Night of Museums is an annual event that in Kraków traditionally takes place in mid-May and lets you visit museums and municipal branches during evening or night hours. In the 2025 edition the program ran on May 16 — many institutions opened their doors roughly from 19:00 until about 01:00 (last entries depended on the venue). In practice this means extended, special opening hours at selected sites, but not all events are free or available without reservation.
The Night of Museums combines classic museum visits, short themed guided tours, lectures and workshops prepared especially for the evening, often with limited places and separate entry times. For a visitor it’s a great opportunity to feel Kazimierz’s nighttime atmosphere and see synagogues and museums in a different light than during the day.
Remember that the organization and opening hours of individual branches change from year to year — when planning your visit check the latest information on the museums’ pages or official event announcements in advance.
In Kazimierz the sites most often included in the Night of Museums are those connected with Jewish heritage: the Old Synagogue (ul. Szeroka), Isaac Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue and the Remuh Cemetery. In editions I checked, the Old Synagogue was open in the evening roughly 19:00–01:00 with last entry around 00:30; selected branches of the Museum of Kraków along the Kazimierz route had similar hours.
Beyond the synagogues, check whether private galleries and smaller local museums are participating — some offer extended hours or special programs, others close earlier. Exact times and entry rules (ticket, reservation, group limits) are usually announced on institutions’ websites and in the city program for the Night of Museums.
For larger municipal branches taking part there were promotional ticket prices in 2025 and the option to reserve selected events in advance — keep this in mind, as popular sites can fill up quickly.
Night of Museums often includes promotional ticket prices — in some cases (for example selected branches of the Museum of Kraków) admission was available for a symbolic fee of a few zlotys, but not all events are automatically free.
Guided tours, workshops or screenings usually require reservation and have participant limits; online ticket sales and reservations are typically launched a few days before the event. If there’s a specific program item you want to attend — book in advance.
On site, if there’s no reservation system, you can usually buy tickets at the box offices, but be prepared for queues and the possibility that places will sell out.
Plan your route ahead, choosing at most 3–4 places you want to visit — otherwise too many attractions and entry limits will have you spending most of the night queuing. It’s best to start with the most important places or those with limited capacity (e.g. special guided tours), then move on to exhibitions that stay open later.
Kazimierz is a neighborhood best explored on foot; distances between synagogues and galleries are short. Allow time for food and rest breaks — evening cafés and restaurants in the area stay open, which makes it easy to schedule pauses between events.
Also check the times of last entries — some exhibitions close earlier even though the overall event continues. If you want to see a permanent exhibition, make sure you arrive before the stated last-admission time.
Kazimierz offers plenty of places for an evening meal or coffee. If you’re looking for traditional cuisine or Jewish-influenced flavors, consider restaurants such as Starka; for a café atmosphere you can visit Mleczarnia. Plac Nowy is a great spot for quick bites — its famous zapiekanki and evening food stalls are open late.
If you prefer something more intimate, you’ll find many small bars and pubs with live music in the area. During the Night of Museums it’s wise to reserve a table in advance at popular places, as many visitors plan a food break between museum stops.
Keep in mind that some cafés and restaurants also run their own evening events or extend opening hours — this is a good way to complement your Night of Museums program.
The Old Synagogue in Kazimierz is more than a museum — its history is woven with legends and city lore. For centuries it was an important center of Jewish life, and one story tells of a gift from King Casimir: two swords that were later melted down and became part of the synagogue’s furnishings.
The Isaac and Remuh synagogues each have unique architectural and ritual features that are easier to appreciate with a guided visit — many details and symbols explain cultural context that still shows up around Kazimierz today.
Kazimierz at night has a special atmosphere: illuminated façades and narrow streets create a different setting for places of memory than during daylight, so many stories and details are more memorable during an evening visit.
Assuming that Night of Museums means everything is free — that’s not true. Many events are paid or require reservations. Always check participation rules for each location.
Trying to visit too many sites in one night — it’s better to choose fewer stops and see them calmly than to rush between locations and miss scheduled entries.
Not preparing for weather and timings — bring comfortable shoes, a light jacket for the evening and leave time for transfers and possible queues.
Is everything open on the same night? No — participation by institutions is voluntary and varies year to year; check the program for the specific Night of Museums edition.
Do I have to buy tickets in advance? For selected events and guided tours often yes — especially when there’s a participant limit; online ticket sales usually start a few days before the event.
Is Night of Museums suitable for families with children? Yes, but check the program: some attractions are family workshops and activities, others deal with difficult historical subjects.
Can I take photos? Usually photography is allowed in public spaces, but some exhibitions or events may restrict photography — ask on site.
How do I get back from Kazimierz late at night? Public transport may run with limited schedules after the event; check MPK timetables for the specific day or plan to return by taxi or on foot if your accommodation is nearby.
Are venues accessible? Accessibility varies by site — many museums have ramps or elevator access while historic synagogues can have stairs and narrower passages. If accessibility is important, check with the institution in advance.
Night of Museums is a wonderful chance to discover Kazimierz in a unique evening setting — remember to plan smartly: check opening hours and entry rules, reserve places for selected guided tours and leave time for rest and local food.
If you prefer a personal, intimate visit and want to learn more about the hidden details of the district, consider a guided experience with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — information about her offer is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. If this article was helpful, share it on social media or send it to friends planning a visit to Kraków. We wish you an inspiring Night of Museums!
