The Planty are more than a green belt around the Old Town — they form a natural route that passes by memorial sites, former front lines and building facades that still show bullet marks or damage from bombings. In summer a walk on the Planty is pleasant thanks to the shade of trees and many benches, but if you shift your gaze from the paths you will notice fragments of history in stone and brick.
This article offers a three-day plan that combines relaxed walks on the Planty with visits to the most important World War II–related places in Kraków: parts of the city where reminders of wartime actions are still visible, museum branches and memorial sites in Podgórze and Rakowice. The text includes practical advice, a list of places where wartime traces are easy to find, and an FAQ — answers to the questions tourists ask most often.
If you are looking for a route with soul — one that pairs the pleasure of a tree-shaded walk with deeper historical context — the three-day plan below is for you.
- Best time: morning or late afternoon — in summer the Planty provide pleasant shade, but midday hours can be hot.
- Clothing and footwear: comfortable walking shoes for cobbles, light sun protection, water.
- Respect memorial sites: avoid loud conversations at monuments, keep an appropriate demeanor at plaques and graves.
- Photography: most public places may be photographed, but be sensitive at commemorative sites and on private facades.
- Time: the suggested routes are on foot; if you have mobility issues, consider a taxi between more distant points.
Morning: start your walk at St. Florian's Gate and step onto the Planty. Head toward Basztowa Street, pausing at fragments of the city walls and green enclaves. The Planty, encircling the Old Town, are a perfect introduction to Kraków's atmosphere.
During the walk pay attention to the facades of tenement houses on streets adjacent to the Planty — many buildings still show bullet marks and repair patches from bomb damage. It's especially worth looking near the Main Railway Station — in some places the walls bear lasting traces of explosions and brick repairs.
Afternoon: visit the Main Market Square and the surroundings. Choose a café at the Market or on Grodzka Street to rest. In the evening I recommend a short walk along the Planty by Szewska Street — in summer there are often outdoor events there, and you can also spot fragments of older buildings with wartime traces.
Devote this day to the right bank of the Vistula — Podgórze. This area carries particularly strong wartime history: the Kraków ghetto was located here, and the factory that entered history because of very specific human stories.
Key points: - Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory (a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków); - the Ghetto Heroes Square with its distinctive chair monuments; - the area of the former Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp and the memorial sites there.
How to combine this with the Planty? You can walk to Podgórze from the southern section of the Planty (near Wawel) or take a tram for convenience. In summer the area around Schindler's Factory can be crowded, so it's worth getting up early or planning a late-afternoon visit when temperatures drop.
Practical note: the Płaszów area and some memorial sites are solemn places of remembrance — follow signs and do not cross protective barriers.
Focus on the north-eastern stretch of the Planty and the area around the Main Railway Station. Here you can see many material traces of the September 1939 bombings and the fighting of January 1945. Walk the adjacent streets: Ogrodowa, Worcella, Pawia — look for characteristic façade damage and bricks of different color where repairs were made.
Visit Rakowicki Cemetery — it contains monuments and graves of victims of various conflicts, as well as memorials to soldiers of September 1939. This place encourages reflection and helps to understand the scale of local wartime losses.
If you still have energy, drop into one of the city museums or the Home Army Museum — these places often have exhibitions about the occupation and the battles for the city.
- Facades of tenement houses on Ogrodowa Street and at the corner of Worcella and Pawia — visible signs of explosions and bullets.
- Podgórze — the former ghetto, Ghetto Heroes Square (chairs), Schindler's Factory, the Płaszów area — places with strong symbolism and clear traces of occupation.
- Rakowicki Cemetery — monuments to the soldiers of September and commemorative plaques.
- Fragments of buildings on the edges of the Old Town and near the station — traces from the 1939 bombings and the January 1945 fighting.
Note: some traces are diminishing — façades are renovated and holes or inscriptions may be plastered over. Look carefully and ask questions in museums, which will provide the context.
- Bullet marks are often high above the pavement — they mark where firing came from military positions, not necessarily near the ground. Reading them requires looking up, not just down.
- Not all façade damage dates from direct wartime actions in 1939 — some resulted from the January 1945 fights, others are reminders of occupation-era repression and later repairs.
- Cracovia Stadium and the Rakowice area experienced direct bombing, as shown by parts of walls and old photographs.
These details change the way you see the city — Kraków was not untouched by destruction, even though a large portion of its historic fabric survived.
- Mistake: walking only the main streets of the Old Town and skipping Podgórze. How to avoid: plan at least half a day for the right bank of the Vistula.
- Mistake: looking only horizontally and missing façades and details. How to avoid: occasionally lift your gaze — traces are often high up.
- Mistake: showing disrespect at memorial sites — loud behavior or picnicking at monuments. How to avoid: treat memorial places seriously and keep a respectful distance.
- Mistake: relying solely on tourist signs. How to avoid: visit museums and read information panels — they provide context a simple walk cannot.
- Water and breaks: in summer carry water and plan shorter stretches during the hottest hours. The Planty offer many benches and rest points.
- Museum opening hours: check in advance, as some branches have different closed days.
- Transport: trams and buses connect the Old Town with Podgórze; for longer outings consider 24- or 72-hour tickets.
- Food: the center has many cafés and restaurants. In summer there are pleasant cafés along the Planty and on streets leading to the Market for a quick rest.
- Cafés by the Market Square and on Grodzka Street — good for morning coffee before a Planty walk.
- A small bistro in the Podgórze area — a nice option for a break after visiting Schindler's Factory.
- For the evening: restaurants near Wawel and Kazimierz serving Polish and European cuisine — ideal to relax after a day of walking.
Is Kraków safe to visit in summer? - Yes, Kraków is generally safe; as in any big city, watch small valuables and avoid leaving things unattended.
How much time is needed to see the main wartime traces? - For the main places (the Planty + Podgórze + Rakowicki Cemetery + one museum) plan at least two full days; our plan spreads this over three days so you can go at a relaxed pace.
Are memorial sites accessible for people with limited mobility? - Some places are accessible (the Planty, certain museums), but the Płaszów area and some sites outside the center may have obstacles — check accessibility information in advance.
- Respect private façades — many buildings with visible traces are residential. Do not enter private property or try to get past barriers.
- Show respect for memory and families — photos are usually allowed, but avoid posing or joking at commemorative sites.
- If you want to learn more, visit the branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków — there you will find exhibitions explaining the context of the traces you observe.
Kraków in summer is a perfect blend of the green Planty and history written in the city's walls. A three-day plan gives you time to calmly see the most important sites and to pause and reflect at local World War II memorials. If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on social media.
If you prefer touring with a guide who will show the city up close and tell local stories, I encourage you to use the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and more information are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Thank you for reading — enjoy your walk and the thoughtful discovery of Kraków!
