Krakow is a city where everyday life, memory and visible traces of history intertwine at every turn. For a group of 7-20 people, visiting sites connected to the war period creates space for deeper conversation, careful attention to difficult topics and comfortable movement through places of memory — from fragments of the ghetto in Podgórze, through Apteka "Pod Orłem" (The Eagle Pharmacy), to the grounds of the former Płaszów camp and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. A group of this size is large enough to feel lively and collective, yet intimate enough to preserve respect and silence where needed.
Touring as a group also helps make better use of time: it’s easier to reserve group tickets, organize a break in a good café in Kazimierz and discuss difficult content with a guide who can tailor the narrative to your group. If you plan the visit with family, friends or colleagues, a themed route allows you to build a shared experience of remembrance and learning.
1. Plac Bohaterów Getta and Apteka "Pod Orłem" (Podgórze) - a place that tells the story of the Krakow ghetto and the work of Tadeusz Pankiewicz. A small, intimate museum that works well as the first stop on the route.
2. Pomorska Street and fragments of the former ghetto - several stops and memorial plaques that help understand the scale and topography of the occupation policies toward Krakow's residents.
3. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory - the permanent exhibition about Krakow during the occupation. This is one of the most visited branches of the Museum of Krakow, so booking group tickets in advance is highly recommended.
4. KL Płaszów Memorial Site - former camp grounds, monuments and traces of the labor and concentration camp. Allow time for a walk across the site and a conversation about the local context.
5. Liban Quarry and the area around Krakus Mound - a less obvious but important site related to penal camps and forced labor; a good point to discuss the variety of wartime experiences.
6. Additional stops: fragments of tombstones (macevot) reused in city infrastructure, small memorial plaques and local information boards - these 'small' points often make the strongest impression.
- 09:30 - meeting and short historical warm-up at Plac Bohaterów Getta; visit to Apteka "Pod Orłem" (approx. 30-45 min).
- 11:00 - walk around Podgórze (Pomorska Street, memorial sites) with stops and short readings from sources (approx. 45-60 min).
- 12:30 - lunch break in Kazimierz (recommended places: Szara, Mleczarnia or local cafés at Plac Nowy) - 60-75 min.
- 14:30 - Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory - visit the permanent exhibition (1.5-2 hours).
- 17:00 - KL Płaszów area: walk and reflection at the monuments, finish the route (approx. 60-90 min).
This plan can be adapted: for groups that prefer shorter, more reflective visits, concentrate on 2-3 points (for example, The Eagle Pharmacy + Schindler + Płaszów). For groups wanting a deeper dive, consider spreading the route over two days and adding a workshop or lecture.
- Ticket reservations: Schindler's Factory and other popular branches of the Museum of Krakow have limited entries; buy tickets in advance (online or check group options) and keep in mind ticketing rules — organizational changes sometimes occur, especially in high season.
- Group size 7-20 people is a good compromise: it fits most museum interiors and memorial sites, but always check the venue's specific requirements (maximum number of people, availability of a guide, etc.).
- Duration and pace: remember that places of memory require quiet and reflection. Give participants time to ask questions and a moment to process difficult information.
- Sensitivity of the topic: discuss difficult content with care; avoid sensational language. Make sure every participant knows the nature of the route (memorial sites, traumatic histories).
- Age of participants: some educational programs (for example, offerings at KL Płaszów) are intended for visitors above a certain age (e.g. 14+). Check educational offers before booking.
- Footwear and clothing: areas such as Płaszów or the Liban quarry have uneven surfaces - comfortable shoes and a rain layer are essential.
- Documents and participant lists: for group bookings have a prepared list of participants (first and last name), especially if a venue requires name-specific tickets or has sales restrictions.
- Photographic respect: be discreet at memorial sites. Sometimes photography is prohibited inside museums or in parts of an exhibition - always check the rules of each place.
- Emotions: some participants may need a moment of quiet. Plan a short break after more difficult parts of the route.
- Apteka "Pod Orłem" was the only pharmacy operating within the Krakow ghetto and the place where Tadeusz Pankiewicz and his assistants helped ghetto residents, making it a unique place of memory.
- In some parts of Krakow, fragments of Jewish gravestones (macevot) were reused in the construction of roads and pavements - this detail often surprises visitors looking at the city through a historical lens.
- Liban Quarry is an example of a lesser-known dimension of the occupation: a penal camp and forced labor for Poles, often overlooked in popular guides but now regularly commemorated by local communities.
- Failing to reserve Schindler's Factory and other popular sites — this leads to long queues or no available places; book in advance.
- Treating the route as 'entertainment' — places of memory need context and empathy; prepare participants with a short introduction before entering memorial spaces.
- Not planning a lunch break in Kazimierz after intensive touring — good coffee and a meal help participants rest and talk about what they learned.
- Ignoring age and emotional restrictions — if younger participants are in the group, choose a gentler program or inform guardians in advance.
- Kazimierz is an ideal place for a lunch break - recommended locations include restaurants and cafés around Plac Nowy and ul. Szeroka; pick a venue with seating suitable for a group.
- Near Schindler's Factory or in Podgórze, look for local cafés and delicatessens around Zabłocie and ul. Lipowa that can serve a group and provide a short moment of integration after the visit.
Do we need a guide? - Not always, but at sites with a strong emotional charge (Płaszów, Oskar Schindler's Factory, The Eagle Pharmacy) the presence of an experienced guide significantly increases the tour's value and helps facilitate conversation with the group.
How much time to allocate for Schindler's Factory? - Plan about 1.5-2 hours for the permanent exhibition, depending on your pace and any additional activities.
Are sites accessible for wheelchair users? - Some museum buildings have accessibility adaptations, but outdoor areas (Płaszów, Liban quarry) may be more challenging. Check accessibility before the visit and inform the organizer about participants' needs.
How to talk with young people about difficult topics? - Adapt language and level of detail to age; use open questions and allow space for emotions. Prepare short introductory materials or a list of topics to discuss after the visit.
For groups wanting to deepen the subject, consider adding: - a short reflective workshop after the visit, - an expert lecture on-site or online before the trip, - distribution of source materials and recommended readings. Local memory institutions offer educational programs tailored to different ages and interests.
Visiting the traces of World War II in Krakow can be a deeply educational and moving experience — especially when done in a well-chosen, intimate group of 7-20 people. Good preparation, reservations, sensitivity and a moment to rest will make the route more than a collection of facts — it will become a space for conversation and remembrance.
If you liked this plan — share it with friends or on social media. If you would like the tour led by an experienced private guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (przewodniczka) is happy to prepare a route tailored to your group's needs.
