Kazmierz The Former Jewish District

Kazmierz The Former Jewish District

Kazmierz The Former Jewish District
4.5
Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Read more
About
Sizable Jewish population of Krakow moved to this district at the end of the fifteenth century, which served as the main cultural center of the Polish Jewry for centuries.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Kazmierz The Former Jewish District
See what travelers are saying
  • Tony H
    Windermere, United Kingdom79 contributions
    Ancient and modern
    The city of Kazimierz was, until WW2, the predominantly Jewish quarter of the Krakow district. It retains the character too, even though over 70 years have passed. Walking around the city is easy, the layout is almost on the gridiron format, but not quite. It's also very flat, as you'd expect! If you follow the tourist route that is contained in the street map of Krakow & Kazimierz (available from the tourist information offices that are dotted around both cities), you'll follow a route between Szeroka (a quaint square outside of the Remu Synagogue) and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel at the end of Skaleczna. The route takes you past many important historical sites and various museums, some of which are free to see and others charge a modest entry fee. As you wander through the streets, you'll notice that some buildings are maintained to a very high standard, whilst many more are not. The reason for the lack of investment in some buildings lies back in WW2. The ownership of the more dilapidated buildings remains uncertain and the current occupants seem to be disinclined to perform any maintenance on this basis. This was explained to us by a chap we met, who had rented office space in Kazimierz, but had four different landlords in only a few years. He ended up with the same landlord he started with! However, there have been many sympathetic restorations and re-purposings of buildings. One I particularly liked was along the narrow alley between Szeroka and Miodowa, where four separate shops had been joined together to form a restaurant. The neat twist here, is that each shop retained its character, so the restaurant had four themed sections, depending upon the previous use for that area. If you propose to wander around Kazimierz, I'd allow a good few hours, or even a whole day if you like to wander around the various places of interest. If you stay until the evening, there are plenty of places to eat and drink. There are even a couple of places that are devoted to various types of street food, so you have a fantastic choice!
    Visited March 2020
    Written March 11, 2020
  • templeschoolhouse
    Gorebridge, United Kingdom36 contributions
    So well worth the visit
    Loved this part of Krakow. Many bars and restaurants - we stopped for lunch at Moment. It is a vibrant, friendly place. Food of goats cheese salad, beef cheeks, burger and chicken salad were exceptionally well presented and extremely tasty. We spent time looking at stalls in a busy market type area - popular meeting/eating place for both young & not so young. Interesting wall art in this area also. We paid tribute to those who were persecuted between 1942 & 1943 - “ they deserve more than three lines in history.” Make sure you visit this part of the city.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 15, 2020
  • Mrs Lyn M
    Lowestoft, United Kingdom56 contributions
    A place of unforgettable history
    We took a guided tour in an electric car. Our guide was extremely keen to show and tell us as much of the history as she was able, stopping at major buildings and landmarks to tell us what happened during the Nazi occupation. We returned the next day, and walked around to get a better feel for the area. Very different from the Old Town and Square and well worth a visit.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 28, 2020
  • kellywH369PY
    Wolverhampton, United Kingdom42 contributions
    Ok if you like being hassled about food
    One of my pet hates is people touting for my business, even more so if its food related. Menus were more expensive than just outside the quarter and people are diving on you left, right and centre for you to dine in THEIR restaurant. I wouldn't go again.
    Visited September 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 14, 2020
  • Rachel G
    Leicester, United Kingdom33 contributions
    The area where the locals go
    The area itself is apparently where the locals go to socialise and go out in an area not frequented by tourists. The area itself is quite run down and looks more like it has been left behind by the city. The area according to some locals has been regenerated in local times and with restaurants such as salt there clearly is a lot of traction into the region. Definitely some good bars to try out but some of the architecture is run down and the vibe is a bit rough so I wouldn't recommend it for a night out if you can't speak Polish but for a few casual drinks and to see how the polish truly live, give it a try!
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 29, 2020
  • Mike C
    Guildford, United Kingdom1,166 contributions
    Much quieter part of the city with lots of bars and restaurants
    This is a 20/30 minute walk from the main square and one really should visit here. Apart from all the interesting buildings and the Jewish cemetery, it is a great place to grab a drink, lunch or dinner with a great choice of interesting looking places. This is a much quieter and atmospheric part of the city. We had a very good dinner one night and a very good lunch the next. We started out from the main square for a walk, passing Wawel Castle on to the Jewish Quarter where we lunch and then carried on over the river to the Schindler's Factory Museum.
    Visited August 2020
    Written September 4, 2020
  • Petevisits
    Bristol, United Kingdom50 contributions
    Interesting part of the City and a change from the Old Town
    A lot smarter & busier than on a previous visit in 2008. Some great restaurants & museums, galleries & very impressive church architecture. A lot less cleaned up than the Old Town sites with a number of mediocre streets but very easy access to all parts of this very "walkable" city. One tip I would recommend is get an Uber app on your phone. Taxis are reliable, fast & extremely reasonably priced
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 28, 2020
  • Denise L
    16 contributions
    Great place to get lost in !
    We stayed in the old Jewish district & loved it. So easy to navigate (although there are a lot of roadworks for new tram lines being laid currently). There are 2 squares with food kiosks, pubs & restaurants and another nearer the ghetto. Once in the ghetto the bridge over the river is fabulous - life size sculptures are suspended from it & lovers locks line the railings. The ghetto area is full of history & the Schindler museum is only about 10/15min walk from the ghetto & is well worth a visit. The permanent artwork of chairs in the ghetto square is an eerie reminder of the lives lost there as a result of the protests & the liquidation of the Jewish occupants.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 2, 2020
  • markusTyrone
    370 contributions
    Interesting to walk around
    Quite compact so easy to get around; central area with market is buzzing and there are some really nice bars/restaurants to choose from. The museum representing the holocaust is definitely worth seeing even though it is mostly reading - the story it tells is both fascinating and heartbreaking. You can cross the foot bridge to the other side of the river to see Schindlers Factory and the Museum of modern art easily from here. A number of synagogues still exist including Remuh which has the adjoining cemetery. Some really nice little shops including one that makes wooden articles including watches which were absolutely amazing.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 23, 2020
  • Joanna M
    Kedzierzyn Kozle, Poland23 contributions
    Atmospheric district
    Walking along the Street of Kazimierz is uun unforgettable experience. You can feel the climate of old Jewish district. I would call this part of Kraków "artistic'since you can see there some murals, graffiti and the stylish decor of restaurants and cafes. In summer you can listen to some bands playing Jewish music.
    Visited June 2019
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 14, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
9,472 reviews
Excellent
5,253
Very good
2,880
Average
1,040
Poor
246
Terrible
53

