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Best Museums in and around Krakow

Krakow packs world-class collections into a walkable centre and its surroundings. The Czartoryski Museum holds Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", while Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory tells the story of the city under German occupation. Beneath the main square, Rynek Underground walks you through medieval Krakow, and MOCAK leads the country's contemporary-art scene. About 90 minutes west, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial preserves the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp.

Best Museums in and around Krakow

  1. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

    Kraków

    Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

    The wartime enamelware factory, now a museum about Krakow under German occupation from 1939 to 1945.
  2. Czartoryski Museum

    Kraków

    Czartoryski Museum

    Home to Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", the star of Poland's oldest museum collection.
  3. Rynek Underground

    Kraków

    Rynek Underground

    An atmospheric archaeology museum beneath the Main Square, walking you through the medieval market on its original cobbles.
  4. MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art

    Kraków

    MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art

    Poland's leading contemporary-art museum, built beside the Schindler factory in Podgorze.
  5. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial

    Kraków

    Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial

    The preserved site of the largest German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, now a memorial and museum to its victims, west of Krakow.

Krakow holds the richest run of museums in Poland, from a Leonardo painting to the wartime story of the city. These are the ones worth planning around, chosen to cover the range: fine art, occupation history, the medieval city underground and modern art.

What to see

The Czartoryski Museum shows Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine, the most valuable painting in Poland. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory covers the German occupation of Krakow, and the Rynek Underground runs beneath the Main Market Square through the medieval town. For modern art, MOCAK sits beside the factory in the former Schindler complex.

Nearby, and how to visit

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is an hour and a half west and asks for a full, separate day. Book Schindler's Factory ahead, since it sells timed slots that fill in summer. For the wider list, see museums in Poland and our Krakow guide.

Frequently asked questions

Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory is the most visited, telling the story of Krakow under Nazi occupation through immersive exhibits. The Czartoryski Museum runs a close second thanks to its single most valuable work, Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine".
For Schindler's Factory, Rynek Underground and especially the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, yes. These sell timed tickets that regularly run out days ahead in summer, so reserve online before you travel.
No. The memorial is in Oswiecim, about 70 kilometres west of Krakow, roughly a 90-minute drive. Most travellers visit on a half or full-day trip from the city, and entry to the grounds is free although a booked guide is required during peak hours.

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