Kraków combines rich museum collections with places of memory that are woven directly into the city fabric. In 2025 many museum branches and memorial sites offer permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and outdoor routes that let you view history from the perspective of residents, victims and participants. It’s an excellent way to understand the city not only as a historic space but as an active keeper of memory.
Visiting these places is best planned in advance: popular exhibitions (for example at Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory or the Museum of the Home Army) have limited entry slots and can sell out quickly, especially during the tourist season. Read on for a practical route, ticket and transport tips, and guidance for visiting memorial sites.
A perfect starting point is Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków) at Lipowa 4 — one of the most important places telling the story of Kraków’s Jewish community and the so-called "Schindler’s list." In 2025 the museum presents an exhibition based on the city’s narrative during the occupation, plus rotating temporary shows and educational programmes. A visit to the permanent exhibition usually takes around 1.5–2 hours.
After the factory, walk to Kazimierz — the former Jewish quarter with synagogues, historic sites and small museums. Nearby is the Galicia Jewish Museum, which presents the culture and memory of Jews from southern Poland through exhibitions and programmes. Together these locations form a coherent route about culture, persecution and remembrance — a well-rounded choice for visitors interested in wartime history.
The Museum of the Home Army (Muzeum Armii Krajowej im. gen. Emila Fieldorfa "Nila") in the city centre is an excellent place to learn about the Polish underground and resistance. Exhibitions combine artefacts, documents and personal stories of clandestine activity, linking local threads with the wider wartime context. In 2025 the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational events.
Visiting the Home Army Museum fits well into a central-day plan — afterwards you can go to nearby memorials connected to resistance activities, learn about local heroes, and take short walks to historical sites in the area.
The area of the former KL Płaszów camp is an important but particular point on Kraków’s memory map. Between 2021 and 2025 organisation and opening works took place; in 2025 the KL Płaszów Memorial site offers an outdoor exhibition and a managed post-camp area with informational plaques and field points.
Visiting the Memorial Site requires preparation: because of the difficult subject matter and the terrain, visits are recommended for adults and youth aged 14 and over. Guided walks and educational tours are sometimes organised on site — check availability and registration in advance. Access to the outdoor parts of the site is usually free, while workshops and guided tours may be paid or require prior registration.
Auschwitz-Birkenau (Oświęcim) is a place many visitors combine with a Kraków stay. It is a long, solemn visit — booking well in advance is essential, and the trip (by bus or car) takes about 1–1.5 hours one way. On arrival follow the museum’s rules and show respect for the memorial; self-guided visits are possible, but a guided tour with an accredited museum guide is worth considering.
If you plan to visit Auschwitz in 2025: reserve official tickets through the museum’s booking system well ahead of time, bring an identity document if required, plan at least a half day for the visit, dress appropriately for a place of memory and avoid loud behaviour.
Rule number one: buy tickets in advance. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory and popular exhibitions sell out quickly during the tourist season; ticket sales are often opened for a set period (for example 30–90 days before the visit date).
Check opening hours and entry availability on museum websites before planning your day. Many institutions offer a limited number of online tickets and reserve some entries for on-site purchase. In 2025 some museums introduced additional ticketing rules and queue systems — it’s best to verify details ahead of time.
If you travel in high season (May–September) or during holidays, buy tickets several weeks in advance; expect heavier demand on weekends and fewer available time slots.
- Many central sites are within walking distance or a short tram ride; Schindler’s Factory and Kazimierz are close to each other, as is the Museum of the Home Army. The KL Płaszów Memorial requires a short ride and a walk across varied terrain, so choose comfortable shoes.
- Plan your time: allow at least 90–120 minutes for the Schindler Factory exhibition; 60–90 minutes for the Home Army Museum; and 1.5–3 hours for the Płaszów area and outdoor exhibitions, depending on the route.
- Check accessibility for visitors with disabilities — many Kraków museums have accommodations, but some outdoor sites may be harder to access. Ask about facilities when you book.
War-related topics are difficult — not all exhibitions are suitable for small children. Museums usually indicate recommended ages for specific displays; some prepare educational programmes and workshops for teenagers.
If you travel with children: choose family-friendly exhibitions or shorter, interactive elements. Avoid very graphic exhibitions for the youngest visitors. Always check museum recommendations on age and content before buying tickets.
1) Not booking in advance for the Schindler Factory and Auschwitz — result: a failed visit or forced change of plans. Solution: buy tickets on official pages ahead of time.
2) Underestimating how much time is needed — many try to rush through in 30–40 minutes and then feel pressured; solution: allow more time and include breaks.
3) Inappropriate behaviour at memorials (loud conversations, photography where prohibited) — solution: show respect, silence phones and ask about photography rules.
4) Insufficient background reading — visiting sites tied to traumatic history is easier with a short introductory note; it helps provide context and sensitivity to the visit.
- On the Płaszów grounds there are archaeological points and fragments of post-camp structures — today these are marked as field points that help organise the memory of the site.
- Schindler’s Factory tells the story of Kraków under occupation through "memory machines" and sections devoted to, among other things, so-called death posters — exhibitions combine artefacts with personal stories of residents.
- Kraków museums develop educational programmes and often run curator-led tours or workshops for young people; this is a good opportunity to deepen knowledge with an expert on site.
Do I have to buy a ticket online? - Not always, but for the most popular exhibitions (for example Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory or specific temporary shows) online booking is strongly recommended.
How long does the Schindler Factory take to visit? - Typically 90–120 minutes.
Is the Płaszów area paid? - Access to some outdoor parts may be free; guided tours or educational events can be paid — check the KL Płaszów calendar.
Can I combine several museums in one day? - Yes, but plan sensibly: the city centre allows combining the Schindler Factory with Kazimierz and the Home Army Museum, while trips to Płaszów or Auschwitz need a separate time block.
After a heavy day it’s good to relax in well-reviewed places: Kazimierz offers many cafes and restaurants with strong guest feedback — choose places recommended in guides and by visitors. Recommended types of places: restaurants serving authentic Polish cuisine, cafés with good cheesecake (sernik) and restaurants offering vegetarian options.
For accommodation, the city centre and Kazimierz are convenient bases for sightseeing on foot. Choose hotels and guesthouses with good reviews and easy access to public transport if you plan a trip to Oświęcim.
- Show respect: avoid loud conversations, noise and inappropriate behaviour in memorials.
- Photograph with care: not all sections of museums and memorials allow photos; ask before taking pictures, especially in areas dedicated to victims.
- Take care of emotional comfort: wartime topics can trigger strong emotions — allow time to reflect and, if you travel with others, be mindful of the needs of fellow visitors.
If this guide interested you — share it with friends or on social media. If you want a deep and comfortable experience of visiting Kraków, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her offers and contact are visible on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Thank you for reading — we wish you reflective and safe travels in Kraków. If you like, I can prepare a personalised itinerary for the number of days, pace and preferences you prefer (focused on wartime museums or memorial sites).
