Krakow still carries traces of World War II in the fabric of the city: from small details on walls and gravestones, through the memory of the ghetto in Podgórze, to museums that collect documents and objects from those years. For a photographer this is a mix of urban spaces, sacred architecture and intimate museum interiors that generate strong, moving images.
Many sites have a limited number of tickets and timed entries, especially at weekends — it’s worth booking in advance and planning the time of day that will give the best light and the fewest people.
Below you’ll find my selection of 10 places that combine historical and photographic value, plus practical tips on booking, etiquette and the best shots.
This is a must-see on Krakow’s WWII trail — an extensive exhibition about the occupation and the city’s residents, housed in the former factory. Both the exhibition and the exterior courtyard offer strong, reportage-style images.
Tickets: the museum offers time-slot tickets with limited capacity. Weekend slots fill up quickly — buy tickets online in advance. Check combined ticket options (memory trail) that allow visiting some branches of the museum on consecutive days.
Photography: shoot indoors without flash, and respect exhibits and other visitors. Outside, try a low angle to capture the building’s industrial character and façade details.
A special and authentic place — Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s pharmacy that operated during the ghetto period. The interior is intimate and moving; it’s a good place for documentary-style photos that capture the atmosphere of memory.
Tickets: this branch functions as a city museum and charged admission applies; special guided tours and events require reservations. If you’re planning a weekend visit, check availability in advance.
Photography: the interior is often small — use a wide-angle lens and camera settings suited to low light; keep quiet and be restrained around exhibits and relics.
A public monument and memory space in Podgórze — the distinctive, haunting silhouettes of metal chairs set along the Vistula riverbank and remnants of the old ghetto boundaries make for powerful images. This site is easy to photograph at different times of day.
Booking: the square is public and free to visit. If you plan to combine the visit with a guided tour or entry to the Pod Orłem Pharmacy or Schindler’s Factory, coordinate ticket times with the museums’ schedules.
Photography: sunrise and sunset create dramatic silhouettes of the chairs; show respect for people visiting the memorial and avoid posing in ways that trivialize the subject.
In the tenement on Pomorska Street there are preserved cells of the former Gestapo prison. The interiors and the exhibition 'Krakowians in the face of terror 1939–1945–1956' form a powerful place of memory that calls for silence during the visit.
Tickets: this branch is part of the city’s Memory Trail — entry can be paid and guided tours often require reserved places, especially on weekends with limited visitor numbers.
Photography: the interiors are austere and often dimly lit — prepare your camera for low-light shooting, avoid flash, and use a documentary framing that conveys the gravity of the place.
Kazimierz is where the history of Krakow’s Jewish community is visible in stone façades, synagogues and cemeteries. The Old Synagogue (ul. Szeroka) operates as a museum and retains traces of the district’s wartime fate.
Tickets: many synagogues in Kazimierz charge admission — these sites are often busy at weekends. Check opening hours and possible entry limits, especially if you plan to visit several locations in a short time.
Photography: architectural details, gates and Kazimierz courtyards provide excellent compositions. Look for contrasts of light and shadow in narrow streets and reflections in old windows.
This photographic museum in Kazimierz offers permanent and temporary exhibitions about Jewish memory; exhibitions such as 'Traces of Memory' are an excellent place for visitors who want to photograph exhibits (while respecting museum rules) and be inspired by documentary work.
Tickets: the museum sells tickets (including online), so book ahead for weekends. For larger groups it’s advisable to contact staff in advance.
Photography: in exhibition spaces observe flash bans and restrictions on commercial photography — shoot for private use and maintain silence.
The Remuh Cemetery in Kazimierz is one of the most moving memory spaces: old tombstones, layers of time and a calm, enclosed atmosphere. It’s an excellent place for shots of detail and gravestone textures.
Access: cemeteries are usually open to visitors without an entry fee, but local decorum and respect apply — do not step on graves, avoid loud behavior and dress appropriately.
Photography: short telephoto and standard zoom lenses are ideal for bringing out inscriptions and symbolism. Early morning offers gentle light and fewer visitors.
On the site of the former labor and concentration camp in Płaszów there are memorial fragments — monuments, plaques and open spaces that allow one to read the history of occupation terror in the urban context.
Access: the memorial grounds are publicly accessible — many visits and walks are accompanied by a guide. If you want deeper context, consider joining a guided visit or familiarizing yourself in advance with museum materials.
Photography: approach the subject sensitively — it is heavy and requires tact. Wide-angle shots show the landscape of memory, while detail shots of monuments focus attention on symbolism.
