Is it possible to sensibly visit Kraków in three days, see the most important museums and still keep things comfortable for wheelchair users? Yes — with a good plan and a few simple reservations you can see a lot without unnecessary rushing.
Below you’ll find a practical three-day plan focusing on branches of the National Museum in Kraków, notes about the Villa "Atma" (a branch located outside Kraków) and concrete tips about tickets and accessibility.
The National Museum in Kraków (MNK) is a network of branches: the Main Building, the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) and numerous thematic branches. It’s worth checking in advance which exhibitions are open on the day you plan to visit and whether a reservation is required.
The Main Building is usually open Tuesday to Sunday (morning/afternoon hours, last entry about 20 minutes before closing). Ticket prices for permanent exhibitions vary by branch; at the Main Building typical fares include full and reduced tickets — buy online where possible or confirm the current price list before your visit.
MNK offers facilities: parking spaces for people with disabilities near the Main Building, audio guide rentals (for visitors with disabilities audio guides may be available free of charge) and the possibility to arrange an individual visit by writing to rezerwacja@mnk.pl or contacting the Reservation Centre.
Villa "Atma", dedicated to Karol Szymanowski, is a branch of the National Museum but it is located in Zakopane (ul. Kasprusie 19) — not in Kraków itself. If you plan to include Atma in a three-day Kraków stay, add travel time and transport to Zakopane or treat it as a day trip outside the city.
Atma is a small museum with a biographical exhibition, often accompanied by musical background and chamber concerts. Visiting hours are seasonal (usually open Tuesday to Sunday, with last entry 20–30 minutes before closing). Ticket prices for small branches are often symbolic (around a few dozen PLN) — check the current price list before you go.
Day 1 - Old Town and MNK Sukiennice: start with a short, flat walk around the Main Market Square, then visit the MNK branch in the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall). Sukiennice offers facilities and access to the viewing terrace as part of the ticket; before your visit check elevator access and the availability of accessible cloakrooms/toilets.
Day 2 - MNK Main Building and nearby museums: spend the morning at the Main Building (permanent collections and temporary exhibitions). The Main Building has designated parking for people with disabilities and internal accessibility features; remember to reserve entry or an audio guide if you will need one.
Day 3 - Kazimierz or themed museums: choose venues with good architectural accessibility, for example museums and galleries that declare facilities (induction loops, wheelchair-accessible toilets, ramps). If you plan a trip to Villa Atma in Zakopane, set aside a full day for travel and visiting.
Buy tickets online where possible — this saves time and avoids queuing. Many MNK branches offer online ticket sales through the branch page.
If you need special arrangements (entry outside opening hours, bringing a wheelchair for a group, extra time for visiting), write in advance to dostepnosc@mnk.pl or rezerwacja@mnk.pl — museums are usually willing to arrange individual times and inform you about available facilities.
Check free-admission days — some branches have free days (for example Tuesdays for selected exhibitions), but those days can be busier, so for comfort it may be better to choose another date or reserve a specific time slot.
Museums in Kraków increasingly publish accessibility statements: you can find information about step-free entrances, ramps, lifts, wheelchair-accessible toilets, induction loops and permission to enter with a guide dog.
For example, MNK mentions parking spaces for people with disabilities, the option to reserve a time for visitors with special needs and free audio-guide loans for visitors with disabilities. Some museums also offer sensory baskets and other supportive materials.
If you need full details about a particular branch’s accessibility — call the museum’s central office or send an email describing your exact needs (wheelchair dimensions, need for assistance, guide dog, etc.).
Cafés and restaurants in the Old Town and Kazimierz generally receive good reviews — look for places that list accessibility features (step-free entrance, accessible toilet). Cozy cafés on the Old Town and reputable restaurants in Kazimierz are good options — contact the venue beforehand to confirm wheelchair access.
If you appreciate good coffee and atmospheric interiors, choose spots with street-level access and seating with more space between tables so moving a wheelchair is easier.
Mistake 1: assuming “everything in the centre is accessible” — sadly not true. Old tenement houses, narrow streets and cobblestones can make movement difficult. Check specific information about entrances and internal routes before visiting.
Mistake 2: not booking in advance — in high season and on free-admission days museums can be crowded. Reserving a time helps avoid stress and ensures staff can prepare for your needs.
Mistake 3: underestimating distances between attractions — when planning three days, spread activities so each day has at most one or two major items and the rest are shorter stops and breaks.
Some museum branches offer sensory baskets — sets of objects that help visitors with sensory overload focus better during a visit.
Many museums allow entry with a guide dog and offer free loan of audiovisual aids for visitors with disabilities — ask about these when you make a reservation.
Some MNK branches offer guided tours in foreign languages by prior arrangement — if you plan a tour in English or Ukrainian, book in advance.
Can tickets be bought online? Yes — many MNK branches sell tickets online; it’s the quickest way to skip queues.
Do museums honor discounts for people with disabilities? Yes — most museums give reduced admission to visitors with documentation confirming disability; a carer often has the right to enter free of charge. Carry the necessary documents with you.
How to contact MNK about reservations and accessibility? The MNK Reservation Centre and email addresses for bookings are available on the museum’s website — it’s worth emailing rezerwacja@mnk.pl or dostepnosc@mnk.pl, and calling the central office if needed.
When planning a three-day stay, leave extra time and coffee breaks — it’s a trip, not a race. Book tickets and contact museums in advance if you need additional facilities.
If you’d like help personalizing your route to your needs (pace, accessibility, cultural preferences), feel free to contact the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz through her page — she can prepare a tailored itinerary.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can get practical tips before visiting Kraków.
