Hipolits' Tenement has stood by St. Mary’s Square for centuries — it’s a fragment of medieval Krakow that today houses the “Bourgeois House” exhibition showing urban life from the 17th to the 19th century. For families visiting the city it’s an interesting, intimate attraction, but also an example of a place where historic architecture creates some logistical challenges.
If you plan to visit with a stroller, read on: I’ll explain what to expect inside the tenement and which parts of the city and which places to stay are most stroller‑friendly for a family with a small child. At the end you’ll find practical checklists and a short FAQ.
Hipolits' Tenement is a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow. On several floors you’ll find reconstructions of burgher interiors: a 17th‑century study, a Rococo bedroom, a playroom and a “collector’s room” with interesting clocks and small curios. The cellars often host temporary exhibitions about various aspects of urban life.
This isn’t a large, spacious museum — visits take place in a few small rooms, so you can easily combine it with a short walk around the Main Market Square and nearby streets. For children a fun part is being able to “step into an old house” and compare how daily life looked centuries ago.
The tenement is a historic building with many architectural barriers. The street entrance is preceded by steps (note there are three steps down to the ticket hall), and further visits continue on old, often steep stairs.
In practice this means that while part of the ground floor is accessible and contains the ticket office and a restroom with a changing table, moving around the upper floors with a large carrycot can be difficult. Many visitors with strollers leave them by the entrance or use a light, foldable umbrella stroller.
It’s always a good idea to contact the museum before your visit to ask about current facilities and the possibility of leaving a stroller or getting staff assistance. If you want to avoid surprises, plan the visit with one adult exploring the interiors and another staying outside with the stroller.
Key criteria when choosing accommodation with a stroller are: proximity to flat, comfortable pavements; lift access or the option of a ground‑floor room; quick transport connections (tram or walking) to attractions; and room amenities (cot, kitchenette, early check‑in option).
Districts to consider: the Old Town area around the Planty and near the Main Railway Station (flat approaches and easy access to transport), Grzegórzki and the Błonia meadows (more green space and room for walks), and selected parts of Kazimierz — but remember that narrow streets and cobbles can make pushing a stroller harder, so pick places with easy entrances and lifts.
Vienna House Andel’s Cracow — a great base near the Main Railway Station and Galeria Krakowska. The hotel offers family amenities (cot options, children’s menu in the restaurant) and easy access to rail and tram connections, which makes getting around with a stroller easier.
Galaxy Hotel Kraków — a property often highlighted in local polls as family‑friendly; check availability of family rooms and whether the booked block has a lift. Aparthotel Lwowska 1 — a good choice if you want a kitchenette and more private space for the child.
If you choose an apartment, make sure before booking that the building has a lift, what floor the unit is on, and whether a cot is available. In some cases a hotel with reception is more convenient because staff can help with luggage and the stroller.
Check whether the property has a lift and/or ground‑floor rooms; ask for lift dimensions if you plan to use a larger stroller.
Request confirmation about a cot for the baby (free or for a fee) and about room equipment (kitchenette, kettle, microwave — useful for preparing meals for the little one).
Pay attention to the distance to a tram stop or train station (a short walk on flat pavement is a huge convenience), and whether there are nearby parks or the Błonia meadows — places where the child can run safely.
Before booking, read reviews from other families — look for comments about door width, threshold heights and the availability of changing tables in nearby public restrooms.
Avoid long stretches of very uneven cobbles — instead choose the Planty, the Vistula boulevards and park paths; these are more comfortable and safer for stroller wheels.
Modern low‑floor trams make boarding with a stroller easier, but during peak hours trams and streets can be crowded — plan trips outside the busiest times. Many stops near the Market and the Main Station have convenient ramps.
If you plan to visit museum interiors, check each venue’s policy in advance: some museums ask large strollers to be left in storage or at the entrance; others provide changing tables and family facilities.
Choose places with step‑free entrances and sufficiently wide aisles between tables. In recent years more venues in Krakow have been recognized as “family‑friendly” — look for those distinctions.
A few reliable names that often appear in city rankings as family‑friendly: Restaurant KOMA, cafés with roomy interiors and changing tables in the center, and hotel restaurants at family‑friendly properties. Ask staff about a place to park the stroller near your table.
A practical idea: keep one “backup” café or restaurant with a changing table on your list (for example in a shopping center) so you can stop quickly if needed.
Booking a top‑floor room without checking for a lift — this is the most common mistake families with large strollers make. Always ask about the floor and lift access.
Assuming that “center = flat” — in some parts of the Old Town cobbles and curb steps make pushing a stroller difficult; it’s good to have an alternative route (Planty, the boulevards).
Not informing the museum or hotel about arriving with a small child — if you let staff know in advance they’ll often prepare the room earlier, bring a cot and help with luggage.
In some museums and larger cultural institutions you can find changing tables and rest areas — not only in big venues but sometimes in smaller branches as well, so it’s worth asking before your visit.
If you plan a longer walk with a stroller, consider packing a lightweight blanket and a portable play mat — parks and the Planty make it easy to spread out a resting spot.
Save on a note or in your phone the nearest public restrooms with changing tables (shopping centers and museums are usually reliable spots).
Is Hipolits' Tenement accessible with a stroller? The ground floor and the museum hall are accessible, but upper floors are reached by steep historic stairs — be prepared to leave a large stroller at the entrance or use a light umbrella stroller.
Where is best to sleep so you don’t punish your stroller on cobbles? The most convenient areas are around the Planty, the Main Railway Station, or a hotel with a lift and ground‑floor rooms; a good base is the area near the Market with easy access to flat pavements and trams.
Are Krakow’s trams suitable for boarding with a stroller? Yes — most modern trams are low‑floor and adapted for strollers, but it’s better to avoid rush hour and to check the stop signage.
Checklist before you travel: check the property lift, confirm a cot for the child, choose easy access to public transport, bring a lightweight stroller and a changing kit.
If this article helped you — share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like to explore Krakow stress‑free with full support from a local guide, consider private tours with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Wishing you a great stay and many pleasant stroller walks around Krakow!
