Do you have a valid disabled parking card and do you know where to place it in the car? - This makes using designated disabled bays much easier.
Does the parking you chose have spaces reserved for people with disabilities and is it close to the place you want to visit? - The city publishes an up-to-date list and a map of reserved spots, so check before you leave.
Does the walking route from the parking to the attraction have a wheelchair-friendly surface (not too many cobblestones, thresholds, or steps)? - In historic parts of Krakow it’s worth planning your route with surface and thresholds in mind.
Do you have contact details for the place you want to visit (museum, synagogue, restaurant)? - It’s a good idea to call ahead and confirm that the entrance and toilet are wheelchair accessible.
Are you considering leaving the car in a multi-storey car park (for example Stare Podgórze) instead of trying to drive into dense city-center traffic? - Multi-storey car parks often have lifts and reserved accessible bays.
The official list of parking spaces reserved for vehicles of people with disabilities also covers the Kazimierz and city center area — it includes specific streets and locations to check before arrival.
Paid parking zones operate in the center — pay attention to hours and payment rules. - People entitled to use a disabled parking card have specific rules for using reserved bays, but the card must be visible.
The multi-storey Stare Podgórze car park is a good alternative: covered spaces, marked bays for people with disabilities, lifts and easy access. - If you plan to visit Podgórze/bridges or want to avoid narrow Kazimierz streets, consider this option.
Private parking lots in Kazimierz operate 24/7, but check the bay width and the amount of space for convenient boarding and disembarking. - Not all private lots offer full accessibility features.
Watch out for reserved bays marked on the street: while many blue bays have been repainted in recent years, some older markings may not meet full width requirements — always check you have enough room to get out of the side of the vehicle comfortably.
A disabled parking card is issued by the competent disability certification team and entitles you to use reserved bays. - The card must be displayed in a visible place so its number and validity are readable for controls.
The parking card does not give unlimited rights — it allows parking only in designated disabled bays and, in specific situations described in local rules, may exempt from some signs. - Familiarize yourself with local regulations and possible subscription requirements.
If you plan a longer stay in a paid parking zone, check the rules for the type N subscription and current information on the city office website — this helps avoid fines and misunderstandings.
Remember: the disabled parking card is personal — unauthorized use by another person may result in penalties. - Keep the documents with you or displayed in the vehicle where visible.
If the vehicle has no front windshield or an unusual dashboard layout, place the card in another visible spot in the front of the car so its number and date are legible.
Kazimierz has charming but historic architecture: narrow streets, patches of cobblestone and thresholds before some tenement houses. - Plan shorter routes and choose streets with more even surfaces when possible.
Some main thoroughfares and squares (for example parts of ul. Józefa, ul. Miodowa, and Wolnica Square) have marked disabled bays and better approaches — check the parking map and pick a convenient starting point.
Entrances to some places of worship, institutions and museums vary in accessibility — some sites have ramps or level entrances, others may require staff assistance. - Call ahead if accessibility at a specific site matters to you.
Plac Nowy and the junction near ul. Szeroka can be crowded, especially at weekends and evenings — if you want an easy exit and quick departure, choose a car park with more disabled bays or a slightly more distant spot with better infrastructure.
If you might need help getting from the parking to your destination — bring a short list of contacts (phone for your accommodation, caregiver, and the local road management office) — this helps in unexpected situations.
- Check the list of disabled parking spaces on the city website and download the map/PDF before you set off.
- Keep your disabled parking card at hand and displayed visibly behind the windscreen.
- Choose bays with a wide space (3.6 m or more) so you can comfortably exit from the side and set up a ramp.
- Avoid narrow, cobbled sections if your wheelchair struggles with stone paving — plan your route with a map and look for accessible entrances.
- If a reserved bay is occupied by an unauthorized driver, call municipal intervention numbers or try to find an alternative from the official list of disabled parking spots.
- Consider using a multi-storey car park (for example Stare Podgórze) when you want to avoid narrow streets and be sure of a lift and safe access.
A walk from the parking near All Saints' Square or in the Grodzka Street area offers relatively flat and easy access to parts of the Old Town and a short connection to some points in Kazimierz. - Check the parking location and possible entrance thresholds to venues.
Plac Nowy is the central point of Kazimierz — for short stops (for example picking up food or a quick café visit), choose a reserved bay near the square or park slightly further where exit is easier.
Routes along ul. Miodowa and ul. Józefa often have more parking spaces and more comfortable approaches to attractions than very narrow side streets. - Remember to consider surface and thresholds.
If you plan to visit specific cultural institutions, ask them about entrance and toilet accessibility — many venues describe accessibility on their websites or will give information by phone.
If in doubt, contact municipal 'Barrier-free' pages and the city's road management office — there you can find official information about parking spots, rules and contact numbers.
Kazimierz is full of atmosphere but also historic limitations — a little planning is enough to make your walk enjoyable and safe.
If something doesn’t look accessible — calling the destination often solves the problem (staff may open a side entrance, prepare a ramp, or point out the easiest access route).
The city regularly updates its lists of disabled parking spots, so check official sources shortly before your trip.
If you’d like, I can help: check specific addresses and entrance accessibility, suggest a route from a chosen parking spot or prepare a short list of wheelchair-friendly places in Kazimierz (cafés, museums, accessible toilets). - Tell me where you plan to start and what your needs are, and I’ll prepare a personalized route.
Wishing you a smooth journey and pleasant sightseeing — Małgorzata Kasprowicz
Are public toilets accessible? - Accessibility varies. Many venues and larger institutions provide accessible toilets, but public street toilets or very small cafés may not. Always ask ahead or look for accessibility information on the venue's page.
What number to call in an emergency? - In Poland and across the EU call 112 for emergency services.
How to check a venue before visiting? - Call the venue, ask about level entrances, ramps, door widths and toilet access. If you wish, I can check specific addresses for you.
Mobility rentals and repairs — if you need spare batteries or quick repairs, larger pharmacies and some medical supply shops in Krakow can help, and there are specialised mobility stores in the city. - It’s useful to have a contact for such services when planning longer trips.
