Nowa Huta is a unique part of Krakow — not only for its socialist-realist architecture but also for the stories of everyday life, its wide squares and open spaces that fascinate both younger and older visitors. Children have plenty to observe here: monumental buildings, broad avenues, unusual monuments and the striking contrast between the older parts of Krakow and this post‑war urban experiment.
A guided tour turns dry dates into stories: how the neighbourhood was built, the hopes and difficulties of its residents, and why the Central Square exists in the heart of Nowa Huta. The route stimulates children’s imagination, points out places to run and rest and — importantly — combines the walk with short, engaging stories and educational games.
For families an especially exciting feature can be visiting air‑raid shelters — a rare and memorable experience for kids. Shelter visits extend the tour and are sometimes limited by availability, so they usually need to be booked in advance.
A typical route includes Nowa Huta’s most important points — great for photos and family stories: Plac Centralny (the famous wide Central Square), the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK), the Wanda and Willowe housing estates — the oldest parts of the district, the "Swedish Block" and the "French Block", Aleja Róż (Avenue of Roses), the former site of the Lenin monument, the Stylowa restaurant (a local icon), the Nowa Huta Cross (Krzyż Nowohucki), the People’s Theatre (Teatr Ludowy), the Ark of the Lord church (Arka Pana), the Cistercian monastery in Mogiła and the large steelworks complex (Sendzimir Steelworks).
Optional: entry to air‑raid shelters and stories about civil defence — for children this is a captivating, hands‑on history lesson that explores everyday life underground. This part lengthens the tour.
The itinerary is planned to mix short walks with occasional short rides by public transport or coach so that even younger children manage the whole day comfortably.
0–15 min - Meeting and a short narrative warm‑up: set expectations, show the map and announce a small “treasure” or tasks to complete along the way.
15–45 min - Walk around Plac Centralny and its surroundings: stories about how the estate was planned, social contrasts and interesting facts that engage children (riddles, questions and short games).
45–90 min - Walk/ride to the Wanda and Willowe estates: everyday life stories and games to spot characteristic architectural details. Short stop at a playground or green square so children can run.
90–120 min - Visit Aleja Róż, lunch/snack break — recommended places for a family break are Restauracja Stylowa or a café near the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (Stylowa is a local landmark, popular with families).
120–150 min (or +60 min if visiting shelters) - Walk to the Nowa Huta Cross, the People’s Theatre and a short telling of the story of the fight for the church. If you choose the shelters, the plan extends by about an hour and includes a brief safety briefing.
At the end - summary, questions and an educational game: children receive a short task, for example to name the three most interesting things from the trip.
Duration and language - The standard Nowa Huta tour lasts about 3 hours. Tours are available in Polish and English — the guide can run sessions in both languages.
Booking - To book a tour, contact by phone or email — the guide provides reservation details after the date is confirmed. The meeting point is arranged individually, most commonly in central Krakow (for example Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument) or at a convenient location near your accommodation.
Entrance fees - The tour price covers the guiding service — entrance fees to museums, some attractions or shelter visits are extra. The guide helps with ticket purchase and informs about current charges.
Groups and equipment - For larger groups, headset sets are available to improve comfort in crowded places. Information about current promotions and rates will be discussed during booking.
The route is designed with families in mind: many sections are flat and easy to navigate with a stroller. However, entering shelters and some sections may involve stairs and narrow passages — in those cases a stroller may need to be replaced by a baby carrier or you can plan a short break.
There are planned pauses during the route: seating areas, parks and cafés. We recommend bringing water, small snacks and comfortable footwear. The guide has a plan B in case of bad weather — the route can be shortened or adjusted so that most time is spent indoors or under cover.
Safety - During visits to shelters or other places requiring extra caution the guide briefs the group and ensures children are supervised by accompanying adults. In case of extreme weather conditions the tour date can be rescheduled.
Stylowa - the iconic Nowa Huta restaurant, often recommended for local flavours and the atmosphere of the district. A good spot for a family lunch or dessert after the tour.
Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (NCK) - cafés and refreshment points near the centre are convenient for coffee, tea and cakes; it’s also a comfortable place for a family break.
Tip - If you are travelling with small children and need a changing table or a quiet rest, plan a pause at a cultural centre or in a park — there are benches, often restrooms and safe space for children to play.
Guiding fees vary depending on duration and language. There are options for small groups (up to 35 people) and per‑person rates for larger groups — final details are set at the time of booking. Seasonal promotions may reduce standard rates; the guide will inform you of current prices when you make contact.
Important - the tour fee covers the guiding service. Additional charges may apply for museum entries, temporary exhibitions, shelter visits or for planned use of public transport/coach. Headset sets for groups are available for a small extra fee. During booking you will receive a full breakdown and information about any tickets required.
Do children pay? - Pricing for children varies; small children often have reduced or free entry to some attractions, but please check when booking.
Can we include a shelter visit? - Yes, but shelter visits are optional and usually extend the tour by about an hour. They must be booked in advance due to limited availability.
Is the route stroller‑friendly? - Most of the walk is stroller‑friendly, but some spots, especially shelters, may require carrying the child or using a carrier. The guide will advise before those sections.
Bring layers - weather in Krakow can change during the day, so dress in layers and bring a light rain jacket if needed.
Plan snack and toilet breaks - include pauses near NCK or parks so little visitors stay comfortable.
Charge your phone and bring a camera - there are many photo opportunities for family albums and fun, memorable shots.
