Kraków was not destroyed during World War II to the same extent as many other Polish cities, but its social and spiritual fabric suffered lasting wounds. Traces of occupation and annihilation are now woven into the urban landscape — in the synagogues of Kazimierz, in the alleys of Podgórze, in museum exhibitions and in small memorials scattered across the city.
Visiting in a small group (2–6 people) gives you the chance to enter into conversation, ask questions and linger at places of remembrance without haste — it’s the ideal group size to combine empathy with flexibility on the route.
Intimate touring encourages reflection and conversation: it’s easier to compare observations, visit smaller museums and enter interiors that cannot accommodate large groups. For topics as sensitive as the history of the occupation this matters even more — you can stay longer by a single gravestone or discuss context without pressure.
A small group also reacts faster to unforeseen circumstances: quick route changes, visiting an extra exhibition, a coffee break or a deeper visit to a single point are all easier to organise.
Start: Kazimierz — Old Synagogue. This is a good place to introduce prewar and wartime life of Kraków’s Jewish community.
Remuh Synagogue and cemetery and the Tempel on Miodowa Street — places that help read the city’s memory: inscriptions, symbols on tombstones and traces of conservation tell long stories.
Walk the streets of Kazimierz — Szeroka, Józefa, Mały Rynek — watch for architectural details and sites that before the war were full of multicultural life.
Cross (by tram or on foot, if weather allows) over the Vistula to Podgórze and Ghetto Heroes Square with its memorable installation of bronze chairs and the Eagle Pharmacy — a place with a strong, personal narrative.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory (Zabłocie) — the exhibition “Kraków under occupation 1939–1945” provides a broad context of the city’s events and people’s decisions during the war.
Additionally (if time and interest allow): Pomorska Street — a branch of the Museum of Kraków devoted to occupation terror — and fragments of the former ghetto wall and memorials along Nadwiślańska Street and the boulevards.
Old Synagogue (Kazimierz) — one of the oldest Jewish buildings in Poland; the interior and the exhibition help understand religious and social life before the war.
Remuh and the cemetery — a small, intimate necropolis with rich iconography on the tombstones; a place that asks for silence and respect.
Tempel and Miodowa Street — an example of postwar restoration and returning function to places of worship.
Ghetto Heroes Square and the Eagle Pharmacy (Podgórze) — testimony to the tragedy of the ghetto; Pankiewicz’s pharmacy is a powerful, personal story of help and resistance.
Schindler’s Factory — the exhibition combines vivid testimonies, documents and scenographic reconstructions; allow at least 1–1.5 hours.
Tickets and reservations: for larger museums (Schindler’s Factory) it’s worth buying tickets in advance — in season queues can be long. A small group has flexibility in choosing times, but it does not guarantee entry without a ticket.
Time: plan 3–4 hours if you want to calmly visit synagogues, the Eagle Pharmacy and the factory exhibition. You can shorten the route to 2 hours by skipping one of the points.
Transport: Kazimierz and Zabłocie/Podgórze are close — the walk between them takes about 20–30 minutes; tram or a short taxi ride are convenient alternatives.
Photography etiquette: be moderate at places of remembrance. Museums and sacred interiors have rules about photography — respect guidelines and other visitors.
Accessibility: some sites (old buildings, cemeteries) have limitations for people with mobility difficulties — check accessibility before your visit.
Trying to see “everything” in a short time — it’s better to choose 2–3 key places and spend more time there than to rush from point to point.
Not checking opening hours — some museums have closing days or limited hours; small branches and seasonal exhibitions are especially likely to vary.
Too casual behaviour at places of remembrance — remember to keep quiet and dress appropriately; these are memorial places, not backdrops for social photos.
Skipping Podgórze — many tourists focus only on Kazimierz and the Old Town; Ghetto Heroes Square and the Eagle Pharmacy lie on the other side of the Vistula and are crucial to understanding the history of Kraków’s ghetto.
After the walk it’s worth resting in one of the well-rated cafés or restaurants: in Kazimierz we recommend Hamsa (Middle Eastern flavors, good reviews and a friendly atmosphere), and if you head back toward the Old Town — Cafe Camelot is an atmospheric café with tradition.
For convenience, choose accommodation in Kazimierz or the Old Town — that way you’ll reach places of remembrance quickly without long transfers. Pick a well-reviewed hotel in the centre (offers change with the season, so compare recent reviews before booking).
If you prefer a more traditional meal after touring, Restaurant 'Pod Aniołami' on Royal Route offers Polish cuisine in a historic interior — an evening there can be a good culinary finale to the day.
The Eagle Pharmacy preserves authentic elements and personal mementos — it’s not only an exhibition but a place that tells the stories of specific people worth learning about.
Schindler’s Factory is not a typical biographical museum of Oskar Schindler — the exhibition shows a wide context of occupied Kraków and the decisions made by many different residents.
In Kazimierz it’s easy to overlook small wartime mementos — symbols on old signs, traces of plaques or fragments of walls often tell local micro-histories.
Is the route suitable for children? Yes, but adapt the pace and length of stops to their age. Some exhibitions address difficult topics, so consider talking with children beforehand.
How much time should I dedicate to Schindler’s Factory? Minimum 60–90 minutes if you want to see most of the exhibition and read the main panels.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? For Schindler’s Factory it’s highly recommended; for smaller branches (Eagle Pharmacy, some synagogues) you can sometimes arrive early, but it’s best to check current opening hours and admission rules.
Exploring traces of World War II in Kraków in a small group is an experience that combines history with personal reflection. Common sense, respect and good preparation will help you make the most of visits to Kazimierz, Podgórze and Zabłocie.
If this text was helpful — share it with friends or on social media. If you would like to tour with a private guide, you can book a personalised walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. She will help tailor the route to your expectations, time and group pace.
