MOCAK is a great contemporary art museum in the Zabłocie neighborhood — a place for calm walks through exhibitions, workshops, and good coffee. Most visits go smoothly, but like any popular tourist spot it's wise to use basic caution. This text will help you prepare practically and mentally: what to take, what to avoid, and how to react if someone tries to trick you.
If you plan a longer walk around MOCAK and Kazimierz, it’s worth taking a moment to think about a few simple safety rules — they’ll help keep your sightseeing day peaceful and enjoyable.
In Krakow, as in many tourist cities, crimes against tourists’ property are the most common issues. We mean pickpockets, thefts from unattended bags, and distraction scams — someone starts a conversation while another person takes documents or a phone.
Other popular tactics include fake requests for donations, stories about needing a return ticket, or requests to change money. Near stations and major attractions you may meet people asking for “help” with money — it’s safer not to hand cash to strangers.
More serious but less common problems can occur in some nightlife venues, where tourists are pressured into very high bills or where card payments are made difficult. After dark watch out for persistent invitations to go into clubs like go-go bars, especially if the approach comes from people working in groups on the street.
Remember that perpetrators of small thefts or distraction tricks can be adults or young people — groups of teenagers sometimes use crowds for quick pickpocketing or attempted scams. Don’t demonize youth — most young people are just passing by; caution means noticing and avoiding situations where someone gets too close.
Buy tickets at the official ticket desk or on the museum’s official website — avoid offers “on the street” or suspiciously cheap middlemen.
Keep your bag or backpack in front of you, especially on cobbled streets, in trams, and on the Market Square. The safest option is a closed bag carried under your arm or in an inner jacket pocket.
Split up documents and larger amounts of cash. Keep a copy of your passport (or a photo on your phone) and a wallet with a small amount of cash. Carry payment cards separately, and shield your PIN at ATMs.
Observe the museum’s rules regarding luggage. If the museum offers a cloakroom or left-luggage service, leave large bags there — this protects both the exhibits and your belongings.
Don’t leave your phone, wallet, or camera unattended in a restaurant or on a bench — even a brief moment of distraction can be enough.
If someone on the street becomes insistently pushy (asking you to sign a petition, take a photo, or donate), politely refuse and walk away. If the approach continues, move to a busier spot or ask staff at a nearby café for help.
Avoid offers of “great deals” and invitations to clubs from strangers, especially if free drinks or a short show are promised. There have been reports of practices in some venues that ended in very high bills or payment difficulties.
If someone persuades you to go into a venue and you feel unwell or cannot remember parts of the visit the next day, report it to the police as soon as possible and, if necessary, seek medical help. Protect your cards and belongings — check your bank statement and block cards if you notice suspicious transactions.
At night choose well-lit streets and use licensed taxis or trusted ride-hailing apps. Avoid unlicensed drivers and agree on an approximate fare in advance or use an app that shows the route and estimated price.
Young people in groups may be noisy and curious — that doesn’t mean they are dangerous. The most risky moments are when someone comes very close, deliberately blocks your way, or creates an artificial crowd. In such moments step back and put distance between you and the group — avoid emotional confrontation.
If you sense a trick (for example someone asks you to take a photo while another person reaches into your pocket), keep your distance and ask for help from people nearby. In crowded places do not show your wallet or phone. If the group becomes aggressive, head for a shop, café, or another staffed place.
If your belongings are stolen, report the theft immediately to the nearest police station or by calling the emergency number. A police report helps when blocking cards, replacing documents, and handling formalities.
Stay calm and try to remember as many details as possible — the appearance of the perpetrator, direction of flight, taxi number, or venue name. These details will help the police.
Call the emergency number 112 to summon the police or ambulance if needed. You can also go to the nearest police station to report the theft; the police will make a record and advise on next steps.
If you lose a card, contact your bank immediately and block all cards. If you lose documents, report it to your embassy or consulate and, if you have digital copies, use them to speed up replacement.
If unauthorized charges appear on your card, ask your bank for a chargeback or detailed explanations; many banks assist customers in these situations, especially when you provide a police confirmation of the incident.
Scan or photograph your passport and important documents — store them in the cloud or send them to a trusted person so you have a copy if you lose the originals.
Enable remote card-blocking features in your banking app and check how quickly you can lock cards from your phone. Save emergency phone numbers for your bank and embassy.
Plan your route and landmarks: MOCAK, Schindler’s Factory, the Vistula boulevards, and Kazimierz are close to one another, so planning the day on a map will help you move around and reduce time spent on the street with lots of luggage.
Leave unnecessary valuables at the hotel or in a cloakroom. When visiting a museum, using a cloakroom or deposit is often the most convenient option so you can focus on the exhibition.
After visiting MOCAK it’s worth stopping for coffee or a light lunch. Local-recommended spots in Zabłocie and Podgórze include Emalia Zabłocie (a pleasant bistro with an industrial vibe), Lipowa Hall (a food hall with several dining options), and De Revolutionibus Books (a bookshop with a café on Rynek Podgórski). In Kazimierz try Massolit Books & Cafe and Mleczarnia.
If you’re looking for accommodation near the Old Town or Podgórze, choose places with good reviews and 24-hour reception. Hotels with round-the-clock front desks make it easier to store belongings securely and get help in emergencies.
Check the MOCAK café and museum shop — they often have original exhibition catalogues and souvenirs that are better to buy there than from unknown street sellers.
Leaving belongings unattended on a café table or bench. Even a short break is a risk. It’s better to keep your bag with you at all times.
Buying tickets and services “on the spot” from strangers. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is — buy tickets at official desks or via official websites.
Flaunting valuable items (expensive phones, jewelry) in crowded places. Discretion makes a thief’s job harder.
Entering clubs or venues after a street invitation without checking first — if the invitation comes from promoters working the area in groups, be cautious.
Does MOCAK have a cloakroom and can I leave a large backpack? Yes — most larger museums offer a place to store bigger luggage. If in doubt, ask at the museum information desk before entering.
What if someone stops me and asks for money? Best to politely refuse and walk away. If you feel threatened, move to a place with staff (a café or shop) and ask for help or call 112.
How to behave at an ATM? Use ATMs inside banks or in well-lit locations, shield your PIN with your hand, and avoid machines that look damaged or have extra attachments.
Is it safe to walk alone from MOCAK to Kazimierz in the evening? Walking during the day is safe. In the evening choose main, well-lit streets and if you feel uncomfortable use an official taxi or a ride-hailing app.
When visiting with school groups or children, assign supervisors and meeting points. Even short reminders about keeping belongings close often prevent trouble.
Teach younger people never to hand their phone or wallet to a stranger, even if someone says it’s “important” or “urgent.”
If you plan to pay by card, check daily limits in advance and inform your bank about travel — sometimes banks block transactions thinking they are suspicious.
If you organize a group trip, consider insurance against theft and loss of documents — it’s a small cost for peace of mind in case of problems.
Krakow is a friendly city full of culture, excellent coffee, and places worth seeing. With a little humility and common sense most trips go without hiccups, and MOCAK will leave you with memories of interesting exhibitions rather than problems.
If you want your visit to be completely relaxed and well organized, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). On her site you can find contact information and offers for walks that combine safety, a good plan, and local recommendations.
If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on social media. The more people prepared, the more pleasant walks around the city will be for everyone.
