Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum, Kraków

Historic Building in Kraków

Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory is one of the top attractions in Kraków, a deeply moving historical museum located in the district of Podgórze, near the site of the former Kraków Ghetto. Once a working enamelware and ammunitions plant owned by Oskar Schindler, the building now houses an immersive museum dedicated not only to his heroic actions but to the wider experience of Kraków's residents during the Nazi occupation. This spot is one of the best places to see in Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory for anyone seeking to understand how the war reshaped the city and its people.

Often visited on walking tours of Kraków, the museum surrounds visitors with reconstructed streets, rooms, and offices that recreate the atmosphere of wartime life. Its combination of personal testimonies, photographs, and interactive displays leaves a lasting impression and offers a powerful space for reflection.

History and Significance of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

The story begins in 1939, when Oskar Schindler-a German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party-arrived in occupied Kraków to take advantage of wartime business opportunities. What began as a profit-driven venture gradually transformed into one of the most extraordinary acts of humanitarian courage of the 20th century.

Schindler's factory, known as Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (DEF), employed Jewish workers who were initially seen as inexpensive labour. However, as conditions worsened and the Kraków Ghetto was created and later liquidated, Schindler increasingly used his position, wealth, and influence to protect his workers. Through bribery, falsified documents, and personal risk, he saved more than 1,000 Jews from deportation and near-certain death.

The factory has since become part of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków and stands today as a memorial to the lives he saved and a testament to the moral choices individuals can make during times of unimaginable cruelty.

Things to See and Do in Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

The museum's exhibitions guide visitors chronologically from 1939 to 1945, illustrating how the Nazi occupation changed every aspect of life in Kraków. One of the things to do in Kraków for history lovers is walking through the full-scale reconstructions of wartime streets, cramped apartments, and administrative offices, each brought to life with authentic artefacts and multimedia installations.

Visitors can explore displays about the Kraków Ghetto, forced labour, Nazi propaganda, and the daily struggles faced by both Jewish and Polish residents. Personal diaries, photographs, and recorded testimonies provide intimate perspectives on survival, resistance, and loss.

Schindler’s office, complete with his iconic desk and the symbolic “survivor wall” of enamel nameplates, is a highlight of the museum and an emotionally resonant space where history feels especially immediate.

How to Get to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

Kraków John Paul II International Airport offers convenient access to the city by train and bus routes that connect to the centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Kraków on Booking.com. From Kraków Główny, the main train station, trams and buses run directly toward the Podgórze district, with stops just a short walk from the museum. You can easily check schedules and book tickets through the PKP Intercity website. However, for a smoother experience, we recommend using Omio, which simplifies the booking process and lets you compare prices and schedules all in one place.

Travelling by car is possible, and parking is available in the surrounding streets, though it can be limited during busy hours. If you are looking to rent a car in Poland I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. The walk from the river bridges toward the museum is pleasant and straightforward.

Practical Tips on Visiting Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

  • Suggested tips: Book tickets in advance to avoid long queues, as daily visitor numbers are limited.
  • Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon for quieter galleries.
  • Entrance fee: 32 PLN
  • Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm (last entry 6 pm) Monday: 10 am – 4 pm (last entry 2 pm) Closed: first Tuesday of each month and major public holidays
  • Official website: https://muzeumkrakowa.pl
  • How long to spend: 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible routes available throughout most exhibits.
  • Facilities: Gift shop, restrooms, and a nearby café.
  • Photography tip: Respect signage-some rooms restrict photography due to sensitive material.
  • Guided tours: Available in English and highly recommended for deeper context.
  • Nearby food options: Cafés and restaurants in Podgórze and along the riverfront.

Where to Stay close to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

Staying near Podgórze or the Vistula River makes for easy access to the museum. For contemporary comfort close to the site, Q Hotel Plus Kraków is a convenient choice. Visitors seeking boutique charm can try Plaza Boutique Hotel. Those wanting proximity to both Podgórze and the Old Town might prefer INX Design Hotel.

Is Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory is one of the must-see places in Kraków, offering a deeply moving encounter with the city's wartime past. Its immersive exhibits, personal testimonies, and powerful storytelling make it one of the most important museums in Poland for understanding the Holocaust, the occupation, and the courage of individuals who chose to help others despite enormous risks.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (25,355)

Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory at Lipowa 4, Kraków, is a renovated former administrative office that now functions as a World War II museum focused on the lived history of Jews in Kraków and the Nazi occupation, with the building's connection to Schindler noted but the exhibits concentrating largely on wartime events, recreations, maps and documents; visitors recommend booking skip-the-queue or a timed guided tour (many praise knowledgeable, engaging guides and audio options) and say the visit is poignant and highly informative, though those expecting a film-like portrayal of Schindler's factory may find the emphasis different.

Gary Curtis (Gazza)
a week ago
"Very interesting museum telling the true story of Oskar Schindlers role in WW2. Spoiler alert... it isn't all like they portrayed it in the film! Webooked the English speaking tour and would definitely recommend. Knowledgeable, engaging guide who told the story very well and compassionately...."
Anurakshat Gupta
a month ago
"An excellent museum that covers the entire lived history of the Jews in Krakow during the Nazi regime, the emergence of Oskar Schindler and hisamazing role in saving thousands of them. Excellent displays, wonderful recreations and maps and documents. Very poignant. Very good...."
Colm Fly
a month ago
"We visited Schindlers factory on rhe first day of our trip to Krakow. We had been in the city about 10 years ago and missed it then so wanted to makesure we got there this time. Firstly this is less a tour of Oskar Schindler's factory anf more a WW2 museum that just happens to be in the same building that Oskar Schindler happened to use. There isnt a lot about Schindler and his workers. Most of it is about the war in Krakow and Poland. Very informative but something you need to know if you are specifically going to see the factory from the film. If you are going with that in mind you may be disappointed. But if you want to learn about WW2 in Krakow then this will be the place for you. Another tip. Book in advance and get a skip the queue ticket. We didnt and when we joined the queue it didnt seem too long maybe 100 people in front of us. It took over 2 hours to get in. Every ten or fifteen minutes around 10 people would get in. Meanwhile dozens got in via skip the queue in the same time. So dont queue. Book a skip the queue tour. But that said we enjoyed the visit and would highly recommend it...."

FAQs for Visiting Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

It is accessible to families, but some exhibits may be emotionally intense.
Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended.
No, it covers the entire history of Kraków under Nazi occupation.
Most visits last between 90 minutes and two hours.
Yes, exhibits include English translations and audioguides.

Nearby Attractions to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

  • Ghetto Heroes Square: Memorial to the victims of the Kraków Ghetto.
  • Pharmacy Under the Eagle: Museum dedicated to wartime pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz.
  • Kazimierz Jewish District: Historic synagogues and vibrant cultural life.
  • Podgórze District: Streets and sites connected to wartime history.
  • Vistula River Boulevards: Scenic walking and cycling paths nearby.

The Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Kraków!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Tuesday-Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm (last entry 6 pm)

Monday: 10 am - 4 pm (last entry 2 pm)

Closed: first Tuesday of each month and major public holidays

Price:

32 PLN

Address: Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, Lipowa, Kraków, Poland
Kraków: 2 km
Official Website

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