Yes — although Kraków was not completely destroyed like many other European cities, the city preserves numerous places and stories that recall the dramas of 1939–1945. Walking in autumn through Podgórze, Zabłocie or on the outskirts of Nowa Huta you will encounter monuments, empty chairs of remembrance, former camp grounds and museums that help explain local experiences of the occupation.
It is worth remembering that January 1945 brought significant damage to Kraków — more than 400 buildings were destroyed or damaged during wartime operations — and beyond the front lines the city was also the site of a ghetto, forced labor camps and mass executions. Today the most important memorial points are open to visitors and serve educational and reflective functions.
This guide gives you a concrete, friendly route for an autumn day with friends, describes the main places to visit, offers practical tips on how to get there and how to behave respectfully, and suggests cafés and restaurants for breaks.
Duration: about 6–8 hours (including breaks); set the pace to suit your group. The route mixes museums, memorial sites and short walks between points.
Start (morning) — Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Zabłocie): the museum gives a broad context of occupied Kraków; I recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid queues.
Next — Ghetto Heroes Square (Plac Bohaterów Getta, Podgórze): a short drive or walk depending on your starting point. On the square you will see the installation of empty chairs and buildings that were central to the Kraków ghetto.
Short visit — Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka “Pod Orłem”, Ghetto Heroes Square): a place linked to aid for ghetto inhabitants; today it functions as a museum and recalls local stories of courage and solidarity.
Lunch/coffee break (midday–early afternoon): choose a café or restaurant in the Podgórze or Kazimierz area — a good moment to rest and talk about what you have seen.
Afternoon — the former camp area in Płaszów and the KL Plaszów Museum: the memorial area today includes conserved post-camp grounds, outdoor exhibitions and monuments. This is a space that invites reflection; surfaces can be uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
Extended option (if you have more time): walk through parts of Nowa Huta tracing events from the occupation period — some routes show tragic incidents in former villages, graves of victims and sites of former forced labor camps.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Zabłocie) — one of the most recognizable places telling Kraków’s wartime story. As a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków it presents the local layer of occupation: daily life, resistance, administrative mechanisms and residents’ fates. Inside you will find a permanent exhibition and well-prepared temporary shows.
Ghetto Heroes Square (Podgórze) — this was the central point of the Kraków ghetto. In the public space there is a sculpture of empty chairs symbolizing furniture and luggage left behind after deportations. The square is important for public memory and annual commemorations of the ghetto’s liquidation.
Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka “Pod Orłem”) — during the war run by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, the pharmacy was an important point of support for ghetto inhabitants; today it operates as a museum and preserves daily stories of people who tried to help others despite the risk.
Former camp area in Płaszów and the KL Plaszów Museum — the camp began as a forced labor camp and later took on the features of a concentration camp. Estimates speak of tens of thousands of prisoners and mass executions on site. Today a museum institution cares for the post-camp area, runs outdoor exhibitions, and carries out research and educational activities; work is ongoing to develop a Memorial and new exhibition infrastructure.
Tickets and reservations — for popular exhibitions (especially Schindler’s Factory) buy tickets online in advance or check museum opening hours so you can plan your day without unnecessary waiting.
Clothing and pace — autumn in Kraków is cooler and often damp: dress in layers and wear comfortable, waterproof shoes — some memorial sites have uneven, natural surfaces.
Respect at memorial sites — keep quiet and restrained behavior; avoid loud actions and posing in ways that might offend others (for example, playful photos on graves or in front of monuments).
Accessibility — some places are fully accessible, others (the Płaszów grounds, certain monuments) may be more difficult for people with reduced mobility. Check accessibility info before your visit if this matters to your group.
Time and emotional load — plan breaks: visiting sites of memory can be emotionally demanding, so allow time to rest, talk and reflect.
Zabłocie / around Schindler’s Factory — after leaving the museum look for cafés and casual places with simple menus where you can sit and share impressions. This part of the city offers intimate cafés and pleasant spots for coffee.
Podgórze and Kazimierz — after visiting Ghetto Heroes Square, consider walking to nearby Kazimierz, where you’ll find many restaurants serving Polish and Jewish-inspired dishes. It’s a good place for a longer lunch and a calm conversation.
If you prefer a more traditional atmosphere: restaurants in Kazimierz serve regional dishes and offer cozy interiors — ideal for an autumn meal with friends.
When planning breaks remember short stops for coffee and cake — these small pauses help process impressions and prepare you for the next points on the route.
Is the route suitable for teenagers and children? — Yes, but prepare younger participants: some material is difficult and emotional. Plan shorter stops and moments to explain things in an age-appropriate way.
How long does visiting Schindler’s Factory and the Płaszów area take? — Reserve at least 1.5–2 hours for the Schindler’s Factory exhibition; the Płaszów grounds and displays typically require an additional hour or more depending on how much detail you want to explore.
Do we need a guide? — A guide is not obligatory — the route can be followed independently — but if you want deeper context consider attending a museum lecture or using a thematic audio guide (no specific people or commercial offers are recommended here).
Can I take photos at memorial sites? — In most outdoor spaces yes, but use restraint and respect; indoor museum exhibitions often have photography rules — check each institution’s regulations.
Is the KL Plaszów Museum open and what will I see there? — The former camp grounds are open with outdoor exhibitions and marked paths; the museum institution continues to develop the Memorial and exhibition infrastructure, so check the museum’s current information before your visit.
Visiting memorial sites as a group of friends is an opportunity not only to learn history but also to reflect together. Share impressions, ask questions and give each other space for moments of silence. Autumn in Kraków encourages focus — use the season, but remember to dress warmly and plan breaks.
You may want to finish the day with a shared dinner and a conversation about what you saw — it’s a good way to close a difficult yet valuable day. Wishing you a thoughtful and safe visit — Małgorzata Kasprowicz (tour guide) recommends this route as friendly and designed with education and memory in mind.
If you’d like, I can prepare a version of the route broken into half-day stages, include a printable map of points or a list of addresses with approximate public transport times.
Public transport — Kraków has a dense network of trams and buses; tram lines connect the city centre with Podgórze and the route to Płaszów can be reached by public transport or taxi. Allow extra time for transfers in autumn weather.
Safety and conduct — these are places of memory and respect; follow any on-site instructions, don’t disturb marked protected areas, and keep to designated paths on post-camp grounds.
Weather considerations — autumn days can change quickly; carry a light rain jacket and a small umbrella, and check the forecast before leaving.
A printable checklist for the day with opening hours and ticket tips.
A compact map with the main points and suggested walking times between them.
A short list of English-language reading or audio resources to provide background before your visit.
