Are you coming to Krakow and want to: visit Schindler’s Factory, see a few museums, take nice photos for Instagram and avoid wasting time wandering around? This text is a practical plan and advice — from the experience of a guide who has shown the city to thousands of people. You’ll find: practical tips, ready-made routes with museum entries, the best photo spots and an FAQ with the questions I’m most often asked. I won’t quote pages or links — I’ll simply show how to plan a day so it’s enjoyable.
If you’d like to book a walk, write to me directly — I’ll help tailor a route and take care of tickets where needed.
Note: museum tickets and certain entries are usually paid separately — more on that in the practical section.
Shall we start? If photos are your priority, jump to the “Instagram spots” section. If you want a museum-focused program, go straight to “Routes with museum entries”.
I’ll use a simple, friendly tone — that’s how I’ll speak with you during the walk.
The Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory is located in Zabłocie (Lipowa Street 4). It’s a branch of the Museum of Krakow and tells the story of the city under occupation and the fate of its residents during World War II. It’s worth visiting because the exhibition is powerful, well curated and gives context for walks in the surrounding area.
Visiting time: plan at least 1–1.5 hours for Schindler’s Factory if you want to view the exhibition calmly and read the captions. If you combine this with MOCAK in the former production halls, add about another hour.
Tickets: in most cases tickets are bought separately — online or on site. I strongly recommend checking availability and buying tickets in advance during the high season, because this is one of the city’s most visited sites.
Getting there and logistics: the factory is easy to reach by tram — nearby stops include Plac Bohaterów Getta, Limanowskiego and Zabłocie. The museum does not have a large visitors’ parking lot; coach stops are located on nearby streets.
Tone and respect: this is a place of memory — photos are allowed in selected areas, but please be sensitive to the atmosphere and respect the seriousness of the exhibition.
Krakow offers a huge variety of frames, from sweeping panoramas to intimate corners. Here are some places I recommend when you want to take a beautiful photo:
- Main Market Square and Cloth Hall — a classic, great for afternoon and evening shots; remember the center can be crowded, so early morning is best.
- Wawel and the Vistula boulevards — the Wawel panorama from the riverbank is unmissable; the boulevards are lovely at sunset.
- Kazimierz: Szeroka Street, Józefa Street and Plac Nowy — atmospheric tenement houses, cafés and graffiti make fantastic backdrops.
- Father Bernatek Footbridge — a nice connection between Kazimierz and Podgórze, especially pretty with evening lights.
- Zabłocie and the area around Schindler’s Factory — industrial backgrounds, interesting architectural details and modern murals; remember to pair photos here with historical reflection.
- The Planty and narrow Old Town streets — plenty of greenery and calmer frames just off the bustle of the Market Square.
A few practical photo tips:
- The golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset) gives the nicest light.
- If you want emptier backgrounds at the Market or Wawel — come very early in the morning.
- Look for details: old doors, signs and fragments of façades often make more interesting images than wide panoramas.
This route combines the most important museums and places of memory with short walks between them. You can adjust it to your own pace.
1) Start: Main Market Square — a short walk, a photo by the Cloth Hall and the Adam Mickiewicz monument.
2) Wawel — the Cathedral and the Wawel Courtyard (some areas and higher parts require separate tickets) — 1–1.5 hours.
3) Walk to Kazimierz — a quick stroll through the streets, coffee at Plac Nowy.
4) Schindler’s Factory (Zabłocie) — visit the historical exhibition, 1–1.5 hours. If you wish, add MOCAK in the neighbouring halls.
5) Finish: a light walk along the Vistula or return to the Market — depending on time and the group’s energy.
Notes on the plan: tickets for Wawel, Schindler’s Factory or MOCAK are usually paid separately; booking in advance saves time in season. If you prefer a slower pace, stretch this into a whole day and include lunch in Kazimierz.
Short on time but want to see something important? Here’s a brief option:
- Start at the Main Market Square — 20–30 minutes for a quick look at the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica (entering the basilica requires a ticket).
- Travel or walk to Schindler’s Factory — 1–1.5 hours to tour the exhibition.
- If time permits: a short stop in Kazimierz (Plac Nowy) for coffee and a photo.
This is an intense afternoon but realistic — ideal for a short city break.
- Tickets: most museums charge entry fees. Buying online reduces the risk of sold-out slots during peak season.
- Opening hours: check before you go — hours can change in season or on holidays.
- Transport: trams and walking are often the fastest ways to move around the center. The easiest way to reach Schindler’s Factory is on foot or by tram to the Zabłocie / Plac Bohaterów Getta / Limanowskiego stops.
- Parking: parking spaces in the center are limited; if you arrive by car, consider leaving it outside the Old Town and using public transport.
- Tourist information: InfoKrakow points in the city centre provide maps and up-to-date brochures. They are a good place to check hours or buy tickets.
- Schindler’s Factory deals with serious themes; for younger children consider shorter visits or prepare them in advance with an age-appropriate story.
- On routes through Kazimierz and the Market you’ll find places to stop for food and lighter attractions that help keep children engaged.
- For school trips, plan breaks and have a plan B for bad weather (more indoor activities and museums).
- Remember comfortable shoes — there will be a lot of walking.
- I’m happy to help build a child-friendly route — I tell stories and involve younger participants with age-appropriate curiosities.
- Respect: Schindler’s Factory and places connected to the ghetto are sites of memory. Keep quiet where required and be sensitive before taking photos.
- Photography bans: in some parts of the exhibition photography may be restricted — obey the signs.
- Safety: watch your belongings in crowded places; in museums carry backpacks in front if it’s busy.
- Follow museum rules: if an exhibition has limited group entries, try to arrive punctually for your reserved time.
- Accessibility: check information on accessibility for people with limited mobility — many sites offer solutions but it’s worth confirming in advance.
Are museum tickets included in the price of a guided walk? - No, museum admission is usually charged separately. As a guide I can help buy tickets and plan a route to avoid queues.
How long does it take to visit Schindler’s Factory? - Expect a minimum of 60–90 minutes to view the exhibition calmly.
What’s the best way to get to Schindler’s Factory? - The most convenient way is by tram to the Plac Bohaterów Getta, Limanowskiego or Zabłocie stops. From the center it’s a short tram ride or about a 20–30 minute walk.
Is Schindler’s Factory suitable for children? - The subject matter is serious, so adapt the story and visit length to the children’s ages. For younger kids I suggest shorter visits combined with lighter attractions.
When is the best time for photos at the Market Square? - Early morning and late afternoon (golden hour) — fewer people and nicer light.
- Look for details: often the most moving stories hide in small objects and exhibition labels.
- Connect places: after visiting Schindler’s Factory it’s worthwhile to walk to Kazimierz — both areas show different sides of the city’s history.
- Remember a break: a good plan is a museum in the morning, lunch in Kazimierz and an afternoon walk by the Vistula.
- Book ahead in the tourist season — it saves time and stress.
- If you’d like, I can prepare a personalised day plan matched to your interests and pace.
Krakow combines history, memory and the charm of narrow streets — Schindler’s Factory is one of those places that leaves a mark, and the surroundings also offer great opportunities for photographic experiments. When planning visits with museum entries, think about time, tickets and breaks — that will make your day pleasant and unhurried.
If you’d like help with reservations, a route or advice on the best time for photos — write to me. I’ll gladly help make your stay in Krakow successful and stress-free. Warm regards — Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
PS. At the InfoKrakow point in the city centre you can get maps and current information if you prefer an in-person spot to check details.
Good luck and see you in Krakow!
