Krakow is a city full of monuments, narrow streets and cobbled squares — but that doesn’t mean people who use wheelchairs or have other limitations can’t enjoy it comfortably. City authorities and cultural institutions have prepared materials and apps describing site accessibility, and many museums and public spaces offer special programs and routes adapted to visitors with particular needs.
If you’re planning a walk for a medium group of 7–30 people, a good plan and early communication with the guide make it possible to design a route that’s historically interesting while remaining comfortable for all participants.
Mixed groups — families with children, older people and participants using wheelchairs — need routes with fewer steps, no steep ramps and places for breaks. Good preparation benefits everyone: a slower pace gives more time for stories, photos and conversations, and a thoughtfully chosen route reduces logistical stress.
The city has produced a guide and an app called “Krakow for tourists with disabilities” that help check which sites have facilities (lifts, ramps, accessible toilets) and what specific requirements different places may have.
1) Ask participants about needs — find out the type of wheelchair (manual/electric), width, toilet needs, and any hearing or visual requirements. This lets you match pace and length to the group.
2) Choose points with simple approaches and places to stop. Avoid long sections of cobbles and steep steps, or plan alternative step-free entrances.
3) Schedule breaks every 30–45 minutes — a rest spot, drink and access to toilets raises comfort for the whole group, especially when temperatures exceed 20°C or on rainy days.
4) Book in advance: museum tickets, tower entries or special guided programs. Many institutions limit the number of spots available for groups that require special assistance.
5) For larger groups (15–30 people) consider splitting into smaller subgroups with shorter routes, or choose a convenient meeting spot so maneuvering in narrow spaces is easier.
The Old Town has many cobbled areas and sections with tram tracks. Uneven cobbles often mean slower, bumpier travel for wheelchairs — that’s why wheelchair routes commonly avoid the worst stretches or use wider sidewalks.
Pay attention to curbs, narrow pavements and roadworks. A guide can lead the group via ramps and pedestrian crossings with curb cuts or point out the nearest step-free entrances to attractions.
Check the city guide for accessibility information about specific places before you go. Not all tram stops have accessibility features, but many lines are served by low-floor vehicles.
Include modern museums and spaces in your plan — places that declare accessibility and prepare offers for visitors with special needs. The Museum of Engineering and Technology (Muzeum Inżynierii i Techniki, MIT) and the Garden of Experiments (Ogród Doświadczeń) provide planned activities and routes suitable for groups with various needs.
Choose venues with step-free entrances or accessible side entrances, space to leave wheelchairs and access to an adapted toilet. Also add a park or green area to the route — benches and wide alleys offer space to rest and help the group connect.
If you want a shorter, more accessible version of the Main Market Square, ask the guide for a route that avoids the most uneven cobbles and leads through nearby streets with flatter sidewalks.
Think about transport between points: if the route requires longer transfers, consider hiring a minibus with a wheelchair lift or using taxis adapted for wheelchair transport. For groups of 7–30 people coordinating transfers and meeting points is crucial.
Set a meeting place and time that’s easy to find, preferably with a wide sidewalk or shelter. The guide should have a phone number for the person responsible for the group, and participants should receive a short note about expected duration and planned breaks.
When choosing a place for lunch or coffee, check the entrance (is there a ramp), door width, and whether an accessible toilet is available. Restaurants and cafés with good reviews often include accessibility information in their profiles or on booking sites.
For groups of 7–30 people it’s worth reserving tables in advance and informing staff about special needs — this speeds up service and helps arrange comfortable seating for everyone.
Assuming the entire Main Market is automatically accessible — not all sections are friendly for wheelchairs. Check the exact stretch of route and set alternatives.
Not informing the guide about special needs before the walk — this limits the guide’s ability to prepare the route and reserve suitable entrances or attractions.
No plan for breaks and toilets — long routes without scheduled rest tire everyone, especially people with limited mobility.
Will the guide take into account people in wheelchairs? Yes — if you inform about needs when booking, the route will be adjusted for surface, length and number of stops.
How long does an accessible route take? A typical adapted city walk usually lasts 1.5–3 hours, depending on the number of stops and breaks. For larger groups or those with special needs it’s advisable to split the visit into shorter stages.
Where can I find information about accessibility at specific sites? The city publishes the guide “Krakow for tourists with disabilities” and an app with descriptions and pictograms to help check accessibility of museums, hotels and dining spots.
Some side entrances to historic sites are much more convenient than the main entrance — always ask about the best access route, because it’s not always obvious.
City parks and green squares in the center often provide even surfaces and are great places for short, relaxing breaks, especially when other parts of the route have cobbles.
Many educational institutions and museums have ready-made scenarios and materials for groups with special needs — ask about them when booking; they often enrich the guided visit.
When booking, inform about: number of people, type of wheelchairs, possible toilet needs, need for an induction loop for people with hearing loss, requirement for a slower pace than usual and planned breaks.
Małgorzata prepares routes individually — she considers the group’s comfort and interests as well as site accessibility. Contact and details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
A well-planned walk around Krakow can be an adventure available to everyone — it only takes a few simple decisions and clear communication with the guide. If you’d like, I can help shorten your pre-walk checklist and work with you to prepare a route adapted to your group.
If this article was helpful, share it with others — pass it on to friends or on social media. If you’d like a guided tour, you are welcome to contact tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; full details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
