Two days is enough to feel the atmosphere of Kraków and see the “musts” — provided you plan sensibly and take the children’s pace into account. The Main Market Square and Wawel are classic first-contact sights; Kazimierz brings flavor, music and stories worth knowing — even if you only have half a day for each area.
The key: short walking legs, one main attraction per time block (for example the Rynek Underground, Wawel, the Old Synagogue), regular breaks for food and play, and a plan B for rain. This keeps children from getting overloaded and gives adults time for real moments — a view from a terrace, tasty local food, klezmer music or the evening trumpet call.
Practical note: for easier getting around choose a route that links sights logically — e.g. Planty → Main Square → Wawel on one day; second day: Kazimierz (Szeroka, Plac Nowy, synagogues) and a gentle walk by the Vistula or across the Bernatka Footbridge.
Below you’ll find a detailed family plan for two days and practical tips: what to bring, how to organize breaks and what to do if it rains.
08:30–09:30 - Start at the Planty. This is a comfortable place to get the legs moving: benches, shade and soft paths. A walk along the Planty leads straight to the Market Square without having to push through narrow crowded streets.
09:30–11:00 - Main Market Square: short, focused highlights. See the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) from the outside, consider the Town Hall tower terrace (if you plan to go up), and above all sit for a moment under the arcades — children enjoy watching pigeons and street musicians. If you have tickets for the Rynek Underground, reserve a specific time — this reduces waiting and gives parents peace of mind.
11:15–12:30 - Cathedral and Wawel from outside. Visiting the royal chambers and a long hill walk can tire kids — instead I suggest a short stroll around Wawel, photos and time for a snack in the shade of the trees.
12:30–14:00 - Lunch: choose places with child-friendly menus (soups, simple pastas, desserts). If you want to sit calmly, look for small restaurants on side streets near the Square — they’re usually quieter than the heart of the Old Town.
14:00–16:00 - Afternoon by mood: a park, a short boat ride on the Vistula (if the children are keen) or a museum with an interactive exhibition. In the late afternoon the city is often less crowded than at midday, so it’s a good time for photos and an easy walk along the Vistula boulevards.
09:00–09:30 - Start in Kazimierz on Szeroka Street. A short walk Szeroka → Miodowa is the most “essential” stretch and doesn’t take long. It’s a handy spot for early photos and morning coffee (for adults) and juice or a small snack for children.
09:30–10:15 - The Old Synagogue and surroundings. This is a short, concentrated visit that gives historical and visual context. Children often remember the shapes of candlesticks and buildings — tell brief, vivid stories.
10:20–11:00 - Remuh Synagogue and the old cemetery — if you want to add an element of remembrance and a short lesson in respect. The route is calm and intimate; keep the visit short (15–25 minutes) so the little ones don’t get tired.
11:00–12:30 - Plac Nowy and its surroundings. Here you can give children space to run: the square, fountains and lots of street-food windows and stalls that kids usually love. It’s an ideal place for lunch and a short break.
12:30–13:30 - A short finish: if you have the energy, explore the side streets (Józefa, Meiselsa) — they’re full of gateways and courtyards kids enjoy discovering. If not, end at the footbridge over the Vistula with a view to the river and Podgórze.
Focus on 2–3 “rich” experiences: one short museum-like stop (max 45–60 minutes), one square to run around and one place for a long meal. For most families this is the optimal balance: lots of sights, little lecturing and space to burn off energy.
Set up small “missions” for kids: find a sculpture, count the steps under a particular gate, look for letters in old signs. This engages them and makes exploring playful.
Plan a dessert break — on Kazimierz it’s easy to find a sweet treat or something to share. This ritual often saves the rest of the day.
Accessibility tip: the Szeroka–Miodowa–Plac Nowy line is the most stroller-friendly, but remember uneven cobblestones — allow an extra 10–15 minutes for each stretch.
On the Square: look for cafés with indoor seating or arcades at the Cloth Hall. These are convenient if you need a restroom and a changing table.
Around Wawel: prefer small restaurants on side streets — they’re quieter and often have children’s options on the menu.
In Kazimierz: Plac Nowy is a family classic — street food, small bars and cafés; Szeroka and Miodowa have atmospheric places where you can sit longer and children will find easy-to-share dishes.
Pro tip - choose places with space where children can have a small “corner” to play (e.g. a table with crayons or small games). It’s rare but worth asking — many places happily adapt for families.
If you want something quick and local, Plac Nowy offers many street-food windows — a convenient solution for families on the move.
Tickets and reservations: where possible, buy tickets in advance (Rynek Underground, some museums, special exhibitions). This helps avoid queues with children.
Stroller and accessibility: bring a light off-road stroller or a carrier for shorter legs. Cobblestones and some paved fragments can slow the walk — plan extra time.
Toilets and changing facilities: plan breaks at museums and larger cafés — they’re the easiest places to find comfortable restrooms and changing tables.
Safety: in central parts of the city always keep children close, especially on busy stretches near the Market and squares. Agree on a simple rule: if you lose sight of each other, meet at the nearest bench/fire hydrant/recognizable landmark.
Weather: have a plan B for rain — small museums, cafés with play corners or an exhibition hall will help you ride out bad weather.
- Small supply of snacks and water (a bottle with a filter is handy).
- First-aid kit: plasters, basic fever/pain medicine and any prescribed medications your child takes, sunscreen and a small insect repellent in season.
- A small blanket or lightweight seat cover for unexpected rests.
- Two spare outfits for little ones — quick accidents happen.
- Powerbank and charger — the parent phone is navigation, camera and “plan B” in one.
- If you use a stroller: rain cover and a small seat mat.
If it rains, have 2–3 indoor options ready: interactive exhibitions, short museums with child-friendly displays or cafés with play corners. With a few choices you don’t have to cancel the plan and can adapt the pace to the weather.
Important - stay flexible. Shorten outdoor walks, extend a long lunch and choose one exhibition instead of several short stops.
If you plan to enter places of worship (for example synagogues open to visitors), check opening hours — it’s often best to visit them in the morning when it’s quieter.
Is a stroller a good idea? Yes, but prepare for uneven cobbles and a few steps. Having a carrier as a backup is useful.
How many kilometers will we walk? Depending on the route: 6–10 km per day, broken into short legs. With children aim for the lower end and plan more breaks.
Will children be interested in synagogues and cemeteries? Children remember images and short stories best; prepare a brief, simple explanation and leave room for questions.
When is the best time to come to the Main Square and Kazimierz to avoid crowds? Early mornings (around 8:00–10:00) or late afternoons after 17:00 are best. If you like golden-hour photos, plan river photos in the evening.
Don’t try to fit “everything” into two days. It’s better to remember a few moments: a morning walk along the Planty, coffee with a view of the Cloth Hall, a slow lunch in Kazimierz and an evening with music. Those are memories that stay with a family for years.
Give yourselves time buffers. An extra 15 minutes entering each interior and 10 minutes for walks reduces stress and lets you react to surprises — from tiredness to weather.
Play the role of explorers: children like being “guides” on small tasks (find a sculpture, count balconies). It engages them and creates fun memories.
When you plan your next visit — keep a list of places you didn’t have time for. Kraków rewards those who come back to discover it slowly.