The Home Army Museum presents the clandestine activities of the Polish resistance; its collections of documents, weapons and photographs are a rich source of historical details and photographic opportunities.
Booking: special events and guided tours often require reservations — weekends may have limited capacity. If you need a specific date, contact the museum ahead of time.
Photography: in the museum watch for exhibit cases — photographing without flash is usually required and tripods often need prior agreement. Respect display rules and other visitors.
Although outside Krakow, Auschwitz‑Birkenau is an essential place of memory for many visitors based in the city. It is a powerful and emotionally demanding site.
Reservations: during the high season and at weekends entry often requires reservation and usually timed guided entries — plan your visit well in advance. There are official entry slots and limited pools of educational tickets.
Photography: there are restrictions on photography, especially commercial use. Photograph with restraint — do not pose and do not use images in a way that would disrespect the victims’ memory.
1) Book ahead: Schindler’s Factory, Galicia Jewish Museum, branches of the Memory Trail (Pod Orłem Pharmacy, Pomorska Street) and the Auschwitz trip have limited capacities — weekend tickets disappear quickly.
2) Combined tickets and order of visits: in Krakow there are arrangements that organize the memory route — some branches offer combined tickets or allow visiting locations over several days. Check the rules before buying to optimize your photographic route.
3) Times and parts of day: to avoid crowds and get the best light, choose mornings and late afternoons. Also check for free-admission days at some museums, since queues can be longer then.
4) Group entries and guided tours: some exhibits have limited guided tours at weekends — if you want photos without crowds, choose a session outside peak hours or ask for permission to enter before/after official hours (media/commercial teams usually need institutional permission).
1) Respect: memory sites are first and foremost spaces for victims and their families. Avoid stylized or theatrical posing and do not use exhibit elements for playful photography.
2) Gear: in tight interiors bring a fast lens and image stabilization. Flash is usually forbidden in museums and cemeteries — check the rules.
3) Composition: look for details — numbers, marks in stone, metal textures or inscriptions often speak more than wide panoramas. Frames with people in the background (for example, walking visitors) convey scale and context.
4) Documentary vs. commercial photography: if you plan to publish commercially, obtain permission from the site owner. Museums and memorial sites have separate rules for commercial photography and use in promotional materials.
Kazimierz and Podgórze offer friendly cafés and small restaurants where you can rest after visiting memory sites. In Kazimierz you’ll find intimate cafés where it’s easy to sit with a notebook and review photos.
Good practice: pick a place close to your next stop to save time (for example cafés near Szeroka Street after visiting synagogues, or a café by Plac Bohaterów Getta after the pharmacy). Many museums (some photographic branches included) have their own cafés or refreshment points for a short break.
If you want concrete recommendations, ask at the Visitor Service Center after purchasing your ticket — staff often suggest tried-and-tested cafés and simple meal spots nearby.
Q: Can I take photos everywhere? A: Not everywhere. Many museums allow photography for private use but ban flash and tripods; some exhibitions (especially temporary shows) restrict photography. Outdoor memorials are usually photographable, but always with respect.
Q: How far in advance should I book weekend tickets? A: As early as possible — from a few days to several weeks depending on the site and the season. For the most popular city branches, buy online a few days before arrival at minimum.
Q: Is it sensible to combine the route (Kazimierz → Podgórze → Płaszów → Auschwitz)? A: Yes — logistical planning makes sense. Many visitors set Auschwitz aside for a separate day (it requires a trip outside the city). In Krakow, combining Schindler’s Factory with the Pod Orłem Pharmacy and Pomorska Street is a natural Memory Route.
Q: Do I need a guide to take good photos? A: It’s not necessary, but a guide adds historical context that can help compose more meaningful images. If you want deeper narrative in your photography, consider a short guided visit.
1) Make a list of places from this article and check opening hours and ticket availability (especially Schindler’s Factory, Pod Orłem Pharmacy, Pomorska Street and Galicia Jewish Museum).
2) Plan morning or late-afternoon photo sessions to avoid crowds and get better light.
3) Bring an ID — some museums ask to see it when buying tickets online or at entry (practices may vary).
4) Remember ethics — we photograph to remember and educate, not to trivialize or sensationalize someone’s tragedy.
If you like, I can prepare a ready-made plan for a weekend photographic route (with opening hours and an optimized walking map). Tell me the days you’ll be in Krakow and whether you plan to go to Auschwitz.
