This is one of the facts that often surprises visitors: before the war Kazimierz was the heart of Jewish life in the city, but the official ghetto was created on the other side of the Vistula River, in the Podgórze district. That topographical difference is key to understanding which places are worth visiting and in what order. For medium-sized groups (7-30 people) I have prepared a practical plan that combines context, museum exhibitions and memorial sites in a thoughtful way that respects the tragedy of the people involved.
Visiting war-related sites as a group has advantages: it is easier to keep a consistent narrative, to respond to emotions quickly and to schedule breaks. Below you will find two tried-and-true routes, a list of key places, practical information, ideas for food breaks and an FAQ.
Groups of this size are large enough to make group ticket reservations and hire audio headsets worthwhile, yet intimate enough to allow conversation, to pause at architectural details and to care for participants' emotional comfort. In practice this means: 7-12 people - ideal for calm discussion; 13-20 people - good for museum visits and shorter walks; 21-30 people - requires splitting into smaller subgroups at entrances and more transport logistics.
When planning the tour remember to allow time for walks, breaks and possible waiting at entrances. The main attractions have limited capacity: booking museum tickets and coordinating entry times greatly eases the day.
This route is ideal as a first contact with the history of Jewish Krakow and the realities of the occupation.
Plan (example times for a group): Old Synagogue 20-30 min; Remuh Cemetery and Remuh Synagogue 20-30 min; Szeroka and Miodowa Streets - walk and talk about prewar life 20 min; Cross to Podgórze, Pharmacy Under the Eagle (Ghetto Heroes Square) 30-40 min; Oskar Schindler's Factory (permanent exhibition) 60-90 min.
Logistical tips: start the route in Kazimierz, where many stops are close together and the group is easy to manage. At the Pharmacy Under the Eagle prepare participants for a gentle but moving narrative - the site carries historical and emotional weight. Tickets to the Schindler Factory often must be booked in advance, especially for larger groups.
This route encourages confrontation with another face of the occupation: the machinery of terror, forced labor and executions. Begin at the Pomorska Street museum branch, where preserved cells of the Gestapo prison form a powerful, documentary account.
Plan (example times): Pomorska Street 45-60 min; walk to the most important memorial points in the area; grounds of the former Płaszów camp with the Monument to the Victims of Fascism 40-60 min; if available, a visit to the developing KL Płaszów Museum or outdoor exhibits 30-60 min.
Practical note: the former camp area is a space where not all fragments are fully developed for educational use - museum work and revitalization are ongoing. When planning a visit with a group, check the current accessibility of exhibitions and, for larger groups, consider dividing into smaller subgroups at the most sensitive stops.
Oskar Schindler's Factory - the exhibition devoted to Krakow under occupation tells the city's story through everyday life, repression and the mechanisms that led to tragedy. The industrial part hosts MOCAK and the administrative building contains the historical exhibition.
Pharmacy Under the Eagle - the authentic interior of Tadeusz Pankiewicz’s pharmacy that operated within the ghetto. It is a place where the pharmacist and his staff tried to help ghetto residents; the display is intimate and very personal.
Pomorska Street - an unassuming building hides the cells of the former Gestapo prison. The museum branch there tells the stories of Krakow residents facing occupation terror and postwar repression.
Grounds of the former Płaszów camp - landscape fragments, memorials and execution sites create a powerful field of memory. In recent years institutional work has been developing the KL Płaszów Museum to systematize knowledge and exhibitions on the site.
Inform participants about the nature of the route: memorial sites can be emotional. A short introduction before departure helps set expectations and prepare younger participants.
Take care of comfort: good shoes, water, and a short break every 60-90 minutes. On cold or rainy days plan places where the group can shelter under cover.
Tickets and reservations: the Schindler Factory and some branches of the Museum of Krakow require reservations, especially for larger groups. Check group entry rules and possible discounts. For museums it is best to have a participant list and one person responsible for tickets.
Etiquette at memorial sites: remind people to keep quiet, avoid loud behavior and respect commemorative signs. Photography is sometimes allowed but it is better to check the rules for each place in advance.
After an intense day it is good to rest in a local cafe or restaurant. In Kazimierz you will find places with different atmospheres - from Jewish and Mediterranean cuisine to Polish bistros. A few suggestions that usually work well for groups: Hamsa (Middle Eastern cuisine, group-friendly), Starka (traditional Polish and regional dishes, cozy atmosphere), Cafe Camelot (atmospheric cafe in the Old Town, good for dessert and coffee).
For groups I recommend making reservations, especially at weekends; many places welcome larger tables but waiting times can grow.
Not booking tickets in advance - this results in lost time and stressful queues. Not estimating walking and break times - this leads to fatigue and rushing at museum entries. Failing to inform participants about the nature of the route - unprepared visitors are more easily upset or surprised by the emotional weight of memorial sites. Not splitting a large group at sensitive stops - then the narrative becomes superficial and it is harder to care for people’s comfort.
Schindler's Factory is not only the story of a single entrepreneur - it is also a story about the structures of the occupation economy and daily life in Krakow, visible through objects, photographs and reconstructions. The Pharmacy Under the Eagle was the only pharmacy operating within the ghetto, run by a Pole who risked his life to help residents. Many visitors do not realize that parts of the former Płaszów site were created after the demolition of nearby cemetery tombstones - a complicated and painful part of the local landscape of memory.
How much time do we need? For the Kazimierz-Podgórze route plan 2-3 hours; for the Pomorska Street-Płaszów route 2-3 hours. A full day with lunch and a relaxed pace is 5-6 hours. Is the route suitable for children? Yes, but you should prepare shorter modules and look for positive closing points. For which age groups? The route is valuable for school youth, university students and adults. Do I have to book a guide? It is not mandatory, but a guide helps organize the information and respond to questions and emotions. Are there photography restrictions? Some museum branches have rules regarding photography - it is worth checking before entry.
When entering a museum or approaching a monument remind the group of a few simple rules: keep quiet, listen to the guide, do not disturb other visitors, respect inscriptions and commemorative signs. If someone wishes to place a candle or flowers, plan this in advance and check the rules at the given site. Memory carries responsibility: guiding is not only about facts but also about how we talk about them.
If this guide helped you plan the route, share the article with friends or on social media - it helps others prepare their visit. If you want, I can help tailor the route to a specific date, the participants' ages and the group's pace - I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact for bookings and details of the offer can be found on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I wish you a calm, reflective and safe visit to Krakow.
