Short answer: yes — but with caveats. The historic centre of Kraków has seen many accessibility improvements in recent years, but there are still places with steps, cobblestones and narrow passages. It’s best to plan your route in advance and know which entrances and exhibitions are accessible for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
Remember that “accessibility” isn’t only ramps: it also means lifts, restrooms adapted for people with disabilities, clear signage, staff trained to assist and public transport that allows for an easy arrival and departure.
Kraków promotes barrier-free tourism and provides municipal materials describing accessibility of attractions. Accessibility versions of guides are available from the city office and include practical pictograms and lists of venues with accessibility ratings.
In the city centre you’ll find sites equipped with lifts and ramps — a good example is the renovated Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) with a lift to the upper floor and terrace, and the Rynek Underground (Market Underground) which has an accessible route, a lift and an accessible toilet.
Many cultural institutions (museums, parts of the castle) offer additional services: audio description, induction loops, Polish Sign Language interpreters on request and the possibility to visit with a guide dog.
The “New Sukiennice” project introduced a modern lift and gentle ramps to the historic space, so wheelchair users can reach the gallery and the terrace. On the ground floor the reception and ticket desks are accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The Sukiennice terrace offers a great viewpoint over the Market Square — the entrance to the terrace is preceded by a gentle ramp, making it one of the more comfortable stops on the Square for people who cannot or prefer not to use stairs.
Wawel Royal Castle makes some exhibitions and routes available in an accessible form for wheelchair users. Some routes are fully adapted for wheelchairs, while others remain inaccessible due to the historic layout of the buildings.
Before planning a visit to Wawel check which exhibitions are accessible on the day you plan to go — some displays may be temporarily closed for renovation or rearrangement. Castle staff provide information about audio guides and services for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Medieval churches and towers usually have stairs and narrow passages; St. Mary’s Basilica makes the presbytery and part of the nave accessible, but access to the tower and some spaces may be limited because of many steps.
The Market Underground (Rynek Podziemny) was designed with broad accessibility in mind — the exhibition route is barrier-free, there is a lift and an accessible restroom on site.
Kraków’s public transport is expanding its low-floor fleet and many trams and buses provide boarding ramps. For many people a low-floor tram is a convenient way to reach the Market Square — still, check if a particular service is operated by low-floor vehicles.
If you travel by car: there are designated parking spaces for vehicles of people with disabilities (the so-called blue bays) in the city centre. One often-cited parking area near the Market is around Jagiellońska Street; when planning, check up-to-date lists and rules for parking permits.
A taxi or door-to-door transport can sometimes be the simplest option when convenience matters and you want to avoid long stretches of cobblestones.
Pack sensibly: comfortable footwear, an anti-shock mat for a wheelchair (if you’ll be rolling over cobblestones), a rain cover and spare batteries for an electric wheelchair. The Market’s surface is historic cobbles and can be bumpy.
Call or write in advance to museums, churches or cafés you plan to visit. Many places can prepare an individual visit plan, reserve a spot or arrange assistance.
If you need a sign language interpreter, audio description or an induction loop, request it ahead of time — institutions often organize these services on demand.
Assuming the “whole Market” is flat and smooth. The historic centre has sections that are great for wheelchairs but also areas with wide joints, tram tracks and steps. Plan shorter stages of exploration.
Not checking whether an exhibition is available the day before your visit. Even accessible venues sometimes limit access temporarily because of renovations or layout changes.
Overlooking transport options: a short ride on a low-floor tram or a taxi can save much more effort than forcing your way over long stretches of cobbles on foot.
Park or get off near Jagiellońska Street, from where you can easily reach the northeastern side of the Market. Take the lift into Sukiennice, visit the gallery and enjoy the terrace — it’s a great observation spot and is reached via gentle, accessible ramps.
After the terrace, use the lift back to the ground floor and head to the entrance of the Market Underground — the museum route is prepared with accessibility in mind and includes an adapted restroom.
If you plan to visit Wawel afterwards, consider taking a low-floor tram or a short taxi ride instead of a long walk across crowded, cobbled streets.
Sukiennice has a café on the terrace and several well-regarded nearby spots — the terrace often has easier access thanks to ramps and a lift. Café Noworolski at the Cloth Hall is a classic with a long tradition; the terrace and gallery make access easier.
Around the Market you’ll find highly-rated restaurants and cafés with ground-floor seating and wide entrances — call ahead to confirm whether a table and restroom are accessible for the person in your group.
For something quick and reliable, choose venues with terraces or ground-floor entrances (for example cafés in the Sukiennice arcades or restaurants with direct Market access) — they tend to be most wheelchair-friendly.
Can I bring a wheelchair to the Main Market Square? - Yes, the Market is accessible, but its surface is cobblestone; move in short sections and choose gentler routes when possible.
Where is the nearest accessible restroom? - Accessible toilets are available in selected museum facilities near the Market (for example in the Market Underground) and in some cultural institutions and hotels; check a list of points before heading out.
Can I get help entering an exhibition or a church? - Yes, many museums and institutions will provide assistance if you notify them in advance. It’s best to inform staff at least one day before your visit.
The city has tactile models and Braille signage in several historic places — useful for visitors with vision impairments and a sign of growing focus on inclusive urban spaces.
Some cultural institutions run special “for all” cycles with audio description and Polish Sign Language interpretation — these are great opportunities to join tours designed for diverse needs.
Sometimes the shortest route on the map is the least comfortable — consider slightly longer but flatter and more even routes, even if they run along busier streets.
If you want to plan your route in detail, book tickets, coordinate transport and restaurants or need a guide who will handle logistics and comfort of the tour — contact guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Information and offerings are available through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Małgorzata can tailor the route to your needs, contact museums and venues, reserve tickets and take care of transport and accommodation — everything to make your stay in Kraków as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or post it on social media — you’ll help others plan an accessible trip to Kraków.
When you’re ready for museum visits or a Market tour with someone who knows the city and can organize everything comfortably — write to Małgorzata Kasprowicz at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. She will happily prepare the route and take care of reservations, transport and organisational support.
