Kazimierz was founded in the fourteenth century as a separate town just south of Kraków, and for centuries it was one of the great centres of Jewish life in Europe. Its streets hold seven historic synagogues, among them the Old Synagogue on Szeroka Street, now a museum, the still-active Remuh Synagogue with its Renaissance cemetery, and the ornate Tempel Synagogue. The Jewish community of Kraków was forced into the ghetto across the river in Podgórze in 1941 and almost entirely destroyed in the Holocaust. After decades of decay, Kazimierz has revived: the Jewish Culture Festival draws crowds each summer, and the district is now also Kraków's liveliest area for food and nightlife, centred on Plac Nowy and its round market hall, famous for zapiekanki. The linked tour is a two-hour guided walk.
A guide makes a real difference here, because so much of the history is hidden in plain sight: former prayer houses turned into shops, inscriptions on doorframes, and the courtyards used as locations in Schindler's List. The linked Tiqets walk lasts about two hours, starts on Miodowa Street and runs in several languages; synagogue entry fees are not included.
How to visit well: go in daylight for the walk, then come back in the evening to eat and drink. The active synagogues and cemeteries close on the Sabbath, from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and men should cover their heads in synagogues and cemeteries. Cross the Vistula by the footbridge to see the Ghetto Heroes Square memorial of empty chairs and continue to Schindler's Factory.
Who it suits: everyone. History lovers will want the full story; food lovers will want the evening. It is also one of the best areas in the city to stay.
What to expect
The experience
A two-hour guided walk through the streets, squares and synagogues of the old Jewish town.
Best time
Daytime from Sunday to Thursday, when synagogues are open; evenings for dining.
How long
Two hours for the tour, longer if you enter synagogues or museums.
Tips
Remember the Sabbath closures, cover your head in synagogues and cemeteries, and try a zapiekanka on Plac Nowy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Jewish heritage, film locations and the best evening atmosphere in Kraków.
- Families
- The walk suits older children; Plac Nowy snacks suit everyone.
- Couples
- Candlelit cafes and bars around Plac Nowy and Szeroka Street.
- Pair with
- Schindler's Factory across the river, or Wawel to the north.
- Time needed
- Half a day plus an evening.
Good questions
Is Kazimierz the Jewish ghetto?+
No. Kazimierz was the historic Jewish district. During the war the Nazis forced Kraków's Jews into a ghetto across the river in Podgórze.
Which synagogues can I visit in Kazimierz?+
Several, including the Old Synagogue museum and the active Remuh Synagogue with its old cemetery. Most charge a small fee and active ones close on the Sabbath.
Where was Schindler's List filmed in Kazimierz?+
Several scenes were shot in Kazimierz courtyards and streets; guided walks such as the linked tour point them out.
Is Kazimierz good for nightlife?+
Yes. It is Kraków's liveliest district for bars and restaurants, especially around Plac Nowy.
What should I eat in Kazimierz?+
A zapiekanka, the open baguette topped with mushrooms and cheese, from the hatches of the round market hall on Plac Nowy.