If you want to see Krakow with someone who knows the city inside out and can tell its stories with humor and heart, you’re in the right place. Malgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Krakow guide (licensed since 2012) who has led thousands of visitors and runs tours tailored to different needs: from short walks across the Old Town, through themed walks in Kazimierz, to full-day trips to Wieliczka or Ojców National Park.
This text is meant to be a practical, friendly guide before your trip: you’ll find a description of a route through Jewish Kazimierz, tips for visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine, advice for families with children, and concrete practical information to help your day of sightseeing run smoothly.
Want to book a tour? We usually meet at convenient central points (for example, the Main Market at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument) – the exact meeting point is arranged after booking. Contact: +48 501 962 037 or email: kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Touring with a licensed guide gives you much more than walking with a map. Here are some benefits:
- Context: every tenement, street and synagogue has a story that makes sense when someone explains the background of events, customs and anecdotes.
- Efficiency: in a short time you’ll see the most important places and hear the most interesting stories – without wasting time guessing or getting lost.
- Customization: the route can be adjusted to the group’s pace, interests (photography, food, legends) and family needs.
- Organizational comfort: the guide will help with tickets, recommend the best visiting times and suggest where to eat or take a break.
Kazimierz is one of Krakow’s most authentic and diverse districts: Jewish history, intimate courtyards, cafés, concerts and great photo spots. A walk through Kazimierz combines memory, architecture and everyday local life.
On the route we most often visit (briefly):
- Szeroka Street – the historic center of the Jewish quarter, where several synagogues once stood.
- The Old Synagogue – a place worth starting with to learn key religious terms and symbols.
- Remuh Synagogue and Old Cemetery – an active house of prayer and a cemetery with matzevot full of symbolism; we also talk about customs and etiquette here.
- Izaak (Jakubowicz) Synagogue – an impressive building and the stories of its founders.
- Tempel Synagogue – interesting architecture and often good acoustics for concerts.
- Wysoka, Kupa and Popper synagogues – smaller but important for understanding the community and patronage.
- Józefa Street and the courtyards – gates, arcades and spots known from films.
- Nowy Square and the Okrąglak – the heart of street food and Kazimierz’s evening life.
During the walk the guide points out symbols on matzevot (the priest’s hands, jugs, candles), explains terms like bima or aron ha-kodesh, and talks about the languages that coexisted here for centuries (Yiddish, Hebrew, Polish).
Routes are adapted to available time and the group’s pace:
- 90 minutes – a quick, focused visit to Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue, Remuh, Miodowa and Nowy Square. This is the minimum that gives a good orientation.
- 2–3 hours – the optimal time to add Izaak Synagogue, Wysoka, enter courtyards and stop for a short mezze or coffee.
- Half a day – ideal if you want to visit a museum, have time for lunch and in the evening enjoy klezmer music.
When you book we handle logistics – we inform about entrance fees (often charged separately), suggest the best order and can reserve audio headsets if the group needs them.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most extraordinary attractions near Krakow. Underground chambers, salt sculptures and chapels (including St. Kinga’s Chapel) impress both adults and children.
Practical tips:
- Time: a typical trip combining Krakow and Wieliczka is a half-day or full-day, depending on whether you want to spend the entire available visiting time in the mine. The guided underground section usually takes a few hours.
- Temperature: it’s cooler underground — about 14–18°C. Bring a light jacket even in summer.
- Stairs and fitness: the route includes many stairs and various passages. For visitors with limited mobility some parts may be challenging — if in doubt, contact us in advance to plan an appropriate option.
- Family appeal: the mine offers child-friendly routes and programs, workshops and stories about miners’ traditions, making the visit engaging for younger visitors.
- Tickets: in high season it’s worth booking tickets in advance to avoid queues. The guide will help organize the trip and suggest the best departure times.
Children and teenagers respond best when the tour is interactive and dynamic. Malgorzata runs special “Trail of Legends” routes and scripts designed for schools and families.
