The Night of Museums is a special May evening when many Kraków museums, galleries and cultural institutions stay open later than usual and offer extra programming. In 2025 the event took place on May 16 and was organized under the slogan “1000th anniversary of the Polish crown.” It’s a great chance to see major exhibitions outside daytime crowds and to catch workshops, guided tours and short performances that aren’t usually available during regular hours.
The Night of Museums is also a wonderful idea for an evening that combines culture with a pleasant walk — the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze concentrate many sights close to each other. Keep in mind that programs and requirements (reservations, tickets) change from year to year, so always check the specific museum’s information before you go.
Make a short priority list in advance: choose 2–3 “must-see” places and a few backups in case of long queues.
Group venues by neighbourhood to cut transit time — for example, plan several stops in the Old Town or on Kazimierz in one go.
Check each venue’s schedule and reservation rules: some special events or lectures require prior registration or have limited seating.
Start with the venue that is most likely to have crowds (often the largest or most famous exhibition) or, if you prefer a relaxed start, begin with smaller galleries and save the “hit” for later.
Leave time for short breaks: a coffee or quick snack will help you keep energy for a full night of walking and discovering.
Be flexible — part of the fun is the unexpected. If a place is too crowded, use that time to enjoy a nearby gallery, a short concert or a street performance.
Choose according to your interests — contemporary art, history, technology or family-friendly themes. Here are common suggestions that often appear in Kraków’s Night of Museums programmes:
- Major museums with permanent and special exhibitions (art, archaeology, city history) — they often offer guided tours and short lectures.
- Thematic museums (technology, ethnography, Home Army / Armia Krajowa) — great for visitors who like concrete stories and hands-on displays.
- Galleries and smaller exhibition spaces in Kazimierz and around the Old Town — easy to fit into a walk with a coffee or snack stop.
I don’t list names of competing tour operators — the idea is that you pick places that match the mood you want for the evening.
1. Check the programme in advance and reserve tickets if necessary. Some events and lectures have limited seating.
2. Plan your route thematically: e.g. contemporary art (in the evening) + a small Kazimierz gallery + a café; or history (permanent exhibitions) + underground tours and a stroll around the Market Square.
3. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket — May evenings can be chilly and you’ll do a lot of walking.
4. Cash and card: many venues offer free or symbolic admission (in some editions there’s a small fee of around 5 PLN), but it’s useful to have some cash just in case.
5. Avoid peak queues: if there’s a particular popular museum you want to see, arrive soon after the evening programme opens or visit smaller places first and leave the “hit” for later.
6. Think about walking time between locations — central Kraków is pleasant on foot, but crowds and traffic can slow you down.
- Carry emergency numbers and a charged phone. In crowds it’s easier to agree on a clear meeting point.
- Check accessibility for people with limited mobility — not all museum branches have level entrances or elevators.
- If you’re coming with family and small children, make sure the chosen venues have activities suitable for the youngest visitors (workshops, short shows).
- Plan a short food break — around the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find cafés and restaurants open late, but they can get very busy, so consider taking a light snack with you.
19:00 – Start: pick a museum with an interesting evening exhibition (preferably one with limited capacity or a special lecture programme).
20:00 – A small gallery or thematic branch on Kazimierz — a quick show and time for coffee.
21:00 – Walk through the Old Town streets or head to Podgórze to explore a different atmosphere.
22:00 – A venue with a performance, talk or special display. Museums often prepare something only for this night.
23:00 – End the evening: a small snack and a chat about what left the strongest impression.
- Change your plan: visit smaller, lesser-known branches. They often hide real gems without crowds.
- Join shorter talks or workshops happening during the evening — a good way to learn without standing at an exhibit.
- Return to the popular spot at the end of the night — big queues sometimes thin out later.
- If you really want to see a specific exhibition and expect high demand, check in advance for online reservation options.
- Comfortable shoes and a light jacket.
- Charged phone and powerbank (handy if you take many photos).
- ID (sometimes required when registering).
- Small amount of cash + a payment card.
- Bottle of water and a small snack — not all museums have cafés open late.
- City map or an offline map app — useful when moving quickly between points.
- Be flexible and enjoy the atmosphere — the Night of Museums often includes smaller shows, informal meetings with curators and short events you won’t see on an ordinary day.
- Don’t try to do everything at once — it’s better to fully experience a few places than rush and remember nothing.
- Remember that Kraków’s culture lives beyond museum walls: pay attention to streets, small galleries, outdoor exhibitions and music — these surprises often stay in your memory the longest.
- And most importantly: have fun — the Night of Museums is a time when the city shows its cultural richness in a friendly, informal way. If you’d like, write to me after your visit — I’ll gladly help plan another evening in Kraków!
