If you only have two days in Krakow and are traveling with children, the most important things to pack are flexibility and a little planning. Two days are enough to feel the magic of the Main Market, visit Wawel, stroll through Kazimierz, and stop by film-related spots that often hide interesting stories or picturesque frames.
For families, key elements are short walking segments, places with a "wow" effect for children (interactive museums, workshops), and time reserved for breaks and drying clothes if the weather plays tricks. It's also worth leaving room for a spontaneous touch - for example a walk along the film trail that shows the city from a different perspective.
In this text you'll find: a suggested 2-day plan, how to incorporate the Krakow Film Trail (including film traces in Krowodrza), and practical solutions for rainy weather - so children won't fuss and adults can stay calm and smiling.
Don't forget: Krakow is a family-friendly city - there are places ideal for short visits and indoor attractions, so even rain doesn't have to ruin your trip.
Below are plenty of concrete ideas - read and adapt them to your children's ages and the pace you prefer.
Morning: start at the Main Market Square - a short walk, the Cloth Hall, and the trumpet call. For children the biggest fun is often simply the open space and the colorful stalls. If the weather doesn't cooperate, it's worth booking a visit to the Rynek Underground right away - this multimedia museum makes a big impression and is great as a "dry" way to start the day.
Afternoon: choose a short visit to one of the interactive venues - the Living Bagel Museum or the Museum of Municipal Engineering. The Living Bagel Museum is a quick, sensory workshop for little ones; the Engineering Museum has exhibits and hands-on stations that appeal to children curious about technology.
Afternoon and evening: if the children still have energy, a short stroll through the Planty or under the arcades toward Kazimierz will be a pleasant end to the day. If you want to add a small film touch - you can plan a few 'film' points in the Old Town (places that appear in Polish films or series) and tell the children a short, simple story about what was filmed there - it works like a mini-quest and captures their attention.
Practical note: book timed entries (e.g., Rynek Underground) and leave a 15-20 minute buffer for changing/coatroom - this greatly eases logistics with kids.
If it rains: it's good to have three groups of backup attractions - interactive museums, large exhibition halls (e.g., the Aviation Museum), or workshops where children can make or touch things.
Dedicate the second day to film trails - Krakow has several initiatives and film walks, and Krowodrza in particular has an interesting history, with sites and institutions important to Polish cinema. A walk along the film trail is a great alternative to standard tourist routes - it's a bit detective-like and encourages spotting familiar frames.
In practice: you can choose a short section of the trail (e.g., Krowodrza or selected points in the Old Town and Kazimierz) instead of an all-day marathon. The storytelling format works well for children - 'here was the film set, there they shot a scene, and over there the actor had to run to the market' - simple anecdotes do the trick.
There are also organized walks and outdoor film games - from thematic screenings to family quests. Check the city's event calendar for film events during your stay - sometimes there are short walks or screenings that can easily fit your plan.
After the film walk: a light visit to Kazimierz is a nice ending - a short stop on one of the well-covered streets (e.g., Szeroka Street) and a quick return to your accommodation. If the children need to burn off energy, consider an aquapark as the finale (instead of a long walk) - water resets tiredness and lifts the mood.
If you want to go deeper: the Museum of Photography and local walks organized by cultural institutions often have family-friendly or shorter versions - it's worth checking the on-site program.
Short answer: yes - many film walks and trails run regardless of the weather, but organizers often adapt the format. If it's raining heavily, shorter sections and indoor stops will be included, and some activities moved under cover.
In practice: municipal film initiatives and walks (especially those organized by cultural institutions) have a plan B - showing film clips, telling stories in covered venues, or a short talk in a cafe or screening room. That's great news for families - even in the rain the walk can be a story rather than a march in wet shoes.
If you take a private guided tour through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com - it's worth discussing a rain plan in advance. A good guide will propose a dry route, quick museum entries, and places where children can let off steam without long walks.
If you participate in a self-guided film walk - plan shorter sections and emergency points (museums, arcade passages) so you can easily shorten the route if the weather worsens.
