Krakow Ethnographic Museum (Muzeum Etnograficzne w Krakowie)
Plac Wolnica 1, Krakow, POL
Housed in the majestic former Town Hall of Krakow, the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow offers a glimpse of Poland’s folk traditions, crafts, and everyday objects. As one of the oldest and biggest collections of Polish ethnographic items, you can see an eclectic mix of objects, including folk costumes, nativity scenes, musical instruments, and recreations of 19th-century Polish villager houses.
Many travelers visit the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow independently, rather than on a guided tour. To get there with ease, and avoid long ticket lines, some travelers choose to visit the museum with a Krakow museum and transport pass. These passes give unlimited travel on buses and trams, as well as entry to the city’s top museums; such as the Rynek Underground Museum, Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow.
The museum is wheelchair-accessible and a museum assistant is available for those who need help visiting the exhibitions.
If you are sensitive to excess stimuli, then on Wednesday between 4pm and 7pm, there are museum quiet hours, where museum sounds are muted, rooms are darkened, and there aren’t any group tours.
Tuesday is usually a day of free admission to the museum and its permanent exhibition, and there’s a discount price for the temporary exhibitions.
Situated in the southern part of Kazimierz, a short walk from the Vistula River, it can easily be accessed on foot. From Kazimierz’s Plac Nowy, it’s roughly an 8-minute walk, and from the Main Market Square, it’s a 22-minute walk. Alternatively, you can get bus 904, or tram 6, 8, 10, 13 to Plac Wolnica, which is close.
The museum is open throughout the year from mid-morning until early evening, but it's typically closed on Mondays, so it's best to double-check the opening hours before planning a trip. To avoid the big weekend crowds, it's recommended to get there close to opening time on a weekend, such as a Wednesday or Thursday. Tuesdays tend to be quite busy due to free admission.
The museum lets you imagine what 19th-century life was like in rural Poland, with its reconstructions of rural kitchens and bedrooms. Some of the highlights of the museum are its handmade objects—including a large bear statue that’s actually an apiary, intricately made Christmas decorations, wood carvings, and its colorful array of traditional handmade folk costumes.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!