Podgórze is a district that combines strong historical themes with pleasant, walkable spaces and great places for a coffee break — perfect for a short but meaningful outing with integration groups. In 1–3 hours you can visit the key memorial sites, comfortably cross the Ojca Bernatka footbridge and finish the route in a cosy café where it’s easy to hold a debrief and team activities. This mix of reflection and relaxation makes Podgórze an excellent choice for corporate teams, school groups or families.
When planning the route, keep a balance: devote part of the programme to history and memory and part to team-building activities and a café break. That way the group will return to the hotel informed, with photos and in a good mood.
For organisers: Podgórze is compact and easy to coordinate — short walking sections, clear landmarks (the footbridge, Podgórski Market Square, Ghetto Heroes Square) and several venues that welcome larger groups. Book cafés in advance, especially during the Christmas season.
Start: Ojca Bernatka footbridge — a short, striking meeting point with views of the Vistula, convenient for gathering and a brief introduction. Walk: Vistula boulevards toward Podgórze, a few photos and some relaxed time for participants. Main part: Ghetto Heroes Square (formerly Plac Zgody) — time to tell a concise history of the ghetto, walk around the metal “chairs” installation and discuss the symbolism of the place. Next stop: Apteka Pod Orłem (the Eagle Pharmacy) — today a museum branch and a crucial point in the story of life in the ghetto and resistance; consider a short visit inside or at least a brief stop in front of the entrance.
Optional: Lipowa Street and Schindler’s Factory — from the outside or with a short entry to the museum if the group has more time and tickets. Finish: Podgórski Market Square or one of the nearby cafés for a longer break and integration — an ideal moment for conversations and a festive menu.
The route can be extended (to 3–4 hours) with a visit to Krakus Mound, the Liban Quarry or a walk through the Florian Nowacki Planty, depending on the group’s pace and integration goals.
In practice: plan 10–15 minute rests every 30–40 minutes for participant comfort, and for groups larger than 15 consider a microphone or portable speaker so everyone can hear the guide.
The Kraków ghetto operated in the Podgórze area from 1941 to 1943. Before that the place was known as Plac Zgody and was part of a lively urban neighbourhood. Under the Nazi occupation the area was designated as a “Jewish residential quarter”; living conditions were extremely harsh, and during the liquidation many people were deported to concentration and extermination camps and to forced labour.
Today you can still see fragments of the original ghetto wall and several memorial sites. The artistic installation of scattered metal chairs on Ghetto Heroes Square recalls the expulsions and the loss of residents’ belongings. Apteka Pod Orłem is a key narrative point — the only business in the ghetto run by a Pole who lived there and helped many residents by providing medicines, shelter and contact with the outside world.
When visiting these places remind participants about respect for memorial sites: lower voice levels, appropriate behaviour and a short explanation of the site’s nature will help avoid faux pas during an integration outing.
Ghetto Heroes Square (former Plac Zgody) — the central point connected with the historical events of the ghetto’s end; site of the metal chairs installation and a place of remembrance. It’s a natural starting point for conversations about history and memory.
Apteka Pod Orłem (Eagle Pharmacy) — today a museum branch, a unique spot in the ghetto story; great if you want to enrich the tour with a short museum visit or historical commentary.
Liban Quarry — a fragment of Podgórze’s difficult past; during the occupation it was a forced labour site; today it impresses as a cinematic and landscape space.
Schindler’s Factory (Lipowa Street) — near Podgórze, an important historical context often visited by people interested in Second World War history.
Krakus Mound — a viewpoint with a panorama of the city, perfect if you want to add a short “breather” and photo opportunity after the more reflective part of the tour.
Florian Nowacki Planty and Podgórski Market Square — pleasant walking spaces where it’s easier to run team activities and finish the route in a café or patisserie.
Nad & Greg (Podgórski Market Square) — a patisserie with a French vibe, great for festive sweets and photos by the dessert display; a good choice for an elegant break with smaller groups.
Kawiarnia Stopklatka (Brodzińskiego Street) — a venue with local character, coffee from its own roastery and homemade cakes; convenient for groups seeking a calm atmosphere after a walk.
TuTa — a café with a play area — ideal for family groups or when there are small children in the group; it allows caregivers to relax over good coffee while kids play.
ChlebON and other bakery-cafés in Podgórze — artisan bread and aromatic coffee are a sure-fire way to warm up on cold days; reserve tables for larger groups, especially in December.
Kawiarnia Lwowska and other intimate neighbourhood cafés — Podgórze has many small spots offering seasonal, festive menus; check reviews and book in advance.
Book in advance — December and weekends see increased traffic and the best places can fill up with market and holiday guests.
Ask about seasonal menus and group options — many cafés prepare special sets, seasonal desserts and limited hot drinks. Inform the venue about allergies and dietary needs ahead of time.
For group comfort request a private room or a cluster of tables with the option of faster service — in small cafés single orders can delay the whole schedule.
City game with tasks related to Podgórze’s history and architecture — a light competition against the clock that forces cooperation and makes participants laugh.
Short thematic workshops — mini pastry workshops in a local bakery or making holiday postcards; creative activities are great icebreakers.
Team photo challenge — each team receives a list of subjects to photograph (e.g. fragment of the ghetto wall, the chairs installation, architectural details) and you compare shots at the end. A low-cost, engaging way to bond the group.
Forgetting about memory and respect — when visiting sites linked to tragedy, tell participants in advance about the nature of the place and behaviour rules; this will protect the group from mistakes.
No reservation for cafés — especially important over the holidays; booking prevents stress and long waits.
Overloading the programme — too many stops on a short route tire the group; shorter, well-thought-out routes with one longer break work better.
Is the route suitable for older people or those with limited mobility? Yes — the basic two-hour Podgórze route (footbridge, Ghetto Heroes Square, Podgórski Market, the pharmacy) is relatively flat, but check accessibility for specific venues (for example entry to the pharmacy museum).
How long should a walk with coffee take? For group comfort plan 2–3 hours: 60–90 minutes of walking and 30–60 minutes for a café break.
Is it worth visiting the Schindler’s Museum? If the group wants an in-depth look at WWII history and you have extra time and advance tickets — definitely yes. Otherwise a short stop at Lipowa Street and a guide’s commentary will suffice.
The metal chairs on Ghetto Heroes Square are an installation symbolising possessions left behind by displaced residents — a simple, powerful symbol that often leaves a strong impression.
The Eagle Pharmacy was run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the only non-Jewish resident who lived inside the ghetto and helped its inhabitants; his actions are an exceptional story of courage and aid during tragic times.
Fragments of the ghetto wall are still visible in several places in Podgórze — it’s striking how traces of that history remain woven into the city fabric.
If you found this guide useful, share it with colleagues or on social media — it’s the best way to help other organisers use a ready-made plan.
If you’d like a private, customised tour for your group with commentary and logistical support, consider booking a guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Tours can be conducted in Polish and, on request, in English; Małgorzata will tailor the programme to age, pace and integration goals.
Good luck with your planning — may your walk through Podgórze be both a lesson in history and a pleasant occasion to strengthen team bonds.
