Kazimierz is a district that, within a few dozen steps, connects the past with today's lively culture. For team‑building groups it is ideal: compact, full of stories and places that spark conversations, reflection and shared experiences. In a weekend you can combine calm, educational museum visits with short outdoor team tasks.
Exploring the “traces of Jewish Kraków” gives the group a chance to learn the city’s multi‑layered history — from everyday life and religion, through culture, to the tragic events of the 20th century — in an empathetic and factual way. Below you’ll find a practical, friendly weekend plan and ideas for making your team’s stay more engaging.
This article uses historical and practical information about the most important sites in Kazimierz and nearby; you’ll also find concrete logistical tips and ideas for team activities.
We start with a ready itinerary, then break down the most important places into friendly descriptions and organizational advice. — Małgorzata.
Organizer’s note: before departure check current opening hours and visiting rules (especially for museums and synagogues), reserve tickets where necessary, and include time for breaks and conversations.
Day 1 — afternoon and evening: Arrival, light walk and integration
- 14:00–15:30: Arrival and check‑in. Brief organizational briefing (daily schedule, roles, safety).
- 15:30–17:30: Walk from the Old Town to Kazimierz — a short introduction: history of the district, main landmarks. The broad street and area around the Old Synagogue make a good spot for your first group photo.
- 18:00–20:00: Team dinner in one of Kazimierz’s restaurants — casual conversation, a short team task (e.g. a 10‑minute “share one interesting thing you remember”).
- Evening: a relaxed walk through lit Kazimierz or a short city game (scavenger hunt) lasting 45–60 minutes.
Day 2 — full day: the main traces of Jewish Kraków
- 09:00–10:30: Jewish Museum Galicja (Dajwór Street) — exhibition and optional educational workshop.
- 10:45–12:00: Old Synagogue (Szeroka Street) and a short route along Szeroka Street — history, architecture, social context.
- 12:15–13:00: Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery (Szeroka Street) — a moment of silence and reflection; explanation of the significance of cemeteries and traditions.
- 13:00–14:00: Lunch in Kazimierz — time to exchange impressions and a short wrap‑up before the afternoon.
- 14:30–16:00: Tempel Synagogue and Kupa Synagogue (short visits, talk about diversity of Jewish practices and architecture).
- 16:30–18:00: Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Lipowa Street) — an exhibition about occupied Kraków and 20th‑century context.
- 18:00–18:30: Closing the trip: quick discussion — what moved the group, and what could be explored further.
Jewish Museum Galicja (Dajwór 18)
- What it is: a modern museum combining exhibitions with art and educational activities; a good place to introduce the region’s history and memory.
- Why for groups: there are displays that address memory and culture; workshops and guided activities are often available for school groups and adults.
- Tips: ask about workshop availability and reserve in advance; allow time for group discussion after the exhibition.
Old Synagogue and Szeroka Street (Szeroka 24)
- What it is: the oldest preserved synagogue in Kraków, a branch of the city museum — a site of significant architectural and historical value.
- Why for groups: it illustrates religious daily life and the history of the Jewish community in Kraków; the interior and displays inspire conversations about coexistence of cultures.
- Tips: the museum has a permanent exhibition about rituals and ceremonies; remember to behave respectfully and quietly.
Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery (Szeroka 40)
- What it is: an active (Orthodox) synagogue with an adjacent, very old Jewish cemetery; tombstones date from the 16th–19th centuries.
- Why for groups: the cemetery and synagogue are places of strong memory and spirituality; they allow reflection on the continuity of tradition.
- Tips: this is a place of prayer — avoid loud entry during services; many synagogues restrict access on Saturdays and Jewish holidays; respect prayer areas and general dress codes.
Tempel Synagogue (Miodowa Street) and Kupa Synagogue (Warszauera Street)
- What it is: Tempel was a Reform synagogue (19th century), Kupa dates to the 17th century and was connected to the kahal — both show different forms of religious life and Jewish architecture in Kazimierz.
- Why for groups: they illustrate internal pluralism within the Jewish community and social processes of the 19th–20th centuries.
- Tips: combine visits with stories about social and identity changes in Galicia.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Lipowa 4)
- What it is: a branch of the city museum telling the story of Kraków during the occupation, with attention to the fate of Jewish residents and the role of wartime industry; the production halls now host exhibitions.
- Why for groups: it provides broader 20th‑century context; linking personal narratives with occupation realities helps understand the complexity of that period.
- Tips: tickets often need to be purchased in advance; allow at least 1.5–2 hours for a visit; the site is emotionally significant — leave time for a calm group debrief afterwards.
Sites of memory: the former Płaszów camp area and other memorial points
- What it is: fragments of the camp grounds and commemorative spots remembering victims. These are spaces that require particular respect.
