Kazimierz is one of Krakow’s most colourful neighbourhoods: a place where history meets everyday life — synagogues and cemeteries recall former communities, while today the streets buzz with cafés, bars, galleries and small museums. The Rynek Underground is a different experience: an archaeological exhibition right under the Main Market Square that reveals the city’s layered history — from medieval merchants to the lively daily stories of the Old Town. If you want to understand Krakow “from floor to roof,” combining a walk through Kazimierz with a visit to the Underground gives excellent historical and visual context.
The Rynek Underground is a multimedia exhibition showing fragments of the old market square, craftsmen’s workshops and everyday artefacts from Krakow’s past. Practically, that means walking through a lowered space with secured excavations and displays that explain how life looked here over the last several centuries. Allow at least 60–90 minutes to go through the exhibition at a relaxed pace and make use of the available self‑guides. Last admissions are usually set about 75 minutes before closing, so plan to arrive early enough.
The safest way to get tickets for the Rynek Underground and municipal branches is through official sales — buying on the museum’s website or at the ticket office avoids commissions and misunderstandings. Tickets are available in advance (reservations are usually open many days ahead), but the museum also has free‑entry days (for example selected Tuesdays) when advance booking is not possible — tickets for those days are issued at the ticket office on the day of the visit. Check ticketing rules before you come: there are family and concession discounts and some city cards are accepted at selected branches. Avoid buying tickets from random street resellers — they often add large fees or sell entries with time restrictions.
The Old Synagogue (a branch of the municipal museum) is one of the oldest synagogues in Poland with exhibitions about the history of Krakow’s Jews — it’s a good place to start a walk through the neighbourhood to gain historical context. The Remuh Synagogue and the adjoining cemetery are authentic, still‑felt places of worship and remembrance; remember that some synagogues may be closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays. The Izaak Synagogue, Tempel and other historic houses of prayer show different facets of architecture and religious life; each has its own nuances and history worth discovering on site. The Galicia Jewish Museum presents a contemporary narrative of memory and has permanent exhibitions that pair well with synagogue visits — its displays often open your eyes to lesser‑known stories from the region.
Morning: start at the Main Market Square — take a quick look at the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, then go into the Rynek Underground when it opens to avoid crowds. After the Underground, cross the Bridge and head to Kazimierz: visit the Old Synagogue, then walk along Szeroka Street to the Remuh and its cemetery. Lunch at Plac Nowy — you’ll find many small bars and the famous zapiekanki stall, or choose a cosy café like Mleczarnia or Singer. Afternoon: the Galicia Jewish Museum and a short stroll along the side streets — Estery, Józefa, Meiselsa — to discover hidden courtyards and great photo spots. Evening: dinner at a restaurant serving cuisine inspired by Jewish heritage (for example Ariel) or relax in one of the bars with klezmer music.
Cheder — a cosy café run by the organisers of the Jewish Culture Festival; great mezze, strong coffee in the Turkish style and a calm atmosphere perfect for a break during sightseeing. Mleczarnia — a café/bar with a summer garden near Plac Nowy, known for its atmospheric interior and long opening hours; a good spot for coffee or an early drink. Singer and Alchemia — two legendary Kazimierz venues that give a feeling of “old Kazimierz”: low lighting, candles, music; worth visiting if you’re looking for the district’s nightlife vibe. For traditional Jewish flavours try restaurant Ariel on Szeroka — a place inspired by tradition and often hosting klezmer concerts.
Mixing up opening hours — synagogues can be closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays, and some museum branches have days off during the month (check current information before you go). Buying tickets from street resellers — choose official ticket offices and websites to avoid overpaying or getting a ticket with time restrictions. Arriving at the last minute — if you plan a one‑day itinerary, don’t leave the Underground or museums until the end of the day; last admissions are limited and you may be denied entry.
Beneath Kazimierz and the Main Square lie layers of history: in places and artefacts you can literally “read” medieval city structures, old markets and crafts — the Rynek Underground exhibition shows exactly this cross‑section. Many Kazimierz venues are run by local cultural associations (for example the Cheder café) — these are spaces where history lives on through events, lectures and concerts. At Plac Nowy you’ll still find the round zapiekanka kiosk — a symbolic Krakow fast food that is itself an attraction for many visitors.
Is it worth booking Rynek Underground tickets in advance? - Yes, especially except for free‑entry days; booking guarantees entry at your chosen time. Are synagogues open every day? - Some synagogues are closed on the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays; check opening hours before visiting. Do I need a guide? - A guide is not necessary, but guided tours help explain historical context and add stories you won’t find on the panels.
Wear comfortable shoes — cobbles and uneven pavements are normal in the old parts of the city. Protect your phone/camera — narrow streets and beautiful façades are great for photos; also keep an offline map or saved points because GPS can be unreliable in dense urban fabric. Check hours and exhibition availability just before your visit — museums sometimes change hours during holidays or for special events.
If you want to explore Kazimierz with someone who knows the behind‑the‑scenes stories and can show places off the main trails, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact and offer are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. If you found this guide useful, share it with friends or on social media; it’s the best way to help others plan a great day in Krakow.
