5 Best Jewish Quarter Tours in Krakow

Among the things you must do and see in Kraków, be sure to include a visit to the Jewish Quarter. This site, also known as the Kraków Jewish Ghetto, was one of the five major ghettos established by the Nazis during the occupation of Poland in World War II. Today, many sites remain that serve as evidence of one of the greatest tragedies and crimes in human history.

To explore this neighborhood, you can choose between walking, bike, or Segway tours. Each covers specific attractions and museums. You can choose the one that best fits your schedule and preferences. Although most are historical tours, some—like the food tour—show you another side of this famous neighborhood.

Krakow’s fascinating Jewish Quarter is a must-see if you’re vacationing in this city. I recommend choosing this tour as it will allow you to discover several attractions in a single day.

During the tour, your guide will tell you the story behind all the sites you visit. In total, the tour lasts about 3 hours, and the average cost is €50.

After meeting your tour guide and group in Krakow, you’ll walk to the Jewish quarter, Kazimierz. The walk takes about 20 minutes, depending on the meeting point. Once you arrive in the neighborhood, you’ll see how two cultures—Polish and Jewish—can coexist in the same place.

If you only have two days to explore Krakow, this is the perfect tour for you. When you arrive in Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter, you’ll pass by Schindler’s Factory, the site that saved over 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust.

Other sites you’ll pass by include Ghetto Heroes Square and the Eagle Pharmacy Museum. This pharmacy is often overlooked during visits to the neighborhood. However, it played an important role in Jewish history as it served as a meeting place and refuge for receiving medicine and food.

The pharmacy’s owner was Polish and refused to leave his home when the Nazis designated that area as the Jewish ghetto. On the tour, you’ll learn more about this history.

Points of Interest

• Price: around €50.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Transportation: on foot.

If you’re interested in food tours in Krakow, I invite you to take a tour like this one to the Kazimierz district. The tour is on foot so you can visit up to 5 restaurants.

The tour lasts about 3 hours so you can leisurely sample all the dishes. Your ticket, which costs around €70, includes the food samples you’ll receive at each restaurant.

The Kazimierz district is one of the oldest in Krakow, so its culture and history are evident not only in its historic sites but also in its cuisine. As you sample the food, your guide will share the stories behind many of these dishes. Generally, they are a blend of Polish and Jewish cultures.

The tour guide will direct you to which restaurants to visit so you can sample the food. In total, you’ll try 15 dishes. In addition to the food, you can sample craft beer and local vodka. Other beverages such as water and soft drinks are available if you prefer them.

I invite you to take advantage of this tour not only to eat, but also to meet people who share your interests. Food is always a great excuse to strike up a conversation.

In addition to the restaurants you visit, your guide will recommend cafes, bars, and other restaurants. You can add these to your list of the best restaurants in Krakow

Points of Interest

• Price: around €70
• Duration: about 3.5 hours
• Transportation: on foot

If you don’t want to miss any of the Jewish Quarter’s sights, I recommend taking this walking tour. At each stop, you’ll have plenty of time to go inside and explore the site while listening to the stories your guide will share. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours or more and has an average price of €70.

The first stop is Oskar Schindler’s Factory. In this former enamel factory, you’ll see exhibits showing what life was like in Kraków during World War II. You can stay inside for as long as the guide allows before continuing the tour.

The next stop is Ghetto Heroes Square. Here you can admire the monument to the heroes of the ghetto and listen to the historical facts shared by the guide.

Afterward, you’ll head to Father Bernatek’s Footbridge over the Vistula River, which connects the Kazimierz district with the Podgórze district. Here you’ll see many tourists hanging padlocks as a symbol of a promise.

The tour also typically stops at the Remuh, Stara, Izaak, Highen, and Tempel synagogues.

It also stops at the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, and at the New Jewish Cemetery.

You’ll also pass by the old ghetto walls, Szeroka Street, the statue of Jan Karski, and New Square.

Mrs. Dresner’s courtyard and staircase is a must-see for many visitors, as this location appears in Steven Spielberg’s film “Schindler’s List,” so movie buffs always stop to take photos.

