An evening walk through Nowa Huta is a very different experience from visiting by day — the lights of the Central Square, the shadows along Aleja Róż and the change in the scale of the neighbourhood reveal contrasts you won’t notice in daylight. This is a private tour led by me, Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a licensed guide in Krakow. I invite small groups of 2–6 people so the visit stays flexible, intimate and tailored to your questions and pace.
On the tour I tell the story of Nowa Huta’s creation, its socialist‑realist architecture, everyday life during the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) and the social and religious turning points that shaped the district. I show both well‑known spots — Central Square (Plac Centralny, Ronald Reagan Central Square), the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK), the Stylowa restaurant — and less obvious places that hide local stories and anecdotes.
This route is ideal if you want to understand how Nowa Huta was born as a factory‑city and how it changed through the decades, while also feeling the evening mood of a place whose architecture and social memory make a strong impression.
The route is designed to comfortably cover the most important places during a standard evening meeting — practical details are below.
Because of the conversational nature of the walk, small groups of 2–6 people work best — this allows more dialogue, answers to individual questions and the flexibility to lengthen or shorten the route as needed.
The standard evening walk lasts about 3 hours — an optimal time to see the main sites and hear the stories without rushing. Part of the route is on foot and where convenient we use public transport or a short transfer to show the full scale of the district.
Along the route we will see: Central Square (Plac Centralny, Ronald Reagan Central Square), the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK), the Wanda and Willowe housing estates, the so‑called "Swedish" and "French" apartment blocks, Aleja Róż (Avenue of Roses), the site of the former Lenin monument, the legendary Stylowa restaurant, the Nowa Huta Cross (Krzyż Nowohucki) — a symbol of the struggle for the right to build a church, the Ludowy Theatre, the Arka Pana church and the Cistercian monastery in Mogiła.
For those interested there is a possibility to visit the air‑raid shelters located under parts of the district — this usually extends the tour by about an hour because the shelters have their own history and specifics which I’m happy to show.
I also talk about the Kombinat — the Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks — and how industry shaped the life and identity of Nowa Huta’s residents.
If you wish, the tour can include local tastes — short stops for traditional coffee or something sweet at places we’ve known for years. It’s a nice option to relax after an intensive walk.
Evening gives the places a different dimension: lights, smaller crowds and a calmer atmosphere make the stories about history and everyday life land differently. Socialist‑realist architecture and large‑panel housing estates gain a theatrical depth at night, and local cafés and restaurants often show their best side.
For photographers the evening offers stronger contrasts and moodier opportunities; for those with a busy day it’s a convenient way to see more after work or after visiting Krakow’s Old Town.
Small evening groups are great if you want to ask more questions, discuss contemporary issues in the district or focus on social and architectural themes more than on a typical crowded daytime walk.
An evening outing means some interiors (for example museum rooms) may be closed — instead we concentrate on public spaces, local stories and venues that work best after dark.
If you’d like to visit a specific indoor site in the evening, please tell me in advance and I will check availability and any required tickets.
Duration: standard 3 hours — the most commonly chosen option for the Nowa Huta route.
Price: prices depend on length and format. During the promotional season (as indicated in the offer) the price for a 3‑hour guided tour in Polish is 400 PLN for the entire group in the “small groups” category. This is the current promotional offer — outside promotions the regular price previously published is higher, so booking in advance is recommended.
For very intimate groups (2–6 people) the fee is charged per tour, not per person — details will be confirmed at booking.
Extras: entry to shelters, museum tickets or special admissions (if arranged) are usually paid separately and agreed in advance.
Booking: please contact me by phone or email to set the date and details — it’s most practical to agree the meeting point and time after booking.
Cancellations and changes: tours usually take place regardless of weather — I always have a plan B allowing more time in covered places. Cancellation terms are agreed at booking.
I’m Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a licensed guide in Krakow since 2012. I have guided several thousand visitors and run private tours around Krakow and its districts, including Nowa Huta.
My tours combine historical knowledge, local curiosities and anecdotes plus practical tips — all to help you discover the city in an engaging and understandable way.
During evening walks I emphasize dialogue, answer the group’s questions and adjust the pace to your needs — that’s why small groups of 2–6 people are ideal.
If you have specific interests (architecture, sociology, the PRL era, photography), I’ll gladly tailor the route with a stronger focus on those topics.
Contact for bookings: phone and email are available — I share details when we arrange a reservation.
Is the route suitable for children? - Yes, the walk can be adapted for families and different age groups. For children the stories include more curiosities and accessible anecdotes.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours can be offered in English — however, if you plan an evening tour in English please arrange the date in advance.
Where do we meet at the start of the tour? - The meeting point is agreed individually; we most often start in Krakow’s centre (for example the Main Market Square) from where it’s easy to reach Nowa Huta by tram or car. Other starting points can be arranged.
What if it rains? - Tours run regardless of weather — in case of very bad weather the route will be modified to spend more time in covered spaces and museums. I always have a plan B.
Are entrance tickets included in the price? - The price covers the guiding service. Museum tickets and special admissions (if planned) are typically paid separately. I will help with ticket purchases and inform you of costs when booking.
Can we shorten the route to 2 hours? - Yes, the tour can be shortened and adapted. In that case we will select the most important sites to include.
Clothing and footwear - for an evening walk it’s worth wearing comfortable shoes and a light jacket — even in summer evenings can be cooler. If we plan to visit shelters, note that they may be colder than the surface.
Lighting and photos - night photos can come out great, but remember to have your phone or camera charged. In dimly lit places you can use a tripod or night mode on your camera.
Transport - the easiest way to reach the meeting point from the centre is by tram or taxi. If you wish, I can help plan your journey.
Payments - we’ll agree on the payment method at booking. I recommend confirming the date in advance, especially for weekends and evenings which fill quickly.
If you have special needs (for example mobility issues), please write in advance so we can plan the route to be as comfortable as possible.
After the walk I often recommend stopping for dinner or dessert in one of my favourite local spots — it’s a good chance to continue the conversation and soak up the local atmosphere.
If you like, I can suggest places with traditional cuisine, cafés with a PRL vibe or cosy bars where it’s easy to keep talking about the district’s history and present.
For groups interested in music or culture I can also suggest evening cultural events in Nowa Huta (theatre, concerts at NCK) — it’s worth checking the program for a particular day before booking.
An evening walk is a great way to feel Nowa Huta differently than guidebooks describe — I invite you to discover this fascinating district together.
If you’d like, after the walk I can help plan the next days in Krakow so you can combine classic attractions with local gems.
The easiest way to book is by direct contact — phone or email. Please tell me your preferred date, time (evening), number of people (2–6) and any thematic wishes.
After booking I will confirm the meeting details, route and any additional costs (tickets, shelter visits).
I will gladly prepare an evening route tailored to your group — I invite you to get in touch and discover Nowa Huta together! (Booking details are arranged directly.)
See you on the walk — Małgorzata Kasprowicz, ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com.
