Kazimierz was once an independent town founded in the 14th century; today it is one of Krakow’s most layered and recognisable areas. For centuries Polish and Jewish traditions intersected here, leaving a dense network of temples, cemeteries, schools, prayer houses and townhouses with arcaded courtyards. After a period of post‑war neglect, Kazimierz has undergone steady revitalisation since the 1990s and is now simultaneously a place of memory, everyday life and urban entertainment.
It is important to note a key historical fact: during World War II the Jewish ghetto was located in Podgórze, on the other side of the Vistula River, not in Kazimierz. Kazimierz preserved many of the former community buildings and after 1989 became a centre for the revival of Jewish memory and culture.
Kazimierz attracts visitors with its authentic street layout and the scale of preserved Jewish sites, as well as with an atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere. A walk along Szeroka, Józefa, Miodowa or Kupa naturally layers different eras — from Renaissance and Baroque architecture to contemporary galleries, cafés and clubs. The neighbourhood works well for a short 2–3 hour stroll or for a full day of deeper exploration of history and culture.
Events and food scenes are another draw, above all the annual Festival of Jewish Culture that fills squares and streets with concerts, lectures, workshops and a big finale on Szeroka. Outside the festival season there are museums, cultural centres, bookshops and meeting places that let you immerse yourself in the landscape of Kazimierz year‑round.
Old Synagogue, 24 Szeroka Street - the oldest preserved synagogue in Poland. Today it functions as a museum presenting the history and culture of Krakow’s Jews. The building combines Gothic and Renaissance elements, with permanent exhibitions about ritual life and everyday customs.
Remuh Synagogue and the Old Cemetery by Szeroka - a small, active house of prayer associated with the rabbi Moses Isserles (known as Remu). Next to it lies one of Poland’s oldest Jewish cemeteries, with gravestones bearing distinctive symbolic carvings.
Tempel Synagogue, 24 Miodowa Street - a Reform synagogue recognisable for its mosaics and Moorish elements. It also serves as an important concert hall, especially during the festival.
Isaac (Izaak) Synagogue, 14 Kupa Street - an impressive Baroque foundation by Izaak Jakubowicz. Its monumental proportions and restrained elegance reflect the complex history of the district.
High Synagogue (Wysoka Synagoga), 38 Józefa Street - a late‑Renaissance prayer house with the unusual feature of a prayer hall located on the upper floor. Today it is used for exhibitions and educational activities.
Kupa Synagogue and the Popper (Wolf Popper) Synagogue - smaller but essential for understanding the variety of communal foundations and social roles within the former congregation.
Galicia Jewish Museum, 18 Dajwór Street - a contemporary museum of memory and culture that links past and present through photography, rotating exhibitions and an active educational programme.
Nowy Square (Plac Nowy) and the Okrąglak - the gastronomic and social heart of the district. The historic hall once associated with the poultry trade now concentrates bars and street‑food stalls; in the evenings it becomes one of Kazimierz’s liveliest spots.
Kazimierz began as a separate town and for centuries developed around trade, crafts and religious plurality. In the 15th century, after the relocation of Jewish residents from the old city, a Jewish quarter formed around Szeroka Street. Over the following centuries a dense network of synagogues, prayer houses, baths, schools and cemeteries emerged.
The modern era brought prosperity and influence that reached beyond the town’s borders. The 20th century, however, brought the catastrophe of the Holocaust and post‑war dispersal. Since 1989 there has been a process of restoring memory and rebuilding the place’s identity. Today Kazimierz is a space where heritage meets a dynamic contemporary culture.
Ariel, Szeroka Street - a Kazimierz classic. Interiors filled with art, klezmer concerts and a menu rooted in Ashkenazi tradition. Try cholent, gefilte fish and matzah dishes.
Klezmer Hois, Szeroka Street - an intimate spot combining café, restaurant and a small guesthouse. Attention to decor and menu details makes dining here an experience beyond the meal itself.
Hamsa Hummus & Happiness, near Szeroka and Miodowa - an Israeli restobar known for mezze, hummus, falafel and fresh herbs. A great lunch spot while touring the area.
