Yes — most of the main points in the Old Town and the route toward Wawel can be followed with a path that minimises stairs and steep steps. The city has implemented accessibility projects in recent years, and there are city guides and maps for visitors with disabilities. In public space you can also find aids like ramps, tactile models and platforms at entrances to some historic sites. Because of this, visiting the most popular places does not necessarily mean climbing large ceremonial staircases or steep approaches.
This article offers a suggested "step-free" route, practical tips, a list of places that are usually accessible without stairs, recommended types of cafés and hotels, plus a short FAQ with advice on how to avoid common problems while sightseeing in Krakow.
Start: around the Main Railway Station (Kraków Główny) or the Planty park — a convenient starting point with wide, even pavements and no need to climb stairs. Passing through St. Florian's Gate and along Floriańska Street leads without steep steps to the Main Market Square. The Cloth Hall and the square itself are large, flat areas that make manoeuvring a wheelchair or stroller easier.
From the Market Square I suggest continuing along Grodzka Street toward Wawel — a straightforward route that has been adjusted for accessibility in many places. On the Planty and along parts of the Old Town there are stretches with even surfaces. Near Wawel look for marked entrances and available platforms that make reaching the castle possible without using the representative stairs of the main courtyard.
Alternative: if you prefer to avoid the busiest sections, walk along the Vistula Boulevards — a flat, scenic route with nice views of Wawel and the bridges, and often less cobblestone than some Old Town streets.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — wide surfaces and plenty of room to move. Check ticket offices for information about barrier-free entrances to specific exhibitions.
St. Mary’s Basilica — the square and the immediate area around the basilica are often accessible, but some displays and vantage points may require stairs; before your visit ask staff about accessible entrances or the possibility to view the interior from ground level.
Wawel Castle — solutions easing access have been introduced near the castle, including more convenient entrances and platforms. If you plan to enter particular museum rooms, check in advance which exhibitions are fully accessible.
The Archaeological Museum and several city museums — many institutions have prepared barrier-free routes or provide guidance on how to avoid stairs; start planning by checking information at InfoKraków.
InfoKraków centres offer paper guides and tips on architecturally accessible routes. City publications such as the "Guide to Krakow for a tourist with a disability" and related maps help plan routes and indicate facilities with pictograms showing the types of aids available.
Ask at museum ticket desks and reception desks about alternative entrances and the accessibility of specific exhibitions on the day of your visit. Staff will often help find the easiest route or prepare a shorter visiting plan.
Many cafés and restaurants in the centre have thresholds and narrow doors — however, several well-rated places have step-free entrances or offer tables near the entrance. Around the Market Square consider cafés with flat entryways and spacious interiors — convenient for resting after a walk. Choose venues with high ratings and check accessibility before going in.
For accommodation, choose hotels that state they have rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility or hotels with elevators and ground-floor rooms. Before booking, speak with reception to confirm door widths, threshold heights and the availability of accessible bathrooms.
Examples of well-reviewed options in and near the Old Town include centrally located hotels that advertise accessibility features and cafés with step-free access — always confirm accessibility details directly with the venue before booking or visiting.
Check the weather and plan your route to avoid the busiest times — on weekends and in summer the Market Square can be very crowded, which makes manoeuvring a wheelchair more difficult.
Bring a small repair kit or have a service number for scooters/wheelchairs if you travel on equipment that may need servicing. Keep a charged phone and an offline map.
Use InfoKraków for current tips — they can give up-to-date information about renovations, temporary obstacles and alternative step-free entrances.
Assuming that "old town = stairs" and giving up on planning — in practice many sections are accessible; you only need to check the route in advance.
Not asking about accessibility before entering a site — many issues can be solved by asking staff at the ticket desk or reception; ramps or less obvious solutions are often available to visitors who ask.
Ignoring the surface — cobblestones and uneven slabs on some streets can be harder to navigate than stairs; plan routes to minimise travel on the most rutted sections.
Can I get onto Wawel in a wheelchair? Yes — near the castle there are entrances and platforms that help reach parts of the exhibitions; if you plan to visit interiors, contact staff in advance to confirm access to specific rooms.
Is Krakow public transport friendly for wheelchair users? Many tram lines and stops have low-floor trams and aids, but standards vary — before travelling check which stops and lines will be most convenient.
What if I find a closed entrance or renovation works? Contact the site's staff or InfoKraków — they often offer alternative routes or short solutions to bypass the obstacle.
In several places in the Old Town you can find tactile models of monuments — part of city projects that help with orientation and are included in routes designed for people with different needs.
The city publishes special guides and maps for tourists with disabilities — ask for them at tourist information points to plan your visit with your specific needs in mind.
The green Planty belt and the Vistula boulevards often provide flatter, more comfortable surfaces than some historic streets; they are quieter and less crowded — great places for a break.
Visiting Krakow without stairs is largely a matter of planning and using available information. If you would like help designing a route tailored to your needs, feel free to contact me — as a guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz, I can help prepare the route, recommend the best places to rest and suggest trusted venues.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — let more people discover Krakow without barriers. Detailed information about my services and contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com (contact section).
