Krakow is more than a postcard-worthy Main Market and Wawel Castle — it is also a city that bears the marks of the dramatic events of the 20th century. Walking near the center you can reach memorial sites, monuments and fragments of neighborhoods that tell stories about life under occupation, the ghetto, labor camps and the fates of residents. Even a short, well-planned visit lets you sense the scale of history and understand important contexts, and it doesn’t have to mean waiting in long lines or rushing from point to point.
Remember that memorial sites require respect — quietness, care when taking photos and behaviour fitting the place are basic rules. Visiting these points is often an emotional experience, so plan a little time for reflection and rest after your visit.
If you have only an hour in Krakow, you’ll see the most by focusing on the Podgórze area and the Main Market. A plan that works in summer and outside peak tourist times:
1) Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory — allow 45–60 minutes for the exhibition; it’s best to buy a timed-entry ticket. 2) A short walk around Podgórze: the Ghetto Heroes’ Square and fragments of the ghetto wall — 10–15 minutes. 3) If you have a bit more time and want a reflective stop, get quickly to the former Płaszów camp area — 20–30 minutes to visit the most important memorial points.
Practical tip - choose a museum entry time and arrive 10–15 minutes earlier. That way you avoid queues and can spend your time on the most important parts of the exhibition.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is one of the most important places that tells the story of Krakow from 1939 to 1945. The exhibition presents the context of the occupation, the fate of the Jewish community and daily life in a city under Nazi rule.
The best way to avoid wasting time is to buy a timed-entry ticket. During the season and on weekends the number of entries is limited, so booking in advance ensures your visit.
The exhibition contains multimedia materials and documents that require a moment of focus — if you’re on a short visit, concentrate on a few rooms with the most informative displays and plan to return another time for a longer visit.
The site of the former labor and concentration camp at Płaszów is a space that calls for reflection. On the grounds you’ll find monuments, information boards and outdoor exhibition elements that organize knowledge about what happened here.
Part of the outdoor exhibition and markings on site are available for free — check current access rules in advance, as the area is gradually being arranged and conserved.
Płaszów is not a place for noisy sightseeing or quick selfies; take time to read the plates, walk around the monuments and observe a moment of silence at the main points of memory.
In the center itself, walking the Royal Route and around the Market, you’ll encounter places connected with the occupation: markers, memorial spots and buildings with wartime histories.
The Jagiellonian University and Collegium Novum remember the dramatic events of November 6, 1939, when many professors were arrested and deported. In the center you’ll find plaques and memorial places recalling that action and the activity of underground teaching.
In the Old Town, notice traces of looted cultural property and stories about objects taken away — guide points often explain how the war changed the fate of church, museum and academic collections.
Do I have to book tickets in advance? If you plan to enter popular museums (for example Schindler’s Factory), it’s strongly recommended — especially in the high season. Timed-entry is the most reliable way to avoid queues.
How to get to Płaszów from the Market? The fastest way is by tram or bus — it takes a dozen or so minutes depending on connections. If your time is limited, include travel time in your plan.
Are memorial sites accessible for people with reduced mobility? Many institutions try to provide accessibility, but some outdoor points retain historical terrain and can be difficult. Before you go, contact the venue to ask about specific routes and facilities.
What should I bring? Comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, your electronic ticket and something to jot short notes. For bad weather — an umbrella or a light jacket, because some memorials are outdoors.
After an intense visit it’s good to rest with a nice coffee or a solid meal. Near the Main Market and in Kazimierz you’ll find restaurants and cafés with very good reputations. For traditional Polish dishes try historic places on the Old Town; for a quieter coffee experience, Kazimierz has many cozy cafés and venues with local atmosphere.
If you’re looking for accommodation, choose well-rated places in the center or in Kazimierz — they make a convenient base for memorial sites and further sightseeing. Book ahead in season, because the best hotels and apartments fill up fast.
Trying to see “everything” in one day — it’s better to choose a few points and visit them carefully than to run around and remember nothing. Plan realistic time for each place.
Making jokey photos or selfies in front of monuments and memorial plaques — this is not only tactless but often deeply upsetting to locals. Keep a respectful tone.
Using unofficial intermediaries to buy tickets — purchase on official museum sites or trusted sellers to avoid overpaying or entry problems.
Not all memorial traces are behind tall walls — some of the city’s memory is in public space: plaques, concrete markers and so-called archaeological windows remind visitors of former land uses and are often less known to tourists.
Many educational initiatives and outdoor exhibitions in Krakow refresh the narrative about the war — short outdoor shows or conservation work can temporarily change the availability of some spots, so check news before you visit.
If this text helped you plan a short but meaningful visit — share it with friends or save the page to return later. Visiting memorial sites is a task done with responsibility: approach it with curiosity and respect.
If you’d like a personalized route — I can help create a plan tailored to your arrival time, walking pace and interests. Private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers tours that respect history and provide comfortable organization — details and contact are available on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa site. Enjoy your visit and remember — Krakow tells stories on many levels; stop sometimes to listen.
