Kraków still bears the traces of World War II in many corners — from small museums in the former ghetto to memorial sites on the city’s outskirts. You can see the key places in two days if you plan your route to minimize waiting at ticket offices and choose the best visiting times. This guide offers a practical, friendly itinerary based on official museum information and the experience of people who have visited these places. At the end you’ll find practical tips, places to eat and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (the former factory on Lipowa Street) — today an important museum telling the story of Kraków under occupation; it’s worth booking tickets in advance. Pharmacy “Under the Eagle” at the Ghetto Heroes Square — a small, deeply moving memorial museum connected to the work of Tadeusz Pankiewicz. Pomorska Street (a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków) — the former Gestapo headquarters with well-preserved cells. Kazimierz — synagogues and cemeteries (for example Remuh) and places connected to the prewar and wartime Jewish community. The area of the former KL Płaszów forced-labour camp and its memorial — a difficult but essential site in the story of the Holocaust in Kraków. City and military museums (branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków or the Home Army Museum) — their exhibitions complement the narrative of occupation and the underground.
Start your morning in the Old Town: begin early, around 8:30–9:00, to enjoy quieter streets, walk the Royal Route, take a quick look at Wawel (exterior) and stroll the Planty park. If you want to enter Wawel, plan that very early or leave it for another day — the interiors can take a lot of time. Head toward the Home Army Museum (check opening hours and ticketing online if you plan to go inside) — it’s a good place to learn about the resistance and underground activities. In the afternoon move to Podgórze: Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle — small exhibitions worth visiting when downtown traffic eases. Save Oskar Schindler’s Factory for the evening — the museum operates in time slots, so it’s best to enter at a specific hour. Booking online for a time slot reduces the risk of queuing and guarantees entry. If online tickets are sold out, check the first hour of the ticket office on the day — sometimes single tickets are sold at the counter.
Start your morning in Kazimierz — the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery are best visited before noon, while crowds are smaller. Walk the streets Szeroka and Dajwór, see fragments of the former ghetto and soak in the district’s atmosphere. In the afternoon move to the former Płaszów camp area and its surroundings — you’ll find memorial sites, traces of the camp area and the so-called Gray House. Depending on openings and current exhibitions, check whether a KL Płaszów museum or new exhibition is available — in recent years work has continued on organizing memorial displays; plan ahead if you want to visit indoor exhibitions. End the day in Kazimierz at one of the recommended restaurants or cafés — a good time for reflection and rest after an intense day of sightseeing.
Book tickets online where possible: Oskar Schindler’s Factory and some municipal museum branches offer online sales and time slots. Check official museum websites — they are the most reliable source of information on availability and entry rules. Online ticket sales for some museum tickets open well in advance (museum systems sometimes release slots 90 days before the date). Early time slots (first entries) and late-afternoon slots are usually less crowded than midday. For popular sites (Schindler’s Factory, Pharmacy Under the Eagle) arrive for a specific time — that removes the need to stand in long lines. Be cautious with “guaranteed ticket” offers from third parties — always compare with the museum’s official website; for memorial sites it’s important to use official channels to avoid cancellations or overpaying. If online tickets are sold out — check the ticket office on the day; sometimes tickets are sold only on the day of the visit.
Check ticketing rules for each museum branch — some places have limited time slots and entry limits. Keep in mind that museum ticketing systems evolve (for example named tickets in online sales or combined tickets valid for several days) — check current information on official pages before your trip. Auschwitz-Birkenau is a trip outside Kraków and requires separate planning; buy Auschwitz Museum tickets through its official site and reserve well in advance, as places sell out quickly. If you plan a visit to Oświęcim, add at least half a day, often a full day, to your itinerary.
In Kazimierz and the Old Town you’ll find a wide choice of highly rated venues — choose places with good reviews, especially after an intense day of sightseeing. A few suggestions (well-known, well-reviewed, atmospheric): Starka (Polish cuisine, wide selection of nalewki) — a good spot for a traditional meal in Kazimierz. Współwinni (wine list and European cuisine) — for guests who appreciate wine and carefully curated menus. Café Camelot and Charlotte — popular cafés near the Old Town, good for a coffee break or light breakfast. Forum Przestrzenie — a riverside place to relax with a view; popular with locals and visitors. If you want to try cuisine inspired by Jewish traditions of Kazimierz, choose venues with good reviews and respect for culinary heritage. Remember to reserve a table for the evening in season, especially on weekends.
The Pharmacy Under the Eagle is small but emotionally powerful — don’t expect extensive exhibits, but prepare for a strong, personal narrative. Fragments of the former ghetto and memorial sites are concentrated in a relatively small area — walking from Podgórze to Kazimierz lets you see different faces of the city’s memory. Not all sites have large commercial infrastructure — some municipal museum branches are intimate and are best visited at a calm pace. In Kraków there are ongoing efforts to organize memorial sites (including the KL Płaszów museum project) — access to some places may change; check current information before your visit.
Trying to see “everything at once” — an overly tight plan leads to fatigue and little time for reflection. Shorter, deeper visits are better than rushing between sites. Not checking opening hours and entry rules — some museums have free days, special restrictions or changed hours (check the museum’s site before you go). Buying tickets through unverified services at inflated prices — use official sales channels. Showing a lack of respect at memorial sites — remember to be quiet, dress appropriately and behave respectfully in places of remembrance.
Will I see everything in two days? - In two days you can visit the city’s main sites: Schindler’s Factory, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, Pomorska Street, Kazimierz and Płaszów. Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau requires an additional day. Do I need to book tickets in advance? - Yes, book online where possible; Schindler’s Factory and some museum branches sell tickets in time slots and they often sell out. What if there are no online tickets? - Check the ticket office on the day (sometimes day-of tickets are available) or choose less popular times (first entries or late afternoon). How to get between sites? - Walking is most convenient in the Old Town and Kazimierz; for longer distances use trams or a short taxi/ride‑hailing trip.
Allow buffer time between museums — some exhibitions take longer than expected. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers — you’ll visit indoor museums and walk outdoors. If you want to photograph exhibits — check each museum’s photo policy; not every interior allows photography. Always carry ID if you buy concession tickets or want to use city/family discounts.
If this plan was helpful — share the article with friends or on social media to help other visitors plan their trip. If you’d like to explore Kraków calmly, with deeper context and without worrying about logistics — contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and offerings are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com; Małgorzata will help tailor the route to your needs and reserve entries where necessary. Wishing you a safe and reflective journey through Kraków’s traces of history!
