Yes — and in Kraków it works especially well. This is a city where picturesque streets sit side by side with the memory of the past. You can capture great shots for Instagram or TikTok and at the same time visit memorial sites connected to World War II, provided you approach them with sensitivity. This guide is a ready-made route combining both aspects: recommended stops, practical tips and rules to know before you go. We don’t give only dry facts — we advise how to behave with class and how to make good, non-offensive, original shots.
Remember that memorial sites require silence and respect — short educational pieces (for example a 15–30 second clip with context) are perfectly acceptable, but avoid jokes and an overly light tone. The article also includes practical tips: when to come, how to plan a route for a group, and a list of well-rated coffee and lunch spots nearby. At the end you’ll find an FAQ and an invitation to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact is visible on the guide’s website.
Schindler’s Factory is one of the most important museum sites in Kraków connected to the occupation period. The exhibition mixes multimedia storytelling with authentic artifacts, and the industrial architecture provides a great, raw background for photos. If you plan a group visit, book tickets in advance — entry can be limited.
For Instagram shots, the most visually strong exhibition areas and the space in front of the building in late afternoon work best. At the same time, remember this is a museum of memory — when planning social content try to give it an educational or reflective dimension. Short, calm sequences with context will be received better than fast, purely entertainment edits.
Nearby you’ll find trendy cafés and restaurants in Zabłocie, ideal for a group break after visiting. Check opening hours and rules for photographing in exhibition halls beforehand.
On Ghetto Heroes’ Square stand metal chairs — a symbol of abandoned furniture during the liquidation of the ghetto. This simple, suggestive motif is one of Kraków’s most recognizable memorial symbols and provides extremely strong photographic frames. Use wide shots to show the relationship between space and emptiness.
This is a place ideal for a short explanation of the ghetto’s history and the lives of its inhabitants. If you’re filming with a group, ask participants for a moment of silence before entering the square. Such an attitude will be noticed by residents and other visitors. Don’t make jokes or provocative shots against the chairs — their message is very serious.
The square is close to the footbridge to Kazimierz, so you can combine both sites in one walk. Along the way consider visiting the Apothecary under the Eagle — a museum branch with valuable testimonies from the ghetto era.
The area of the former forced labour and extermination camp in Płaszów is now marked with monuments and commemorative plaques. This is a place of immense historical weight, so prepare both factually and emotionally before visiting.
Photographing the contemporary park landscape with elements of memory can produce powerful, reflective images, but avoid stylizations that could undermine the seriousness of the place. For educational groups consider splitting into smaller subgroups — this makes access to different parts of the site easier and prevents crowding on narrow paths.
If you want to talk about this place on social media, take a moment for a brief historical introduction and highlight why remembrance matters. It’s also a good spot to discuss with participants how photography and memory can coexist.
Kazimierz is the district that best combines the atmosphere of picture-perfect streets with important traces of Kraków’s Jewish history. Szeroka Street, the synagogues and the Remuh cemetery are must-sees. Shots of cobbled streets, architectural details and murals work very well in feeds and short videos.
Synagogues and places of worship require particular respect — check opening hours and photo rules. If you want to film interiors, make sure you are not interrupting services and that you keep quiet. After visiting, take a break in one of Kazimierz’s well-rated cafés, such as Massolit Books & Café or other local spots with good reviews.
Combining Kazimierz with Ghetto Heroes’ Square and the monuments of Podgórze creates an interesting thematic route connecting history and aesthetics.
The Apothecary under the Eagle (Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s pharmacy) is a critically important site related to Kraków’s ghetto. It contains authentic testimonies and artifacts; its interiors have great educational value. Photos of details, old plaques or building fronts help build a narrative about everyday life in difficult times.
While walking, pay attention to commemorative plaques and former addresses — these often tell local stories that don’t appear in guidebooks. Small details, captured in silence and with respect, create strong social media materials that can also serve an educational function.
If you lead a group, ask participants to prepare a short excerpt to read (for example a testimonial) before entering — this enriches the experience of the place.
Bernatka Footbridge, with its characteristic sculptures, is a great place for modern shots along the Wisła River. Jerzy Kędziora’s sculptures and the wide boulevards make an excellent background for golden hour photography. Evening lights and reflections on the water create a big visual impact.
The boulevards are also convenient for groups — plenty of space, places to rest and many dining options near Kazimierz and Zabłocie. During the season you’ll find food trucks and outdoor events; if you plan a larger shoot consider booking a spot at a nearby restaurant in advance.
Remember that at sunset the area can be crowded — for social media shots choose less busy times (early morning or late evening on weekdays).
Zakrzówek is one of the most spectacular outdoor locations inside the city limits: turquoise water and rock walls create an almost exotic landscape. It’s a great place for group or individual sessions, especially on sunny days. Note: safety rules and access restrictions apply in some areas, so check current regulations before you go.
Drones require permission, and some zones may be closed to large groups; plan logistics (transport and walking routes) ahead of time. For those who want a nature contrast to city shots, Zakrzówek is an ideal complement to old-town frames.
