The Kazimierz district of Krakow and its memorial sites connected with Jewish history are among the most moving — and at the same time accessible — places in the city. For older visitors it’s worth planning sightseeing calmly, choosing shorter stretches, places to sit and regular breaks for coffee or lunch. This guide will help you see the most important points, learn a few surprising facts and avoid the most common mistakes when visiting.
Whether you want a light 2–3 hour walk or a day paced as “senior friendly”, you’ll find suggested routes, practical information, recommended resting places and a few culinary tips below.
Kazimierz is not only a historic district with synagogues and museums — it’s also a layer of memory of centuries of Jewish presence in Krakow, with culture, music and cuisine that have been experiencing a revival for decades. A walk here lets you combine historical knowledge with moments of reflection and pleasant stops at cafés.
Visiting sites such as synagogues, cemeteries and museums offers a chance to understand the city’s complex history and the fates of local communities. For seniors this can often be an emotional experience — it’s useful to plan rests on the route and to ask a guide questions if you have them.
Start: Old Town — take a short tram or taxi ride to Kazimierz to save energy. It’s best to get off near Szeroka Street or Plac Nowy.
1. Old Synagogue (Szeroka Street) — a short visit with places to sit and a museum exhibition. 2. Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery — a place for quiet reflection; the cemetery has narrow paths, so walk slowly. 3. Walk along Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy — break for coffee or a light meal. 4. Galicia Jewish Museum or the Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem) — a shorter museum visit if the group feels up to it. End: return by tram or taxi to the Old Town.
The route is flexible — if someone wants to shorten the walk you can skip one museum or split the day into two shorter outings. Kazimierz has benches and cafés almost every few steps, so you can easily adapt the plan to the group’s pace.
Old Synagogue (Szeroka Street) — one of the oldest synagogues, today a museum with exhibitions about Jewish life; check opening hours and consider buying tickets in advance to avoid queues. Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery — the cemetery is one of the most important monuments, entrances can be narrow; maintain silence and respect. Izaak Synagogue and Tempel Synagogue — beautiful architecture and often cultural events; access to some exhibitions may be limited. Galicia Jewish Museum (Dajwór Street) — photographic and memory exhibitions, strong and well-prepared displays; ideal if the group wants more historical context. Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem, Plac Bohaterów Getta) — a small but moving museum telling the story of life in the Krakow ghetto. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Podgórze) — if you have the energy and want to extend the route beyond Kazimierz, it’s an important memorial easily reached by a short ride.
Kazimierz offers many options to rest and enjoy good food. Recommended, well-known places include Hamsa Hummus & Happiness (Szeroka 2) — Israeli cuisine and mezze with a friendly interior; Dawno Temu na Kazimierzu (Szeroka 1) — a cozy spot with traditional dishes and comfortable tables; Ariel Restaurant (Szeroka / Józefa) — a Jewish-style restaurant offering specialties from Jewish and Israeli cuisine. Plac Nowy is good for quick snacks like zapiekanka, and nearby cafés usually have simple toilets and seating.
For seniors choose places with easy entrance (check for steps at the door) and those that accept reservations — this saves time and stress. If someone needs a special diet, Mediterranean and Israeli kitchens often offer vegetarian and gluten-free options — it’s better to call ahead.
Kazimierz has cobbled streets and uneven sidewalks — comfortable, stable shoes are essential. People with mobility issues can use short tram rides, taxis or arrange transport to the route’s starting point. Try to avoid the busiest times (peak tourist hours are around midday and early evening on weekends).
If you use a guide, ask for a pace adapted to the group and for shorter walking sections with breaks. When visiting cemeteries and synagogues maintain silence and modest dress; some places have additional photography rules or prohibit interior photography.
Kazimierz was a separate town until the late 18th/19th century — its street layout and atmospheric gates differ from the Old Town. After Jews were expelled from Krakow in earlier centuries, many settled in Kazimierz, which became one of Europe’s important centers of Jewish culture. The Eagle Pharmacy documents everyday life in the ghetto; its history can still surprise visitors familiar with the subject.
It’s also worth knowing that many buildings in Kazimierz combine layers of history — from medieval walls to traces of wartime damage and postwar rebuilding — so walking here is like reading the “layers of the city”.
Not checking opening hours of museums and synagogues — call or check in advance so you don’t arrive to a closed exhibition. Lack of respect at memorial sites — loud conversations, eating or sitting on graves are absolutely inappropriate. Moving too fast — seniors often benefit from splitting the plan into shorter stages or adding a coffee break every hour. Ignoring uneven sidewalks — bring comfortable shoes and, if needed, a cane or other mobility aid.
If you plan to photograph sacred places or cemeteries, ask the person responsible for the site about the rules — it’s a matter of etiquette and preservation of memory.
How long does a relaxed visit to Kazimierz take? - A short walk with breaks is 2–3 hours; fuller sightseeing with museums can be spread over a full day or two shorter outings. Are the sites accessible for people with limited mobility? - Some places have architectural barriers, but many museums and restaurants offer step-free entrances; ask in advance and plan a route that avoids stairs when needed. Where is best to sit and rest? - Kazimierz has many cafés and benches on Plac Nowy and along Szeroka Street; museums also have rest areas. Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - For popular exhibitions it’s a good idea to buy tickets online or check opening hours to avoid queues. What about toilets? - The most convenient option is to use cafés or restaurants; some museums also have visitor toilets.
Can I find food for special diets? - Yes, many places in Kazimierz offer vegetarian and gluten-free dishes; ask ahead or reserve a table.
Comfortable shoes, a light jacket or umbrella depending on weather, a bottle of water, camera/phone, list of places to visit, taxi number or a rideshare app, emergency numbers and medical card if needed. Reserve a table if you plan to have lunch at a popular restaurant and check museum opening hours. If someone in the group has mobility issues, consider arranging short rides between points to avoid long walking stretches.
If you go with a guide, ask for a pace adapted to the group, regular breaks and seating options, and the possibility to shorten the route if necessary.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social profiles — it’s the best way to help others plan their visit. If you want to explore with a local licensed guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private routes tailored to seniors’ pace - contact details and more information are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. We wish you calm walks, interesting discoveries and many moments of remembrance in Krakow.
