Kraków still bears traces of the dramatic events of 1939–1945 on many levels: architectural, social and symbolic. A walk of this kind is not only a history lesson but also an opportunity for conversation, reflection and building a shared experience. Walking together makes it easier to share impressions, ask questions and pause at places of remembrance — that is why this kind of outing is perfect for a day with friends.
A route that connects museums, memorial sites and remnants of wartime infrastructure allows you to see different aspects of the war: deportations, repression of elites, the fate of the Jewish community, and places of everyday life and work. For a group of friends it is also an alternative to a typical “tourist” program — visiting gains more meaning and emotional depth.
You can organize the walk as an intimate group (3–6 people) or a slightly larger one — the important thing is to keep a pace that allows for conversation and reflection. It’s worth agreeing in advance which places are a priority for the group: museums, outdoor memorials or traces visible in the urban space.
Start: Oskar Schindler’s Factory (ul. Lipowa) – an excellent first stop. The museum presents Kraków during the occupation through residents’ stories, photographs, everyday objects and personal accounts. It’s a place that helps you understand the political and social background before you continue your walk.
Next: walk toward Podgórze and Plac Bohaterów Getta (Rynek Podgórski). The gate of the Kraków ghetto stood nearby. On the square and in the surrounding area you can see parts of the memorial trail dedicated to the ghetto — take time to read the plaques and talk about the scale of the tragedy and how the memory has been commemorated in the city.
Then: the area of the former Płaszów concentration camp. This place has a very heavy history — the former camp shaped the fate of many Kraków residents. The outdoor area is accessible, and work is ongoing to expand museum and educational functions; if you plan to visit, check in advance which parts are open to the public.
Next stop: Kazimierz — the historic Jewish quarter. Although many visitors confuse the areas, it’s worth emphasizing that the Kraków ghetto was located in Podgórze, while Kazimierz has its own long Jewish history and memorial sites. A walk around Kazimierz is a good opportunity to talk about everyday life before the war and how the urban fabric changed.
Crossing to the Old Town and Collegium Novum of Jagiellonian University (ul. Gołębia) — the site of the arrests of professors on 6 November 1939 (Sonderaktion Krakau). This is an important stop to tell the story of repression against the Polish intelligentsia and of clandestine teaching during the occupation.
Finish: a short stop at Wawel Hill — a reminder that Wawel served during the occupation as the seat of the General Government and a symbol of the exclusion of Poles from their own institutions. It’s a good moment to sum up the route and reflect over coffee in one of the nearby cafés.
Schindler’s Factory: book tickets in advance, as it’s one of the city’s most popular museums. If you can’t get tickets online, check availability on site or plan to arrive early — weekends can be crowded.
Plac Bohaterów Getta and the Podgórze trail: this is an outdoor area, easy to explore on foot. There are informational panels and points of interest — take your time, and bring water and comfortable shoes.
Płaszów: the outdoor terrain is accessible but some sections may be uneven. If you plan to enter newly opened museum spaces, check current information ahead of time — accessibility and opening hours can change.
Collegium Novum: by the hall where professors were arrested there are commemorative plaques and memorial spots. This topic requires sensitivity — try to speak about the facts and the people involved, not only statistics.
Duration: the full relaxed program takes about 5–7 hours with breaks for coffee and lunch. For a more intensive visit you can choose a shorter version (3–4 hours) focusing on 3–4 key points.
Kazimierz and the Old Town offer many pleasant places for a break: we recommend Café Camelot (Old Town) as an atmospheric spot for an afternoon coffee. In Kazimierz you’ll find cozy restaurants serving local and Jewish-inspired dishes as well as modern bistros. If you want something quick and family-friendly, there are also popular bars around Kazimierz with traditional Polish and Jewish dishes.
For lunch after the route consider a restaurant serving classic Polish cuisine — a good place to rest and talk about what you’ve seen. If you’re in a larger group, reserve a table in advance, especially on weekends.
If the group prefers a more reflective atmosphere after visiting places of remembrance, choose a café terrace by the Vistula or a quiet tea house — a moment of calm to discuss impressions.
Often-mixed locations: while many visitors associate Kazimierz with Kraków’s Jewish history, the main ghetto was established in Podgórze. Explaining this simple distinction during the walk helps understand how the city’s map changed after the war.
Wawel as the occupier’s seat: Wawel, a symbol of Polish authority and tradition, served during the occupation as the seat of the General Governor. This strong contrast helps illustrate the humiliation of national symbols.
Different faces of memory: Kraków memorializes the war in many ways — major museums, plaques and monuments, as well as smaller local educational initiatives. Showing this diversity helps convey that memory is a process, not a single narrative.
Mistake 1: confusing Kazimierz with the ghetto — avoid this simplification: explain where each area was located and why they played different roles.
Mistake 2: rushing through museums without reflection — instead of skimming an exhibition, stop at a few objects, talk about them and share impressions. Even ten focused minutes on one story can change your whole experience.
Mistake 3: practical unpreparedness — no reservations for museums, underestimating walking distances or not wearing comfortable shoes. Plan distances and breaks in advance.
Is the route suitable for younger participants? Yes, many memorial sites have presentations accessible to teenagers, but some content can be emotionally heavy. Adapt your narrative to the age and sensitivity of participants.
Do we need to buy tickets in advance? For the most popular attractions, like Oskar Schindler’s Factory, it’s strongly recommended to reserve tickets in advance — it will save time and disappointment.
Is the route accessible for people with reduced mobility? Some places are on flat ground and accessible, but others (for example parts of the Płaszów area) may be uneven. Plan the route and check accessibility for specific stops.
1. Choose a date and plan the time: full route 5–7 hours, shortened version 3–4 hours. 2. Book museum tickets (if you plan to visit Schindler’s Factory, do it ahead of time). 3. Dress comfortably, plan breaks and places to eat; think about water and weather protection. 4. Agree before you start on the group’s pace and expectations — do you want mostly to listen to a guide’s stories or explore more freely? 5. At the end: take a moment for a shared summary — this is often the most valuable part of the walk.
If you enjoyed this route, share it with friends — the history of Kraków is important and it’s worth spreading the memory. Share the article on social media or simply send it to people planning a visit to the city.
If you prefer to explore in an intimate atmosphere with a personal approach, consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). A guided walk can enrich the experience with stories and context that are not always easy to find on your own.