If you’re after the most "Instagrammable" effect, the best light is in the morning or late afternoon — avoid midday when colors can look washed out.
Mounds like Krakus and Kościuszko offer sweeping city panoramas — they are classic backdrops for group photos and timelapses. A group photo with the sun setting over Kraków’s roofs will be a memorable travel keepsake.
Reaching the mounds can be demanding for people with limited mobility, so allow extra time and wear comfortable shoes. Weather can be windy, so bring sunglasses and light jackets, especially outside of summer.
The mounds are also a good place for short stories and anecdotes about Kraków — tell participants where the mounds’ names come from and what they meant historically.
Wawel is a must-see — castle courtyards, the cathedral and the view over the Wisła are backdrops that always perform well on social media. Try to arrive early to avoid crowds and make use of soft morning light. Remember, however, that Wawel is also a site of great historical and symbolic value.
If you want to tie in the theme of World War II traces, at Wawel you can touch on the city’s wartime experiences and point out directions for further visits, for example toward Podgórze and Ghetto Heroes’ Square. Wawel is also convenient as a starting point for walks around the Old Town and the river boulevards.
Avoid theatrical props or elaborate costumes in sacred and museum spaces — again, favour solemn, natural frames.
Zabłocie and Podgórze are districts where old factories meet modern life — industrial walls, murals and trendy cafés are great complements to a photographic route. The contrast between heritage and new spaces gives lots of room for creativity.
You’ll find highly rated restaurants and cafés nearby that serve as good stops for groups. I recommend choosing venues with strong reviews and booking tables for larger visits. In Zabłocie, plan a visit to Schindler’s Factory, which combines history with visually attractive exhibition design.
This kind of route helps show Kraków’s many faces — from remembrance and contemplation to urban energy and creativity.
Planning: don’t try to do everything in one day. Combining memorial sites with Instagram spots takes time and can be emotionally demanding. Spread the route over 1–3 days depending on the group’s pace and interests.
Respect and context: don’t start recordings with joking remarks in front of memorial sites. A common mistake is trivializing tragic historical topics — you’ll avoid that by preparing short, factual comments before entering a place.
Crowds and timing: you’ll get the best frames in the centre (Market Square, Wawel, Kazimierz) very early in the morning or late in the evening. For great light plan around sunrise or sunset. Book Schindler’s Factory and some museums in advance.
Logistics: Zakrzówek and the mounds require walking and good transport planning. Drones and commercial shoots may need permissions — check rules and permits.
Photography: avoid commercial props at memorials and in sacred sites; short captions that provide context are more important than striking but inappropriate styling.
Safety: be careful at Zakrzówek and under old walls. For large groups split into smaller teams to avoid blocking paths and disturbing other visitors.
After a day of sightseeing it’s good to eat at trusted places. In Kazimierz I recommend venues with strong ratings and positive guest reviews — places serving local specialties and international cuisine. Around Zabłocie and Podgórze you’ll find fashionable restaurants and cafés suitable for larger groups.
If you want something more elegant near the Old Town, choose restaurants with a long history and good reviews. For a quick coffee and a relaxing moment try popular Kazimierz cafés that combine great coffee with a literary atmosphere.
When booking for groups, provide the number of people and dietary preferences — the best places are happy to offer set menus or faster service on request.
Can I take photos in museums and synagogues? It depends on the place. Many museums restrict photography in exhibition halls — check rules before entering. Synagogues and cemeteries also require respect and often limit tripod or flash use.
Do I need a guide to understand these places? Not always, but a guide can give context and explain difficult parts of history in an accessible way. If you want a thematic visit with deeper meaning, consider a guided tour with someone who knows local stories and has experience working with groups.
How do I avoid crowds at the Market and Wawel? The best strategy is to come very early (before 8:00) or late in the evening. For photos the strongest light is during the golden hour — sunrise and sunset. Organized groups often choose early hours to combine photos with a more intimate visit.
Can I use a drone? In the city drones require particular caution and often permission. Check local regulations and no-fly zones. Parks and Zakrzówek may have additional rules regarding flights — ask in advance.
There are several dozen chairs on Ghetto Heroes’ Square — their symbolism refers to abandoned furniture during the ghetto’s liquidation and makes a strong impression in minimalist photos. It’s a simple yet moving motif.
Schindler’s Factory is not just a film set — it’s an authentic place with exhibitions that often move and educate. Many parts of the exhibition use multimedia — great backgrounds for short educational reels and videos.
Work is ongoing in the Płaszów area on commemoration and site protection — if you’re interested in the camp’s history, check current information before visiting.
If you liked this itinerary, share the article with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a mindful visit to Kraków with respect for history.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a detailed 1-, 2- or 3-day plan tailored to your interests and pace. For those who prefer guided visits, I recommend the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. This is a great option if you want the route to have strong historical context and to be led with empathy.
Wishing you great shots, reflective moments and safe walks around Kraków — may your photos be beautiful and responsible at the same time.
