Kazmierz The Former Jewish District

Kazmierz The Former Jewish District

Kazmierz The Former Jewish District
4.5
Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
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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
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  • 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
    371 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.
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domsurfs
Basel, Switzerland36 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We spent time here everyday over the last 3 days here in Krakow. A local person recommend we explore this area to get a feel for the 'real' Krakow and it certainly didn't disappoint. This area is full of amazing eateries, bars and coffee shops. We had the famous zapiekanka here (a classic local baguette-pizza thing) as well as the less well known maczanka (pulled pork sandwich), both are well worth trying if you like local street food. I recommend the free Walkative Street Tour of the area and have also reviewed that, it was excellent. If you're in Krakow make sure you at least come here for a few hours it's really interesting and delicious :)
Written September 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.

Christine J
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK36 contributions
Feb 2020
This is a wonderful area to walk around and discover.Buildings are great & a lot of them are being renovated so I suspect this will become a more popular area over the next few years.
The Plac Nowy is a central square which has a brilliant flea market on a Saturday & in the centre is a round building which houses lots of little street food kiosks serving a traditional Polish pizza like snack for around £2
Take a look & enjoy wandering the streets
Written March 3, 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.

958barbara
Ballymena, UK61 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
I love this district its full of atmosphere and history, original buildings and beautiful restaurants and coffee shops. I could spend hours just wandering around the shops which there are a lot especially handmade jewellery and clothing etc. There are an amazing amount of accommodation in this area. My favourite is to sit on the restaurant boat on the river and just take it all in.
Written September 18, 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.

Daniel
Miami Springs, FL28 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This area has some nice atmosphere to it. Some really nice restaurants too.
We have been to this area for quite som times. Nice marked on Saturday too.
If you’re in the area, give restaurant Nolio a try if you like authentic Italian pizza. I really recommend them. Authentic and tasty.
Written August 9, 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.

Tom J
London, UK1,526 contributions
Jan 2020
Kazimierz is one of my favourite places to explore whilst in Krakow. Located very accessibly from the Main Market Square around 15 minutes walk and about 5 from the Wawel Castle it is packed with history and hidden gems to find.

It is very easy to find yourself walking around the winding streets and mesmerised by the different sights. There is plenty of cafe's, bars and restaurants in the area of which we have tried a few and were not disappointed. The area has a fascinating history and is certainly worth doing some research so you understand the area that you are walking through.

One huge tip is to make sure to look up whilst in the area, there are so many sights that are easy to miss when wandering around if you forget to look up! Be sure to also check out the Plac Nowy on a Saturday for the flea market if you can!
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.

stugalugga
Llanelli, UK31 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is our fifth visit to Krakow and have always stayed in the Kazmirz district of this wonderful city. Its pretty central for most areas to visit.
We always tend to have food and drinks in this part, as it can be a bit more expensive towards the main square.
Written January 17, 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.

MFC1958
27 contributions
Feb 2020
our hotel was in this area so we spent a bit of time round here. We also took an electric car tour around the area so would recommend doing this. The Jewish cemetery was upsetting but worth a visit as was Schindler's factory.
Written March 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.

nikkiwestgate
Havant, UK17 contributions
Dec 2019
We stayed in an Air B&B in Kazmierz and all I can say is Wow, what an area! Centrally located, so able to walk to most places. Filled with quirky bars & restaurants(of which we sampled quite a few lol). The prices in the bars and restaurants here were substantially cheaper than main square in old town. The people were so friendly and hospitable. I will definitely return to this area and would highly recommend.
Written January 19, 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.

MarcusHurley
Calne, UK9,426 contributions
Sep 2021
This is a very pretty area of the city and not too far to walk from the Old City. It has a tragic history and there are lots of monuments and information boards detailing the events of the 1940's and later that caused the Jewish population to plummet so dramatically. I walked around one evening to take some photos and it was quiet and felt safe although it is more run down and has graffiti and litter that you don't see in the Old City. Lots of nice cafes too!
Written September 22, 2021
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.

kwiewiorowski
Poznan, Poland2,322 contributions
Aug 2021
Kazimierz is in fact centrally located district of Cracow, which in the past was a separate village mostly inhabited by Jews. In time it was “swallowed” by the sprawling city. The name comes from the king who granted the Jews special privileges. Even though it is so close to the city old center it is an entirely different planet. Different architecture, layout, much more compact and densely built up. These days sadly, all the Jews are gone but the memory of their presence remains and is carefully and lovingly restored and maintained. Without the genuine inhabitants it is but a kind of an open-air museum to which Jews (and others) from all over the world do pilgrimage. There are synagogues, museums and plenty of nice restaurants some of which serve Jewish cuisine. The place has a unique sentimental atmosphere and mustn’t be missed.
Written January 16, 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.

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

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