The best museums in Krakow - a guide to the most interesting attractions

I cannot count how many times I have heard that Krakow is a city of history and art. But it wasn't until I embarked on a museum adventure through its streets myself that I realised what a vast and varied world hides behind that door marked 'museum'. From exhibitions full of the smell of wax, to a world full of butterflies, to VR technology that literally transports you back in time - the museums in Cracow is much more than just 'exhibits behind glass'.

In this guide, I have collected the places that impressed me the most - both the well-known ones and those that might be a complete discovery for you.

1. VR Museum - a carriage journey through the old streets of Krakow

📍 6 Floriańska Street

I remember the experience vividly because... I wasn't expecting such immersion. The VR museum doesn't look too spectacular from the outside - just an entrance like any other establishment on busy Florianska Street. But all you have to do is put on the special VR goggles and... suddenly you find yourself in 19th-century Krakow. You're sitting in a horse-drawn carriage, feeling vibrations under your feet and slowly making your way through the cobbled streets of the city two centuries ago.

For me, it was something special - not just watching, but really feel the atmosphere of old Kraków. Music plays in the background, the narrator tells the history of the city and you - like a ghost of time - move between the Cloth Hall, the Barbican and Wawel Hill.

If you are looking for something truly unusual and unforgettable, the VR museum will be a hit. And importantly, it an attraction for both childrenas well as adults.

2. Museum of Illusions - when your eyesight deceives you

📍 6 Floriańska Street

Literally a few steps away from the VR Museum you will find something that resembles... a magic laboratory. House of Illusions is where the senses stop working as they should - images move, rooms are skewed and you... take a selfie on the ceiling.

The fun is ahead - especially if you go in a group. My favourite exhibits? Ames' room, where I looked like a dwarf next to my own colleague, and the infinity mirrors that create the impression of being in a parallel universe.

This museum not only entertains, but also teaches - At every step you will find descriptions with explanations of the illusions. Just in time for a quick trip on a rainy day or when you just feel like having a laugh and taking unique photos.

3. Living Butterfly Museum - a garden full of wings

📍 48/2 Grodzka Street

I remember the feeling when I walked in and saw the first butterfly that sat... on my shoulder. Museum of Living Butterflies is actually a tropical garden in which dozens (or maybe hundreds?) of colourful butterflies fly completely free. It smells of moist earth, greenery and flowers - like a greenhouse in the middle of the jungle.

This is a place I particularly recommend for families with children, but also for couples - the atmosphere is romantic, quiet and even therapeutic. You can sit down, wait for a butterfly to fly to you, or just stroll among the greenery.

It's worth knowing that some of these butterflies only live a few days, so a visit has something... ephemeral and delicate about it. Seemingly a museum, but you feel as if you are on another continent.

4. Wheels & Heels Museum - where fashion meets engines

📍 Kupa Street 6, Kazimierz

I found out about this place by accident - through a friend who is passionate about motoring. And I have to admit - the Wheels & Heels Museum I was positively surprised. On the one hand you have vintage cars, scooters, motorbikes. On the other, the fashion that was worn in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Clothes, accessories, glasses, hats - all arranged as if they were in a Vogue magazine from the previous century.

This museum is not only an aesthetic feast, but also an interesting insight into the lifestyle of past generations. And surprisingly - this place appealed to both my partner and me. She marvelled at the retro dresses, I marvelled at the 1970s Honda.

If you like vintage atmosphere, pin-up style, or just want to see something unusual - make sure to visit. And while you're at it, make a round of Kazimierz.

5. Museums in Krakow for children - entertainment and education in one

Travelling around Krakow with children, it's easy to see that many museums are geared up with younger visitors in mind. And while not every place with the word "museum" sounds appealing to a 7-year-old, there are some establishments that really can interest, surprise and amuse.

VR museum - a story like a fairy tale

From my experience: children (and adults!) are absolutely enthralled when they put on the goggles and are transported to the streets of Krakow 200 years ago. You don't have to persuade them to learn - they themselves ask about Wawel Castle, about the king, about the history of the city. A great option for families looking for smart entertainment.

The Living Butterfly Museum - getting in touch with nature

I've seen children walk in here with their eyes wide open and... stop talking. They just watch. When the first butterfly sat on a little girl's hand, her mother literally shrugged. This museum teaches empathy and sensitivity.

The Bagel Museum - something for the little chefs

📍 4 Paderewskiego Street
When was the last time your child made something with their own hands from A to Z? Here, during the workshop, they bake a real Cracow bagel. The children learn about the history of baking, find out the secrets of twisting the dough and take their baked goods home (or rather - eat them as soon as they leave).

Polish Aviation Museum - for little pilots

📍 39 Jana Pawła II Street
Planes, helicopters, cockpits and giant hangars - the kids love it here. I saw boys running from machine to machine, trying to 'steer' and imitate the sounds of the engines. By the way - it a piece of polish history.

6. Museums in Krakow for free - when and which ones are worth visiting?

This question is asked very often: Are there free museums in Krakow? And the answer is yes! You just need to know, when and where. If you are planning a budget tour (or just like to take advantage of opportunities), there are a few things to look out for.

Free Thursdays

Many museums in Krakow offer free entry once a week - usually on Thursdays. Lists of such establishments can be found on city websites or at tourist information points. Some of them include branches of the Krakow Museum, as well as selected art galleries.

