Krakow is a city that tempts with history, sights and great food - but it also has long queues at the most popular attractions. For a family, three days is enough to see the essentials if you plan visits well and buy timed tickets in advance. That saves time, reduces stress and leaves room for breaks, ice cream and playtime for the kids.
In practice, "skip the line" means: buy tickets online with a specific entry time, consider family tickets where available, and schedule major attractions for the mornings when crowds are smaller. Below you’ll find a concrete three-day plan, a list of places worth booking ahead, and practical tips for parents.
A short practical note - some places (for example underground routes or mines) have restrictions for strollers or require climbing stairs. Check access before you go, bring a baby carrier if needed, or plan shorter routes for the youngest children.
Morning - Wawel: start the day at Wawel Castle by buying tickets online in advance for the exhibition or the Cathedral with the crypts. Many entries have assigned times and let you avoid the ticket office queue - ideal with children. Spend 2–3 hours on Wawel: the courtyard, the Cathedral, and if you have the energy - one of the castle’s accessible branches.
Afternoon - Main Market Square and the Underground Museum: after a walk around the Market (the trumpeter’s call, Cloth Hall, and the Adam Mickiewicz monument) visit the Rynek Underground. On the museum’s official site you can reserve a specific time, which minimizes waiting. The underground route is engaging for children and includes multimedia presentations about the city’s history.
Evening - light meals and rest: choose a family-friendly cafe or restaurant near the Old Town, for example Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) or Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) - both are well known and comfortable after a day of sightseeing. For a hearty traditional meal near Wawel, Pod Wawelem has a garden and a family-friendly menu.
Morning - Kazimierz: a atmospheric district with Jewish history, synagogues, galleries and many cafes. Walk slowly: visit Plac Nowy (famous zapiekanki), Szeroka and Józefa streets. Kazimierz is perfect for a relaxed breakfast and coffee. Massolit (bookshop-cafe and bakery) is a good choice for a calm breakfast with children.
Afternoon - Oskar Schindler's Factory or other museum options: this museum often requires advance reservation; buying a ticket online guarantees entry at a specific time and helps avoid long lines. If you have younger children, consider shorter museums or interactive science centres instead of a long exhibition.
Evening - walk along the Vistula: a short river cruise or a relaxed stroll on the Vistula boulevards will unwind everyone after a busy day. Kazimierz also offers many family-friendly restaurants at night - it’s worth booking a table in advance on weekends.
Option A - Wieliczka: a full day in the salt mine is an unforgettable experience. Reserve tickets for the Tourist Route online on the official site - the mine sells timed tickets and queues can be long in high season. The underground route is around 3.5 km with many stairs, and the temperature is about 16–18°C - bring comfortable shoes and a light sweater. The mine offers family tickets; check the age rules for children on family fares.
Option B - if you travel with small children: a science centre, the Aviation Museum or the Garden of Experiences (Ogrody Doświadczeń im. Stanisława Lema) are great alternatives. These places are more interactive and child-friendly, easier to spread through the day and usually have fewer stairs than the mine.
Practical tip: both Wieliczka and popular museums sell timed tickets - on the morning of day three decide whether you want the trip to Wieliczka (it requires travel time) or to stay in the city for a shorter, more relaxed option.
Buy tickets online for a specific time - this is the easiest way to avoid the ticket-office queue. This applies to Wawel exhibitions, the Rynek Underground, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Oskar Schindler's Factory and many popular museums.
Look for family tickets or packages - in some places (for example Wieliczka) family tickets can be more economical than buying several individual tickets. If you plan to visit multiple attractions, consider buying through one platform that offers timed tickets and shows availability.
A useful rule: book the busiest attractions for the morning (first entry slots) or just after lunch - afternoons in high season are usually the worst for queues. If your dates are flexible, paid tickets with free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand give you the comfort of changing plans.
Krakow has a well-organised public transport system - trams and buses reach almost everywhere. For a three-day stay, a 72-hour time ticket is convenient (valid for multiple rides) - you can buy it at ticket machines, via mobile apps or at sales points. This ticket is often the most economical and makes getting around with children easy.
If you plan to go to Wieliczka by train, check the timetable in advance - the journey from the Main Station takes about 20–30 minutes. From Balice Airport the easiest option is the train to the Main Station, then a tram into the centre.
A few practical minutes: carry some change for single-ride tickets and remember to validate your ticket on trams. Strollers are allowed on most vehicles, but peak hours can be crowded.
Wawel and some museums have sections that are not stroller-friendly - when planning family visits bring a carrier or check where luggage storage is available. The Wieliczka Salt Mine involves many stairs - think this through if you have very small children.
Many central restaurants and cafes have high chairs and baby-changing facilities. If you need a place to change or feed a baby quickly, ask at the tourist information kiosk or the museum service desk - they usually point to the nearest facilities.
Safety: keep contact details for your accommodation and a phone with internet access. In crowded places, put a contact wristband on small children and take regular breaks on long walks. Have water and snacks on hand.
Camelot Cafe (ul. Św. Tomasza) - a cosy spot near Wawel and the Market, good for a break after a morning of sightseeing.
Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) - a French-style bakery and breakfast spot, excellent for family breakfasts or brunch.
Massolit (bookshop-cafe and bakery) - a calm place for breakfast with a friendly atmosphere for parents and children.
Pod Wawelem - traditional Polish cuisine near Wawel, large portions and a spacious garden; often praised by families.
Additionally: Kazimierz is full of small restaurants and pizzerias that welcome families. In high season it’s wise to book a table in advance.
Do I need to reserve everything far in advance? - For Wawel, Wieliczka, the Rynek Underground and Oskar Schindler's Factory it’s advisable in the tourist season to reserve tickets several days to even a week ahead, especially for specific time slots. Outside peak season shorter notice often works.
What about strollers and stairs? - Wawel and Wieliczka include sections where strollers aren’t possible. If comfort is important, consider a baby carrier or plan routes without underground sections on stroller days.
How to save on transport? - For a three-day stay the 72-hour public transport ticket is convenient. It offers savings and the freedom to use trams and buses without worrying about single tickets.
What if it rains? - Use museum days: National Museum, Oskar Schindler's Factory, the Rynek Underground (partly sheltered), or science and interactive exhibitions. Cafes with a wide offer can also keep children occupied for a while.
1) Book the biggest attractions online in advance and plan them for mornings. 2) Plan one big attraction per day (for example Wieliczka) and leave other days for walks and shorter museums. 3) Use the 72-hour public transport ticket - it’s both economical and convenient. 4) Schedule breaks: playgrounds, parks and cafes with children’s corners are key to family harmony. 5) Be flexible - with children you may need to change plans, but with skip-the-line tickets you’ll avoid most of the stress caused by long queues.
Enjoy your visit! If you’d like, I can create a detailed hourly plan tailored to your children’s ages, your accommodation and food preferences - tell me the size of your family, the children’s ages and whether you want Wieliczka included, and I’ll prepare a personalised schedule.
