The Princes Czartoryski Museum is one of those places in Krakow that attracts both art lovers and families with children. Its most famous exhibit, Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine," is the reason many people come, but the palace interiors also hide a family-friendly route designed in a modern way, art collections and rooms that impress on their own. A well-planned visit reduces stress and lets you enjoy the collection instead of just ticking off an iconic sight.
A few simple decisions — buying tickets in advance, arriving outside the afternoon rush and checking the rules for the family ticket — will make entry faster and keep children more interested and engaged. Below you’ll find practical details and tried-and-true tips from guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
The highlight of the collection is the "Lady with an Ermine" — a painting that’s hard to overestimate and definitely worth spending a moment on. Beyond that, the Czartoryski Museum has several exhibition rooms presenting paintings, applied arts and ancient collections. The museum space also includes educational elements and sometimes family trails or audio guides with a route for children that make visiting with younger guests easier.
The museum’s atmosphere blends historic interiors with modern presentation of the collections, so even children find points of interest. The youngest visitors often enjoy short tasks or puzzles prepared during family activities — check the events calendar before your visit.
The National Museum in Krakow sells tickets for the Princes Czartoryski Museum in specific categories: full-price, reduced and family. The family ticket is a cost-effective option for small families: it covers entry for up to 4 people, including at least one child (usually with an age limit for the child — check the rules when buying). Tickets are usually timed-entry for a specific date and hour, so it’s worth reserving them in advance, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
Current prices and rules can change, but in practice keep a few things in mind: very young children often enter free; school-age youth and students may get very favorable rates (often a symbolic fee after showing an ID); the museum also offers promotions and discounts related to programs such as the Large Family Card. Before your visit check at the ticket desk or in the National Museum’s ticket system for the current rates and restrictions for family tickets.
Opening hours: the museum is usually closed on Mondays, while on other days opening hours are set by the National Museum in Krakow. Last admission is limited — often an hour before closing — so when planning allow time to view the exhibition calmly.
Keep in mind rules for cloakroom and luggage: the museum may not be able to store large suitcases — it’s best to come with a small backpack or leave large luggage at your hotel. For family convenience check availability of luggage storage at your accommodation or nearby facilities.
Tickets are often sold online through the National Museum’s ticketing system; buying in advance guarantees entry at your chosen time and shortens waiting. Have discount documents ready at the entrance (student IDs, Large Family Card) if you’ve used them when buying online.
Tuesdays are sometimes free admission days for permanent exhibitions at National Museum branches in Krakow. If you plan to come on such a day, check in advance whether the free entry covers the exhibition you want to see (there can be exceptions).
Large families holding the national Large Family Card can expect extra benefits — the National Museum in Krakow participates in this program and offers discounts or special conditions (for example a significant reduction for a parent, free entry for children from large families up to a certain age). Bring ID and the card when requesting the discount.
When planning a visit with children schedule shorter viewing blocks: 45–60 minutes is usually optimal for small kids. If you want to see everything at a relaxed pace, split the visit into a morning and an afternoon part or combine it with a lunch break at a nearby restaurant.
Useful tips: arrive right after opening or choose a time just before closing — these are often quieter periods; bring small snacks for breaks after leaving the museum (eating is forbidden in exhibition rooms); remember a comfortable stroller or carrier — many museum spaces are adapted for parents with strollers.
Keep children engaged with short tasks: before entering agree on “3 things to find” (for example: a portrait, a craft object, a particular color) — a simple trick to make the visit feel like a game and hold their attention.
Not booking tickets in advance — in season and on weekends queues can be long and time slots sell out. Secure entry by buying online or arriving very early.
Misunderstanding the family ticket rules — make sure how many people the family ticket covers and the age conditions for the child. A common mistake is trying to use a family ticket for more people than allowed.
Assuming "Tuesday = everything free" — free entry typically applies to permanent exhibitions; temporary exhibitions or special educational programs may be paid. Check before visiting.
After the museum it’s worth planning a break for a good meal or coffee. In the Old Town and around Matejko Square you’ll find cafés and well-rated restaurants. A few recommended places to check in advance: Cafe Camelot (a cozy café with atmospheric interiors), Pod Aniołami (traditional Polish cuisine in a charming setting), Wierzynek (a historic, more formal option).
If you’re looking for family-friendly places with space for strollers and children’s menus, call ahead to ask about table availability and quick-menu options. In season restaurants near the Market Square fill up fast, so reservations can save time.
The museum is prepared to welcome families — many visitor reports note that the site is accessible for strollers and people with limited mobility, and educational materials for the youngest guests are available. If someone in your group has special needs (for example uses a wheelchair), notify or ask the information desk in advance about the most convenient route.
Bring documents for discounts (IDs, Large Family Card) and keep your phone with the online ticket ready — this speeds entry. During large temporary exhibitions the museum may introduce limits on the number of people inside individual rooms — this can happen on the busiest tourist days.
Does a family ticket cover 5 people? - No. Standard family tickets cover up to 4 people and require at least one child within a specified age limit. Always check the current rules before buying.
Do children always enter free? - Not always. Very young children may enter free (check the age limit), while school-age youth and students often pay a very small fee after showing ID. Large families with the Large Family Card have additional privileges.
Is Tuesday a free day for the Czartoryski Museum? - The National Museum in Krakow has free-Tuesday rules for permanent exhibitions, but there may be exceptions or restrictions for some displays. Check before you go.
The Czartoryski collection includes more than just the "Lady with an Ermine" — there are also rare exhibits and small objects that can fascinate children (for example pieces of applied arts or ancient artifacts).
The museum regularly organizes shorter family routes and workshops — these are great opportunities to combine sightseeing with hands-on activities for kids instead of treating the visit as a one-off checklist item.
Ask at the ticket desk about a family audio guide — it’s a simple tool that often makes younger visitors listen and react with more interest.
If you found this entry helpful, share it with friends or on social media — that helps other parents arrive in Krakow better prepared. We also recommend considering a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, who runs family-focused tours with practical tips and stories tailored to children. Contact information for Małgorzata is available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website — feel free to book or ask questions.
Enjoy your visit and don’t forget to leave time for a walk around the museum neighborhood — the Old Town offers many pleasant spots to rest and talk about what you’ve just seen. Greetings and see you in Krakow!