kellywH369PY
Wolverhampton, UK42 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
One of my pet hates is people touting for my business, even more so if its food related. Menus were more expensive than just outside the quarter and people are diving on you left, right and centre for you to dine in THEIR restaurant. I wouldn't go again.
Written September 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachel G
Leicester, UK33 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The area itself is apparently where the locals go to socialise and go out in an area not frequented by tourists.
The area itself is quite run down and looks more like it has been left behind by the city. The area according to some locals has been regenerated in local times and with restaurants such as salt there clearly is a lot of traction into the region.
Definitely some good bars to try out but some of the architecture is run down and the vibe is a bit rough so I wouldn't recommend it for a night out if you can't speak Polish but for a few casual drinks and to see how the polish truly live, give it a try!
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike C
Guildford, UK1,166 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a 20/30 minute walk from the main square and one really should visit here. Apart from all the interesting buildings and the Jewish cemetery, it is a great place to grab a drink, lunch or dinner with a great choice of interesting looking places.

This is a much quieter and atmospheric part of the city. We had a very good dinner one night and a very good lunch the next.

We started out from the main square for a walk, passing Wawel Castle on to the Jewish Quarter where we lunch and then carried on over the river to the Schindler's Factory Museum.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Petevisits
Bristol, UK50 contributions
Feb 2020
A lot smarter & busier than on a previous visit in 2008. Some great restaurants & museums, galleries & very impressive church architecture. A lot less cleaned up than the Old Town sites with a number of mediocre streets but very easy access to all parts of this very "walkable" city. One tip I would recommend is get an Uber app on your phone. Taxis are reliable, fast & extremely reasonably priced
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Denise L
16 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We stayed in the old Jewish district & loved it. So easy to navigate (although there are a lot of roadworks for new tram lines being laid currently).

There are 2 squares with food kiosks, pubs & restaurants and another nearer the ghetto. Once in the ghetto the bridge over the river is fabulous - life size sculptures are suspended from it & lovers locks line the railings.

The ghetto area is full of history & the Schindler museum is only about 10/15min walk from the ghetto & is well worth a visit. The permanent artwork of chairs in the ghetto square is an eerie reminder of the lives lost there as a result of the protests & the liquidation of the Jewish occupants.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

markusTyrone
Tyrone370 contributions
Feb 2020
Quite compact so easy to get around; central area with market is buzzing and there are some really nice bars/restaurants to choose from. The museum representing the holocaust is definitely worth seeing even though it is mostly reading - the story it tells is both fascinating and heartbreaking. You can cross the foot bridge to the other side of the river to see Schindlers Factory and the Museum of modern art easily from here. A number of synagogues still exist including Remuh which has the adjoining cemetery. Some really nice little shops including one that makes wooden articles including watches which were absolutely amazing.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joanna M
Kedzierzyn Kozle, Poland23 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Walking along the Street of Kazimierz is uun unforgettable experience. You can feel the climate of old Jewish district. I would call this part of Kraków "artistic'since you can see there some murals, graffiti and the stylish decor of restaurants and cafes. In summer you can listen to some bands playing Jewish music.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mak_Singh
Birmingham, UK96 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Having been looking forward to visiting the Jewish quarter during our holiday, when we did arrive on a Thursday lunchtime we actually found it quite disappointing.

Ploc Nawy was empty with no stalls, we did find a nice coffee shop however my expectations were maybe set towards maybe experiencing more of a Shoreditch/Brick Lane kind of vibe here but during the day there really wasn't much to do here.

No real stores or boutiques we could find for shopping or buying anything.

We did see many bars and spots for food but again these would most likely come to life (as with most of the area) when the sun goes down.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wandering Scotsman
United Kingdom133 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A beautiful area with incredible history. Stunning street art every corner you turn and its filled with trendy bars and restaurants which are a bit cheaper than those closer to the main square... also next to the river which is stunning at night.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith E
Peacehaven, UK105 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
We took a golf buggy tour of Kazimierz and Podgorze on our last day in Krakow . A haggled bargain for five covering the two trips ( discounted ) ended up being 2 hours of interesting local history for the princely sum of 60 zl per person .
Konrad our driver was knowledgeable , friendly and a bit of a comedian .
Normally avoid this type of street vendor tour but all agreed it was worth while and a good way to spend the afternoon
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 4,945
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Kazmierz The Former Jewish District (Krakow) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Kazmierz The Former Jewish District

We recommend booking Kazmierz The Former Jewish District tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 104 Kazmierz The Former Jewish District tours on Tripadvisor



Restaurants near Kazmierz The Former Jewish District: View all restaurants near Kazmierz The Former Jewish District on Tripadvisor


Kazmierz The Former Jewish District Information

Excellent Reviews5,252
Very Good Reviews2,880
Kazmierz The Former Jewish District Photos10,485