Can you see the Schindler Factory in the morning, then climb Wawel in the afternoon and still eat something delicious in Kazimierz? Yes — but only if you plan your tickets and route well. This text will help you avoid the most common pitfalls related to tickets, crowds and opening hours, and will suggest reliable places for coffee and lunch.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is a powerful, moving museum located on Lipowa Street in the Zabłocie district. Wawel is a complex of several exhibitions plus the cathedral on Wawel Hill — remember that some parts of the hill require separate tickets and that the number of admissions is sometimes limited. Planning ahead is essential.
If you have only one day, we recommend starting in the morning at the Schindler Factory (fewer crowds) and heading to Wawel in the afternoon, or doing it the other way around outside high season. A more detailed plan is further down.
The Museum of Krakow has introduced changes to ticket sales for the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory: starting in 2026 online sales will use named tickets and online sales will be limited by a fixed advance window (typically several dozen days before the visit).
For visitors this means: when buying online you will enter your full name to reduce resale of tickets at inflated prices. Box office purchases remain anonymous, but tickets bought on site may be valid only for a short time after purchase (in practice it’s best to plan to enter soon after buying).
A combined-ticket option has also been introduced — granting entry to related branches of the Museum of Krakow for several days after purchase. These changes may also affect ticket prices, so always check the current price list shortly before buying.
Buy tickets only through the museum’s official sales channels; this is the safest way to avoid overpaying and fake tickets. If you plan to visit on a weekend or during high season, reserve tickets in advance — some dates sell out quickly.
Check the rules of the online sales system: ticketing platforms release tickets at specific hours and vary in their advance-window (for example, tickets may appear several dozen days ahead). On the day of your visit, arrive early even if you have a ticket — queues and checks at the entrance can extend waiting time.
If you buy a ticket at the box office: be aware that some box-office tickets are valid only for a short period after purchase (for example, 15 minutes) — this matters when planning, especially if you want to join a guided tour or an event at a specific time.
Wawel is not a single ticket but several routes and exhibitions often sold separately — for example: the Royal Chambers, the Crown Treasury and Armory, the Cathedral with royal tombs and the archaeological underground routes. Before your visit decide which exhibitions are your priority.
In many seasons there are limits on entries to selected routes, and some days include promotional actions (for example, selected exhibitions made available free on certain dates) — even for free entry you often need to register online. In practice: book tickets in advance and don’t assume you can just show up on a weekend.
How much time to allow? For an average visitor 2–3 hours is a sensible minimum if you want to see several routes. If you plan to visit the interiors + the cathedral + the underground, allow half a day.
Morning: start at the Schindler Factory (Zabłocie, ul. Lipowa) — the permanent exhibition usually takes about 60–90 minutes. It’s a strong and moving introduction to the day but doesn’t take up the whole day. After the Factory you can walk or take a tram toward the city center.
Noon: break for lunch in Kazimierz or the Old Town — choose a restaurant with good reviews. Plan at least 60–90 minutes for a meal and coffee.
Afternoon: reserve a timed entry for Wawel — if you have tickets for selected routes, aim to arrive at the start time. After visiting Wawel, enjoy a walk along the Vistula boulevards and take in the city panorama.
Krakow has lots of great places to eat; choose those with high ratings and good reviews from tourists and locals. Around Wawel and the Old Town you’ll find well-rated restaurants serving traditional Polish and modern cuisine, as well as popular cafés for a post-visit break.
In Kazimierz, look for restaurants offering traditional dishes and modern interpretations of Polish cuisine — popular, well-rated places usually offer good service and flavors. For coffee, try small cafés with local character; for dessert check recommended pastry shops and ice-cream parlors.
If you want specific names of highly rated venues, check current rankings and reserve a table in advance, especially on weekends and evenings.
The Schindler Factory is located in the Zabłocie district — it’s not in the heart of Kazimierz, so plan a short trip between these points. The exhibitions tell the story of occupied Krakow and are arranged to focus attention on the experiences of the city’s residents during World War II.
Wawel is not just a castle — it’s several institutions with different opening hours and visitor limits. Sometimes ‘quiet hours’ are introduced for visitors who prefer a calmer visit — check for this option if you’re traveling with people who may benefit from it.
Surprising fact: Krakow’s museums are testing and introducing new ticketing formats and combined offers to make access easier and reduce reselling by intermediaries. This improves availability but requires a bit of planning on the visitor’s part.
Mistake 1: Trying to do “everything in one day” without pre-booking tickets. Solution: pick priorities and reserve tickets in advance so you’re sure to get into the most important routes.
Mistake 2: Buying tickets from untrustworthy sellers and resale platforms. Solution: always use official museum sales channels or buy at the box office in person.
Mistake 3: Not checking time limits on box-office tickets (when they’re valid only for a short time after purchase). Solution: plan logistics — buy at the counter only if you’re sure you can enter within the allotted time, or buy online with enough buffer.
Can I buy Schindler Factory tickets on the day of my visit? Yes, but in high season the best time slots sell out fast — buying on site is possible but risky on weekends and holidays.
Can I enter Wawel without a ticket? You can enter the hill area, but individual exhibitions and the cathedral require tickets. Some days offer free entry to selected routes, but even then registration is often required.
How much does a ticket cost? Prices change over time. Museum price lists have been updated in recent years — always check the current official price list before purchasing.
Plan your route, buy the most important tickets in advance and leave yourself time to rest and enjoy a good coffee. Combine sightseeing with short breaks — Krakow is best savored slowly.
If this article helped you plan your trip, share it with friends or on social media. And if you’d like to explore the city with someone who knows Krakow inside out, I invite you to use the services of private tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip in Krakow!
