternoon of about 2 hours.
0-10 minutes: start from the pickup point (hotel, square or agreed meeting place). Melex cars fit perfectly into narrow streets, so you’ll quickly reach landmarks and the atmospheric corners of Kazimierz.
10-50 minutes: a short drive through Kazimierz’s most interesting spots — synagogues, charming lanes and Plac Nowy. The driver/guide will stop at the best photo spots and at places where it’s worth getting off for 5-10 minutes if you want to take a closer look.
50-70 minutes: transfer toward the Wawel area and the Pinball Museum. If the weather is nice, take a short walk along the Vistula to admire the Wawel hill before entering the museum cellars.
70-120 minutes: visit the Pinball Museum — the interactive exhibition lets you play on all available machines. If your time is limited, 40-50 minutes is enough to feel the atmosphere, try a few classics and take photos. After leaving the museum, enjoy coffee or a snack in one of Kazimierz’s nearby cafés.
The Pinball Museum is located in historic cellars close to Wawel and offers an extensive collection of machines — from electromechanical models to modern pinball machines. Ticket prices often include the ability to play on the exhibition for the purchased time; short tickets (e.g. 1 hour) and all-day options are typically available.
Opening hours can vary depending on the day of the week; on weekends the museum usually stays open longer. To avoid disappointment, check the museum’s opening hours before you go and consider booking in advance or buying tickets online if that option is offered.
Melex tours are most often offered in a two-hour variant covering the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze. The Melex route makes the most of your time — these small electric vehicles go where big buses cannot. Prices for a private ride may depend on the number of passengers; compare offers and book ahead, especially in the high season.
Set a specific pickup time: many companies offer pick-up from your hotel or another central point — if you need to arrive at the museum at a particular time, let them know when booking.
Plan the order: if the museum opens only in the afternoon, consider doing the Melex tour of Kazimierz first and visiting the Pinball Museum later. If your schedule is flexible, you can visit the museum early and finish with a Melex ride before dinner.
Expect some walking: even if most of the route is covered by Melex, be prepared for short walks on cobbled streets and stairs near Wawel. Comfortable shoes will make the plan much easier.
After the excitement (yes, pinball can be absorbing!) it’s great to sit somewhere with atmosphere and good reviews. In Kazimierz we especially recommend a few classics: Mleczarnia — a well-known spot with a garden, perfect for a beer or coffee; Alchemia — the famous bar with an artistic interior and evening atmosphere; Singer — a café with unique character, decorated with sewing machines; Cheder — if you’re in the mood for something lighter and more Mediterranean. These places are popular with both tourists and locals, so they can be busy in season.
If you prefer something quick closer to Wawel after the museum visit, you’ll find several cosy cafés and bars nearby serving coffee, cake and snacks — a good option if you want to sit with a map and finish planning the rest of your sightseeing.
The Pinball Museum is not just an exhibition to look at — most machines are in working order and available to play. Visitors can experience different eras of arcade machines: from mechanical solutions to contemporary pinball machines with digital displays.
The museum’s interior is located in very old cellars — the unusual mix of fresh entertainment and historical scenery is something many first-time visitors to Kraków do not expect.
Melex vehicles in Kraków are electric and, thanks to their small size, can reach places where regular buses cannot — this allows for quick photo stops in spots that would take far longer to visit on foot.
Mistake: not checking the museum’s opening hours in advance. Solution: check the museum’s website or call the day before — hours can change during holidays or off-season.
Mistake: trying to do “everything in one day” without priorities. Solution: decide what matters most to you (photos, one indoor attraction, a meal) and schedule realistically; it’s better to leave some leeway than to rush.
Mistake: inappropriate shoes or no weather plan. Solution: always carry a light layer of clothing and wear comfortable shoes — cobbled streets and hilly terrain can be tiring.
Are 2 hours enough for Melex + Pinball Museum? Yes — with good organization, 2 hours will allow a short Melex ride through Kazimierz and 40-60 minutes in the Pinball Museum. If you want unlimited play and a slow visit, plan for more time.
Do I need to book a Melex in advance? In high season and on weekends it’s wise to reserve in advance, especially if you want a specific pickup time from your hotel.
Can you play on every machine in the museum? On most of them — this is one of the museum’s attractions. To protect some rare pieces, a few machines may be for display only.
How to combine the visit with other attractions? If time is tight, combine the Melex ride with a short walk along the Vistula and a visit to Wawel; the Pinball Museum works well as an afternoon or evening activity after dinner in Kazimierz.
If you’re in a group of 3-4 people, a private Melex ride can be economical and comfortable — drivers often offer flexible routes and several short photo stops.
Charge your phone: photos of cobbled streets and colourful machines drain battery fast. Carry a power bank just in case.
To avoid queues at the museum, choose the time just after opening or late afternoon; expect more visitors on weekends.
If you liked this plan, share the article with friends or on social media — someone else might appreciate a quick idea for an afternoon in Kraków.
If you want to explore Kraków in more detail, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she can advise on a route tailored to your interests and time, help with reservations and show you local spots you won’t find in guidebooks. Have a great trip and enjoy your sightseeing!
