During World War II Krakow was at once a place documenting the tragedy of the Jewish population, an administrative centre of the occupation, and an arena for underground activity. Today traces of those events appear not only in museums but in street layouts, tenement houses and monuments - and each of these spaces has its own story and its own emotions. This guide will help you plan a visit so you can see the most important places, understand the context and show respectful behaviour.
Because it’s both local and national history: a walk through Podgórze, Płaszów or Kazimierz explains how the war changed the city fabric and the lives of its residents. Museums and memorial sites connect concrete artefacts with people’s stories - it’s a chance to understand facts, not just to look at monuments.
Visiting places of memory is also education: for younger visitors you can translate difficult topics into accessible narratives, and for adults it fills in lesser-known chapters of Krakow and Lesser Poland. A well-planned route lets you see the key points in about an hour, and if you have more time you can build a fuller picture of events.
If you only have 60 minutes, focus on Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory and a short walk around Podgórze: book a timed entry to the museum (buy your ticket online and arrive early) - most visitors spend 45–60 minutes with the exhibition. After leaving, walk to Ghetto Heroes' Square to see remains of the ghetto wall and nearby memorial plaques.
In practice: choose a morning or late-afternoon slot for the Factory to avoid crowds. If you prefer not to go inside, replace the visit with a short walk through Podgórze and pause at the main memorial points - emotionally this is still a very meaningful experience.
This option lets you build a logical narrative: start at Schindler’s Factory, where you can see the context of occupation and the fate of Krakow’s Jewish community. Then go to Ghetto Heroes' Square and continue toward the former labour and concentration camp area in Płaszów - there you will find a monument and a memorial space that call for a moment of silence and reflection.
If you still have time, return toward Kazimierz and visit selected synagogues or the Remuh Cemetery - this helps close the narrative about Krakow’s Jewish community before and after the war. When planning, allow time for travel and short rests; the route works best on foot combined with the tram, as public transport in these areas is convenient.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory - an exhibition about Krakow under occupation 1939–1945, one of the key displays about everyday life, repression and mechanisms of occupation. Remember to reserve a timed ticket online for a chosen slot.
Ghetto Heroes' Square and the Podgórze area of the former ghetto - memorials, fragments of the ghetto wall and informational plaques. This point connects the Factory’s story with the fate of ghetto residents.
Płaszów Memorial Site (former KL Płaszów) - the former camp grounds with a monument and a memorial area. Allow time for quiet reading of inscriptions and reflection.
Kazimierz - synagogues, the Remuh Cemetery, streets where traces of pre-war Jewish life are still visible; part of the story is told by architecture and the details of tenement houses.
MOCAK - Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow - also organises exhibitions and walks that link artistic perspectives with wartime history; it is often a place for educational visits and workshops.
Home Army Museum - places and routes connected with underground activity and the Polish resistance; a valuable complement to the picture of resistance and everyday struggle to survive.
Check opening hours and entry rules in advance: many sites use online ticket sales with timed entries. For Oskar Schindler’s Factory tickets are sold online in advance for specific time slots, and during the season you should book well ahead.
From 2026 some institutions’ ticketing systems will introduce new rules (including named tickets and combined tickets allowing entry to several branches within a short period) - so when planning travel for next season, check current rules on the museums’ official pages.
Keep in mind: museum ticket offices sometimes sell same-day entries, but that does not guarantee access at your preferred time. For school groups and larger groups it’s best to contact museum staff in advance.
Maintain silence and moderation in conversations - many sites are gravesites or monuments to victims. Photography is often allowed, but avoid flash and do not hold commercial photoshoots without permission.
Do not sit on monuments, and do not disrupt commemorative ceremonies or events. If you see people praying or performing a ritual, keep your distance and wait. Respect signage and designated circulation paths.
When visiting with children: speak openly but age-appropriately. Short stories, a photo of an object and a sentence or two about why the place matters usually suffice.
Best times to visit are morning and late afternoon - midday is often busy, especially at Schindler’s Factory and on tourist trails. Off-season (autumn to early spring) visits are quieter and more intimate.
Transport: trams and buses link the Old Town, Podgórze and Płaszów well. The walk between Schindler’s Factory and Ghetto Heroes' Square takes a dozen or so minutes and is worth doing on foot because it helps you see the area in context.
Facilities: many museums have toilets and small cafés. Larger branches offer accessibility for people with disabilities, but it’s always worth checking conditions and availability of accompanying services in advance.
After an intense visit it’s good to rest in well-reviewed, comfortable places. In Kazimierz you’ll find atmospheric cafés and garden terraces popular with tourists and locals - ideal for coffee and a cake after a walk.
One long-favoured option is a café/restaurant with a garden in the heart of Kazimierz - perfect for a pause between attractions. Always choose a place that scores well in current reviews and check opening hours on holidays.
Can I take photos in museums and near monuments? Most places allow photography without flash, but exceptions and restrictions apply to temporary exhibitions - check rules on site.
Is visiting Płaszów safe? Yes - the memorial area is publicly accessible and safe, although some parts are open terrain where you should take care walking on uneven ground.
Do I need to book a guide? Not always. Many exhibitions provide good informational materials, but a guide helps arrange facts and answer difficult questions - if you want deeper context, consider a guided visit.
Ignoring time for reflection - many visitors treat memorial sites like another item on a "checklist." Allow time to read inscriptions and have a brief moment of silence.
Not checking practical information before the trip - lack of ticket reservations or not knowing opening hours can ruin your day. Check entry rules online and buy tickets in advance when possible.
Being too loud or disrespectful at memorials - avoid noise, drinking alcohol and breaking site regulations in commemorative zones.
In the city you can still spot small ‘traces’ of the war in different plaster textures, repair patches and window replacement marks - these details tell stories of post-war rebuilding and repair. Looking closely at façades can reveal much about a building’s past.
In some places combined tickets are valid for several days and grant access to multiple museum branches in the region - this is a convenient option if you want to visit more than one site in a short period.
For younger groups it works well to divide the route into short 10–15 minute modules: a story about the place, a moment to look around and a small task like "find a detail" or a short memory exercise. This helps children absorb difficult topics more easily.
For school groups booking in advance is often mandatory at many museums. Prepare pre-visit materials and short debriefings after the trip so students have time to process their emotions.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with friends or on social media - you’ll help other visitors plan a thoughtful and calm visit.
If you’d like, I can prepare a route tailored to your time and interests - and if you prefer a guided tour with a local guide, consider services offered by Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and booking options are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I wish you a peaceful and enlightening visit to Krakow.
