The Remuh Synagogue and the adjacent cemetery are one of those corners of Krakow where silence and stone tell the most. Built in the 16th century, the synagogue bears the name of Rabbi Moses Isserles (Remuh) — an outstanding authority on Jewish law whose influence on community life was enormous. The Remuh Cemetery is a few years older than the synagogue and is among the most valuable medieval Jewish graveyards in Poland; a walk there is a meeting with centuries-old tombstones, symbols and stories set in stone.
In this text you’ll find practical details: how to plan your visit, what to expect regarding opening hours and tickets, how to combine Remuh with a brief look at Wawel (without visiting the museum rooms), respectful photography and behavior tips, and a few ideas for a break nearby. If you’re thinking about a walk with a private guide — at the end there’s a short invitation and information about booking a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
Entering the synagogue and cemetery requires a little preparation: dress modestly, switch your phone to silent, and be mindful of people praying. The Remuh Synagogue is still an active house of prayer, so on Saturdays (Shabbat) and some Jewish holidays the interior may be closed to visitors or used for services.
In practice it’s good to plan a visit in the morning (around 9:00–11:00) — it’s usually quieter then and easier to study the details of the tombstones and the synagogue interior. In the afternoon, about an hour before sunset, the light is often especially beautiful and gives inscriptions a soft, photographic quality. If your time is limited, 25–45 minutes is enough for a solid, respectful visit to both sites.
The synagogue and the Remuh Cemetery usually have separate opening hours and a modest admission fee. Many visitors pay a small contribution at the entrance (often a few to a dozen złoty) — this helps support the site and the functioning of the synagogue. It’s useful to have some change (cash) or to check in advance whether card payments are accepted.
If you plan to visit Wawel "without museums" — remember that the Wawel Hill itself and its courtyards are publicly accessible and can be walked around without buying tickets. However, separate fees are charged for entry to the Cathedral (and to some parts and crypts), the royal chambers and museum exhibitions. So: you can walk Wawel from the outside and enter selected sacred spaces while avoiding museum rooms — simply buy only the tickets you need (for example, entry to the Cathedral). If you want up-to-date hours and prices, check official sources or ask the guide before your visit — opening hours and entry rules can change seasonally.
Remuh and its cemetery are places of prayer and remembrance, so respectful behavior is essential. Rules to follow: cover shoulders and knees (a light scarf or jacket is handy on warm days), men should cover their heads inside the prayer house (kippot are often available at the entrance), speak quietly or whisper, and do not walk between gravestones or sit on graves.
You may photograph from a distance and always respect people in prayer. A traditional way to show respect at a Jewish cemetery is to place a small stone on a grave instead of flowers — a subtle custom worth observing when visiting this site.
A quick, attentive route: 25–40 minutes. Enter the courtyard, admire the synagogue facade, peek inside if it’s open, then take a calm walk down the main cemetery path — look for symbols (priestly hands, candlesticks at women’s graves, books and crowns near scholars).
If you have more time, extend the visit to 60–90 minutes and combine it with a walk along Szeroka and Miodowa streets and a look at neighboring synagogues: the Tempel and the Old Synagogue provide a fuller picture of the district. After such a walk a light lunch or a coffee at a nearby café is perfect.
Around Szeroka and Plac Nowy you’ll find several well-known places that are good after a morning or afternoon walk: Hamsa (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, atmospheric meze), Cheder (a cozy café with spice notes ideal for a break) and Alchemia (a classic spot with an informal coffee atmosphere and often live music in the evening). These are popular, well-regarded locations — great for relaxing after intensive sightseeing.
If you want to see Wawel but aren’t interested in museum interiors, the plan is simple: go up the Hill, walk around the courtyards, admire facades and architectural details, and stroll along the Cathedral. A walk around Wawel itself offers plenty of impressions and doesn’t require buying tickets for the royal chambers or exhibition halls.
Remember that access to some parts of the Cathedral can be ticketed — if entering the Cathedral interior or specific chapels matters to you, be prepared for an extra fee. Buying only what you need (for example, a Cathedral ticket but not the royal chambers) saves time and money. To avoid queues, consider visiting early in the morning or late afternoon outside peak hours.
Arriving at the last minute without checking opening hours — the synagogue interior may be closed; solution: always confirm hours before you leave. Wearing inappropriate clothing for sacred places — keep a scarf or light cover handy. Photographing people in prayer without asking — be polite and ask one brief question or shoot from a distance. Planning a visit on Saturday — many interiors are unavailable because of Shabbat.
The Remuh Cemetery was partially destroyed after World War II and used as a storage site — during cleanups hundreds of tombstones were discovered. Fragments of destroyed gravestones were sometimes incorporated into walls as a reminder of the place’s fate. The Remuh Synagogue is one of the few synagogues in Krakow where services are still regularly held, which makes it not just a historical monument but a living part of the local community. In the past it was visited by prominent figures; the site has served an important spiritual and social role for centuries.
Is the synagogue always open? No — there are days and hours when the interior may be closed for religious observance; it’s best to check current opening times before your visit. How long does a visit take? At a relaxed pace: 25–45 minutes; if you want to go deeper, plan 60–90 minutes. Can I take photos? Yes, from a respectful distance and not during prayer; do not step on graves and show respect. Is Wawel free? Walking the Hill and the courtyards is free; some parts of the Cathedral and museum exhibitions require tickets — buy only those you plan to use.
If you value a story that combines facts with respect for context and places of memory, consider visiting with a private guide. Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers personalized routes around Kazimierz and Wawel that help you understand, not just "tick off" points on the map — contact details and booking information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If this article was helpful, please share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a good visit to Krakow. And if you’d like to book a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, remember that details and a contact form can be found on the guide’s website. Thank you for the respect you show to places of memory and enjoy a quiet, rewarding visit to Krakow.
