The Cloth Hall and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory show two faces of Krakow - the artistic and the historic. The Cloth Hall is the heart of the Main Market Square and one of the most important galleries of 19th-century Polish art, while Schindler's Factory tells the story of the city under occupation and the courage of its residents during World War II. Both attractions are close to each other and easy to combine into a one-day sightseeing plan.
If this is your first time in Krakow, consider pairing a visit to the Cloth Hall with a short walk around the Main Market Square, then take a tram or walk to Zabłocie to see Schindler's Factory at Lipowa 4. That way you can experience art and history in a single day without wasting time on long transfers.
Important: both museums can get busy, so plan ahead - booking tickets online or choosing a set entry time will save you time and queues.
Cloth Hall (MNK Sukiennice) - Main Market Square 3. The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art at the Cloth Hall is part of the National Museum in Krakow. It is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, with last admission about 20 minutes before closing. Tuesdays are often free for permanent exhibitions at the National Museum - always check current rules before your visit.
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory - Lipowa 4 (Zabłocie / Podgórze). This branch of the Museum of Krakow presents Krakow under occupation 1939-1945. The exhibition occupies several floors, but visiting is possible thanks to elevators and an accessible route - still, check ticketing rules and opening hours in advance.
Tickets: both museums sell tickets online - the Cloth Hall through the National Museum system and Schindler's Factory through the Museum of Krakow. There are also combined tickets for the 'Route of Remembrance'. Buying online guarantees entry at the chosen time and helps avoid queues.
Buy tickets through the museums' official sales systems - this is the safest way to avoid inflated prices from resellers. Online reservations are especially important in the high season and on weekends.
Schindler's Factory offers a combined ticket known as the Route of Remembrance, which includes visits to affiliated sites like the Pharmacy under the Eagle and Pomorska Street within specified times - a convenient option if you want to dive deeper into the history of Jewish Krakow.
If you miss online booking, you can buy tickets at the museum ticket office - remember that the box office sometimes sells only for the next available time slot. For longer stays in the city, it's better to secure tickets in advance.
Both museums declare accessibility measures: the Cloth Hall has an elevator to the upper exhibition floor and an accessible toilet, while Schindler's Factory provides an obstacle-free route and an elevator between floors. At Schindler's the ticket office is on the ground floor, which helps visitors using wheelchairs.
If you need additional assistance (for example a helper or Polish Sign Language interpreter), check availability in advance and notify the museum - many branches allow prior requests so staff can prepare support. Also bring any card confirming entitlement to concessions if applicable.
Keep in mind: even with elevators some historic buildings have narrow passages or uneven flooring. For your comfort plan a slower pace and ask staff for help when needed.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art at the Cloth Hall presents painting and sculpture from the Enlightenment to Symbolism. Pay special attention to the rooms dedicated to 19th-century Polish painting - here you will find works that illustrate the era's social and cultural changes.
Don’t miss rooms with works by artists such as Chełmoński, Matejko and Wyspiański - their paintings are important both aesthetically and historically. The Cloth Hall is also a great place to feel the Market Square atmosphere through the lens of art, and small temporary exhibitions are frequently organized there.
After visiting the gallery, stop for coffee in one of the historic cafés near the Market Square - a perfect way to rest and watch city life.
Schindler's Factory is a narrative exhibition: multimedia installations, archival photos, documents and recordings create a strong impression. The display focuses on the fate of Krakow residents between 1939 and 1945 and on Oskar Schindler's actions.
Visiting can be emotionally demanding - the exhibition addresses dramatic topics and is often recommended for older teens and adults. Individual visits usually last around 60 to 120 minutes depending on your pace and interest in the details.
To expand context, plan visits to sites on the Route of Remembrance - the Pharmacy under the Eagle and Pomorska Street add local background and show what everyday life looked like in the occupied city.
It is easy to get from the Cloth Hall to Schindler's Factory by public transport - trams and buses connect the Market with Zabłocie; walking takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your pace. Zabłocie is a trendy area today with museums, cafés and galleries - combine sightseeing with a local walk.
Keep the crowds on the Main Market Square in mind - if you prefer a quieter experience visit the Cloth Hall in the morning just after opening or late afternoon. For Schindler's Factory choose an off-peak hour to avoid large tour groups.
Check current opening days and hours before you set out - museums sometimes have nonstandard closures due to events, conservation work or seasonal changes.
Around the Market and on Kazimierz you will find many well-reviewed places. For classic dining try Wierzynek, a historic restaurant with traditional cuisine, and cafés like Noworolski or Cafe Camelot are great for a coffee break. On Kazimierz try places such as Starka or Mleczarnia - atmospheric local dining with good reviews.
If you want to stay close to the sights, choose hotels or apartments in the Old Town or Kazimierz - this saves time and reduces transfers. Pay attention to comments about building accessibility (elevators, step-free entrances) if you travel with mobility limitations.
For food lovers: try local pierogi and potato pancakes or Hungarian-style potato cakes in well-rated restaurants - classic Polish comfort dishes many visitors enjoy.
1. Not reserving tickets in advance - this can lead to long queues or missing your preferred entry time. 2. Visiting museums on Monday - many branches are closed that day. 3. Buying tickets from untrustworthy resellers - prices can be much higher. Avoid this by buying directly from museum websites or trusted operators. 4. Underestimating the time needed - both the Cloth Hall and Schindler's Factory require sufficient time to view the exhibitions calmly.
How to avoid these mistakes: plan ahead, book online, check opening hours and allocate enough time for each exhibition. If a step-free route is important to you, contact museum staff in advance to confirm available facilities.
A small tip: check whether your visit falls on a free-admission day - queues may be especially long then. If you plan to use a free day, be prepared for larger crowds.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - Recommended, especially in season and on weekends; online booking guarantees entry at a specific time.
Are both routes wheelchair accessible? - Yes, both sites declare accessibility and have elevators, but it is always wise to report your need for assistance before arrival.
Is Tuesday a free day at the Cloth Hall? - The National Museum often offers free admission to permanent exhibitions on Tuesdays, but policies can change - check current information before visiting.
Is it worth hiring a guide? - A guide can deepen the experience by explaining historical and artistic context; if you want to better understand the exhibitions consider hiring one.
The Cloth Hall was not always just a textile market - since the 19th century it has served museum functions and became one of the first permanent locations of the National Museum in Krakow. It is an interesting example of how a city landmark's role can change over time.
Schindler's Factory is part of a broader Route of Remembrance - visiting affiliated sites shows parts of the city that still bear traces of wartime history. This kind of visit gives a wider context than the exhibits inside the factory building alone.
Practical note: Schindler's Factory's ticket desks sometimes sell only for the next available time slot - useful if you must buy on the day, but it does not guarantee a specific hour for planning.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media - helping others plan their Krakow visit is valuable.
If you would like to explore Krakow with greater comfort and a tailored itinerary, you can book services with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. A private guide can help plan routes, reserve tickets and ensure accessibility needs are met, which is especially useful when a step-free route is required.
Good luck discovering Krakow - I wish you moving and comfortable visits to the Cloth Hall and Schindler's Factory!
