Welcome to a guide created especially for wheelchair users — this text is for those who want to discover Kraków without unnecessary stress. Author: Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com). We gathered reliable tips, accessible routes, practical advice and answers to frequently asked questions — all to make your stay in the city pleasant and safe.
Important note: Kraków publishes an official “Guide to Kraków for the Tourist with a Disability” (available in PDF and print), which includes descriptions of venue accessibility and maps. The guide has been updated in recent years and can be obtained at municipal tourist information points and at the City Office Department for Disability Affairs. Using that material makes planning visits easier and reduces uncertainty before leaving your hotel.
This article complements the municipal publications with on-the-ground tips, route ideas and ways to make the most of your time in Kraków — so your visit is comfortable and interesting.
Book accommodation that is truly accessible — don’t rely only on the word “accessible” in a booking service: call or email the hotel to confirm door widths, threshold heights, elevator access, bathroom type and parking. Ask for photos of the room or a floor plan with measurements if possible.
Download or order a printed copy of the municipal guide “Kraków for the Tourist with a Disability” — it’s a compendium with information about accessibility at museums, theatres, parks, hotels and restaurants. The guide uses pictograms to describe available facilities, which makes it easy to choose suitable places quickly.
Pack essential accessories: a spare charger for an electric wheelchair, an extension cord, a small portable ramp, a basic quick-repair toolkit and any medical documents you may need. If you use an electric wheelchair — plan charging/service points and consider renting backup equipment in Kraków (medical equipment rental services operate in the city).
Plan your route by hour: outside the high season and off-peak hours the Old Town and Kazimierz are much less crowded — it’s then easier to reach folding ramps, lifts or side entrances. Weekends in the centre can be busy, which makes moving along narrow sections and cobbles less comfortable.
Kraków’s public transport is being modernized — many trams and buses have low floors and ramps to facilitate wheelchair boarding. Not all vehicles and stops are fully accessible, so check in advance whether a particular line and trip uses low-floor vehicles.
Stops: some central stops have kerbs that ease boarding, others require a ramp operated by the driver. Position yourself in a visible spot at the stop and ask the driver for brief help with the ramp — most drivers are ready to assist.
Taxis: companies operating in Kraków offer vehicles adapted for wheelchair users — if you need a transfer from the station or the airport, order a taxi in advance and confirm it has the necessary equipment.
Walking sections: the Vistula boulevards, Nowa Huta and parts of the Planty Park are wide, even pedestrian routes ideal for relaxed sightseeing. The Main Market Square and some streets in Kazimierz have cobbles and uneven surfaces — a good practice is to travel along the square’s edges or choose less cobbled approaches.
Kraków has a rich offer of museums, galleries and cultural institutions; many have introduced facilities such as lifts, ramps, audio description and tactile maps. At the same time, some historic interiors, towers and parts of castles are difficult to access because of narrow stairs and historic layouts. Always check which parts of a venue are accessible.
Outdoor routes: the Planty, the Vistula boulevards and Nowa Huta offer the most wheelchair-friendly experiences — wide sidewalks, few stairs and many resting places. These are great alternatives if interiors of some monuments turn out to be inaccessible.
Cultural institutions: many museums publish accessibility information on their websites and offer shortened or alternative routes for visitors with limited mobility — call in advance and reserve admission if possible.
One-day route (leisurely/without rushing): the Planty (a short circuit around the Old Town) — Main Market Square (stick to the square’s edges for photos) — selected, less-cobbled sections of Kazimierz’s narrow streets — Vistula boulevards for an afternoon rest.
Two-day route: Day 1: Planty — Main Market Square — a museum with accessibility features (choose from the municipal guide) — Kazimierz (dinner). Day 2: Nowa Huta — broad avenues and socialist-realist squares, halls and open urban spaces — Vistula boulevards — afternoon relaxation in a park. Nowa Huta is often a great option because of its wide sidewalks and fewer steep steps.
