Krakow in summer shows a distinct green side — from the historic Planty to the vast Błonia, from the peaceful Botanical Garden to the turquoise Zakrzówek. For VIPs and business travelers it’s worth planning a route that highlights the city with comfort, representativeness and relaxation in mind. Below you’ll find a tailored “green route”: easy walks, intimate viewpoints, places for a business lunch and ideas for evening relaxation.
This guide is practical — three variants (short walk, half-day, full-day), logistical tips, notes about accessibility and small restaurant suggestions that work well for guests expecting high standards.
We start with places closest to the center and gradually move to more intimate, green enclaves of the city.
- 9:00 — short walk around the Planty (15–30 min) — a quick introduction to the Old Town atmosphere without the crowds.
- 9:30 — Błonia — a short stroll or a drive, a group photo on the meadow, optional short display (football or kites) depending on events.
- 10:15 — Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden (coffee and a calm walk among plant collections) — an ideal spot for relaxed conversations.
- 11:30 — lunch at a representative restaurant near the Main Market Square (for example Wierzynek or another formal dining room).
I suggest a route that combines elegance, easy access and the possibility to talk comfortably:
- Start: Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden on Kopernika Street — a quiet space, greenhouses and plant collections make a relaxed introduction; great for photos and outdoor conversations.
- Short walk through the Planty toward the Market Square — the Planty are the green "border" around the Old Town, perfect for a short, representative walk without entering the crowded Cloth Hall.
- Drive to the Błonia — a representative meadow; with good planning you can arrange a short show, a corporate picnic or simply a coffee break under umbrellas at Błonia Bistro.
- Finish: Jordan Park or the Vistula Boulevards — depending on preferences: Jordan Park for a more active, urban feel; the Vistula Boulevards for a riverside walk and seasonal bars.
If the guest has more time and you want to show several different green spaces and invite them to an exceptional lunch and an afternoon of relaxation, I recommend:
- Morning: Kościuszko Mound / Wolski Forest — a short taxi or car ride, a brief walk and a panorama of the city from the mound; Wolski Forest gives a sense of a green escape from the center.
- Late morning: Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden — a relaxed pace, greenhouses, ideal for photos and conversations in the shade of trees.
- Lunch: a representative restaurant within the Old Town (you can order a dedicated menu with notice).
- Afternoon: Zakrzówek — if the weather is good, this place makes an impression: cliffs, turquoise water, floating platforms; ideal as a “wow factor” and a spot to relax after meetings.
- Evening: Vistula Boulevards or an elegant aperitif on a terrace overlooking the river.
Planty — the green ring around the Old Town: a short, representative walk through the Planty is an elegant, comfortable alternative to the crowded Market Square; benches, fountains and alleys offer a breather after formal meetings.
Błonia — the large meadow in the city center: about 48 hectares of open space, ideal for group photos, short outdoor events or a picnic with catering. In season you’ll often find intimate concerts and events here.
Henryk Jordan Park — a city park with sports infrastructure: a great place to show a more “everyday” side of the city — sports fields, a skatepark, a concert shell and numerous paths. Good for active breaks (for example a short team exercise).
Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden — a zone of calm and exotic plants: palm house, orchid collections and botanical curiosities; it works very well as a peaceful pause and a natural backdrop for intimate conversations.
Zakrzówek — the natural “wow factor”: a former quarry with turquoise water and modern bathing platforms. An excellent place for an afternoon of relaxation or an informal outdoor meeting — remember there are limits on the number of people at the bathing area in season.
Wolski Forest and Kościuszko Mound — city panorama and greenery: a short trip outside the center lets you show Krakow from another perspective; the mound offers nice views, Wolski Forest — quiet and walking paths.
Vistula Boulevards — the riverside embankment: a pleasant place for an evening walk with the option of stopping at seasonal riverside bars.
For VIP guests choose venues with private rooms, elegant service and menus adaptable to guests. A few safe choices near the center:
- Wierzynek — a classic, representative location on the Main Market Square with historic interiors, suitable for official lunches.
- Szara Gęś and similar restaurants around the Market Square — solid cuisine and convenient location for a walk in the Planty after the meal.
- Błonia Bistro — a more casual, picnic-style option, good for events on the meadow.
- Cafés near the Planty and around the Botanical Garden — convenient for a short coffee break before continuing the route.
If you plan a larger corporate outdoor event — consider event-experienced catering and book the location well in advance, especially for Błonia and Zakrzówek.
- Transport: for business guests the most comfortable options are taxi, company car or a private transfer with a driver; many points on the route are short drives through the center, while places like Kościuszko Mound or Zakrzówek require a few extra minutes to reach.
- Parking: there are parking options at Błonia and some areas near Zakrzówek, but in season it’s better to plan arrival in advance or use transfers to avoid parking in the center.
- Accessibility: the Planty, Błonia and Vistula Boulevards are accessible for wheelchair users; the Botanical Garden has accessible paths but it’s wise to confirm the internal route for larger groups, especially in greenhouses. Zakrzówek has steep descents — if guests have limited mobility, stick to upper viewpoints and pedestrian-accessible platforms.
- Timing: when planning a summer route, avoid the midday heat — mornings or late afternoons are more comfortable.
- Reservations: if you want lunch at a specific venue or a private room, book at least several days in advance; events at Błonia and Zakrzówek require permits and prior arrangements with the site organizers.
- Plan a weather alternative. Summer afternoons can bring rain — have a plan B (an indoor space, umbrellas, or short transfers).
- Guest comfort: make sure water bottles are available, that guests can use restrooms and have a short refreshment break along the way.
- Pace: VIPs and business guests often want a relaxed walk that allows conversation — avoid too much walking, and allow space for networking.
- Photos: the best light for park photos is morning and late afternoon — if group photos matter, schedule visits during the golden hours.
- Safety at Zakrzówek: swim only in designated areas and according to site rules; lifeguards operate in season and access can be limited.
Is the green route walkable on foot? - Yes, in the shortened version (Planty, Botanical Garden, Błonia, Jordan Park) most transfers are short walking distances between points. For Kościuszko Mound or Zakrzówek it’s best to use a car transfer.
How much time to allocate for each point? - Short visits: 20–45 minutes; Botanical Garden: 45–75 minutes; Zakrzówek: 60–120 minutes if you plan to swim or relax on the platforms.
Can I organize a private event on Błonia or in Jordan Park? - Yes, but it requires permission from the relevant city institutions and advance booking; large events have specific regulations and deadlines.
Are there restrooms and food points in the parks? - Jordan Park and areas near the Planty have cafés and food points; Zakrzówek offers seasonal facilities, and Błonia provides stalls or nearby venues during bigger events.
Is the route suitable for people with limited mobility? - Most central routes (Planty, Botanical Garden) are accessible, but Zakrzówek and some paths in Wolski Forest have more challenging sections; consult when planning.
The green route is an excellent way to show VIPs and business guests a less obvious but very representative side of Krakow. Green spaces allow calm conversations, leave a good impression and help ease a busy conference or meeting schedule.
If you’d like, I can help refine the route for a specific arrival time, visit length, dietary requirements or accessibility needs. Small details (water bottles, sun protection, quick table reservations) make a big difference to how the visit is received.
This guide is prepared for zwiedzaniekrakowa.com by Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz), tour guide — feel free to contact us to personalize the route for your guests. Krakow in its green version can both impress and soothe at the same time.
