Yes — it’s a great idea if you like variety: in the morning you can breathe in the greenery and discover the Baroque landscape of Kalwaria, then return to the city and show the children places full of history, stories and simple, engaging activities. This plan combines nature, architecture and a gentle lesson in memory, presented in a way that’s accessible to the youngest. Important: set a pace that won’t tire the little ones — shorter stretches, breaks for ice cream and simple curiosities told in plain language work best. The tips below will help you build a long but comfortable day or a pleasant two-day program.
One-day option (for families who want to see Kalwaria and a bit of Krakow): depart Krakow in the morning (by car about 35–60 minutes), walk around the Sanctuary and do a short visit to the basilica, take a short section of the Calvary Way (choose one loop) and return to Krakow. In the afternoon walk around Kazimierz: Plac Nowy, Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue, a short visit to the Remuh cemetery (if the children are interested enough) and finish the day at the Bernatek footbridge or at the Ghetto Heroes Square in Podgórze.
Kalwaria is a sanctuary complex with a basilica, monastery and a system of Calvary Paths — a set of chapels and churches integrated into a hilly landscape. The Paths stretch for several kilometers and can be demanding for small legs, so plan shorter sections.
Practical info: the basilica has set opening hours, and the sanctuary runs an information point and a Heritage Museum/Centre where you can ask for maps and shorter routes suitable for families. There are free parking areas near the sanctuary, and for groups audio guides and guided tours are available (book ahead for groups). The site is also a place of worship, so observe the rules of respect (quiet inside the church) and bans such as drone flights — check the rules before attempting to use a drone.
For families in particular: don’t plan the entire Calvary loop in one go. At the information point you can find shorter, scenic segments — ideal as a “reward” for children. Near the monastery there are food points and a Pilgrim House, which makes it easy to stop for a short meal or lunch.
The most convenient way from Krakow is by car — it gives flexibility (drive time 35–60 minutes depending on traffic). There are parking spaces near the main entrance to the sanctuary and close to the monastery; in high season arrive earlier to secure a spot.
Alternatives: regional trains and buses running toward Kalwaria/Zebrzydowska are an option for families who prefer not to drive and want to make the journey an extra attraction for children. From the Kalwaria station the walk to the sanctuary is short.
Tip: if you’re going for the weekend, consider staying in Krakow at a hotel with parking — it makes logistics easier and allows a relaxed return after a day of sightseeing. During major church celebrations parking and traffic around the sanctuary may change — check the events calendar before you go.
A short visit to the basilica and the sanctuary museum gives a sense of the place without tiring the kids. Then choose one easy Calvary loop — preferably one that finishes at a viewpoint. Children enjoy simple stories: present the Passion of Christ as a series of short scenes and point out the Baroque chapels as “small houses with sculptures and paintings.”
If you have more time, visit the Museum (in buildings in front of the basilica) and check whether there are family workshops or exhibitions. Plan a break on a plaza or on a meadow by the Paths — children need space to run.
Remember appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes — the terrain is hilly and sometimes stony.
Kazimierz is a key stop: Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue and the Remuh Synagogue with its adjacent cemetery are places worth seeing. For children, short themed stories work best: who lived in the tenement houses, what synagogues were for and why a Jewish cemetery (kirkut) looks different from a church graveyard.
Plac Nowy is familiar to kids for zapiekanki and small snack stalls — a good place for a break. Crossing the Bernatek footbridge over the Vistula leads to Podgórze, where you’ll find the Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy under the Eagle. Oskar Schindler’s Factory (a branch of the Krakow Museum) is another powerful site — recommended for older children and best visited after gentle preparation on the topic.
The Galicja Museum in Kazimierz runs exhibitions and events that help explain Jewish culture in an accessible way; it often offers educational programmes for younger visitors. Check current events and family tickets before you go.
Be honest and age-appropriate: children don’t need traumatic detail, but they deserve clear information that people were harmed in the past. Focus on everyday life stories, places, people and values such as help and remembrance.
Ask questions and listen: let children express feelings and answer briefly, calmly and without excessive detail.