In every route schedule breaks into the plan: 20–30 minutes of rest every few hours is a good rule, especially on a busy sightseeing day.
The Old Town and Kazimierz offer a wide range of venues — from cafés to restaurants. Unfortunately, many tenement buildings have stepped entrances; before visiting a bar or restaurant, call and ask about a step-free entrance, door width and an accessible restroom.
Alternative: choose venues located in modern buildings, shopping centers or along main avenues — these often have step-free entries, lifts and accessible toilets. Kazimierz is very diverse — it’s usually easy to find a quiet café with a low threshold or an entrance from a courtyard.
Practical notes: ask staff for a table with comfortable access, pay attention to the width of aisles between tables, and if you plan dinner at a popular place — reserve a table and mention you need wheelchair access. Examples of widely known places you may check for accessibility include cafés and restaurants near the Main Market Square, the Kazimierz neighbourhood and modern venues in shopping centres; consult the municipal guide or call venues directly to confirm details in advance.
The city has designated parking spaces for people with a disability certificate (“disabled bays”) — pay attention to paid parking zones and the rules for using these spaces. Information about locations and rules is available in municipal materials.
Accessible toilets: near main attractions you will find public toilets and facilities in shopping centres and larger restaurants; not all of them are equipped with grab rails or enough maneuvering space — it’s good to have a plan B and know the nearest larger centre with full sanitary facilities.
Tourist information points: municipal information points and the Department for Disability Affairs can provide up-to-date data and free maps/guides. It’s worth visiting an information point after arrival and asking for printed materials.
Break your plan into shorter segments — instead of one long route with many steps, choose several shorter attractions with breaks. It’s easier to respond to unexpected obstacles this way.
Keep phone numbers for your accommodation and equipment rental handy if you use electric devices. If possible — carry a small repair kit for quick wheelchair fixes: a multi-tool, duct tape and spare screws.
Ask for side entrances — many museums and cafés have side doors or ramps not obvious from the main entrance. A polite request to staff often solves the problem in minutes.
Take care of thermal comfort and hydration — in summer long exposure to the sun can be tiring, and in winter sidewalks can be slippery. Check the forecast and plan appropriate clothing.
Does the cobblestone in the Market Square completely prevent wheelchair movement? - The cobbles in the central part of the Square can be uneven, but most wheelchair users move around choosing the square’s edges or wider side sections. Plan short stops and choose less crowded hours.
Do I need to book museum visits in advance? - If you plan to visit a popular museum, it’s better to book a ticket or contact the institution ahead of time — many offer special hours or assistance for visitors with limited mobility.
Can I rent an electric wheelchair or other equipment in Kraków? - Yes. Medical and rehabilitation equipment rental services operate in the city. If you rely on electric equipment, reserve rentals in advance and confirm charging conditions.
What if my wheelchair breaks down? - Keep the phone number of a local service or rental company with you. If immediate medical help is needed, call the emergency number 112.
City organisations and the “Kraków without barriers” initiatives collect information about accessibility improvements and projects: tactile models, routes with descriptions for people with visual impairments, as well as educational programmes and adapted tours. Check current activities at tourist information points.
It’s worth using the municipal guide for tourists with disabilities — it contains route descriptions, a legend of facilities and practical information, and is often available in several languages. You can get it free at selected city points.
If you need a personalised route or would like a local guide to prepare a route tailored to your needs — ask at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com about options adapted to your wheelchair and preferred pace of sightseeing.
Kraków can be beautifully accessible — with proper planning, support from local publications and a few preparations you can make your trip a pleasant experience. Remember: accessibility information changes and is updated — before you go out it’s worth confirming specific details at the place you want to visit.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a personalized route in Kraków adapted to your wheelchair, pace and interests — tell me how long you’re staying, your starting point and what you most want to see. Enjoy your sightseeing — Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com).
Remember: for immediate help during your stay call the emergency number 112.
