Yes — it’s doable, but it requires some planning and sensitivity to your child’s rhythm. Three days allow you to see Kraków’s main sights, walk part of the Film Trail and visit the Auschwitz Memorial, provided you match the pace to the child and schedule breaks.
Keep in mind that a visit to Auschwitz is a serious and emotional experience. The Museum officially discourages visits for children under 14, so the decision to bring a small child should be made consciously and alternatives should be considered (shorter route, one guardian staying outside, etc.).
In practice: if you travel with a stroller, plan your route so that days with long walks are not back-to-back; this will save the little one (and you) unnecessary stress.
Also remember that booking a personalized entry card for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is required. Reserving in advance gives peace of mind and ensures your visit goes according to plan.
Below you’ll find a practical, family-friendly three-day plan, concrete transport tips, advice on managing a stroller on Kraków’s streets and a checklist of things to pack.
Morning: start slowly in the heart of the city. The Main Market Square is a must — settle the child in the stroller and stroll along the Planty to avoid the busiest cobbled streets. Short stops on benches, coffee for parents and a snack for the child will help after travel.
Wawel: a visit to the castle courtyard and a quick look inside the Cathedral are great for day one. If you plan to go into interior spaces (chambers, cathedral), check ticket availability and remember that some areas have stairs or narrow passages — sometimes you’ll need to fold the stroller and carry the child.
Afternoon: the Film Trail — choose the ‘film’ route that takes you through locations known from Polish cinema. It’s a pleasant walking route full of stories and anecdotes; perfect if you want to see another side of the city without visiting museums. The route may run along sidewalks and squares, but watch out for cobblestones — a stroller with softer wheels and a relaxed pace will help.
Evening: a light meal at a family-friendly restaurant and an early rest. Keep day one light — a stroller helps, but you can’t truly speed up a city visit with a little one.
Practical tip: when touring the Old Town, favor routes along the Planty or wider sidewalks rather than narrow cobbled streets, because a smooth surface makes stroller travel much easier.
Early departure: driving from Kraków to Oświęcim usually takes about 1–1.5 hours by car. If you don’t have a car, there are train and bus connections; when traveling with a stroller check transport conditions and any transfers.
Reservations and entry cards: admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free, but a personalized entry card is required — reserve it in advance through the official booking system. This guarantees entry at your chosen time and helps you plan the day calmly.
Visiting time: allow at least 3–3.5 hours to see both parts (Auschwitz I and Birkenau) — this lets you view the grounds and exhibitions without rushing. Remember that the museum grounds demand solemnity and respect.
Children and strollers: the museum advises against visits for children under 14. If you decide to bring a younger child, consider options such as a shorter route with one guardian accompanying the child outside, arranging for someone to stay with the stroller, or scheduling the trip for a day when another adult can look after the child off-site.
Facilities and luggage: large bags are not allowed on the grounds (recommended size limits apply), so leave larger bags in the car or at your accommodation. Check opening hours and any restrictions ahead of time.
After returning to Kraków: choose a quiet evening — a light dinner and earlier rest will help recover from an emotional day.
Morning in Kazimierz: this district is ideal for relaxed wandering, with many cafés and places to sit. Plac Nowy is a great spot for a snack, and nearby you’ll find family-friendly venues and facilities with changing tables.
Family-friendly museums and attractions: if you want a gentle end to your trip, pick a museum adapted for families — places with interactive exhibits or short routes are better than long permanent exhibitions. Consider a short stay in a park, a walk along the Vistula boulevards or a short river cruise in warmer months.
Alternative to Auschwitz: if a visit to the Memorial isn’t right for your family, a sensible option is to spend a day at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which offers unique experiences and is often more accessible for families with strollers (check route accessibility and elevator availability).
Final moments: before leaving, let your child run and play in a park or a safe outdoor space — a short reset before the journey home works wonders.
Practical tip: plan short activity blocks (45–90 minutes) interspersed with rest and meals. That’s key to a successful trip with a little one.
Car: the most flexible option, especially when traveling with a stroller and luggage. There is a main car park at the Museum in Oświęcim; leaving larger items in the vehicle makes moving around the exhibition easier.
Public transport: trains or buses are possible, but check timetables and transfers — some stations have ramps and lifts, while others may require you to carry the stroller. If traveling by train with a stroller, try to pick a direct connection or a station with elevators.
Around Kraków: the city center has many cobbled sections — strollers with larger, suspension-equipped wheels are more comfortable. Where stone pavement is unavoidable, it’s often faster to fold a light stroller and carry your child for short stretches.
Parking downtown: if you have a car, reserve or locate parking in advance — this saves stress on arrival and departure.
Note: city lifts and ramps are not always in perfect condition, so be prepared to carry the stroller short distances at selected points (for example, when entering some historic interiors).
Cobbles and stairs: many Old Town streets have stone cobbles and low steps. Plan routes along the Planty or wider sidewalks, and for very difficult sections consider using a sling or carrier.
Type of stroller: a medium-sized stroller with larger wheels or suspension handles uneven surfaces better. A lightweight folding stroller makes entering interiors and using public transport easier.
Changing and feeding: look for cafés with changing tables or shopping centres if you need to change the child. Many places offer parent rooms, but not everywhere — carry a compact changing mat and wet wipes.
Rest points: choose museums and attractions with natural pauses (cafés, educational corners) — they give time for feeding and regrouping.
Minimal luggage: keep nappies, a spare outfit, snacks, water and a small blanket at hand. A small backpack on the front and a bag hanging from the stroller are practical solutions.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is a place of remembrance and education — a solemn attitude, appropriate dress and respectful behavior are required. Photography may be prohibited or limited in certain areas; respect signage and rules.
Children and sensitive content: the exhibitions include difficult and moving material. If you have younger children, consider whether a given part of the exhibition is appropriate. One guardian can visit parts of the display while the other stays outside with the child.
Silence and respect: avoid loud comments and behaviors that could disturb other visitors during the visit.
Important: when adding Auschwitz to your plan, allow extra time for travel, rest and unexpected circumstances.
Reminder: entry cards are personalized — don’t risk arriving without a reservation, as space is often limited.
Documents and reservations: entry cards for the Memorial (printed or saved on your phone), IDs, transport tickets or reservation confirmations for car/train.
For the child: nappies, spare clothes, a favourite snack, bottle/water, a small blanket, portable changing mat, nappy cream, wet wipes.
For parents: comfortable shoes, a small backpack, powerbank, first-aid kit, umbrella or rain poncho (weather in Lesser Poland can be changeable).
Equipment: a stroller with good wheels, optionally a sling/carrier (for sections that require carrying), a shopping bag or an extra basket under the stroller.
Other: a simple map, phone for photos and notes, spare battery for an electric stroller (if you have one).
Be flexible: the plan is only a framework — children set the pace. Always have a Plan B: shorter attractions, nearby playgrounds or parks instead of long museums.
If a visit to Auschwitz seems too heavy for your family, consider postponing it and spending the day at Wieliczka Salt Mine or enjoying more family attractions in Kraków.
Remember breaks and rest: they let you enjoy the trip rather than simply checking items off a list.
Finally: Kraków offers many possibilities — a bit of planning and sensitivity will let you experience the city beautifully and without unnecessary stress, even with a small child and a stroller.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a detailed, personalized 3-day plan tailored to your child’s age, pace and food preferences — tell me the details and I’ll prepare a version with exact times and suggested places to stop.