Use concrete references: instead of numbers, tell individual stories, point out things to look at (old inscriptions, details in a synagogue) and explain the meaning of memorial sites.
Allow space for play: after visiting places of memory, plan a cheerful activity — ice cream, a playground, a short Vistula boat trip or a favourite café. This helps balance emotions.
Breakfast in Krakow before heading to Kalwaria: it’s worth visiting well-regarded breakfast cafés and coffee shops near the Market Square; one recommended place for morning bread is Charlotte (popular with visitors).
In Kazimierz look for family-friendly spots: cafés and simple restaurants around Plac Nowy are convenient and allow for a quick meal after a walk. If you plan to eat after returning from Kalwaria, choose restaurants with good reviews and child-friendly menus — book tables especially at weekends.
Overnight: for a one-day trip returning to Krakow, choose a hotel with parking and child-friendly amenities (cot, flexible check-in). For a longer stay consider guesthouses near Kalwaria — they often offer a peaceful atmosphere and easy access to the sanctuary.
Budget tip: in tourist season reserve restaurants and hotels in advance, and keep snacks and a water bottle handy for quick breaks with children.
Planning routes that are too long with small children — the Paths cover several kilometres and the terrain is hilly; shorter loops are better.
Not checking opening hours and the events calendar — during religious celebrations access to some places or parking may be limited.
Not bringing extra food and drink — there aren’t always open food points on the Paths.
Assuming children will be interested in every monument — better to go shorter and more intensively: a curiosity, a small activity (e.g. find a detail on a building), then a play break.
Inappropriate clothing and shoes — the terrain is uneven; bring spare sandals and a light jacket because weather in the hills can surprise you.
Will children manage on the Calvary Paths? Yes, but choose short sections and plan breaks. For little ones the most effective forms are active visits: short stories, a “treasure hunt” (e.g. find an interesting sculptural detail) and a place to run at the end of the route.
Is Kalwaria free to enter? Entering the basilica is usually not ticketed; some museum services or exhibitions may be paid. The sanctuary information points will tell you current rules.
Do I need to book a guide? For organized groups and special guided tours it’s worth booking in advance. Audio guides and guided tours in Polish are available; for foreign-language groups book earlier.
How to visit Jewish sites respectfully? Observe opening hours of synagogues and cemeteries, keep quiet in memorial places and ask about photography rules. Explain to children that these are places important for memory and mutual respect.
Is Schindler’s Factory suitable for children? It’s an important museum with heavy subject matter. For older children (teenagers) the visit is valuable; for younger kids prepare a short narrative and consider viewing selected, less emotional exhibitions.
Kalwaria is sometimes called “Little Jerusalem” because of the layout of its Paths and chapels designed for contemplation of scenes from the Passion. This gives the site not only a religious but also a landscape character, very attractive for families who enjoy walks among trees and stone chapels.
In Kazimierz you’ll find not only synagogues and cemeteries but also small workshops and places that preserve old crafts and Judaica — a fascinating contrast to large museums. The Galicja Museum shows traces of Galician Jewish communities’ memory and often has exhibits that capture children’s imagination (photographs, interactive panels).
Plac Nowy is not just about zapiekanki — it’s also a meeting place with small street events that kids often remember more than another monument.
Pack a backpack with snacks, water, wet wipes and a small first-aid kit. Make sure you have comfortable shoes and an extra layer of clothing. Bring a small toy or a picture book for travel time.
Check opening hours of places you’ll visit and the events calendar for Kalwaria. Book museum tickets online if possible (Schindler’s Factory often requires advance booking).
Plan breaks — ideally every 45–60 minutes of activity for the youngest. Keep the accommodation address and phone number and the sanctuary information point contact handy in case you need help.
Briefly talk with the children about what they will see — short stories help focus attention and prepare them emotionally.
If you liked this plan, share the article with family or friends — it may help someone else plan a successful trip. If you prefer to tour with a local guide, remember that Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private guided tours and can tailor the route to the children’s ages and interests — contact details for guided services are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website.
Enjoy your visit — may it be thoughtful, comfortable and full of small discoveries for every family member!
