Kraków is a city full of historic sites, green corners and atmospheric cafés — and yes, it is increasingly welcoming to people with reduced mobility and to those who want to spend time with cats or a good book. In practice it helps to know which places are truly adapted and which only look good on paper, how to use city facilities and where to find helpful services (equipment rental, public accessible toilets or dedicated routes). This guide will help you plan a May‑holiday stay that is safe, comfortable and full of pleasant discoveries.
A few surprising facts to start with: the city offers official resources describing venue accessibility — in one place you can find information about accessible toilets, equipment rentals or buildings with ramps. There are also venues that combine café atmosphere with cat care and active adoption work, as well as English-language bookstore-cafés ideal for literature lovers. It’s worth planning your route to avoid unnecessary time on cobbled streets during hot, crowded holiday days.
Before you come, download official accessibility information — city apps and websites list venues and note whether they have a ramp, lift or toilet adapted for people with disabilities. That saves a lot of time, especially on a short long‑weekend trip.
Kraków has equipment rental services for rehabilitation devices — both municipal initiatives and private companies. If you don’t want to bring your own wheelchair, you can rent a suitable model for a few days. Check opening hours and rental conditions in advance, and ask about delivery options.
Prepare a backup plan: save numbers of taxi services that serve passengers with disabilities, check locations of public accessible toilets (several points operate in the city center and along the Planty) and plan shorter routes between attractions. During the May holiday some places get very busy, so alternative entrances or side streets can save the day.
Not all historic sites in the center have perfect access — steep stairs and uneven cobbles can make movement difficult. That’s why we recommend choosing venues with clear accessibility information and booking visits in advance if an institution offers accessible tours or dedicated programs for people with mobility impairments.
Places that are accessibility-friendly usually offer: ramps or lifts, trained staff who can assist at the entrance, clear route signage and adapted toilets. In the Lesser Poland region there are also nature and educational attractions that prepared barrier-free trails and special offers for visitors with disabilities, so look for those details in attraction descriptions.
If you want to combine classic sightseeing with relaxing outdoors, choose parks and gardens with prepared paths — these are often a safer option during a hot May holiday than walking in a crowded Market Square with irregular cobbles.
Kraków has cat cafés that have become a fixture on the city map. These are places where, with a good coffee, you can spend time with cats and often support adoption campaigns and local animal welfare foundations.
One well-known venue is Kociarnia — an established place with several locations in the city. Cat cafés often run educational and adoption activities, organize workshops and food drives. If you plan to drop by a cat café during the May holiday, call ahead and check entry rules (some venues limit the number of guests or have age restrictions).
Remember that not every café with cats is fully wheelchair-accessible — ask about door widths, steps and the possibility for a companion to stay close to the table. If full comfort is important, choose a place that explicitly states “step-free entrance” or ask if there’s an alternative entrance.
Kraków has several small bookstore-cafés that are perfect for a quiet afternoon: you can browse books, enjoy coffee and often attend intimate literary events. Check opening hours and any scheduled events in advance, as special programs can affect how busy the place is during a holiday.
A popular example of an English-friendly bookstore-café is Massolit Books & Café — a spot with a wide selection and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great place to rest after sightseeing and recharge with a cup of tea or coffee.
If you plan to linger with a book, look for venues recommended in up-to-date reviews — the best-reviewed places usually have comfortable table layouts and accessible toilets. During the May holiday some bookstores host events for children and adults, so reserving a table or quickly checking the day’s schedule can help.
When choosing a restaurant or café, pay attention to reviews mentioning accessibility: if a place has a ramp, lift or no thresholds, people usually mention it in their comments. It’s best to choose well-rated venues, especially those known for serving guests with special needs.
When booking accommodation, ask specific questions: does the room have wide doors, does the bathroom have grab bars, does the property have a ramp and an elevator. Hotels and guesthouses will often provide photos and room plans and can help with transport to and from the train station or airport.
During the May holiday book ahead — hotels and highly-rated restaurants fill up fast on long weekends. If maximum comfort matters, choose places highly rated for accessibility and service.
Assuming that “center = accessible” is a common mistake. Many historic places in the heart of the city have stairs or uneven cobbles. Check for ground-level entrances or alternative access before your visit.
Ignoring holiday hours and temporary closures — museums, cafés and tourist information points may operate reduced hours or change schedules during public holidays. Confirm opening times a day before visiting.
Not planning rest breaks and rest points. The May holiday often involves a lot of walking in crowds; plan short breaks in accessible cafés or green areas (Park Jordana, the river boulevards) where it’s easier to find a place to rest.
Is it easy to rent a wheelchair in Kraków? Yes — there are municipal and private equipment rental services; contact them in advance to reserve a wheelchair for the May holiday.
Where can I find accessible toilets in the center? Several public toilets adapted for people with disabilities operate in the city center — you can find them near the Planty and the Main Market Square (Sukiennice) and along popular walking routes.
Do cat cafés accept everyone? Most cat cafés have house rules (age restrictions, guest limits). Check entry rules and whether reservation is required before you go.
Instead of the crowded Market Square at midday, choose an early morning walk along the Planty and a break in an English-language bookstore-café — the combination of quiet and literary atmosphere is often mentioned by visitors as the most pleasant part of their stay.
If the weather is good, visit a science garden or other attractions with accessible educational trails — they often offer interactive exhibits that can be enjoyed comfortably and away from the busiest crowds.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others planning a May‑holiday. I also encourage you to contact the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she offers individual routes adapted to the needs of wheelchair users and will happily design a route that combines accessibility with your favorite themes (cat cafés, bookstores, green corners). Contact details for the guide are available on her website.
If you want, I can prepare a short, personalized 1–3 day May‑holiday itinerary — tell me what matters most to you (accessibility, cat cafés, bookstores, museums or nature) and I will create a plan with practical tips.
