Kazimierz is a place that, with the texture of its streets, the colors of its tenement houses and the atmosphere of its cafés, almost begs to be photographed. In spring the district comes to life: trees bloom, café tables appear, and the soft morning light and golden-hour evenings give beautiful, warm frames. Alongside the historic center it’s worth paying attention to the city’s modernist and socmodernist buildings — they make a great contrast to the cobbled old town and give photos a contemporary character. For families it’s a good mix: historic nooks, museums with exhibits for children and open spaces by the Vistula where little ones can run after a photo walk.
In this article I point out exactly 10 places worth visiting in spring with your family and I’ll advise how to set up your camera or phone, where to eat well-rated dishes after a photo session and how to avoid common tourist mistakes.
Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy are a photographic classic: cobblestones, street lamps, atmospheric tenement houses and lots of food and drink arrangements. Plac Nowy, with its distinctive round pavilion and food‑truck market, offers many options for street photos and portraits against colorful backgrounds. Spring mornings are the nicest here — the light is soft and crowds are still small, which makes it easier to place the family in the middle of the frame. In the evening the lights and neon signs create a warm, cozy atmosphere.
If you want photos without people, come right after sunrise. For families: there are small snacks and places to rest on the square.
Miodowa Street and the area around the Tempel Synagogue are an excellent place for frames that combine Art Nouveau and modernist details with the history of Jewish heritage. Facades here often have interesting ornamentation, and passages between buildings create depth in photographs. The interior of the Tempel Synagogue delights with details — remember to show respect and follow rules when photographing sacred places.
If you plan to shoot inside, check entry rules and any photography restrictions in advance. In spring the light coming through stained glass windows gives a special mood.
The Jewish cemetery by the Remuh Synagogue is a place full of calm and strong photographic narrative. Morning mist and spring buds on the trees intensify a melancholic but beautiful mood in photos. This is also a place that requires particular respect — photograph discreetly, do not step on tombstones and honor the site of memory.
For families with children it’s good to prepare a short introduction — explain why these places are important and how to behave there.
The Museum of Municipal Engineering (ul. św. Wawrzyńca) is a great stop for families: old trams, buses and machines make a fantastic backdrop for photos with children. The exhibits allow for dynamic, colorful frames and ‘in motion’ shots. Spring is a good time for outdoor photos by the historic vehicles displayed near the museum.
Recommended shots: a wide frame with a tram in the background, a portrait of a child sitting by the entrance to a historic vehicle, details of mechanisms for more abstract photos.
The MOCAK area and the former Schindler factory show a successful combination of industrial character and contemporary architecture. Concrete volumes, steel details and the raw gallery backdrop contrast nicely with spring greenery by the Vistula. For a family photographer this is an alternative to romantic Kazimierz — here you can look for more graphic, modern frames.
After visiting MOCAK it’s worth resting in the museum café or one of the well-rated places in Zabłocie — convenient spots for a family break.
The boulevards along the Vistula are an excellent place for family photos: wide open space, benches, walking paths and views of the Błonia and the city panorama. Pedestrian bridges (for example the Bernatka footbridge) are great vantage points for symmetrical compositions. In spring flowering shrubs and trees add color to the compositions.
Technical tip: when photographing the river, use a shorter shutter speed to ‘freeze’ the family against the gentle motion of the water, or a longer one to achieve a smooth, glassy effect.
Skałka (the church on Skałka) is a viewpoint from which it’s easy to get nice shots where history meets greenery. Steps, walls and low fences offer natural places to seat the family and take a portrait with a view of the city. In spring shrubs and trees bloom here too, warming the tones of photos.
For families with strollers: entrances can be stony, so it’s worth having a convenient plan or preparing for a shorter walk.
Kazimierz is full of hidden courtyards with beautiful light, strings of lights above tables and murals. These places tell the story of contemporary district life and work very well for candid, natural-style portraits. In spring many restaurateurs decorate their courtyards with plants, which further improves the frame.
