Can you calmly visit the Jagiellonian University Pharmacy Museum on New Year’s Eve morning and avoid crowds? That’s a perfectly reasonable idea — especially if you want to see something unusual before heading out to an evening party at the Main Square or a dinner at your favourite restaurant. The Pharmacy Museum is one of the most original spots in Kraków’s historic centre, located at 25 Floriańska Street in a historic tenement that stretches from the cellar up to the attic.
Although the museum isn’t large in terms of exhibition space, the display makes a stronger impression thanks to authentic apothecary interiors and exceptional objects — from old mortars to collections of herbals and rare apothecary tools. If you’re planning a day full of attractions, a visit here can add a historical flavour to your Kraków experience and… a touch of mystery.
The Pharmacy Museum tells the story of pharmacy through the centuries — from plant, mineral and animal raw materials used in past medicines to tools and furniture from different eras. Here you’ll find unexpected exhibits: fleas and leeches used in old recipes, the so‑called “unicorn horn” as an example of beliefs, unusual scales and devices for making lozenges, as well as unique early printed books and herbariums.
Among the displays are a room dedicated to Ignacy Łukasiewicz and a cabinet connected to the ‘Under the Eagle’ pharmacy and the figure of Tadeusz Pankiewicz. These link the history of science and medicine with local, often moving stories, making for a short but memorable museum experience.
Address: Floriańska Street 25 — very close to the Main Square, so you can easily combine the visit with a walk around the Old Town.
Hours and rules: the museum follows a regular weekly timetable — typically Tuesday 12:00–18:30, Wednesday–Saturday around 9:30–15:00, closed on Monday and Sunday; last admission is usually about 45 minutes before closing. Because schedules and holiday openings can change, especially around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s a good idea to check the museum’s current hours before you go.
Tickets and visit length: regular and reduced tickets are reasonably priced, and an average visit takes about 1–1.5 hours. The museum also offers guided tours for groups — if you have limited time and want to get the most out of your visit, a group tour is a good option.
There is no elevator in the museum — the exhibition spans several floors (cellar to attic), so if you’re travelling with a stroller or need full accessibility, keep that in mind.
The museum does not accept all city tourist cards, so if you plan to use discount passes, check in advance whether they are valid. It’s also best not to rely on unofficial sources for opening hours — the museum’s official website or a phone call will give the most up‑to‑date information.
Start in the cellar and make your way up: the layout will lead you through apothecary interiors of different sizes and purposes — from old workshops to elegant rooms with period furniture.
Pause at the display cases with early printed books and herbariums, and at the heavier scales and devices used for preparing medicines. The room dedicated to Łukasiewicz and the one telling the story of apothecaries during World War II are usually the most moving highlights.
Many Kraków museums adjust their opening hours around holidays and large events, so it’s good to have a backup plan: a stroll around the Main Square and Floriańska Street, a short visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (if open), or a quick stop at another small venue nearby.
If you want a calm morning and the museum interior is unavailable, consider a morning coffee at a well‑rated nearby café (for example, Café Camelot) and a guided walk through some of the Old Town’s quieter historic corners that tourists often miss. If you’re interested in the history of medicine, plan the museum visit for another day — then you can explore at a more relaxed pace without rushing.
After your visit it’s worth staying in the Old Town and choosing one of the well‑reviewed restaurants or cafés. Consider places that offer a cosy atmosphere and traditional Lesser Poland dishes — a nice way to round off a short museum stop.
If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve dinner, book in advance — the best central spots fill up fast. Established restaurants around the Main Square and Floriańska Street are a safe bet, but there are also intimate places a little off the main tourist routes where the atmosphere can be more local and less crowded.
Assuming the museum is fully accessible for people with limited mobility — check this beforehand or choose a different attraction for the day.
Thinking the exhibition is just jars and bottles — many items tell real stories about people, inventions and dramatic events, so give the exhibition at least an hour to appreciate it.
Relying only on unofficial opening hours from guidebooks — check the museum’s website or call, especially during holiday periods.
Is the museum close to the Main Square? Yes — Floriańska 25 is just a few minutes’ walk from the Main Square, which makes it easy to pop in for a short visit between New Year’s Eve plans.
How much time should I allow? Plan about 1–1.5 hours if you want to read labels and see the most interesting showcases at a comfortable pace.
Is the museum open on New Year’s Eve? Holiday and event schedules can be irregular — it’s best to check current opening hours on the museum’s website or call before you leave.
The collections include not only tools and furniture but also early printed works, rare scales and objects that helped pharmacy develop into a modern science.
The exhibition occupies several levels of a historic tenement, so visiting is not just about looking at cabinets but about moving through former apothecary interiors.
If this article helped you plan a visit to the UJ Pharmacy Museum around New Year’s Eve, share it with friends or on social media — someone close to you might be looking for an offbeat idea for a pre‑evening stroll.
If you want to explore Kraków with a local guide and make sure you see places ‘off hours’ or adapt your route to New Year’s Eve plans, consider booking a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers tailored tours and can help you make the most of your time in the city.
