If you plan to visit Krakow for about three days and want to see places connected to World War II — but without rushing or crowds — this guide is for you. It offers a route adapted to a slower pace, with practical suggestions: where to take breaks, which sites are best visited in the morning, and how to stay comfortable during summer days.
I focused on places easily reachable from the city centre that tell different threads of Krakow’s wartime history — from the tragedies of the ghetto, through the fate of the academic community, to memorial sites and Oskar Schindler’s factory.
This is not a plan of long, organized marches or comparisons with other offers. It’s a friendly, relaxed itinerary with explanations and practical tips — ideal for visiting with grandchildren, a caregiver, or as a pair.
Remember: the history you will see is difficult and moving. Plan short rests between stops, drink water and choose cooler morning hours during summer.
At the end you will find tips about tickets, accessibility and safety during heat.
In summer it’s best to start early in the morning, around museum opening times, or in the late afternoon to avoid the hottest hours and the largest crowds. Wear comfortable shoes, but note that some places have small thresholds or steps.
Check opening hours and entry rules for museums in advance — some branches may limit visitors or require name-based tickets. If you have mobility issues, ask about barrier-free access and ramps — some museum branches offer facilities.
Bring a small sun umbrella or hat and water. In summer, benches and green spaces are good for rest stops between route points.
You’ll often find cafés and public toilets near larger museums and squares. A good approach is to plan no more than 2–3 major points per day to keep a calm pace and time for reflection.
If you like, plan short breaks for ice cream or coffee in shaded cafés in Kazimierz and Podgórze.
Start in the heart of the academic city — the Collegium Novum building of Jagiellonian University. On 6 November 1939 the so-called Sonderaktion Krakau took place here: a staged meeting after which many Krakow professors were arrested and deported. That date and event are an important part of remembering wartime repression of the Polish intelligentsia.
A walk around this area is a gentle way to feel the atmosphere of old Krakow and to find a bench for a short rest. Near the Planty and the Main Market you will find several small commemorative plaques and monuments recalling the fate of the academic community.
Practical suggestion - pace: devote the morning to this area, with a short coffee break in the shade. If cobblestones are difficult, walk along the Planty park ring which has smoother paths and many benches.
There are other small museum spaces and exhibitions nearby; if you feel up to it, you can add a short visit to one (max. 1 hour).
End the day with a relaxed dinner at one of the restaurants by the Market Square or in a quiet side street of the Old Town.
Kazimierz was a vibrant Jewish district before the war that was devastated during the occupation and later fell into neglect. Here you’ll find synagogues, old cemeteries and quiet corners for reflection.
A key stop is Plac Bohaterów Getta (Ghetto Heroes Square) — today a small square with a moving monument of empty chairs, recalling people forced to leave their belongings during deportations. Nearby is the 'Under the Eagle' Pharmacy run during the war by Tadeusz Pankiewicz — now a museum branch that tells the story of the pharmacy and the help it offered to ghetto residents.
The Pharmacy under the Eagle is an intimate exhibition that requires concentration, so plan a calm 40–60 minutes. The small educational room has seating and there are accessibility features for people with limited mobility — it’s a good idea to confirm details at the ticket desk beforehand.
Practical suggestion - pace: spend half a day in Kazimierz with breaks for rest and lunch in a shaded café. In the afternoon you can walk or take a short tram ride toward Podgórze to prepare for the memorial sites there on the next day.
Kazimierz also offers pleasant spots for a light meal and many shaded alleys — perfect for recharging between visits.
Podgórze is a district to dedicate to remembrance and reflection. First on the list is Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Lipowa 4) — a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. The exhibition tells the story of the city during the occupation and of lives saved through Schindler’s actions. The displays are moving and well prepared; allow at least 1–1.5 hours.
Nearby, on the grounds of the former camp, are memorial sites related to the Płaszów concentration camp. Monuments and commemorative fragments remain on the area; in recent years a dedicated Memorial Place for KL Płaszów has also been established. This site calls for silence and time for reflection. I recommend a calm pace, short walking segments and frequent rests.
Practical tip: if mobility is limited, plan to reach the memorial areas by public transport or taxi as close to the entrances as possible. In summer bring a sun umbrella and water — parts of the site are exposed and benches may be scarce.
In the afternoon you can return to the centre for a light dinner; it’s a good moment to talk about what you have seen and felt — memory needs time to settle.
