Yes — it is possible and quite manageable if you plan your route and prepare your stroller and equipment. The Main Market is one of the most photogenic places in Poland: wide facades of townhouses, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church tower and lively street scenes provide plenty of frames. In summer, however, the number of tourists and outdoor dining areas can make shooting and pushing a stroller harder, and the uneven historical cobbles can be tricky — so it helps to know a few practical tricks to take nice photos without stress for you and your child.
If your priority is quiet, “clean” frames, schedule the session very early in the morning or in the late afternoon. If you want shots showing local city life, midday has its charm, but expect crowds and take extra care with the stroller.
Below you’ll find a roughly two-hour route, photographic tips, stroller-friendly spots and practical safety and packing tips.
Start: Planty by St. Florian's Gate - a quick walk onto the grassy alleys gives pleasant contrasts between greenery and the urban fabric. Planty paths are smooth, so this is a good, stroller-friendly beginning.
Main Market and the Cloth Hall - 20–30 minutes. Photograph from several positions: pavement level, a low perspective or from the outer steps of the Cloth Hall. Avoid parking the stroller in the middle of a walkway.
Kanonicza Street - 10–15 minutes. A narrow, picturesque street ideal for portraits and architectural details; watch for side light and the texture of the buildings.
Wawel and the castle ramparts - 15–20 minutes. Panoramic shots of the castle above the Vistula work well from the ramparts; for calmer frames choose the riverside side of the embankment.
Vistula Boulevards - 20–25 minutes. A long stretch with benches and flat surfaces — very stroller-friendly and perfect for waterside photos.
Kazimierz: Plac Nowy and the backstreets - 20–25 minutes. Colorful courtyards, murals and cafés create a great street-photography atmosphere. You can finish the route here and rest in one of the local cafés.
Look after your composition: use leading lines (streets, edges of the Cloth Hall), natural frames (benches, door arches) and point contrasts. Low angles from the stroller or kneeling will add dynamism to your shots.
Light matters: soft morning light and the golden hour after sunset give the loveliest colors. At midday, hunt for shadows and detail. If you shoot with a phone, HDR or portrait mode will help balance bright skies and deep shadows.
Including people gives story — children playing at a fountain, a couple on a bench or a vendor in a terrace can bring life to your photos. Respect privacy and ask permission for close-up portraits.
Friendly surfaces: Planty and the Vistula boulevards have smooth paths or boardwalks, which make pushing a stroller much easier. They are also less crowded than the Market itself.
Difficult stretches: the Market and many old-town streets have historic cobbles that can be bumpy — small stroller wheels will feel the shocks. Plan shorter cobble stretches and carry a baby carrier or wrap as a plan B.
How to cope: choose strollers with larger, air-filled wheels or good suspension, use sun and rain covers, and on rough sections push more slowly or switch to the side with an even sidewalk.
An all-terrain stroller or one with larger wheels will significantly ease movement over cobbles. A lightweight baby wrap or carrier is invaluable when you need free hands for a shoot.
Powerbank and an extra memory card are must-haves for any photographer — phones and cameras can drain quickly during intensive shooting and when recording stories.
Small kit: wipes, sunscreen, water, a snack for the child, a light changing mat and a thin blanket — all fit in a bag and make short stops much more comfortable.
Around the Market you’ll find many cafés and restaurants with varying levels of stroller access. Popular, generally friendly spots for coffee or a snack include cafés near Plac Szczepański and along Grodzka Street, many of which have level entrances and space for a stroller.
In Kazimierz try the food stalls and cafés around Plac Nowy for quick bites (famous local street food includes zapiekanki) or sit in one of the cozy cafés on Józefa Street. When choosing a restaurant, check the entrance and interior space — not all historic buildings have ramps.
If you need a changing table or a larger restroom, shopping centers and bigger hotels nearby usually offer family facilities. Plan a break in one of those places, especially in summer when temperatures rise.
Do not block walkways and entrances — placing equipment or a stroller in the middle of a sidewalk can obstruct passersby and cause tension with locals or other tourists.
Watch small cables and unattended gear. Crowded places are more prone to theft, so keep your equipment close and only have out the valuables you need at the moment.
Drones over the historic center are restricted by regulations and safety concerns. If you plan aerial shots, check rules and any permit requirements in advance.
Small stroller wheels on cobbles - result: tired parent and an unsettled child. Fix: use a stroller with larger wheels or have a baby carrier handy.
Scheduling a session at the worst possible time - peak season midday brings crowds and harsh light. Fix: get up earlier or plan for the golden hour before sunset.
Trying to set up a large tripod in a crowded area - this can lead to conflicts. Fix: look for side streets or politely ask people to give you a moment, but be brief and courteous.
The Main Market is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe, and its architectural layout evolved over centuries, offering unique photographic perspectives.
The Marian bugle — a short melody played from St. Mary’s Church tower every hour — is a sound many visitors associate with Kraków. Framing the tower while the bugle is played creates a distinctly local atmosphere in your shot.
The Market’s underground museum offers interactive exhibits and can be a family-friendly shelter from heat or sudden storms.
Will the stroller get through the whole Market? - It will, but the cobbles are uneven. Plan shorter stretches on cobbles and use smoother alternative routes like Planty and the boulevards.
Where can I change a diaper? - The most reliable options are family restrooms in larger cafés, shopping centers or hotels. In smaller places, ask the staff — they will often be happy to help.
Can I use a tripod? - Yes, but choose less crowded spots and avoid blocking passage. Short setups in side streets give the best results without disrupting others.
Kraków in summer is a wonderful playground for photographic experiments, even with a small child in a stroller. With a good route, minimal equipment preparation and a bit of flexibility you can capture beautiful frames of the Main Market, the boulevards and Kazimierz without much stress.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help other parents plan a comfortable and successful photographic walk in Kraków. For a personalized experience, consider booking a private guided walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz from Zwiedzanie Krakowa to tailor the route and pace to your family’s needs.
