BEST KRAKÓW MUSEUMS
If you're planning a weekend trip to Kraków and looking for the best museums in the city – this post is for you. Here, you'll discover fascinating places and my favorite museums in Kraków. Learn which museum is home to the ghost of the White Lady, where you can create your own stained glass inspired by Wyspiański, visit the house where little Stanisław Wyspiański was born, what connects Andrzej Wajda to one of Kraków's museums, and why that museum resembles a wave.
MuFo – Museum of Photography
The Museum of Photography (MuFo) is the only museum in Poland entirely dedicated to photography.
The permanent exhibition, “What Makes a Photograph?”, explores questions not only about how photographs affect us but also what constitutes a photograph and what makes photography, well, photography. The museum also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions, which you can explore here.
Here, you'll learn about various photographic techniques used in the past, immerse yourself in the world of images, and hear the stories behind them. In addition to a comprehensive overview of photography's history, the museum features temporary exhibitions showcasing both emerging and well-known contemporary artists.
The beautifully arranged space is packed with historic photographs and old photography equipment, from cameras and enlargers to negatives and prints.
This museum isn’t just for those seeking education but, above all, for those looking for inspiration.
Photography Museum
Rakowicka Street 22A
Stained Glass Museum
The Stained Glass Studio and Museum is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unique museums in Kraków.
What makes it truly exceptional is that, beyond its museum role, it’s still a working stained glass studio. Established in 1902, one of its founders was Stanisław Gabriel Żeleński, the brother of writer Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński.
The Gallery of Young Poland Stained Glass Masters is the only place in Poland where you can admire stained glass works by four outstanding early 20th-century artists: Wyspiański, Mehoffer, Jastrzębowski, and Stefan Matejko (nephew of Jan Matejko). It’s also the only museum in Poland where you can watch stunning, often monumental stained glass pieces being crafted in real-time. Visitors can even participate in workshops to create their own stained glass artwork in the same space where artists like Józef Mehoffer and Stefan Matejko once worked.
Reservations are required in advance, and entry to the workshop is only possible with a guided tour (available in Polish or English).
For an added experience, purchase a map at the museum shop for just a few złoty. It will guide you along a route showcasing the most beautiful stained glass windows hidden in Kraków’s historic townhouses.
Stained Glass Museum
Krasińskiego street 23
Mehoffer House
The House of Józef Mehoffer, a branch of Kraków's National Museum, is the former home of the renowned painter and retains its authentic charm.
The interiors are filled with original furniture, Mehoffer's stained glass works, and his collected artworks, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the turn of the century, reflecting the life and work of one of Poland's most significant modernists. The artist’s former rooms evoke the spirit of past eras and their literary-artistic salons.
Here, you'll immerse yourself in the world of Young Poland artists and the bohemian vibe of Kraków at the turn of the century. You'll feel transported back to the Kraków of Mehoffer, Malczewski, and Wyspiański—who was born in the previous house on this very site, which once belonged to his grandparents.
In the garden, designed by Mehoffer himself, you’ll find the charming Meho Cafe. It’s a wonderful spot for intimate, atmospheric gatherings in the shade of old trees.
National Museum in Krakow | Mehoffer House
Krupnicza street 26
MANGGHA
The Manggha Museum has an extraordinary history that began with Feliks Jasieński and his fascination with Japanese culture. Jasieński, a notable collector and patron of the arts, donated his extensive collection of Japanese art to the National Museum in Kraków in the 1920s. During WWII, much of this collection survived because the German occupiers considered Japan an ally, protecting it from theft and destruction.
Years later, Andrzej Wajda, a passionate admirer of Japan, saw the collection and decided to create a unique space for it. In 1987, the filmmaker used his award funds to help establish the museum. Thanks to his and his wife’s initiative, Manggha became a reality.
The building was designed by renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, who agreed to the project on one condition: it would be executed exactly as he envisioned, with no compromises or alterations, and in the location he chose.
He selected a site along the Vistula River, seamlessly integrating the building into its surroundings. Its design mirrors the flowing waves of the Vistula, as well as the iconic waves from Hokusai’s Japanese woodblock prints, which inspired Isozaki’s vision.
The museum features excellent exhibitions and a café with a stunning terrace view of Wawel Castle. Here, you can enjoy Japanese breakfasts, lunches, and an extensive selection of teas, making it a must-visit spot in Kraków.
Manggha Museum
Konopnickiej street 26
Krzysztofory Palace
Krzysztofory Palace is one of the most stunning townhouses on Kraków's Main Market Square. Dating back to the 16th century, it owes its name to the image of St. Christopher that once adorned its façade. Over the years, the palace was owned by noble families and hosted numerous social events. Its interiors still boast beautiful polychromes, Baroque ceilings, and architectural details, transporting visitors to the opulent eras of the past.
Today, Krzysztofory Palace is a branch of the Historical Museum of Kraków. It houses exhibitions focusing on the city’s rich history, including the permanent exhibit “Kraków from the Beginning Without End,” which explores Kraków’s culture and history over the centuries. The palace also hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and educational events.
But there’s more to Krzysztofory than its exhibitions—it’s known for its ghosts. According to local legends, the spirit of a woman in a white dress haunts the palace. She was said to be the wife of one of the palace’s former owners and the victim of a tragic love story. Her ghost, known as the White Lady, is rumored to appear in various parts of the building.
Another legend tells of a devil guarding hidden treasures in the labyrinth of cellars beneath the palace.
A visit to Krzysztofory Palace offers not only stunning interiors, fascinating exhibits, and breathtaking views of the Main Market Square but also a touch of mystery and excitement within its historic walls.
Krzysztofory Palace
Main Square 35
