Krakow attracts visitors with its monuments and atmosphere, but its historic areas can be challenging for families with strollers or people with limited mobility. With good planning you can still see the essence of the city without steep climbs or many stairs - enjoy walks along the Planty, the Main Market Square, the river boulevards and the step-free parts of museums.
A 4-day plan lets you set a relaxed pace, take regular breaks and choose attractions with accessibility features - many municipal institutions and public transport options in Krakow are adapted to the needs of families and people using wheelchairs.
This article is a practical guide: a day-by-day route, alternatives, where to eat, where to stay and how to avoid the most common mistakes during a family visit.
Start with the Planty - the green ring that surrounds the Old Town. The paths are even and ideal for a warm-up walk with a stroller, and most hotels are a short distance away.
Then head to the Main Market Square: move along the edge of the square closer to the buildings to avoid the most uneven sections of the cobbles and the busiest crowds at peak times. Around the square you’ll find cafés with space for children and baby-changing facilities.
Grodzka Street is a convenient route toward Wawel - it is flat and easier for families than some side streets. In the evening choose a restaurant well-rated and close to the Market (look for places with step-free entrances).
Wawel is a must-see, but plan it carefully: there are several approaches to the hill - the best route for families with strollers is from Bernardyńska/Grodzka Street and the official step-free entrance routes. Not all routes inside the castle are accessible - some exhibitions have stairs while others are adapted and use lifts or platforms. It’s worth notifying staff about accessibility needs in advance to use lifts and platforms provided by the museum.
After Wawel, go down to the Vistula and walk the boulevards - the riverbank offers flat, comfortable paths and benches, perfect for resting and enjoying the view. Recent revitalisation works have included accessibility improvements, and some sections now have easy approaches for families.
An alternative for a southern afternoon: relax near the Botanical Garden or take a short ride on a low-floor tram to a playground for children.
Kazimierz offers a flat, atmospheric walk through a district full of cafés and places with step-free entrances. Plac Nowy and the area around Jozefa Street are good spots for a break and a snack. Note that not every bar has a very wide entrance, but many places have improved accessibility in recent years.
Schindler’s Factory (the Museum) is an excellent choice for an afternoon - the building has lifts and exhibitions prepared with viewers with mobility, visual and hearing impairments in mind, so accessibility is generally high. Book tickets in advance because interest can be strong; on weekdays the early hours usually have shorter lines.
If the weather is good, an evening walk around Zabłocie and the footbridge over the Vistula is a quieter alternative with nice views and family-friendly spots.
You have two good options: a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine (accessibility of parts of the route depends on the tour chosen - check in advance whether a chosen route is step-free), or a relaxed day in Krakow: the Stary Kleparz market, the Museum of Krakow (Krzysztofory Palace) with lifts and family facilities, or the Garden of Experiences for younger children.
If you choose Wieliczka, verify accessibility for the specific tour route and transport options. If you stay in the city, plan longer breaks and age-appropriate activities - interactive museums or playgrounds.
Krakow’s MPK operator is steadily replacing vehicles with low-floor models - most buses and over 90% of trams are low-floor, which makes using public transport with a stroller much easier. Vehicles often have designated spaces for wheelchairs and stop-request buttons for driver assistance when exiting.
When planning journeys, check specific stops: not every stop has an easy ramp to the platform. Vehicle accessibility is one thing - getting to the stop may require extra attention (curbs, temporary steps).
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative, especially to avoid cobbled sections or to get back to a hotel quickly with a stroller. Check for cars that can accommodate child seats if needed.
When choosing restaurants look for top-rated places that mention step-free entrances. Positive guest reviews often indicate family-friendliness. Recommended family-friendly and well-reviewed examples: Forum Przestrzenie (riverbank, open space), several cafés in Kazimierz with easy access, and restaurants near the Market offering family seating.
For accommodation choose modern hotels with lifts and family rooms. Examples of highly rated options: Sheraton Grand Krakow (central, accessibility features), the PURO hotel chain (modern, accessible rooms and lifts), and several hotels listed on the city’s official portal as friendly to guests with limited mobility. Always confirm the availability of an adapted room when booking.
If you want strictly family-focused facilities - pick places that offer baby cots, family rooms and on-site restaurants with children’s menus.
Check amenities before you leave: many museums and institutions publish accessibility information on their websites - who has lifts, where accessible toilets are located, and where equipment can be rented.
Bring essentials: a lightweight stroller or buggy, portable changing mat, basic first-aid kit, water, snacks and a power bank. Plan breaks every 60-90 minutes - children and caregivers need rest.
Book tickets for popular attractions in advance, especially in high season. In some places staff can help with lifts or platforms - it’s worth calling before arrival and notifying your needs.
Assuming 'the centre is flat everywhere' - not true: cobbled streets and setts are common. Plan routes along main thoroughfares (Planty, Grodzka) and keep tram alternatives at hand.
Not booking tickets in advance for museums - this leads to long queues. This applies especially to Schindler’s Factory and other popular exhibitions.
Not confirming an accessible room - before booking call or email the hotel to ensure you will receive a room with appropriate facilities.
Wawel is developing accessibility programs, including materials for blind visitors and audio descriptions for children - a sensory way to learn the legends.
Krakow has many low-floor trams - if you get a low-floor vehicle the entrance is almost step-free, which greatly helps transporting strollers.
Many municipal museums now offer audio descriptions and family materials - check exhibition catalogues because interactive displays can be adapted to young visitors.
Is it realistic to see everything in 4 days with a small child? Yes - but spread the pace: choose fewer attractions per day, plan long breaks and avoid too many long walks with a stroller.
Is Wawel accessible for strollers? Yes, many routes and selected exhibitions are accessible; some rooms still have limitations - notify needs at the ticket office or reservation desk to use lifts and platforms.
How to get around the city with a stroller? The most comfortable approach is a mix of walks along the Planty and the Market with rides on low-floor trams for longer distances; taxis are a convenient alternative when connecting points of the itinerary.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends - a family trip to Krakow can be much more enjoyable when you plan routes and rest stops well.
If you’d like to personalise the route to your pace, your child’s age or a specific starting point (hotel, station), you can use the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Let someone with experience help you plan the ideal 4 days in Krakow.