Points of Interest

• Price: around €80
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Transportation: on foot

For some people, the walking tour of Kraków’s Jewish Quarter can be a bit tiring. However, there are other ways to explore this area without any hassle.
Using a Segway, you can visit all the most popular tourist spots in the area in about 2 hours. The average cost of these tours is €40.
On this vehicle, you’ll be able to explore the streets lined with restaurants and bars, as well as the historic side of the Jewish Quarter.

First, you’ll start the tour with a short lesson or training session. The guide will explain how the Segway works—an ideal mode of transport for people with limited mobility

After that, you’ll be ready to explore the streets and local markets. You’ll also pass by Schindler’s factory, Heroes of the Ghetto Square, the most famous synagogues, Father Bernatek’s Footbridge, and other points of interest.
Please note that the tour does not include admission to any museums or factories; you’ll simply pass by them. I encourage you to pay close attention to all the historical facts the guide will share along the way.

Details of interest

• Price: around €40.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Transportation: Segway.

If you liked the idea of the Segway tour of the Jewish Quarter, I’m sure you’ll love this bike tour. This option is ideal if you’re looking for things to do in one day in Krakow, since you’ll not only explore the Jewish Quarter but also a good part of Krakow. This tour lasts 4 hours and costs an average of just €19.

The tour begins at the meeting point your guide has arranged in advance. There, you’ll be assigned a bike and given the necessary instructions. Needless to say, you must know how to ride a bike to avoid accidents.

Not all companies provide helmets and elbow and knee pads. I recommend bringing your own to prevent injuries in case of an accident.

The tour starts in Kraków’s Old Town and follows the city’s network of bike lanes. As you proceed, you’ll see Kraków’s Market Square and Wawel Royal Castle. You can visit Kraków Castle another time, as it’s a very popular site and well worth seeing.
The Market Square also offers plenty to do and is well worth a special visit.

The route will take you to Kraków’s Jewish Quarter. From your bike, you’ll be able to appreciate the modern side of this area, filled with art galleries, restaurants, and more. However, you’ll also pass by synagogues, cemeteries, and museums. The guide will stop at certain points so you can better appreciate the scenery and take some photos.

Details of interest

• Price: around €19.
• Duration: 4 hours or less.
• Transportation: bicycle.

Krakow is a city located in southern Poland where around 60,000 Jews once lived. When the German army occupied the city, persecution of the Jews intensified.

One of the measures they took was the creation of a Jewish quarter within Krakow. Today, this site is preserved so you can visit it and never forget these historical events.

The ghetto was surrounded by barbed-wire fences and stone walls. Although the site has been modernized, you can still see traces of what was perhaps the darkest chapter in Poland’s history. Your tour guide will explain in detail the significance of each site you visit.

While it could be said that every street, wall, and corner of this site has a story to tell, there are certain places you simply can’t miss. As I mentioned earlier in the article, you’ll see museums that house the history of the Jews and their persecution. Many of these sites were once factories where Jews worked.

Other sites, such as Wawel Royal Castle, became the residence of Nazi lawyer Hans Frank, who was appointed Governor-General of Poland. You’ll find other points of interest like this one.

As you may have noticed, most tours are done on foot. That’s why my main tip is to bring comfortable shoes that allow you to walk freely.

Another important point is your clothing. I also recommend wearing comfortable clothes that allow you to move around easily, although this will depend on the season, as it can get quite cold in Krakow during the winter.

If you want to take a bike tour, wear pants that help you ride more comfortably. Many accidents occur because people can’t pedal freely due to their clothing or shoes.

On this tour, you’ll be constantly exposed to the sun. If you’re traveling to Kraków in the summer, I suggest you take extra care. Always apply sunscreen and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

If you visit Kraków in the winter, you can also take these tours, but always wear coats and clothing that retains body heat while still being comfortable.

Many people often wonder whether it’s worth paying for a guided tour or visiting the Jewish Quarter on their own. Honestly, both options have their advantages. However, I recommend visiting this area with a tour guide, because they know all the sites and can take you there more quickly.

On the other hand, if you go on your own, you’ll likely have to constantly use your smartphone to check directions on Google Maps. This can sometimes prevent you from fully focusing on the new sights right in front of you.

Additionally, the tours have already been planned and follow an organized schedule so you can visit all the sites without missing a thing. If you go on your own, you might not know exactly how to navigate the museums or how much time to spend on each activity.

If you still want to visit this place on your own, I recommend planning your day very carefully by checking distances and ticket prices.