Plac Nowy is the beating heart of contemporary Kazimierz — by day it works as a market and a street-food hub, while in the afternoon and evening it turns into a meeting place for coffee, casual meals and short walks through historic lanes. The central pavilion, commonly called the Okrąglak, makes orientation easy: it’s a natural starting point and a handy landmark to return to after exploring the surrounding streets. From here you can follow a short loop — Józefa — Estery — Miodowa — Szeroka — combining food, photo spots and several of Kazimierz’s key sights.
Start at the Okrąglak — take a quick look at the zapiekanka menu and grab a small snack. From there walk down Józefa Street: watch for gates and courtyard entrances of the tenement houses, perfect for photos. Turn onto Estery next — you’ll already feel the evening atmosphere with shop windows and bars coming to life. From Estery head along Miodowa toward the Tempel Synagogue — it’s worth stopping briefly to admire the façade and architectural details. Close the loop by walking toward Szeroka Street and take a look at the exterior of the Remuh Synagogue and the Remuh Cemetery. Finish by returning to Plac Nowy for dinner or coffee.
A zapiekanka at the Okrąglak is a classic — look for stalls that bake the roll on site and don’t burn the cheese. If you prefer a sit-down meal, recommended nearby places include Hamsa (Middle Eastern cuisine with vegetarian options), Alchemia (a club-café with atmosphere and often live music) and Bazaar Bistro (good breakfasts and light dishes). For dessert, seek out local ice-cream shops and small gelaterias around Plac Nowy to round off your afternoon.
If you’re in the mood for pizza or Italian flavors, Nolio is often mentioned for good Neapolitan-style pizza in the Kazimierz area. Massolit Books & Café is a great pick if you want to combine coffee with a quiet moment and a book in the middle of the day.
The Okrąglak seen from the Estery corner gives a wide city-frame with people moving and typical street trade — ideal for an urban shot. The gates and courtyards on Józefa Street are perfect for detail photos: old doorknobs, ceramic tiles and weathered doors. Evening neon signs and reflections in Estery’s shop windows create the most atmospheric shots after dark. Small food details — hands passing a zapiekanka, steam rising from the oven, a lemon squeezed over hummus — tell the story of Kazimierz better than a selfie.
Plac Nowy was created as a local market and for years served trade functions — the Okrąglak in the centre was the natural market pavilion. Today the square combines tradition with modern life: from morning markets to street food and vibrant nightlife in bars. A neat fact: the square’s shape and layout help people orient themselves — many locals and visitors use it as a meeting point in Kazimierz.
Standing in the middle of the walkway at the Okrąglak — it blocks foot traffic and spoils photos. Better step aside and let others pass. Picking the first open zapiekanka stall just because it’s open — quality varies a lot; look for freshly baked rolls and shorter queues at stalls that make the zapiekanka in front of the customer. Assuming evenings are always cheaper — many places keep similar prices all day, and weekends bring larger crowds and longer waits, so consider arriving earlier or booking a table at popular restaurants.
Best times: 11:30–13:00 for a calm lunch without heavy crowds, and 18:30–20:00 for an evening vibe with shorter lines at stalls. Many small street-food points prefer cash — carry some small bills — although more and more places accept cards. If you’re with children or a stroller, look for shaded gateways on Józefa Street where you can rest in peace for a while. On weekends Plac Nowy often hosts markets and events; to avoid crowds, choose weekday visits or earlier afternoons.
Are the zapiekanki open all day? Some stalls operate for long hours, but offerings and queues change with the time of day; afternoon and evening are usually the busiest. Is it worth entering the synagogues? Visitors are welcome at most synagogues (for example the Old Synagogue and Remuh) if they observe respectful behaviour — remember to dress appropriately when entering places of worship. Is Plac Nowy good for coffee? Yes — there are several recommended cafés nearby where you can sit down, rest and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
If you have 45–90 minutes: choose street-flavor — a zapiekanka, a short walk on Józefa, a few photos and a coffee. If you have 2–3 hours: add exterior visits to synagogue façades and the Estery–Miodowa–Szeroka loop, with a break at one of the recommended restaurants. If you plan an evening: reserve a table or arrive early, visit a bar with live music (there are atmospheric clubs and club-cafés on Estery) and finish the night with a short walk along the Vistula boulevards.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a great afternoon in Kraków. If you’d like to explore Kazimierz with someone who knows the history, local anecdotes and the best behind-the-scenes spots, consider booking a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she offers personalized tours and local insight. Enjoy Plac Nowy and happy discoveries!
