Yes — but it requires good planning and timing. Many people want to visit the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial, stop at important sacred sites in Kraków (for example Łagiewniki or sanctuaries linked to John Paul II), and taste local flavours in charming cafés and restaurants. This can be done in a single day with sensible scheduling, or even more enjoyably as a two‑day trip with an overnight stay.
In short: if you are travelling with young children, plan the day so that the difficult and emotionally demanding part (Auschwitz) is separated from the recreational and culinary part — this will give everyone time to rest and recover.
Below you’ll find a sample day plan, practical logistical tips, rules of respect for visiting the Memorial, and suggestions for family‑friendly places and tasty culinary stops. Everything is written from the perspective of a guide who wants to help you spend the day wisely, calmly and deliciously.
Note: the text uses official visitor information for the Memorial and local listings of family‑friendly and culinary spots.
I do not describe services of other guides or commercial free walking tours — this guide is prepared in the spirit of local, friendly information for visitors to Kraków.
1) Depart early from Kraków to Oświęcim; visit the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial (Auschwitz I and Birkenau). Book tickets in advance and allow about 2–3 hours for the visit.
2) Return to Kraków, take a short rest with coffee or a light lunch (areas like Kazimierz or the Old Town).
3) Afternoon pilgrimage part — for example Łagiewniki (Sanctuary of Divine Mercy) or the John Paul II Centre if you want a spiritual dimension to the day.
4) Evening culinary route through a chosen neighbourhood (Kazimierz, Zabłocie, Podgórze) — snacks, dessert, finish in a café that’s friendly to children. Leave time for a walk to stretch your legs after an intense day.
If you travel with children under 14: consider separating activities for the day (for example, one adult visits the Memorial while another stays with the children in a comfortable, family‑friendly place), or postpone the Auschwitz visit to another part of your trip — the Museum advises against bringing children under 14.
The Memorial is a museum site of exceptional character; visitors are expected to show respect, maintain silence and behave appropriately. Security checks take place before entry, and visits require a named admission card for a specific time slot. Booking online and punctuality are essential.
The Museum officially does not recommend bringing children under 14 to the site; this is important information for families planning the trip. If you are travelling with teenagers, talk with them beforehand about the subject matter and prepare them emotionally.
Practical rules: wear comfortable, modest clothing (avoid provocative slogans), avoid loud behaviour, do not use drones or buy novelty ‘souvenirs’ — this is a place of memory, not an entertainment attraction. Follow the Museum’s rules and the staff’s instructions.
Plan time for a slow walk and a moment of reflection — visiting without rushing helps you better understand the significance of the place.
If you wish, I can prepare a version of the itinerary that includes breaks for families with children and alternative activities for the youngest visitors.
Admission cards to the Museum are personal and some must be booked through the official online system; the Museum warns against third‑party sites selling tickets outside official channels. Check availability and book ahead, especially in high season.
Opening hours change throughout the year — check the calendar on the official site before you travel to avoid wasted time. Arriving about 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time is recommended to complete security procedures.
If you plan transport from Kraków: there are train and bus options and organised transfer offers, but whichever way you travel allow extra time for arrival, check‑in and possible queues.
If people in your group have reduced mobility — check accessibility options in advance, because not all parts of the site are fully adapted.
Remember: the official Memorial website is the place to obtain authentic admission cards; reservations through other portals can be risky.
Kraków has several culinary ‘centres’ — the Old Town, Kazimierz, Zabłocie and Podgórze offer a range of flavours: from traditional milk bars to modern restaurants and specialty cafés. Plan several short stops rather than one long meal, especially after an emotional morning.
Suggestions to include: obwarzanki (bagel‑like pretzels) while strolling, pierogi (a classic), local starters and a dessert in a family‑friendly café. If you prefer a more refined route — Kraków has restaurants recognised in culinary guides, but small bistros and cafés that create local atmosphere are equally enjoyable.
If you travel with children: pick places with a kids’ menu, high chairs and — if possible — a small play corner. Increasingly, venues receive certificates or mentions for being family‑friendly, which helps with selection.
