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Back in the communist era in Krakow, the Jewish quarter was a district you may have avoided, but now it's been polished and is on the rise - which is exactly why we love it! For a healthy dose of boho local life in Krakow, there are few better places than the Jewish quarter, and with a local by your side you'll find all the hidden gems and secret local hangouts this neighbourhood has to offer.
Begin this Krakow city tour by meeting your local guide and hopping on a local tram to ride to the historic district of Kazimierz. This area is known as the epicentre of Jewish culture in Krakow, so there’s no better place to uncover Jewish heritage and customs than here!
Walk through the old Jewish Quarter and soak up the history that lives on here. Visit an orthodox synagogue before walking to one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Here, learn about Jewish funerary traditions, visit famous graves, and find out about the symbolism of certain tombstones. We know it might sound morbid, but we prefer to call it fascinating! The stories of this neighbourhood and its people are poignant and important to remember, especially for the locals.
Next on this Jewish Quarter tour in Krakow, walk to the New Square, which houses a cultural centre and pre-war kosher slaughterhouse. Take the chance to sample a traditional Polish snack called ‘zapiekanka’, which is sold from street carts nearly 24 hours a day. Why not learn some Polish language from your guide and order the snack yourself? Don't be shy, your guide is there to help and the locals love it when you get involved!
After finishing your tasty treat, continue on to see the place where many of the scenes from the award-winning movie ‘Schindler’s List’ were filmed by Steven Spielberg years ago. Next, continue the adventure by walking to another, more modern synagogue. Reformed Judaism is more liberal, so you will notice the difference between the design and style of this synagogue as compared to the orthodox one visited earlier on in the tour. Continue the walk by visiting a significant bridge and monument, commemorating the many lives that were lost during WWII.
This journey through Krakow history ends at Oskar Schindler’s factory, the place where more than 1,000 Jewish lives were saved decades ago. Choose to independently visit the interesting museum here, head back to the city centre, or stop for a coffee at a local café to toast the end of this adventure.