Cheder, Józefa Street - a café and cultural space, famous for coffee brewed in a finjan and for a programme of events that complements the modern Kazimierz narrative.
Hevre, around Meiselsa and Bożego Ciała - a bar and restaurant located in a former prayer house. Its raw, post‑industrial aesthetic mixes with urban evenings and social gatherings.
The best‑known event is the Festival of Jewish Culture, which has broadened public understanding of contemporary Jewish culture through concerts, workshops, thematic walks, culinary events and educational activities. For many visitors it is an entry point to deeper engagement with history and tradition.
Beyond the festival, small concerts, film screenings, author meetings and exhibitions take place year‑round. Klezmer, cantorial music, as well as jazz and electronic sounds find especially fitting venues in the neighbourhood’s interiors.
Synagogue architecture - from Gothic and Renaissance, through Baroque, to Moorish elements - reveals the diversity of religious, aesthetic and social currents. Each house of prayer carries its own historical rhythm and architectural detail.
Gravestone symbolism in the old cemeteries offers insights into former crafts, family origins and local legends. These stones form a tangible record of the identity of a community that shaped the district for centuries.
Music and language - klezmer, Yiddish, synagogue prayers - permeate the contemporary cultural landscape and build a bridge between memory and present day.
Plan your route along the axis Szeroka - Miodowa - Józefa - Kupa - Nowy Square. In a short time you’ll see the key sites and feel the district’s rhythm. If you want to enter synagogues, check opening days and hours as well as rules about dress and photography.
When visiting places of worship and memory keep quiet and show respect. On cemeteries stay on marked paths. In museums and cultural cafés ask about event programmes — you may catch a lecture, concert or themed walk that deepens your visit.
For the evening, relax at Nowy Square or on the side streets. Kazimierz has a rich food and nightlife offer but it’s still easy to find a quiet corner for a good coffee. Consider visiting earlier in the day if you prefer a calmer experience.
Start on Szeroka: Old Synagogue - Remuh and the old cemetery. Then walk Miodowa to the Tempel Synagogue, continue toward Kupa 14 and the Isaac Synagogue. From Isaac head along Józefa to the High Synagogue, then make your way to Nowy Square. Stop for a short break at a café or restaurant along the way. This loop gives a cross‑section of different eras, functions and moods of Kazimierz.
Kazimierz often serves as a film and documentary backdrop because its street scale, façade details, gates and cobbles create a coherent historical image. At the same time it is a living neighbourhood with residents, schools, markets and everyday life, which distinguishes it from museum‑like narratives.
The district encourages careful looking. Between the main sights take time to peek into courtyards and gateways — you’ll find arcades, cloisters and modest details that best tell the story of urban life and rhythms from past centuries.
Most museums and many synagogues have varying opening hours depending on the season and religious holidays, so check times before you go. Weekends and festival days are the busiest; early mornings or late afternoons offer quieter streets.
Cash is still handy in some smaller cafés and market stalls around Nowy Square, though most restaurants accept cards. Dress respectfully when entering sites of worship — modest shoulders and covered knees are appreciated.
If you’re photographing, be mindful in places of prayer and on cemetery grounds. Many institutions welcome photos for personal use but ask about restrictions for professional shoots or tripods.
Is Kazimierz the same as the wartime ghetto? - No. The wartime Jewish ghetto was established in Podgórze, across the Vistula. Kazimierz was the historic Jewish quarter and preserved many community buildings.
How much time should I allow? - For a meaningful visit allow at least 2–3 hours; a full day will let you explore museums, exhibitions and cafés at a relaxed pace.
Are the synagogues still active? - Some houses of prayer, like the Remuh Synagogue, remain active; others serve as museums, cultural venues or exhibition spaces.
Can I visit the old Jewish cemetery? - Yes, the Remuh cemetery and other historic burial sites are open to visitors, but please stay on designated paths and observe respectful behaviour.
Are there good places to eat traditional Jewish or Middle Eastern food? - Yes. Restaurants and cafés in Kazimierz offer Ashkenazi and Middle Eastern dishes — from cholent and gefilte fish to hummus and mezze — and many combine dining with cultural programming.