Practical tips for parents and teachers:
- Pace and breaks: plan shorter segments with breaks for snacks and play. 2–3 hours with active elements is the optimal length for younger children.
- Field games and puzzles: on request the guide will prepare simple tasks and quizzes that keep attention and teach through play.
- Toilets and safe stops: the route includes stops near cafés or restaurants where you can comfortably change a child or use facilities.
- Lunches for groups: for larger groups you can pre-order set meals — the guide will advise on venues and ordering so everything runs smoothly.
Kazimierz is a culinary mix of Jewish tradition, Israeli cuisine and modern flavors. Here’s what to try and where to look for atmosphere:
- Mezze and Israeli dishes – ideal for sharing: hummus, falafel, shakshuka. Pick a place that serves mezze in the middle of the table to taste a variety of flavors.
- Tradition and modern twists – you’ll find Ashkenazi classics (like cholent, kugel, challah) and contemporary interpretations of Jewish cuisine.
- Street food – Nowy Square is famous for zapiekanki (Polish open-faced toasts) and quick bites; a great spot to feel the city’s energy.
- Venues to consider – Kazimierz has cafés and restaurants of different characters: intimate bistros with local treats, places serving Jewish and Israeli food, and venues with live music in the evenings.
Pro tip: if you want to linger choose Szeroka or Miodowa; if you’re after quick local food head to Nowy Square. The guide is happy to advise and can help reserve a table for groups.
Kazimierz is a space of memory and prayer. A few simple rules will make your visit respectful:
- Dress: for active synagogues choose modest clothing. In some places men are asked to cover their heads — the guide will inform you in advance.
- Photography: avoid photographing people during prayer. In cemeteries do not sit on or lean against matzevot; instead of flowers, it’s traditional to leave a small stone on a matzevah.
- Silence and behavior: keep moderate silence in places of worship and memory; in cafés and on Nowy Square you can be more relaxed.
- Questions: if something interests you — ask! The guide is happy to explain nuances of history and symbolism.
How long is the “Krakow Kazimierz” tour? - The standard Kazimierz tour lasts about 2 hours; shorter and longer options are available (90 minutes, 3–4 hours).
Does the guide speak English? - Yes. Tours are offered in Polish and English; other languages can be arranged depending on group needs.
Are entrance fees included? - The guiding fee usually covers the tour; entry to museums and some synagogues may be charged additionally. The guide will assist with ticket purchases and inform you of current fees.
What if it rains? - Tours run in most weather. In heavy rain or storms the route can be modified to spend more time indoors (museums, synagogues, cafés).
Is Kazimierz the same as the Krakow ghetto? - No. The German ghetto during WWII was located on the other side of the Vistula, in the Podgórze area. Kazimierz was the pre-war center of Jewish life and today is both a place of memory and a lively cultural district.
Booking is simple: phone +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. After booking we agree on details: route length, meeting point and time, thematic preferences and any special group needs (headsets, interior visits, meal breaks).
On the day of the tour the guide arrives at the agreed meeting point on time and usually carries an easy-to-spot identifier (for example, a sign with the tour name). At the start you’ll get a short introduction, the route plan and practical information (toilets, expected entrances) — this helps the day run smoothly and enjoyably.
For school groups and families special scripts are available: field games, quizzes, theatrical elements — all to keep children engaged and send them home with memorable experiences.
Krakow is a city best discovered slowly and with stories. Kazimierz combines history, culture and everyday life — it’s an ideal place for a walk, a good meal and a moment of reflection. Wieliczka, meanwhile, reveals how extraordinary the region’s underground history can be.
If you’d like to tour with a guide who combines professional preparation, experience and a lively storytelling style, feel free to get in touch. Together we’ll tailor the route to your expectations, pace and interests — so your stay in Krakow is truly memorable.
See you in Krakow!
