Yes — and without rushing, if you plan the day smartly. Two main reasons to combine these sites: the Sukiennice (Gallery of 19th‑century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum in Kraków) is an icon of Polish art and literally the heart of the Old Town, while Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory offers a powerful, moving perspective on Kraków under occupation. Together they give a clear sense of the city’s history and culture — you only need a good plan, a few timely reservations, and some budget tricks.
Below I offer a sample itinerary, the most important ticket tips, money‑saving ideas and practical notes on transport and food.
Sukiennice: the Gallery of 19th‑century Polish Art houses one of the most important collections of Polish painting. The MNK Sukiennice branch has fixed opening hours and its own ticket rules — important: Tuesday is often the day of free admission to MNK’s permanent exhibitions.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory: a branch of the Museum of Kraków telling the story of the city in 1939–1945; the exhibition has a daily ticket limit and is frequently very popular, so plan ahead. Note: the museum has published changes to ticketing and visiting rules, with new online, named tickets and updated prices scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026 — so check the latest rules before you buy.
Practical note: always check opening hours and ticket availability on the official pages before you go — especially around holidays and in high season.
08:30–10:30 — Schindler’s Factory (morning): start the day in Podgórze; best to book a ticket online, or if you plan to use a free‑admission day, arrive early at the ticket office (free tickets are usually issued on site in limited numbers). Visiting takes about 1.5–2 hours.
11:00–12:00 — walk to the Old Town / short riverside stroll: a 25–35 minute walk via Wawel or a few tram stops / short taxi ride, depending on weather and energy levels.
12:00–13:30 — lunch in the Old Town or Kazimierz: see recommended places below.
14:00–16:00 — Sukiennice (Gallery of 19th‑century Polish Art): visit the permanent exhibition; spend 1–1.5 hours in the 19th‑century painting rooms; consider an audio guide if you want more context.
16:00–17:30 — stroll around the Market Square, optional quick visit to Wawel (if time and tickets allow), or coffee and people‑watching.
Evening — dinner, a concert, or a relaxed walk across the bridges toward Kazimierz.
Buy online where possible — it saves time and reduces the risk of not getting a ticket. Schindler’s Factory has a daily ticket limit and often requires advance booking; from 2026 online sales will open 90 days before the visit date and tickets will be personalized, so plan early.
Use free‑admission days: the National Museum in Kraków announces Tuesday as the free day for permanent MNK exhibitions — the easiest way to visit Sukiennice without buying a ticket. Schindler’s Factory sometimes offers free entry days too, but on those days tickets are only available at the museum box office and sell out quickly.
Check discounts and categories: MNK frequently offers reduced and family tickets; young people (7–26 years old) can often use very low fares or symbolic fees in some branches. Audio guides in the Sukiennice are extra (usually a few zloty) — decide whether the context is worth it.
Beware of resellers: avoid buying tickets from suspicious third‑party sites at inflated prices; if you must buy online, use the museum’s official ticketing systems.
Gallery of 19th‑century Polish Art in the Sukiennice (MNK) — approximate prices for the permanent exhibition are around 35 PLN (regular) and 25 PLN (reduced); there are family tickets and special youth rates. Audio guides typically cost a few zloty.
Schindler’s Factory — recent museum communications show ticket levels that have varied over 2024–2025; rates were often in the 35–45 PLN range, and a notice announced updated prices and new ticketing rules to take effect on January 1, 2026 (including higher regular fares and personalized online tickets). Always verify current prices on the museum’s official site before buying.
Remember: prices and sales rules can change — if you’re planning ahead, check hours and fees shortly before your trip.
Walk: enjoyable if the weather is good — walking via Wawel and the riverfront takes about 25–35 minutes and lets you see parts of the city on the way.
Tram / taxi / ride‑hailing: faster and more comfortable — a tram or a short taxi ride typically takes 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Trams and buses connect the center with Podgórze; if you’re short on time, choose a taxi or an app‑based ride.
When planning transfers, allow buffer time — Schindler’s Factory tickets are often limited to specific entry times, so don’t be late for a reserved slot.
Near the Market Square: Cafe Camelot (cozy, well‑reviewed), Charlotte (excellent bread and coffee), Restauracja Pod Wawelem (classic Polish cuisine, generous portions) — all well located for tourists.
In Kazimierz: Szara Kazimierz (high quality, popular), Hamsa (well‑rated Mediterranean / Israeli dishes) — great if you want a more intimate atmosphere after sightseeing.
Tip: avoid the cheapest anonymous eateries right next to main attractions — it’s often worth paying a little more for better quality and faster service. Weekend lunch reservations can save time.
Ticket surprise for young people: in some museum branches young visitors aged 7–26 may enter for a symbolic fee — this can be a big saving for families and young travelers.
Sukiennice is more than market stalls — since the 19th century the Sukiennice have housed the Gallery of 19th‑century Polish Art, and the exhibition layout there is historically important for how Polish painting has been presented.
Schindler’s Factory has a daily entry limit — even if you see tickets on third‑party sites, it’s safer to use official sales because resellers may charge inflated prices.
Trying to buy a ticket at the last minute in high season — this often means long queues or no entry. Plan and reserve in advance, especially for Schindler’s Factory.
Assuming all museums are open every day — many branches are closed on Mondays or have special free days; check opening hours in advance.
Buying tickets from unknown intermediaries — you risk overpaying or encountering problems at the entrance. Use official museum ticket systems.
Is 1–2 hours enough for each place? Yes — Schindler’s Factory typically takes about 1.5–2 hours, and Sukiennice can be seen in 1–1.5 hours if you focus on the permanent rooms. If you enjoy museum details, allow more time.
Can I visit the Sukiennice for free? Yes — the National Museum in Kraków indicates Tuesday as the free day for its permanent exhibitions; note that this applies to specific branches and it’s wise to confirm the current rules beforehand.
Is it worth renting an audio guide? If you value historical context and details about the works, yes — the Sukiennice audio guide is inexpensive and helps understand the collection.
Book your Schindler’s Factory ticket first (especially in season). Check whether you want to use MNK’s free Tuesday and adjust the rest of your plan accordingly. Leave buffer time between sites for transport and meals.
If you need help planning the route, booking tickets, or prefer a visit with personal commentary and stories — I recommend the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If this article helped you — share it on social media or send it to friends. Enjoy your visit: a good pace and a few smart reservations are the keys to a great day in Kraków!