- Tips: if you plan a visit prepare the group for the solemn nature of the site: silence, no unnecessary noise, and no playful activities.
Respectful scavenger hunt: short tasks like “find architectural detail X”, “read a plaque and write down one word that moved you”. Ensure tasks do not intrude on tombstones or prayer areas.
Mini reflective workshop: after a museum visit give the group 20–30 minutes for paired summaries and 10 minutes for a short moderated group conversation — what surprised us, what we didn’t know, how it connects to our team life.
Photo challenge: who can take the most “empathetic” photo of a place (no people on tombstones, and follow rules about photography in houses of worship). Follow with a short intra‑group presentation.
Food as shared space: gather around a table with local flavors — not necessarily in explicitly Jewish restaurants, but in places where people can talk and exchange impressions (short task: each person describes one taste associated with the day).
Short role‑plays / scene improvisations: e.g. interpret short quotes or historical fragments in 3‑minute improvisations — useful to break the ice and enter the topic more deeply (handle gently and sensitively).
Museum workshop: ask Jewish Museum Galicja about available educational workshops — these can be excellent moderated spaces for group learning.
Reservations and tickets: Schindler’s Factory and some museums or workshops may require advance booking. Buy tickets and reserve activities ahead to avoid long lines and disappointment.
Time: plan more time than you expect — breaks, traffic, group needs. Add a 15–30 minute buffer to each main point.
Respect in places of worship and memory: quiet behavior, modest dress (especially in synagogues), silence in cemeteries. Photography: check rules at each site — some synagogues and exhibitions limit photos.
Accessibility: not all sites have facilities for people with limited mobility (steps to some synagogues, no lifts in historic buildings). Check ahead and plan alternatives.
Day of week: pay attention to Saturday (Shabbat) and Jewish holidays — some synagogues may be closed or services may take place that are not appropriate to interrupt. Arrange visits on weekdays or earlier in the afternoon when possible.
Safety: carry a participant list, local coordinator contact, a first aid kit and essential phone numbers (hotel, museum).
Ethics of team tasks: avoid “games” in places of memory that could be perceived as inappropriate; tasks should foster empathy, not sensationalism.
- Reservations: tickets for Schindler’s Factory, Galicja (if a workshop), and possible synagogue entries — confirm by phone or email.
- Time plan: appoint a time leader in the group and set three reminders (start, 30 min, 10 min before end).
- Materials: paper map/file, schedule cards, participant lists, first aid kit, water bottles.
- Communication: inform participants about conduct rules in cemeteries and synagogues; ask for comfortable, modest clothing.
- Activities: prepare questions for discussion, scavenger hunt tasks, materials for the mini‑workshop (paper, pens).
- Weather alternatives: a rain plan — shorter outdoor stops and more time in museums/indoors.
Be curious but gentle. What you’ll see in Kazimierz and its surroundings is not only beautiful architecture — it’s human stories, memory and heritage. For team‑building groups it’s an excellent resource for shared conversation and building empathy.
I encourage you to reserve workshops at the Jewish Museum Galicja and to book time at Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in advance — especially if you visit during the tourist season. Remember to keep quiet and respectful at sites of memory and to finish the trip with a short shared reflection — 10–15 minutes is usually enough to summarize the key impressions.
If you’d like, I can help tailor this plan to a specific number of participants, accessibility requirements or thematic preferences (e.g. more architectural history, more educational workshops, less walking). Good luck organizing and enjoy your stay in Kraków! — Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
If you want a 1‑day version — a shorter route for very limited time — write to me and I’ll prepare it for your group.
Have a great visit and stay curious together.
How to get around: Kazimierz is very walkable; from the Main Market Square it’s a 10–20 minute walk. Public transport (trams and buses) and taxis are easy to use for longer transfers (for Schindler’s Factory in Zabłocie allow a 20–30 minute walk from the center or a short tram ride).
Money and payments: most restaurants and museums accept cards, but small cafes or market stalls may be cash‑only. Carry some złoty for small purchases or tips.
Food and recommended spots: Kazimierz offers many pleasant places to eat and meet. If you want suggestions, consider well‑known local options in the district for group dinners or coffee breaks — choose places with space for a team to sit together and talk.
Language: English is commonly understood in tourist places, museums often have English descriptions and audio guides. If you need a Polish‑speaking organizer or guide for the group, I can help arrange that.
Group size and pace: for larger groups consider splitting into smaller teams for museum visits or workshops to keep interactions manageable and meaningful.
Weather: summers can be busy and warm; autumn and spring are lovely for walks. In winter dress warmly and expect shorter daylight hours; plan indoor alternatives for outdoor parts of the itinerary.
Contact before the trip: confirm opening hours and book necessary tickets and workshops a few weeks in advance, especially for larger groups or peak season.