Remember that some film events have limited capacity - with bad weather organizers may move parts of the program indoors and then spaces are reduced, so bookings or prior verification of the program is a good idea.
Rynek Underground - big "wow" and a dry, multimedia way to start the day.
Living Bagel Museum - a short, sensory workshop, ideal for toddlers.
Museum of Municipal Engineering - interactive exhibits, great fun for curious kids.
Aviation Museum - large halls, lots of space and a "wow" factor for little machine lovers.
Museum of Photography / film walks organized by cultural institutions - shorter walks and thematic events.
Krakow Aquapark - a great end to the day and a way to burn off energy.
Cafes by the Planty and shopping arcades - good places for a short break, nappy change or a dry moment with a snack.
Short themed workshops (ceramics, baking, mini-labs) - look for 'for children' offers in museum calendars.
Advance tickets: book timed entries to the Rynek Underground and popular workshops - it saves stress in the rain.
Packing: stroller cover, quick-dry towels, a small spare set of clothes and a bag for wet items are must-haves. Umbrellas are good to have at hand, but a rain poncho often protects better when using public transport intensively.
Routing: plan shorter walking segments (10-20 minutes) and 2-3 strong points a day instead of stretching the route into many tiny attractions - children cope better with shorter, intense experiences.
Public transport: trams and buses let you move quickly between districts without wet-sidewalk marathons. Check stops near your destination and the option of sheltering in shopping arcades between connections.
Food: choose places where it's easy to sit with children and quickly get something to eat - a warm soup or sandwich can change the mood.
Backup plan: have 1-2 'indoor' points on your list (a museum, a hall, a workshop) in case the whole day is rainy.
Film quest: prepare a simple 'find and show' list - a townhouse with a balcony, a gate, an old sign - when they find an item give a sticker or a small trinket as a reward.
Mini camera: give the child a phone or a small toy camera and ask them to record 3 places they like - then have a short 'hotel room cinema' show.
Drawing diary: a small notebook and crayons - 'what did you remember?' - is a great way to capture impressions and calm down before a nap.
Route games: the 'do you see...?' game - whoever first finds a film set, an old sign or a red bicycle scores a point. Simple rules and engaging across ages.
These games make the film walk an adventure rather than another 'must' on the itinerary.
Day 1 (dry or light rain): Morning - Rynek Underground (timed entry). Midday - a workshop at the Living Bagel Museum or the Museum of Municipal Engineering. Afternoon - a short stroll in the Old Town, under the Cloth Hall arcades, quick coffee. Evening - a light walk along the Planty or rest at the hotel.
Day 2 (film-focused, flexible): Morning - a section of the Krakow Film Trail (e.g., Krowodrza) with short stops; if it's raining heavily - substitute with the Museum of Photography or a screening/talk. Midday - Kazimierz, a short visit to a covered spot (Szeroka Street), possible workshops. Afternoon - aquapark or another exhibition space; departure / relaxed return.
Remember: leave a free hour each day for surprises or rest - it's key so the trip doesn't turn into a rush.
If you have more energy - add an evening walk along the Vistula when the weather is drier; if the weather is capricious - shorten routes and focus on museums and workshops.
Advance tickets for the Rynek Underground and workshops - yes/no?
Stroller cover, ponchos, quick-dry towels - yes/no?
List of 3 'indoor' places in case of downpour (museum, hall, aquapark) - noted?
Small backpack with snacks, a water bottle and wipes - packed?
Planned dry-route return to the hotel - prepared?
48 hours in Krakow with children is a great idea - it combines history, flavors and adventures. Adding a film thread (Krakow film walks, sections of the Krowodrza trail) makes the city tell a story in images and lets children become little frame-detectives.
Rain? Treat it as an extra layer of the story - the city under umbrellas has a different charm, and good planning (2-3 strong points a day, bookings, a dry backup plan) lets you get the most joy from your visit.
If you like, I can prepare a route variant tailored to your children's ages (preschoolers, school-aged, teenagers) or a list of places with opening hours for your specific dates - write to me, I'd be happy to help with a detailed plan.
Happy planning and see you in Krakow! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Your guide to family Krakow)