Museum Night - an adventure in May

This year, Museum Night in Krakow will take place on 16.05.2025.

This is one of my favourite events of the year. One night, dozens of museums, free entry, queues, lights, music and the atmosphere of a celebration of culture. Even if you have to stand in line for a while - it's worth it. The Stained Glass Museum, the Vodka Factory and even the Museum of Forensic Medicine - all open until late.

Tip: it's worth arriving early and having a plan ready (list + map), as the choice is huge.

City museums on selected days

Some city-owned facilities offer free admission on certain days of the month. Example? The Bagel Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. You just have to follow their Facebook profiles or check the 'tickets' tabs on their websites.

7. Open museums in Krakow - how to plan a visit?

When visiting Krakow alone or with the family, it's easy to fall into the trap of not planning. And then... it turns out that all museums are closed on Monday. Or that the venue closes at 3.30 p.m. That's why I've put together a few tips:

Which museums are open on Monday?

I think it's FAQ. Most museums (e.g. city museums) have Monday as their closing day, but some private establishments - such as the VR Museum, the Museum of Illusions or Wheels & Heels - operate all week. It is therefore worth checking this in advance on their website or on Google Maps.

Opening hours - morning or afternoon?

The Vodka Factory Museum, for example, has several hours a day because it operates as organised groups. The Aviation Museum closes relatively early. If you are planning more than one museum per day - start with those with shorter hours.

In my experience: it is best to plan for a maximum of 2 museums per day. Otherwise, fatigue sets in and the fun turns into 'passing'.

Museums on Sunday - a good choice for families

Most museums operate normally on Sundays. This is a good opportunity to a peaceful visit with family or friends, especially in the morning before it gets crowded.

8. all the museums in Krakow - how not to get lost? Map, plan and tips

You know the feeling when you have a whole list of attractions but... you have no idea, how to get it all done in one day? Or - even worse - you arrive at the museum and find it has had shorter hours today? With been there, done that. That is why I have prepared a handful of practical tips - so that your visit to Krakow is not only interesting, but also well planned.

Map of museums - use Google Maps or... paper

Although it sounds like a cliché - Google Maps really does a great job of finding and planning routes between museums. You type in 'museums in Krakow', filter by ratings, opening hours - and there you have it. What's more - the app lets you add all the places you've selected to a list and save it as a tour plan.

However, if you're a fan of the analogue approach (or just want to feel like a tourist with a guidebook in hand) - it's worth looking at the tourist information points. There you will find free maps with marked museums in Cracow, often with a brief description of each.

How to plan a museum tour?

The principle is simple: no more than 2-3 museums per day, especially if one of them is something more challenging, such as the Aviation Museum or the Vodka Factory (both of which require time and focus).

Here is a sample route for one day:

Old Town route - on foot:

• 🕐 10:00 - VR Museum (Florianska 6)
  
• 🕐 11:00 - Museum of Illusions (same location!)
  
• 🕐 12:30 - walk along Grodzka Street to the main square
  
• 🕐 13:00 - Museum of Living Butterflies (Grodzka 48/2)
  
• 🕐 14:00 - lunch
  
• 🕐 15:30 - Stained Glass Museum (Krasiński Avenue - 20 minutes' walk)
  

Kazimierz route - motoring and fashion:

• 🕐 11:00 - Wheels & Heels Museum (Kupa 6)
  
• 🕐 12:30 - coffee in one of Kazimierz's cafes
  
• 🕐 14:00 - a walk to the Vistula or an additional museum (e.g. Vodka Factory, approx. 20 min on foot)
  

Is it worth buying tickets online?

Definitely yes. Especially at weekends and during the tourist season. Many establishments offer discounts for online bookings or combination tickets. For example, the VR Museum and Illusion Museum often have 2-in-1 packageswhich save time and money.

Which museums are worth seeing in Krakow? My personal TOP 5

The choice was not easy - every museum on this list has something unique to offer. But if I had to recommend just five places that are truly memorable and impressive, they would be:

🥇 VR Museum

For an experience that cannot be compared to anything else. For the history of Krakow comes to lifeand not just read. For atmosphere, technology and emotion. A must - and not just for geeks.

🥈 Museum of Illusions 

Because sometimes it's worth it to just laugh, be amazed and leave with dozens of funny pictures. Interactive and imaginative.

🥉 Butterfly Museum

Exotic butterflies in the city centre flying all over the museum? You've got to see it!

🏅 Polish Aviation Museum

For fans of machines, technology, military history and the great outdoors. Anyone who has dreamed of flying at least once, will feel like a child here.

🎖️ Stained Glass Museum

For craftsmanship, artistry and light. If you would like to see, what art looks like from behind the scenesright there.

Krakow's museums have a soul

Krakow is not only a city with history - it is a city that can tell it in a hundred ways. From a virtual reality horse-drawn carriage to a bagel baking workshop to a tropical garden with live butterflies, the choice is vast and there is something for everyone.

Visiting museums in Krakow is not about "ticking off points on a list". It is a journey through the senses, emotions and time - and it doesn't matter if you're a child, a senior citizen, a student or a couple on a weekend getaway. All you have to do is step inside.

🔍 If you want to keep up to date with current exhibitions, free days or promotions - follow the museums' profiles on Google and Facebook. Many of them publish news there, which may pleasantly surprise you!