Check opening hours with locals who know the city rhythm — not everything is open all day, and weekend evenings are a time to reserve a table.
If you want, I can prepare a personalised list of places to visit, divided into family venues, quick snacks and spots better for an evening out.
What to look for when choosing a child‑friendly café: high chairs, a kids’ menu (not just fries), a play corner or crayons at the table, a changing table in the restroom and space to park a stroller. These features make family visits far less stressful.
City and local competitions often highlight family‑friendly places each year — this is a good starting point when choosing. For specifics: check municipal lists of family‑friendly venues, local portals and parents’ reviews.
Practical trick: on arrival in Kraków ask at the tourist information point or your hotel reception for recommended family‑friendly spots — they can point you to tried‑and‑tested places off the main tourist routes.
Do you want a short list of cafés matched to where you’ll be after Auschwitz? Tell me which part of Kraków you plan to stop in and I’ll prepare concrete recommendations.
When choosing a venue, also check whether the café has a calm space to rest — after an emotional morning, a cosy, quiet spot can work wonders.
For those who want to add a spiritual dimension to the trip, Kraków offers several important stops: the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki and the John Paul II Centre are popular with pilgrims and visitors interested in spirituality. Visiting them can naturally complement the day.
Other options are Kraków’s churches and Wawel Cathedral — shorter but meaningful spiritual stops that can be fitted into a walking route around the Old Town. If you plan to attend Mass, services or group events, check times and any booking requirements in advance.
A practical note: combining an emotionally heavy visit to the Memorial with religious activities and entertainment requires moderation — plan breaks so everyone has time to process the experience.
If you need a Mass or a specific event in a sanctuary, check each sanctuary’s timetable or call ahead.
If you like, I can propose an alternative route: more spiritual stops in the morning and an evening culinary section with play options for children.
- Children under 14: the Museum advises against bringing young children into the Memorial; consider alternatives or split caregiving.
- If you travel with small children, choose cafés with a safe play corner or restaurants that offer a dedicated kids’ menu. This greatly improves the comfort of the whole family.
- When planning the route, allow time for breaks and be flexible — the emotional impact of visiting the Memorial can be surprising, even for adults.
- If someone in the group needs accessibility arrangements, check availability of facilities at the places you plan to visit.
- Alcohol and noisy behaviour are inappropriate in places of remembrance and in sanctuaries — please show respect for the sites and other visitors.
- Quick local snacks on the street: obwarzanki and small sweets — perfect while walking between points.
- Lunch in a family bistro: light soups, pierogi, homemade dishes inspired by local flavours. Choose places that offer a children’s option.
- Afternoon coffee and dessert in a child‑friendly café — look for venues with a separate corner or tables where little ones can play for a while.
- For something more sophisticated in the evening, Kraków has restaurants recommended by culinary guides — in that case reserve a table in advance.
Want exact addresses and opening hours? Tell me where you plan to finish the route (Old Town, Kazimierz, Podgórze) and I’ll prepare a list of family‑friendly places with short descriptions and dish recommendations.
This is a common scenario in mixed groups. Practical solutions:
- Split the group: one person/group visits the Memorial while the others stay in Kraków and enjoy cafés, museums or a park walk.
- Move the Memorial visit to another day — it’s often easier to separate the trip and pair Auschwitz with a different day’s programme.
- Arrange alternative childcare or a children’s programme where possible — but always prioritise safety and avoid leaving children unattended.
If you’d like, I can suggest specific places in Kraków to spend those hours (parks, interactive children’s museums, cafés with play corners) and tailor them to your plan.
- Allow time and space: the emotional weight of the Memorial calls for silence and reflection — don’t plan shopping or loud attractions immediately after the visit.
- Book tickets in advance and check official Museum information before coming.
- If you travel with family, plan the day so you are not cutting it too close with transport — extra time keeps stress low.
- I’m happy to personalise the route: tell me how much time you have, how many people will join, whether there are children and what their interests are — I’ll prepare a plan matched to your pace and expectations.
Thank you for reading — if you wish, I can prepare a ready, detailed itinerary (with a map and venue suggestions) tailored to your arrival date.
