All Saints' Day at Rakowicki Cemetery is a special and very busy time — crowds, lights, volunteers and an increased presence of security services. If you are going with children, it’s worth planning your visit in advance: the cemetery may open early in the morning (around 6:00) and on November 1 it usually remains accessible as long as visitors are present. November 2 is generally calmer and opening hours are usually shorter than on the "first day".
Special traffic rules apply on November 1 — in many places around the necropolis motor traffic is restricted (except for emergency and authorised vehicles), additional lighting and information points are set up. At gates and along paths you will often meet volunteers and city police or municipal patrols ready to help if needed.
Good preparation reduces stress: check in advance which entrance is most convenient, bring warm clothes and a flashlight (some paths may be less well lit) and make sure your phone is charged for the whole day.
If you want a quiet visit without crowds, consider coming very early (between 6:00 and 9:00) or late in the evening after 19:00; alternatively choose November 2, which is often calmer.
Also remember respect: explain to children the rules of behaviour in a cemetery — do not run along the paths, do not climb on gravestones and keep a quiet demeanour.
The city increases public transport for All Saints' Day — extra trams and buses run toward major cemeteries, including Rakowicki. In practice this means more frequent services and special destination lines. Using public transport is usually more convenient than trying to find parking nearby that day.
Additional entrance and exit points are often opened around the cemetery to help disperse crowds. The city also installs extra portable toilets, medical points and waste containers — it’s useful to look at the cemetery orientation map before you go so you know where these facilities are.
For people with limited mobility and families with strollers: Rakowicki often has a point where wheelchairs are available; there are also maps showing accessible routes and facilities. Not all paths are perfectly even — if you have a deep pram or a very narrow model, be prepared for uneven surfaces and occasional short carries.
If you travel by car with small children, check parking zones and restrictions in advance — parking can be difficult during the holiday, so public transport is the safest option.
You should also know that charity collections for restoration of historic graves and other causes often take place on the cemetery grounds — volunteers and donation boxes appear in designated spots.
To children a cemetery can seem strange but it can also be full of history and beautiful details. Rather than treating the visit only as an obligation, turn it into a short, calm educational outing tailored to the children’s age.
Activity ideas for different age groups:
- For the youngest (3–6 years): a short walk with the task "find an angel" or "find a sculpture of an animal" — many graves have decorative elements children enjoy noticing. Explain, simply and gently, what remembering the dead means.
- For early school age (7–10 years): a short family quiz — who can find the oldest birth/death date, who finds a grave with an interesting sculpture. You can prepare a small map with a few points to find.
- For older children: stories about notable Kraków residents buried at Rakowicki (keep the stories short and positive), themed memory trails (the city sometimes prepares themed routes, for example connected to local historical figures).
Throughout the visit be gentle: do not allow children to sit on monuments, do not touch conserved elements and explain why some places require silence. Small rewards at the end (for example warm tea, a pastry) help close the visit in a friendly way.
Safety is a priority: silence and respect are expected on cemetery grounds. During All Saints' Day pedestrian traffic is intense — hold children’s hands and watch for steps, curbs and lit candles. Candles can be hot and their bases are not always stable.
A few simple rules:
- Do not leave children unattended, even for a short moment.
- Watch for candles and open flames — explain to children not to touch them.
- Do not bring dogs where it is forbidden; where allowed, keep them on a leash and clean up after them.
- Respect people who are praying and visiting — speak quietly and avoid loud games in sensitive areas.
- Warm, waterproof clothes and head coverings — November days can be cold and windy.
- A flashlight or a fully charged phone — useful in the evening or on dimly lit paths.
- A small thermos with a warm drink and snacks (it’s better to take a break in an external spot than to eat at the graves).
- Tissues, wet wipes and a small first aid kit.
- A stroller or carrier suitable for uneven paths; consider a carrier if paths are very steep or rocky.
- Small cash if you plan to support a collection or buy a symbolic candle on site.
1) Start: choose a less crowded entrance — the cemetery orientation map shows additional gates opened on the day. Briefly explain the rules to children (5 minutes).
2) Themed walk: pick 3–4 points to find (an angel, a date before 1900, an animal sculpture, a grave with a pretty ornament). For younger children, two finds are enough. (30–45 minutes).
3) Moment of remembrance: stop in a quiet spot, light a small candle or lay flowers — a short moment of silence and a simple explanation of the gesture. (5–10 minutes).
4) Reward and return: a warm drink and a short talk about what the children saw and liked most — this helps process the experience and end the visit positively. (10–20 minutes).
If you have more time, combine the visit with a short walk in the nearby Planty Park or Błonia — children often need open space to run after a reflective cemetery walk.
- When planning the day, pay attention to city and municipal announcements — the city publishes current information about public transport lines, traffic organisation changes and cemetery orientation maps; check them a day or two before you go.
- Rakowicki often hosts themed routes and cultural events connected with All Souls' observances; if you want more than a solitary walk, look for cultural programmes published by the city in advance.
- If you plan to give a small donation or take part in a collection, talk with your children about why we do it — it’s a valuable lesson in empathy and social responsibility.
- Be flexible: if a child is tired or upset, end the visit early and switch to a calm walk in a nearby park.
All Saints' Day is above all a time of remembrance. For many children it may be their first contact with this tradition — do it gently, with empathy and without haste. If you’d like, I can help plan a route matched to your children’s ages and family pace — my guide always tries to make Krakow welcoming also for the youngest visitors.
Q: Is public transport the best option? A: Yes — during the holiday the city runs extra trams and buses to major cemeteries, making public transport the most convenient way to get there.
Q: When is the cemetery least crowded? A: Very early in the morning (around 6:00–9:00), late in the evening after 19:00, or on November 2, which is usually quieter.
Q: Can we buy candles on site? A: Yes, there are usually stalls and volunteers selling symbolic candles and flowers, but bringing a small amount of cash is helpful.