Note: memorial places can be emotionally heavy — split the visit into shorter stages and allow yourselves time to rest.
Many museums in Krakow try to be friendly to visitors with limited mobility — offering ramps, accessible toilets and places to sit — but standards vary between branches. Before your visit call or write to ticket offices to confirm accessibility and any available assistance.
Tickets - especially for popular branches - may be limited per day. In summer, when visitor numbers rise, it’s wise to book ahead if possible. Reservations help avoid long waits when capacities are restricted.
Heat - in summer plan visits for the coolest hours of the day, wear a hat and drink plenty of water. Short, frequent rests are better than one long walk.
Emotional safety - visiting memorial sites can be difficult. If someone in your group feels overwhelmed, plan a nearby place to sit and rest, or replace the next stop with something gentler.
Transport - most of the places described are reasonably reachable from Krakow’s centre by tram or a short taxi ride. If you prefer to avoid cobblestones, consider using trams or short taxi hops between points.
Schindler’s Factory - the exhibition occupies the former administrative building and combines documents, photographs and personal accounts. It links large historical narratives with local stories, so visitors often spend more time there than planned. Be prepared for an emotionally engaging visit.
Pharmacy under the Eagle - an intimate exhibition about the role of the pharmacy in the ghetto and the figure of Tadeusz Pankiewicz. The interior is small but concentrated; it’s well suited for a quiet, reflective visit.
Płaszów and memorials - parts of these sites are open-air; monuments and plaques may not involve long walks, but terrain can be uneven and may require short walks across grass or hard paths.
Collegium Novum and the Planty - you will find commemorative plaques and memory sites related to the repression of academics. These spots often invite a brief moment of contemplation rather than a long visit.
All these stops tell different sides of Krakow’s wartime story. Give yourself time to absorb the stories — there’s no need to 'tick off' every place at once.
Start the day in the morning: 9:00–9:30 — enter a museum or begin a walk. 11:30–12:30 — coffee break and rest. 13:00–15:00 — second part of the visit (shorter stops). 15:00–17:00 — lunch and time to rest. This rhythm balances activity and recovery.
If you plan to visit more than one large exhibition in a day, spread them across two days. One major exhibition plus one or two smaller points is a safe pace for seniors.
Be flexible — if the day is very hot or someone feels tired, pause the program and rest longer; Krakow will be there tomorrow.
Leave evenings free for short walks on the Main Market or to Kazimierz — pleasant short strolls after dark often end an intense day well.
You can plan a day trip outside the city (for example Wieliczka Salt Mine), but note that it requires a full day and is best treated as an extra day beyond this three-day plan.
Tickets and reservations: Popular sites like Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory often have limited daily entries — check online for available time slots and consider booking in advance. Ticket offices sometimes sell same-day tickets but availability is not guaranteed.
Public transport tips: Krakow’s tram network reaches most points mentioned. For Schindler’s Factory the nearest stop is Plac Bohaterów Getta; taxis and ride-hailing apps are also easy to use for short hops when walking is difficult.
Recommended cafés and shaded breaks: In Kazimierz try cafés along ul. Szeroka and ul. Józefa for shaded seating. Near the Main Market there are many restaurants with quieter side-street options. In Podgórze there is a café at the Schindler Factory site where you can sit before or after the exhibition.
Accessibility reminder: when you need ramps or assistance, contact the museum in advance. Many places offer reduced-price tickets for seniors and people with disabilities.
If you’d like this plan adapted — slower pace, fewer walking sections, more rest stops or longer time in a specific museum — I’m happy to help tailor it to your needs.
Krakow tells many stories. The route following World War II traces is not just museum visits — it’s also empty benches, plaques, quiet alleys and monuments — each asking for a moment of attentive regard. Travel gently and give yourself permission to rest.
If you’d like, I can help adapt this plan to your needs: slower pace, shorter walks, more breaks or longer visits at particular museums. The aim is thoughtful, calm and respectful sightseeing.
Wishing you a peaceful and safe trip to Krakow — may these three days be full of memory, conversations and reflection, but also small joys: ice cream, coffee and quiet alleys that can bring comfort.
Warm regards - Małgorzata Kasprowicz
P.S. — Before you travel check opening hours of chosen museums and any ticket reservation requirements. This will make your visit smoother and less stressful.
