Yes — a well-planned melex tour allows you to combine comfortable short drives with brief walks and make a loop through the highlights of Kazimierz, the Bernatek Footbridge and Podgórze in about 2 hours. It’s a great option when your time is limited, you want to take lots of photos and you don’t want to rush over stairs or long walking distances. The melex will move you quickly between the main points, and a short walk on the footbridge and along the riverbanks adds atmosphere and views of the Vistula.
In this article you’ll find a ready-made 2-hour route plan, practical advice on when to go, what to bring, the best photo spots and a few surprising facts about the bridge itself.
The Father Bernatek Footbridge connects Kazimierz with Podgórze and quickly became one of the most photographed spots along the Vistula. The structure spans roughly 130–145 metres and was opened in the early 21st century. Bronze silhouettes of “acrobats” are attached to the steel arches, giving the bridge its character and looking especially good at sunrise and dusk.
The bridge has separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, so walking is comfortable, and from both ends you have quick access to the river boulevards, Plac Wolnica on the Kazimierz side and Podgórze Market Square (Rynek Podgórski) and Ghetto Heroes Square on the Podgórze side. It’s a natural spot for a short photographic break during a melex ride.
Melex vehicles are quiet, small electric cars that let you cover the tourist area smoothly without getting tired. For light packers, families with children or visitors with only a few hours, they’re an ideal choice. A comfortable ride lets you focus on stories about the places, photos and short stops instead of navigation and parking searches.
A major advantage is flexibility: many melex routes connect the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze, and the operator can stop at selected points to allow time for a short walk on the footbridge, coffee or photos. That way 2 hours can be used very efficiently.
Start: meeting point near the Main Market Square or Plac Wolnica (depending on arrangements with the operator). Short presentation of the route and drive toward Kazimierz. Total time: about 120 minutes.
0–20 minutes: drive through the Old Town with a brief stop at key points (Main Market Square, Cloth Hall/Sukiennice, the Royal Route) — quick photos and a short guide commentary.
20–50 minutes: drive to Kazimierz, stroll the short streets (Miodowa, Szeroka, Plac Wolnica) and head toward the footbridge via Mostowa street. Time for photos and a short story about the district.
50–80 minutes: cross the Father Bernatek Footbridge on foot — photos with the acrobats and a panorama of the Vistula, then descend to the Podgórze side for a short stop at Podgórze Market Square or Ghetto Heroes Square.
80–110 minutes: return along the Vistula boulevards to the Kazimierz side or optionally a short melex ride back to the Old Town area; depending on time, stop for coffee or a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy.
110–120 minutes: wrap-up of the route and finish at the meeting point.
Middle of the footbridge — silhouettes against the sky and the river; best light 45–60 minutes before sunset.
The slopes leading to the bridge on both sides — great perspective on the arches and lines of the structure; after rain you can get nice reflections in puddles and on the cobbles of the boulevards.
Vistula boulevards — panoramic frames with runners, benches and Wawel reflections; particularly beautiful during the golden hour.
Best time: morning for peaceful shots or late afternoon for golden light. Midday can be crowded, especially in summer and on weekends.
Watch the wind — the footbridge is exposed and can be breezy, so bring a light jacket even in summer. When it’s raining, pavements and the river boulevards can be slippery, especially on stone sections.
Don’t plan too many long stops. It’s a mistake to think a melex will replace a full walking tour — the best approach is a mix of short drives and brief walking sections. Too many stops will extend the two-hour plan and you may miss planned sights.
Accessibility: the bridge has convenient approaches and is stroller-friendly, but be aware that the boulevards include stretches with uneven surfaces. If you need full accessibility for a wheelchair, ask the melex operator about route details and ramps.
Booking and timing: in high season it’s wise to book the melex in advance — available vehicles can run out on popular dates. If you want to catch the golden hour, schedule the ride so the footbridge is visited just before sunset.
Comfortable shoes — even with the melex you’ll have short walks and will walk on cobbled boulevards.
A small backpack with water and a windbreaker — it can get windy on the bridge. Families should pack a small snack for a quick pit stop.
Phone or camera with HDR mode — the bridge and riverbanks often create high-contrast scenes (bright sky against the acrobat silhouettes), so save your settings before shooting.
In Kazimierz try local snacks at Plac Nowy — the famous zapiekanki are a quick and filling choice after the walk. Around Miodowa and Szeroka you’ll find small cafés serving craft coffee and homemade cakes — good spots for a short break.
On the Podgórze side, Podgórze Market Square has several friendly bars and cafés ideal for a light lunch. If you prefer something more substantial after the tour, the area around Wawel and the square near the castle offer restaurants with traditional Polish cuisine.
If you want a quick local bite, a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy and coffee at a café near Plac Wolnica are classics for visitors to Kazimierz.
Will the melex drive across the footbridge? Melex vehicles usually stop before the footbridge — the crossing is done on foot, which also gives the best conditions for photography.
How long does it take to cross the bridge? The walk across the bridge takes a few minutes; if you plan photos and a short stroll along the boulevards, allow 20–30 minutes.
Is the route suitable for families with small children? Yes, the route is family-friendly. Plan short breaks and bring drinks — it can be windy on the bridge.
What to do in bad weather? On rainy days shorten the walks and focus on melex drives with a few stops near covered spots or cafés. Check the forecast and bring a raincoat or umbrella.
Although the bridge looks modern, it reconnects places that were once linked by older bridges — the walk gives a sense of continuity between historic Podgórze and Kazimierz.
The acrobat figures have become a recognizable photographic motif — many people treat them as a must-have element in their frames and enjoy composing fun shots around them.
Combining a melex ride with a short walk on the footbridge is a wonderful way to show quick contrasts of Kraków in one afternoon: the historic cobbles of Kazimierz, the modern line of the footbridge and the intimate markets of Podgórze.
If this guide was useful — share it with friends or on social media to help others plan a similar route. I encourage you to send questions and suggestions about the itinerary.
If you’re looking for a personalized tour of Kraków, consider private guiding services by Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Private tours can be tailored to your pace and interests — ideal when you have a specific amount of time or want extra local stories and insights.
Good luck on the route and wide frames for your photos!
