Yes — you can. Krakow provides guides and an increasing number of accessibility features: a city accessibility guide, a mobile app, and special routes described for people with limited mobility. The key is sensible planning: respect your pace, schedule breaks, and choose longer smooth sections rather than short stretches that include difficult cobblestones.
Start and end days near low-floor public-transport stops, use the Planty (the park belt) as an easy walking corridor around the Old Town, and check specific venues in advance — many city institutions and museums publish information on lifts, accessible toilets and step-free entrances.
At the end of this article you’ll find practical tips, a list of common mistakes to avoid and a short FAQ — everything to help your uncle (and the rest of the family) come back from the trip in a good mood, not with a sore neck.
Divide sightseeing geographically: Day 1 Old Town and Wawel, Day 2 Kazimierz and the Vistula boulevards. This minimizes travel time between sights.
Choose shorter stages between points and plan regular coffee or rest breaks. For wheelchair users, places with adapted toilets matter — these are listed in the city guide “Krakow for the tourist with a disability” and in the dedicated app.
Book tickets to popular museums online and check whether there is lift access or an alternative entrance. In some places (for example on Wawel Hill) accessibility information and improvements exist, but there can still be small thresholds or short cobbled sections — it’s better to know ahead of time.
Start at a tourist information point or a nearby low-floor tram stop close to the Main Market Square. Rather than driving onto the most uneven part of the square, consider arriving via the Planty ring and then make a short visit to the Market Square so you can see the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica without spending long periods on cobbles. The Planty form a convenient, green promenade with smoother surfaces.
Wawel: plan your visit for late morning or early afternoon. The Royal Castle on Wawel has information about adapted routes, lifts and accessible toilets; people with disability certificates often qualify for concessions or companion entry. There are routes on the courtyard and some exhibitions adapted for people with limited mobility, but some areas still contain uneven paving — it’s easier to move along prepared paths and use the official entrance recommended for visitors who need assistance.
In the afternoon, take a short, smoother-section stroll along the Vistula and relax on the boulevards — many parts of the promenade have even surfaces and benches. If you want to visit a museum, choose those marked as accessible in the city guide — some institutions have step-free routes and accessible toilets.
Kazimierz is the heart of Krakow’s bohemian district: short distances between attractions make sightseeing comfortable. Main squares and streets have cobbled sections, but many cafés and restaurants sit on flatter pavements — stick to the main routes and check for ramps at entrances.
Visit museums that declare accessibility: before you go, ask about the most convenient entrance and access to exhibits (some museums offer free entry or assistance for companions of people with disabilities). Cultural institutions in Krakow increasingly provide pictograms and brief accessibility descriptions, lifts and assistant services.
End the day with a relaxing visit to one of the well-rated cafés or restaurants. Top lists can change — follow recent reviews and call ahead to confirm step-free access and accessible toilets.
Krakow operates many low-floor buses (a large portion of the fleet) and many trams with low-floor sections — this makes boarding easier without needing to use steps. Stops often have audio announcements and buttons that play information.
City parking spots for people with disability certificates are marked as blue bays and occupy some spaces in paid parking zones. In many central locations these spaces make getting in and out of a vehicle more comfortable.
If you plan to use a car, check a map of places marked with accessible toilets and driving directions in advance. There are also rehabilitation equipment rental services and taxi services dedicated to passengers with disabilities — you can find contacts in the municipal accessibility guide.
Choose restaurants and cafés with good reviews and step-free entrances. Call ahead and ask about accessible toilets and the width of passages between tables.
A few well-known places that often appear in recommendations include Wierzynek (a historic restaurant on the Main Market Square), restaurants around Wawel and selected cafés in Kazimierz. Remember to confirm access — not every beautiful historic interior has a ramp.
For short breaks the Planty and the Vistula Boulevards are ideal — lots of benches, nearby public toilets and long stretches of smooth surface.
Filter accommodation offers by “accessibility” and descriptions such as “adapted room.” Call the hotel directly to confirm door widths, bed height, bathroom grab bars and lift availability.
A good practice is to choose a hotel close to a low-floor public-transport stop or with its own parking space that includes a blue bay for people with disabilities. That reduces the need to repeatedly cross uneven pavements.
If you plan to stay in an older building (a tenement), be sure there is a step-free entrance or that the hotel can assist with luggage and room adaptation.
Assuming “the centre is flat” — although Krakow looks compact, many streets have cobbled sections, thresholds and raised doorways to shops. Expect some uneven stretches and plan alternatives.
Not confirming accessibility on site — even if a restaurant has plenty of positive reviews, the entrance can still have a step. Call ahead and ask about the easiest entrance and the toilet situation.
Failing to plan breaks — a two-day fast pace can tire a person in a wheelchair or someone with limited stamina. Schedule longer rests every 1.5–2 hours.
The city published a special guide “Krakow for the tourist with a disability” in several languages and distributes printed copies at tourist information points and the City Office department for disability issues. It’s a treasure trove of practical details on toilets, wheelchair rentals and disability-friendly taxis.
Many museums and cultural institutions now use pictograms and short accessibility descriptions, so a quick check of the venue’s information usually shows lifts, toilets and alternative entrances.
Some cultural events and festivals reserve a limited number of places with assistance or areas with improved access — it’s worth registering in advance.
Where can I get a paper accessibility guide? - A printed version of the guide is available free from the City Office department for disability issues and at tourist information points.
Is public transport low-floor? - Most buses are low-floor and many trams have low-floor sections. Stops often include signage and audio announcements.
Can I rent a wheelchair in Krakow? - Yes, there are rehabilitation equipment rental services in the city; their contacts are listed in the municipal accessibility guide.
Are museum tickets cheaper for people with a disability? - Many institutions offer discounts or free entry for the person with a disability and a companion upon presentation of appropriate documents. Always ask staff or check the venue’s information.
Download the city tourist app that includes the accessibility module.
Call museums and restaurants you plan to visit to confirm step-free access and toilet availability.
Plan your route to avoid long stretches of uneven cobbles — choose the Planty, the boulevards or the accessible routes listed in the guide.
Bring spare batteries for an electric wheelchair or plan a charging spot; carry necessary documents proving entitlement to concessions.
If this plan helped you, share it with family or friends — spreading the article helps others plan their trip well.
If you want to explore Krakow comfortably and without surprises, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — visit zwiedzaniekrakowa.com to find contact details and the offer. With professional support you can tailor the pace and route to the needs of your companion, your uncle or the whole family.
Good luck and enjoy your stay in Krakow — the city has a lot to show you; just plan the route thoughtfully.
