My flight to Kraków, Poland landed at the airport noon-ish, I Uber’ed to the hotel to check-in, quickly change my undies, socks, t-shirt, and I’m off to start exploring Kraków: half reconnaissance, half to stay awake. I’ve already been up to Wawel Hill and checked it out – quick lunch, many MANY people, no Palace tickets available – so let’s rely on Google Maps to find something/anything nearby. Old Town. Multiple churches worthy of a visit. Jewish Quarter. Kraków Pinball Museum.
Kraków Pinball Museum? I’m in! After a ten minute walk and some confusion – the entrance is not obvious – I walked down and entered teen-age heaven
Pinball Museum? Really?
Yes, over sixty working pinball machines packed into multiple rooms in a building’s otherwise unused basement. All games are set for free play, so sidle up to any open game, push the start button, and play. Find the next open game – often immediately to your left or right – push start, play. Repeat ad nauseam.
Jolly Roger, designed by Norm Clark, Williams, 1967 
Amigo, designed by Greg Kmiec, Bally, 1973 
Space Shuttle, designed by Barry Oursler and Joe Kamminkow, WIlliams, 1984 
Dinner, designed by March Ritchie, Williams 1990 
The Machine: Bride of Pin Bot, designed by Python Anghelo and John Trudeau (Dr. Flash), Williams, 1991
Though some games had Out of Order signs, plenty functioning games are available and all well maintained and in excellent playing condition. The flipper action on the oldest were challenging – sticky without much power – but otherwise the lights, sounds, actions you’d expected. Multi-ball heaven! Many recent classics – you’ll notice the onslaught of movie-themed games – and plenty from before my time.
Creature From The Black Lagoon
I first played Creature from the Black Lagoon at Gatwick Airport when I flew multiple times to London during a job search: at the time Gatwick had an arcade to entertain you before your flight. Before entering the secured international waiting area, I’d played it at least a dozen times.
The game’s unifying concept is that you’re on a date watching a drive-in movie. The pinball playing board has drive-in/movie-related themes: snack bar, F-I-L-M and K-I-S-S targets, the creature, etc.. A black-and-white pixelated screen shows clips of a boy trying to get his date to kiss him. When you proceed far enough – enough targets, points, etc. – the “movie” clip shows the monster attacking in appropriate 50’s-style over-acting. A teen-age boy yells FOCUS! when the ball falls out-of-play. Appropriate songs constantly playing. Plenty of pinball action. Impossible to casually figure out everything that’s going on. Totally entertaining and engrossing.
I am by no means a pinball connoisseur, but Creature From The Black Lagoon is by far my all-time fave. I hadn’t played in decades – only 7800 produced – but definitely should be included if I’m stranded on a desert island (along with food, water, electricity, internet access, music and most other creature comforts). Overall pinball excellence.
Any Non-Pinball Games?
Definitely not the museum’s focus, but their collection contains other videos and arcade games., though only remember Asteroids. The fact that ny very unimpressive score is high score confirms that pinball is the real draw of the museum.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be blunt: you don’t visit Kraków to play pinball. Yet I spent almost two hours in a nondescript basement, off the streets, doing just that, thoroughly loving it.
My one disappointment is that all games were from American. I would have enjoyed playing pinball from other European countries. Did pinball exist in the East Bloc: each play according to your abilities, each win according to your needs? I’ve read that Spanish pinball games are steeper, faster, and more difficult than American versions. Unlike the current US president, I would have enjoyed more diversity.
Regardless, I had a great time!
Visit Logistics
As of 24 June 2025.
Website: https://krakpin.com/index_en.html
Address:
Stradomska 15, 31-068 Kraków, Poland
Hours:
Monday-Thurday: 2pm-9pm
Friday: 2pm-10pm
Saturday: 12pm-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-9pm
Tickets:
Standard 1 hour: 50zł/$13.67
Standard all-day: 70zł/$19.13
Children: 1 hour: 40zł/$10.76
Children all-day: 60zł/$16.40
My recommendation is the all-day pass as you can leave/return during the same day. One hour may not be enough time to play, especially during busy periods.
Image Credits
All images © 2025 Scott C Sosna, all rights reserved.
