This question comes up most often — and it’s worth clearing up right away: the Kraków ghetto largely operated on the opposite bank of the Vistula, in the Podgórze district. Kazimierz was a lively pre-war Jewish neighborhood from which many residents were later displaced to the ghetto. This distinction in the city’s geography matters for planning a walk and for understanding what you see on site: on one bank you encounter traces of everyday life and religious practice, on the other the realities of occupation and memorial sites. A well-designed route links both banks and gives a fuller picture of the history.
Exploring difficult history with your family is possible and meaningful if you adapt pace and language to the children’s age. Short 10–15 minute modules, one key sentence at each stop and a photographic element (for example, “let’s take a photo of this brick”) help you move through the subject without overwhelming anyone. Instead of delivering a lecture, ask simple questions: what do you see, what do you think might have been here before? End with a light, warm note (coffee, cake, a family photo) to help process emotions and provide a sense of closure.
Start: Kazimierz - Szeroka Street (a brief presentation of the neighborhood’s pre-war rhythm). The Old Synagogue - a quick introduction to the function and role of the synagogue in community life. Remuh and the cemetery - a calm place where you can talk about the symbols on the tombstones (the kohen’s hand, the Levite’s pitcher, the candelabrum). Walk along Miodowa to the Tempel Synagogue - compare architectural forms and post-war repairs to facades. Cross the Vistula to Podgórze - Ghetto Heroes Square, the Eagle Pharmacy - short, concrete stories about life in the ghetto. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory - the main part of the Memory Route, with a multimedia exhibition. If time allows: coffee or a snack around Zabłocie, and for those interested a short visit to the grounds of the former Płaszów camp. This proposal combines pre-war and occupation sites to provide a coherent context.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is now a branch of the city museum with a permanent multimedia exhibition showing the fate of Kraków’s Jews during the occupation. The museum offers full-price, reduced and family tickets — check the family ticket option before you go, as it’s often the most convenient choice for families. The Memory Route also includes branches: the Eagle Pharmacy and an exhibition on Pomorska Street - a combined ticket lets you visit these places within a short time frame. Be aware that on some days (for example certain Mondays in specific seasons) special ticketing rules apply - in practice some tickets may be available only at the ticket office and in limited numbers, so for larger groups or on a specific date it’s best to plan and reserve in advance.
Use short metaphors and images: instead of graphic details of violence, speak about interrupted everyday life, empty shops and closed synagogues. Let children ask questions and answer briefly; if a question is too detailed, suggest you’ll talk later or show age-appropriate materials. Create a small ritual to end the walk - ice cream, tea or a simple task (draw one word you remember) helps process impressions. Be cautious with multimedia exhibitions: some installations are emotionally intense and are better described to children beforehand.
Transport: trams and buses run efficiently between the center, Kazimierz and Zabłocie; there are several tram lines serving the area around Schindler’s Factory. Time: the suggested 2–3 hour route includes short stops and a visit to one museum; if you plan to visit several branches of the Memory Route, reserve half a day. Tickets: check availability of family tickets and possible limits at the ticket office for the chosen day; in high season it’s better to book in advance. What to bring: comfortable shoes, a water bottle, small snacks for children, tissues, a phone powerbank and a small notebook for notes or sketches for the kids.
Kazimierz offers many family-friendly cafés and restaurants perfect for a break after the walk - choose places that have good reviews from families and visitors. Around Plac Nowy you’ll find quick snacks and casual spots, while Zabłocie and the area near Schindler’s Factory have cafés with simple children’s menus. If you prefer something more local, look for cafés with outdoor seating — they make it easier to take a breather after an intense visit. (If you want specific recommendations, I can tailor suggestions to your family’s tastes and dietary needs.)
Thinking that Kazimierz was the ghetto — this leads to mistaken route planning. Solution: plan visits in both Kazimierz and Podgórze to see both sides of the story. Ignoring break times for children — leads to fussiness and overload. Solution: schedule short breaks every 45–60 minutes. Not checking museum entrance rules — some days may have ticket limits or changed hours. Solution: check the museum’s website or call the day before.
On the tombstones in the Remuh cemetery you can “read” professions and social roles of former inhabitants through the symbols carved in the stone — a discreet and interesting way to tell a story without dramatizing. Many buildings in Kazimierz survived as shells while their interiors changed function for decades — by looking at the texture of plaster and traces of old signs you can often spot post-war repairs that tell of a long restoration process. Many places that today look “old” or “picturesque” were neglected for decades and only began regaining their former look from the 1980s and 1990s onward.
Can children enter Schindler’s Factory? Yes - the museum offers family tickets and family-friendly options, but some displays contain strong material so the decision is up to the parents. Do I need to reserve a ticket for Schindler’s Factory? In high season and for larger groups it’s wise to book in advance; on some days entrance can be limited to tickets sold at the ticket office. How much time should I allow for the route? The essentials take 2–3 hours; if you want to visit all branches of the Memory Route, allow half a day. Is the walk pushchair-friendly? Parts of Kazimierz have cobbles and narrow passages - the riverside sections and the area around Schindler’s Factory are easier for a pushchair; consider bringing a comfortable carrier as an alternative.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it will help other families plan a visit to Kraków. If you’d like, I can prepare a route tailored to your children’s ages, pace and interests — and if you prefer a guided visit, feel free to use the services of guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (details and offers are available on the guide’s page). I’m also happy to help refine your day plan or suggest highly-rated cafés and restaurants in the specific areas of the route.
