Kraków is a city where history feels almost tangible — from fragments of the ghetto wall, through the industrial interiors of Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, to abandoned quarries and memorials. For small photography groups (2–6 people) these are great places for photos: intimate, demanding respect and providing powerful frames.
This guide was created to help plan short, calm photo sessions and historical walks: I list 10 places worth paying attention to, give practical tips on respectful behavior at sites of memory, and recommend a few well-rated cafés and ideas for breaks between shots.
Remember that many of these places are sites of memory — photographs should be taken sensitively: silence, discretion and respect are more important than a dramatic shot.
When planning an outing with a team of 2–6 people, choose a maximum of 2–3 spots per day. Sites of memory require time and reflection, and they may be spread across different districts (Podgórze, Kazimierz, Zabłocie, Nowa Huta).
Take care of comfort: a light tripod, a 50–135 mm tele for details and a wide angle for architecture. For documentary photos, the best light is often morning or late afternoon — fewer people and softer shadows.
Check opening hours for museums and exhibitions (some sites have restricted entry or require booking). Remember that some places prohibit photography inside exhibitions — please respect those rules.
One of the most important sites of memory in Kraków — the museum in the former factory halls tells the story of the occupation and the fates of the city's inhabitants. Industrial interiors, old machines, raw walls and exhibition details create a strong photographic backdrop.
For a small group it's a good place for documentary photos and portraits in a raw setting, but remember visiting rules: in some rooms flash photography may be prohibited. Booking tickets in advance will save waiting time.
After the visit it’s worth stopping for coffee near Zabłocie — try Massolit Books & Café (a bookshop with a café) or other local places where you can calmly review your shots.
Ghetto Heroes Square with the characteristic installation of empty chairs is a place of strong symbolism — very photogenic but also requiring restraint in behavior. A frame with empty chairs against the urban background produces powerful, emotional images.
When you plan to photograph here, respect other visitors and any memorial ceremonies. Best light for photos is early afternoon and late afternoon, when sculptural materials and concrete take on warm tones.
Nearby is the branch of the museum in the former Eagle Pharmacy — if you want to deepen the context of your photos, it’s worth visiting the exhibition and taking a short pause for reflection.
Two areas of the original ghetto wall have survived in Kraków — fragments near Lwowska Street and Limanowskiego Street. Their raw historical texture and inscriptions make a strong compositional element for documentary photos and detail shots.
These are great spots to work with contrast — brickwork, memorial plaques, commemorative graffiti and contemporary buildings in the background. Keep quiet and avoid entering graves or adjacent cemetery areas that are sensitive.
The grounds of the former Płaszów labor and concentration camp are a space of memory with several monuments, paths and historical axes. It is a difficult and solemn place — yet it offers photographs that remind us of the scale of the tragedy and should be taken thoughtfully.
In recent years the area has been arranged and partially opened as a memorial site. If you plan a photographic session larger than casual documentation, ask in advance about rules and possible restrictions.
When photographing, focus on clear narrative in the frame — the aim is remembrance and education, not sensationalism.
The abandoned Liban Quarry is a raw, cinematic location — used in filming for 'Schindler's List'. Preserved concrete structures, lime kilns and cracked rock faces create an intense photographic backdrop.
This location is more off‑beat than popular tourist spots, so ideal for small groups seeking unexpected frames. Wear comfortable shoes — the terrain can be uneven and some ruins are dangerous.
Be cautious and avoid areas with prohibitions; this is a site of memory and part of industrial history linked to tragic events.
A small but highly significant museum next to Ghetto Heroes Square — the Eagle Pharmacy has preserved the interior where aid was provided during the ghetto era. The interior and exhibits allow you to capture context and make subtle documentary photos.
A visit inside nicely complements exterior photos — the exhibition recalls everyday acts of courage and help. Check the museum's photography rules so you don’t disturb the exhibition or other visitors.
Kazimierz is a district where wartime traces and prewar Jewish life are visible in architecture, synagogues and the old Remuh Cemetery. It is a place where photography meets memory and culture.
Be careful when framing people praying at the cemetery or inside synagogues — discretion is key. Good shots include details of tombstones, gates, stone textures and street photography in the warm morning light.
Remnants of the fortress fortifications are architecturally interesting and provide stark, compelling frames. Fort No. 31 'St. Benedict' and other sites are places where 19th‑century fortification meets 20th‑century wartime history in a single shot.
Open days and historical events are often held — if you want to enter interiors, check visiting dates and possible reservations. Renovation and conservation work may limit access to some spaces.
Nowa Huta and its surroundings hide lesser‑known traces of the war: battlegrounds, graves of victims, memory trails and rural areas tied to the history of occupation. This is a good direction for groups seeking quiet and authentic out‑of‑town spaces.
Walks through former village areas and cemeteries require preparation — comfortable footwear, a map and awareness that some sites are graves and sensitive areas. The local Nowa Huta museum runs themed walks which help understand context and choose the best photographic points.
Kraków appears in films related to wartime themes — fragments used for movie shoots, memorial plaques, revitalized districts and archival building details are elements easily woven into a photographic story.
Look for contrasts: new development vs stones of memory, commemorative graffiti on old walls, lone plaques in parks. Such details often yield the most interesting, personal photographs.
Taking joking or posed photos in front of memorial sites — this is a mistake. A place of memory requires restraint; instead of showy poses choose subtle, empathetic frames.
Lack of logistical preparation — trying to reach several scattered points in one day without planning leads to delays and frustration. Plan your route, tickets and coffee breaks.
Not matching equipment to conditions — don’t show up with a heavy tripod for a short street session; conversely, tripods may be forbidden in museums. Check rules before you go out.
Can you photograph everywhere? — No. Many museums and exhibitions have restrictions (no flash, no tripods or a total ban on photography). Always ask staff or check the regulations.
Do small groups of 2–6 people need permits? — For ordinary documentary photography usually not; if you plan an elaborate session with props, commercial intent or large tripods, ask the site manager.
How to get around the city? — Trams and short walks are the most practical (Zabłocie, Podgórze, Kazimierz are close to each other), and for farther points (Nowa Huta, some forts) use public transport or a short taxi ride.
Where to eat or rest? — I recommend a few well‑rated places: Camelot Cafe in the Old Town — a cozy spot for a break, and Massolit Books & Café near Zabłocie — a comfortable place for coffee and conversation after visiting Schindler’s Factory.
Not all objects visible today have full on‑site descriptions — in several places memory has been restored only recently, and fragments of wall or dilapidated industrial buildings hide complicated stories of local families.
Some areas — like the Liban Quarry — became famous through films and photographs but for a long time were practically forgotten. For a photographer this is a chance for unexpected shots off the beaten path.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a thoughtful and respectful photographic journey through Kraków.
If you want to discover these places with a local guide, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and the offer are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata will prepare a route tailored to a small group, allowing time for photography, historical context and the comfort of participants.
