The Green Route is a proposal for a gentler, "green" side of Kraków — perfect for families with children, people who prefer a calmer pace of sightseeing, and those who want to combine historic sights with relaxation in parks and along the Vistula River.
In practice it’s comfortable walking sections through the Planty, the Błonia meadow, the Vistula Boulevards, Park Jordana and nearby green corners and viewpoints such as Zakrzówek. The route blends history with fresh-air breaks and leaves room for stops at charming cafés.
As your guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) — I lead this walk at an easy pace, share local stories and point out child-friendly places. If you want a low-stress day in Kraków, the Green Route is a great choice.
1) Start: Main Market Square (meeting with the guide). A short introduction to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica and the Planty.
2) Planty — a relaxed walk along the green belt that surrounds the Old Town. A perfect spot for a short rest and first photos. Planty is a historic city park dotted with monuments, fountains and quiet benches.
3) Wawel (view from outside or entrance to the interiors). If you plan to enter the Royal Castle or the Cathedral interiors, book tickets in advance for a specific time to avoid queues.
4) Vistula Boulevards — riverside walk, playgrounds, sculptures and places where kids can run around. A great place for a picnic or a short rest by the river.
5) Park Jordana — a large park with extensive sports and recreational facilities: playgrounds, courts and a traffic-education town for children. A good spot for a longer break with kids.
6) Afternoon option: Zakrzówek (viewpoint and, in season, swimming areas) or return to Kazimierz for lunch or coffee. Choose based on the group’s energy and the weather.
Planty — tree-lined alleys full of old trees, monuments and small fountains. It’s an excellent place to start the day calmly; paths are largely accessible for strollers.
Błonia — a vast meadow close to the city center, ideal for family games, flying kites or relaxing on a picnic blanket. In summer open-air events sometimes take place here, so check in advance whether part of the meadow is occupied by an event.
Vistula Boulevards — a riverside promenade with many rest spots, playgrounds and seating areas; a good place to feed ducks, ride a scooter or take a short riverboat break.
Park Jordana — a big urban park with water features, sports fields and large playgrounds. For kids it can be a whole day of entertainment and for adults a space for movement and relaxation.
Zakrzówek — a dramatic limestone quarry landscape with turquoise water; a scenic viewpoint and in summer a designated swimming area. Remember seasonal restrictions and safety rules.
In high season queues can take a lot of time. The best way to avoid them is to buy tickets or reserve entry times in advance — especially for Wawel Castle interiors, the Wieliczka Salt Mine and popular museums such as Oskar Schindler’s Factory.
Timed-entry tickets largely eliminate the need to queue. When buying online, check the refund policy and whether you need to show an e‑ticket or printout.
If you want to enter with a guide — booking a guided tour that includes the entry ticket is a comfortable option: the guide meets the group at the agreed place and all formalities are taken care of ahead of time.
A few practical tips: carry your ticket (printout or e‑ticket), arrive at least 10–15 minutes early and check opening hours — some venues have restricted hours on particular weekdays or public holidays.
Wieliczka Salt Mine — the tourist route is usually visited with a guide; online you buy a ticket with a specified time and language. Family tickets and seasonal discounts are sometimes available.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory — the museum sells timed-entry tickets; institutions occasionally change ticketing rules (for example, advance online sale windows or named tickets), so check current policies before your visit.
Wawel — if you plan to visit the interiors (royal apartments, collections), buy a timed ticket. Entry to the Cathedral and the Sigismund Bell (Zygmunt Bell) may have separate rules and can require additional time.
General rule: when planning a family day it’s worth reserving the most important attractions in advance and leaving the rest for a relaxed walk in the parks and spontaneous play breaks.
To start the day at the Market Square — cafés such as Cafe Camelot (Św. Tomasza Street) offer cozy interiors and desserts, ideal for families looking for a relaxed breakfast.
Kazimierz and the Vistula Boulevards area — here you’ll find many family-friendly cafés and restaurants. Stop for lunch or cake in a place with a garden terrace when the weather is nice.
After Park Jordana you can look for a nearby café or food truck — a convenient solution for families who don’t want to return to the center for a longer meal.
If you want recommendations tailored to the time of day, dietary needs or the children’s ages — ask when booking the walk; as your guide I’m happy to suggest places I’ve tested with families.
Strollers and accessibility: Planty, the Vistula Boulevards and most parks are stroller-friendly, but wear comfortable shoes and pack a light bag — some alleys are cobbled.
Toilets and changing facilities: there are public restrooms in the center and near larger parks, but it’s best to plan breaks in cafés or at major museum venues.
What to bring: a small blanket, snacks, water, sunscreen (in summer), sun hats for children, a phone charger and ID for adults.
Safety: keep children close near the boulevards and water; Zakrzówek has designated swimming zones and lifeguards in season — use only marked areas.
Weather: Kraków weather can change — take a light rain cape or umbrella and a plan B for rainy moments (museums, cafés).
Q: Is the route suitable for strollers? - A: Yes. Most alleys on the Planty and the boulevards are stroller-friendly; Park Jordana also has flat sections and family-oriented playgrounds.
Q: Do children pay for museum entries? - A: Many places offer reduced or family tickets; rules vary by institution, so check specific venues in advance.
Q: How many kilometers is the walk? - A: The suggested family route covers a few kilometers spread across the day — pace and breaks are adapted to children.
Q: Can I join only part of the route (for example Planty + Vistula Boulevards)? - A: Certainly — flexibility is one of the Green Route’s strengths. You can choose a shorter version or extend it with extra stops.
Q: How do I book a walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz? - A: Reservations and organizational details are arranged directly with the guide at the time of booking; please let us know the number of people, children’s ages and whether you want to enter specific attractions (Wawel, Wieliczka, Oskar Schindler’s Factory, etc.).
9:30 - Meeting at the Main Market Square, short introduction and start of the walk.
10:00 to 11:00 - Walk the Planty, photo stops and a short snack break.
11:15 to 12:30 - Wawel (outside or interiors with a reservation).
13:00 - Lunch near the Vistula Boulevards or in Kazimierz.
14:30 to 16:00 - Park Jordana — playtime and free time for children.
16:30 - Option: Zakrzówek or return to the Market for coffee and dessert.
This plan is only a suggestion — the pace and attractions are adjusted to each family so the day in Kraków is pleasant and stress-free.
As your guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz, I will happily lead the Green Route in its family version — I can help plan entries, breaks and adapt the pace for the youngest participants. When booking, please tell me how many people are in your group, the children’s ages and whether you’d like to include visits to specific sites (Wawel, Wieliczka, Oskar Schindler’s Factory, etc.).
If you have additional needs — food allergies, accessibility requirements, a request for a nursing break or extra resting time — let me know in advance and I will tailor the route to make the day as comfortable as possible.
See you on the green walk through Kraków!
