You can — and it’s worth it — to combine a visit to the State Museum Auschwitz‑Birkenau with a walk around the Main Market Square and the Kazimierz (historic Jewish quarter), but you must plan it sensibly: reservations, travel time and the right mindset are key. A well‑planned day will let you see the most important places, feel the atmosphere of Kraków and the surrounding area, and pay proper respect to the memory of the victims.
Auschwitz is a place of memory with a very specific and heavy character that requires time and calm. A walk around the Main Market Square and Kazimierz, on the other hand, is an encounter with the city’s history, culture and everyday life — here it’s also worth being open to culinary and cultural stops. Separating the two parts of the day (for example Auschwitz in the morning, Kraków in the afternoon) helps keep a proper rhythm to the trip and preserves the appropriate sensitivity toward the memorial site.
1) Early departure to Oświęcim: leave Kraków between 6:30 and 8:00 (depending on your chosen transport). Plan at least 3.5–4 hours for the visit at the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Museum.
2) Return to Kraków around noon or early afternoon; have lunch near the Market Square or in Kazimierz.
3) Afternoon walk: Main Market Square (Cloth Hall / Sukiennice, St. Mary’s Basilica, optional visit to the Rynek Underground) and then continue to Kazimierz: Szeroka Street, the synagogues, the Remuh Cemetery, and Plac Nowy.
4) In the evening have dinner at one of the recommended restaurants and, if you wish, enjoy a short evening stroll around lively Kazimierz.
Booking a personalized entry pass to the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Museum online is mandatory for many types of visits — especially in high season. Keep in mind that places are limited and popular time slots sell out quickly.
Getting from Kraków to Oświęcim: by car approx. 1–1.5 hours depending on route and traffic; trains and direct connections can take from about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (depending on the service); buses/regional connections usually around 1.5 hours. Choose the option that best fits your comfort and flexibility preferences.
You enter the Museum grounds with a personalized entry pass and an identity document. The Museum asks visitors to arrive at least 30 minutes before the booked tour start time due to security checks. Bring clothing appropriate to the solemn character of the site and avoid large luggage — the Museum enforces bag size limits.
Kazimierz is the historic Jewish district with several preserved synagogues (including the Remuh Synagogue), historic cemeteries and cultural institutions. A walk along Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy and the area around the Remuh Cemetery are the most important points on this route.
Also visit Podgórze — the area of the former ghetto: the former 'Under the Eagle' pharmacy (today a museum exhibit), fragments of the ghetto walls and sites connected to the occupation history, and Oskar Schindler’s Factory in the Zabłocie district (now a museum dedicated to Kraków during World War II). These places connect local history with the memory of the Second World War.
If you’re interested in deeper contexts — consider visiting exhibitions such as the Rynek Underground (archaeological exhibition of the city), which show everyday life in old Kraków and provide a contrast to the history of the Holocaust.
Around the Main Market Square you’ll find everything from traditional Polish fare to refined restaurants. For those seeking well‑reviewed and established places, consider restaurants with a reputation for serving local dishes — an elegant restaurant by the Market can be a good option after a long day.
Kazimierz hosts many popular cafés and restaurants with atmosphere: cozy cafés, places offering Middle Eastern cuisine, and venues serving Jewish‑inspired and fusion dishes. Choose trusted spots — you’ll find both intimate cafés and recommended eateries with regional flavors.
If you’re looking for accommodation near the heart of the action, the Old Town and Kazimierz offer hotels and apartments for different budgets — from boutique hotels in historic tenement houses to comfortable chain hotels. Book in advance during the tourist season.
Although Kazimierz today pulses with cultural life, for many years after the war it was almost deserted and only from the 1990s experienced a cultural revival — largely thanks to the Jewish Culture Festival and film interest (including movie shoots that helped make the district internationally known).
The Main Market Square still hosts many sites with medieval history: it’s one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and the archaeological underground reveals layers of urban life going back hundreds of years.
In many places the memory of the Jewish community is marked by memorial plaques, matzevot (tombstones) and modern installations — take time to read these markers and allow yourself moments of reflection, because not everything is immediately visible at first glance.
1) Not booking Auschwitz in advance — this can prevent you from entering at your preferred time. Book in advance and keep your confirmation with you.
2) Overcomplicating the plan: trying to see “everything” in one day. It’s better to choose fewer highlights and see them well than to rush from place to place.
3) Inappropriate dress and behavior at places of remembrance — observe solemnity, silence and suitable clothing.
4) Bringing large luggage — the Museum enforces size limits, so leave larger bags at the hotel or in luggage storage.
5) Underestimating distance and travel time between sites — leave buffer time for transfers, especially when using public transport.
Can I see Auschwitz and Kazimierz in one day? Yes, but it requires an early start and realistic planning; it’s best to focus on the most important points in both places.
Can children visit Auschwitz? The Museum recommends thinking carefully before bringing children under 14; the subject matter is very difficult and may not be suitable for every child.
How long should I plan for Auschwitz? A minimum of 3.5 hours is recommended to become acquainted with both parts of the Museum, though interested visitors may spend more time.
Do I need a guide? Visiting with a museum educator provides significantly richer historical context; in Kraków, private guiding can also help place sites in a broader urban and cultural perspective.
Plan ahead: check ticket availability for museums, opening hours and transport timetables. Bring comfortable shoes, a bottle of water and an identity document for entry to the Auschwitz Museum.
If you want to understand the historical context and local nuances more deeply — consider using the services of a private guide (for example, Małgorzata Kasprowicz), who can tailor the route to your interests and pace.
If this article helped you plan your trip — share it with friends or on social media. If you’re looking for calm, empathetic and well‑informed guiding around Kraków and its surroundings, consider contacting private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for personalized tours; details are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website.
Thanks for reading — may your visit be full of respect, curiosity and safe experiences.
