Yes — most of the city's key sights can be seen without giving up comfort, provided the route is planned thoughtfully. Kraków is a city with a long history and a patchwork of built environments: there are narrow streets and cobbled sections, but also the Planty, parts of the Royal Route with gentler surfaces, and modern facilities and shopping centers with full infrastructure. Use available maps, city guides and apps, and check the specific accessibility conditions of places you plan to visit before you go. Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) can help tailor a route to individual needs — from short, easy walks to longer visits with more stops and rest breaks.
This article contains practical routes and tips: which trams to take, where to find accessible entrances and restrooms, which sections to avoid, and a few local secrets often left out of guidebooks. At the end you'll find an FAQ and a list of common mistakes you can easily avoid. If you prefer, you can arrange a private guided tour with a personalized plan and assistance.
Start the day at the Planty — the wide, green promenades often have even surfaces and bypass the most historic cobbles. Walking along the northern side of the Planty leads directly toward the Main Market Square; to avoid the roughest sections, approach from Grodzka Street or use a tram to the "Wawel" or "Teatr Słowackiego" stops.
Wawel is partly accessible: most courtyards are reachable, and some representative halls and selected exhibitions have ramps or lifts. It’s always worth confirming accessibility of particular rooms in advance and whether extra assistance on arrival is needed. After visiting the castle, take a short break at Bulwar Czerwieński — along the Vistula you’ll find flat approaches and pleasant places to rest.
If you want a local touch, visit Stary Kleparz — home to the Living Museum of the Kraków Bagel (Żywe Muzeum Obwarzanka), which has partially adapted workshop spaces and usually offers staff assistance on entry. It’s a great example of an active attraction that can offer a positive sensory experience.
Kazimierz is a historic district with cobbled streets, but many key places have comfortable access. The route along Szeroka Street and Nowy Square can be busy on weekends, so I recommend visiting in the morning or late afternoon off-peak. Plan stops at cafés along the main routes, ideally those with indoor space or ramps.
In Kazimierz you can discover smaller, less obvious stories — tucked-away synagogues with access to selected spaces, local workshops and galleries. The guide can show these places in a way adapted to the group's needs, avoiding narrow passages while preserving the authentic atmosphere of the neighborhood. For wheelchair users, places with street-facing terraces on larger roads are often a good choice — easier to park and maneuver near.
Nowa Huta is an excellent example of a district that can be explored barrier-free — wide avenues, modernist squares and memorial sites are accessible for people with reduced mobility. City guides and official materials include special routes and accessibility information for major points, so you can discover another side of Kraków with spacious areas that are comfortable to move through.
If you prefer less-touristy, more local experiences, plan short trips in parks and recreational areas — surfaces there are often friendlier for wheels than the narrow alleys of the Old Town. Many municipal projects promote the "Kraków without barriers" initiatives, which means new and improved routes and amenities are appearing regularly.
Low-floor trams and buses make getting around much easier; check timetables and route planners, because not every line and stop always has full accessibility features. For longer trips consider combining tram travel with a short walk along the Planty or a taxi ride in a vehicle adapted for people with disabilities.
Kraków provides listings of parking spaces for vehicles of people with disabilities and information about paid parking zones — if you’re arriving by car, check current rules and the locations of "blue badge" parking spaces in advance. Since conditions in the center can change, plan to park at points you know and that have easy access to sidewalks and ramps.
Think about reserving places and confirming opening hours ahead of time. Many sites, especially smaller museums or workshops, operate on limited schedules and may require prior notice if you need assistance entering.
The safest places for a break and to use an accessible restroom are shopping centers, railway stations and larger museums. Galeria Krakowska by the Main Railway Station is an example of a location where infrastructure is designed for visitor comfort: accessible toilets, easy approaches and many dining options.
In smaller venues it’s worth calling ahead to ask about availability: whether a ramp works, whether there is an accessible toilet, or whether staff can assist with entry. The city also publishes maps and guides showing places with amenities — use municipal materials and apps (some work offline) that list wheelchair rental services and adapted restrooms.
If accessibility is important, choose venues that clearly state entrance and restroom accessibility in booking descriptions or customer reviews. As a safe choice, consider places inside large shopping centers (Galeria Krakowska, Bonarka City Center), where infrastructure is adapted to a variety of visitor needs.
Well-reviewed restaurants and cafés often keep up-to-date information on Google and reservation sites — call ahead to confirm there’s a ramp or step-free seating. For truly local experiences ask the guide for recommendations — guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz knows reliable cafés and restaurants that care about accessibility and quality of service.
Assuming "the entire Old Town is accessible" — this is the basic mistake. Historic areas vary: some sections have steps and uneven paving while others have gentle ramps. Call or check a venue's website before you go.
Not booking workshops and small museums in advance — many attractions, especially hands-on workshops (for example bagel-baking workshops), have limited places; booking ahead buys peace of mind.
Not planning rest breaks — adapt the pace of your sightseeing, schedule stops every 45–90 minutes, and choose places with seating and drink access.
Assuming every restroom is adapted — always verify. Malls and stations are the safest choice for longer breaks.
Does Kraków publish a guide to accessible places? Yes — the city publishes an "Accessible Kraków" guide and other maps and materials to help plan accessible routes. You can usually get them at official tourist information points or check city resources online.
Can I rent a wheelchair in Kraków? Yes — there are rental services and adapted transport options in the city; check apps and municipal guides for details.
Are the trams low-floor? An increasing number of trams and buses are low-floor, but not every line and stop has full accessibility, so plan trips using current timetables.
The Kraków bagel (obwarzanek) has a centuries-old tradition — beyond places to buy them you can visit the Living Museum of the Kraków Bagel (Żywe Muzeum Obwarzanka) with interactive workshops; some rooms are adapted for wheelchair users and staff usually assist on entry.
There are initiatives such as "Kraków without barriers" and competitions that promote accessibility — thanks to these efforts new spatial solutions and events for people with different needs appear regularly.
City maps for blind and visually impaired people are a little-known but valuable resource — they are available in printed form and through educational projects.
If you like, I can prepare a personalized route for you: a short 2–3 hour plan or a longer program with breaks and recommended places to eat. You may also consider booking a private tour with guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she offers individualized routes tailored to people with limited mobility; contact details are available on the guide's site.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media to make travel planning easier for others. I can also prepare a printable version of the route or a short pre-departure checklist if you’d like.