Look for passages between buildings and small gates — the most atmospheric photo spots are often hidden there.
If you’re interested in socmodernism and unusual architectural solutions, be sure to visit Nowa Huta. The Central Square, neighborhood pavilions and modernist details make uncommon backdrops — geometric forms and symmetries work well with fashion and family sessions. Spring light reveals the texture of concrete and colorful accents of greenery.
It’s also a place where children often react with curiosity to the unusual scale of buildings — try combining wide shots with low-angle detail frames.
Throughout Kraków’s downtown you’ll find modernist tenement houses and Art Nouveau facades from the early 20th century — often underrated backgrounds for photos. Pay attention to doors, door handles, balconies and cornices — these details can make a frame exceptional. In spring facades gain refreshed colors and the contrast with greenery creates a pleasant composition.
Watch the shadows and light on facades — sometimes changing your angle by a few degrees reveals the best textures.
For families the most convenient setup is a versatile 24–70 mm lens (or a wide-angle on a phone) and a bright portrait lens (for example 50 mm f/1.8). Make the most of spring light during the golden hours — right after sunrise and before sunset. Morning walks also increase the chance of empty frames without tourists.
If you shoot with a phone, turn on HDR or portrait mode, and use a tripod or stabilization in low light. For dynamic photos of children use a faster shutter speed (1/250 s or faster).
Remember a power bank, spare memory cards and water for the kids.
Kazimierz is also a culinary delight. A few tried-and-tested and well-rated places are Starka (modern Polish cuisine), Hamsa (Middle Eastern flavors, hummus), Ariel (traditional recipes), and for quick bites Plac Nowy with its street food offer. Around MOCAK and Zabłocie you’ll find pleasant museum cafés and child-friendly menus.
If you’re looking for dessert or a good coffee after a session, choose venues with reviews and opinions — Kazimierz has many cozy cafés with family space. Making a dinner reservation for weekend evenings is a sensible idea.
For families the most important things are breaks and a gentle pace. Plan short walking segments between spots and include places where children can run (Vistula boulevards, playgrounds). Museums such as the Museum of Municipal Engineering or MOCAK often offer family programs and interactive exhibitions that make the outing more enjoyable.
Avoid long routes in bad weather and don’t try to take too many shots in one afternoon — photos will be better if you devote time to them and let children rest.
A common mistake is trying to ‘do’ too many places in one day. Result: tiredness and underwhelming photos. It’s better to choose 3–4 locations and do them well. Another mistake is ignoring the rules of memorial sites — do not step on tombstones or place props on them.
Drones: remember there are restrictions over historic parts of the city and over crowds — check current regulations before flying. Photographing inside sacred interiors often requires permission or fees — make sure in advance.
When is the best time of day for photos? The best light is early morning and late afternoon — the golden hour. In spring days are longer, so you have more options.
Are the places accessible with a stroller? Many streets are cobbled and sidewalks uneven — not all routes are convenient with a stroller. Plan shorter sections and choose flat-access spots (boulevards, some museums).
Can I photograph inside synagogues and museums? Rules vary — some places allow photography without flash, others require permission. Respect the rules and be discreet in sites of memory.
Kazimierz was for centuries a separate town, founded by King Casimir the Great — this explains the unique street layout and atmosphere. Less obvious is that Kraków actively rediscovers and reinterprets modernism and socmodernism — bold 20th-century shapes are now photographic attractions.
Local tip: many tenement houses hide beautiful courtyards — if you see a gate with a small plaque or a mailbox, it’s often worth politely asking the owner if you may step in for a few photos. You’ll usually meet kindness if you approach with respect.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — your inspiration can help others plan a trip. I also encourage you to visit the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz’s page and consider booking a private tour — friendly narration and an individual pace are a great way to discover Kraków’s best frames (contact details are visible on the guide’s page).
Good luck with your photography — spring in Kraków gives unique light and atmosphere, and Kazimierz and the modernist corners are waiting for your shots!
