The Józef Mehoffer House is more than a house-museum of a well-known Young Poland painter — it’s a place where interiors, collections and a small but atmospheric garden create a coherent story about art, life and aesthetics at the turn of the 20th century. In summer the garden behind the house becomes a natural extension of the exhibition: tree shade, fragments of historic tiles and the open space used for music and cultural events give the visit a different dimension than a typical gallery tour.
Nowa Huta, on the other hand, shows how monumental, socialist urban planning meets nature. The Avenue of Roses, Central Square, the Nowa Huta Meadows and numerous parks reveal the district’s strong green character — an ideal contrast to Mehoffer’s intimate garden. A private tour lets you set the pace, pick the time of day and add stops tailored to the interests of your group.
The Mehoffer House is a classic house-museum: original furnishings, period furniture, collections of applied arts, Japanese woodcuts and, of course, works by the artist himself — paintings, drawings and stained-glass designs. Many of these items arrived as gifts from the artist’s family or as deposits to the National Museum.
The garden behind the house complements the exhibition. Mehoffer himself designed the garden layout, and restorations revealed fragments of decorative tiles and stone elements from the studios of his contemporaries. In summer the garden often hosts concerts, workshops and cultural meetings; in the shade it’s easier to feel the atmosphere of the era and understand how important the relationship between nature and art was for Mehoffer.
There is frequently a café in the garden or nearby, which makes the visit more relaxed — you can combine the tour with a coffee break in a historic, artistic setting.
Nowa Huta was conceived as an ideal town project in the spirit of socialist realism, but as it developed it also gained a rich network of parks, meadows and recreational areas. This is where monumental urban design meets nature: the Avenue of Roses, Central Square and the Nowa Huta Meadows form a varied walking landscape.
The Nowa Huta Meadows are an important natural area — parts of this land are protected as ecological sites and reserves, and in summer you can observe a rich variety of plants and birds. A walk through Nowa Huta lets you see both monumental social housing complexes and intimate green courtyards, as well as memorial places connected to the region’s history.
For architecture fans, pay attention to details: original mosaics, the axial layout and neoclassical references in public building designs — these small features add up to the district’s unexpected and fascinating character.
Start at the Mehoffer House (Krupnicza Street) — a calm visit to the interiors of the museum and a short coffee break in the garden café.
Walk through the Old Town toward a tram stop — take the tram to Nowa Huta (several tram lines serve the district and make the transfer easy).
In Nowa Huta: Central Square, Avenue of Roses, a short stop at the legendary 'Stylowa' café by Central Square or a local courtyard, then a walk toward the Nowa Huta Meadows. Finish at one of the parks or at the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre.
Optional: thematic stops — history of socmodernism, places of memory from the opposition era, local courtyards and murals. The route is easily adapted to interests: nature, history or architecture.
Check opening hours and tickets — branches of the National Museum have varying schedules and some garden events are seasonal. For a private visit it’s worth booking in advance.
In summer bring sun protection and water — part of the route is outdoors; on hot days the shady parts of the Mehoffer garden are a real advantage.
Wear flat-soled shoes — comfortable for museum interiors as well as uneven historic pavements and the Nowa Huta meadows.
If you’d like to attend garden events (concerts, workshops), reserve your spot early — popular summer meetings may have limited capacity.
Near the Mehoffer House there is often a garden café — a lovely spot for a post-visit coffee. The atmosphere is intimate and artistic, perfect for a short rest.
In Nowa Huta one of the well-known places is the 'Stylowa' café on Central Square — it has a historic vibe and is recommended by locals. You’ll also find pleasant cafés and bakeries along the Avenue of Roses, ideal for a quick stop during your walk.
If you plan a longer lunch break, choose restaurants with good reviews and local recommendations — a private tour lets you tailor the culinary stop to the group’s tastes, from vegetarian options to regional cuisine.
Fragments of decorative tiles and elements from contemporary artists’ studios were found in Mehoffer’s garden — small “archaeological” finds that remind us of the layers of history present even in small urban gardens.
Although Nowa Huta is known for its monumental, ideological architecture, it is one of Kraków’s greener districts — parks, meadows and residential greenery create pleasant recreational spaces often overlooked by visitors focused only on the Old Town.
In many parts of Nowa Huta you can see that designers tried to combine functionality with aesthetic elements; details like mosaics, railings and the layout of avenues tell stories about the era when the district was built.
When planning to see everything in one day, visitors often underestimate distances — Nowa Huta is expansive; allow time for transfers and short breaks.
Not checking museum hours and event schedules — some branches have nonstandard opening days or hours; before arriving for a specific show or workshop, confirm availability.
Skipping the contrasts — Mehoffer and Nowa Huta form an interesting aesthetic contrast; combining both gives a fuller picture of Kraków than focusing only on the Old Town.
How do I get to the Mehoffer House? The easiest options are a short walk from the Old Town or public transport — the location is well connected to the city centre.
Are there events in the garden? Yes — in summer the garden hosts concerts, workshops and educational meetings. Check the museum’s program before your visit.
How much time does the visit take? The Mehoffer House itself can be seen in 60–90 minutes; if you add a garden break and the transfer to Nowa Huta, plan 3–4 hours or half a day to see more at a relaxed pace.
Is the route suitable for families with children? Yes — both the Mehoffer garden and Nowa Huta’s green spaces offer places where children can move and explore nature.
If you liked this suggested route — share the article with friends or on social media; it’s a great way to recommend Kraków’s intimate and green side.
If you prefer to explore with an experienced local guide, I invite you to book a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — tours can be fully personalized to your interests and pace.
We wish you inspiring walks — Kraków keeps many places that reveal themselves best when you explore them slowly with someone who knows their stories.
