The Planty form a green ring around the Old Town — a park roughly 4 km long and covering over 20 hectares. For families with children it’s one of the most natural places for a slow walk between sights, with chances to rest on benches, play on small playgrounds and make short stops by fountains and monuments. Walking the Planty lets you avoid the crowds on the Main Market Square while still keeping Krakow’s main attractions within easy reach. It’s an excellent route for your first day in the city — kids see lots of greenery, hear many sounds and notice interesting sculptures, while parents have time to orient themselves and plan the rest of the visit.
The Planty are made up of several small “gardens” with different characters and traditional names (for example around the Barbican, the Palace of Art, or near Wawel). In practice that means even a short walk (20–40 minutes) can feel like an adventure: fountains, historic monuments, benches with views of Wawel and spots where children can collect leaves and conkers in autumn. If you’re traveling with a stroller, most paths are asphalted or have firm surfaces, though near St. Florian’s Gate and on some approaches to the Market you can find cobbled sections — keep that in mind when planning your route.
The Planty are not just paths and trees — they also hide many small attractions children like to discover: two modern playgrounds ("Plantuś" by the Archaeological Museum and the "Wild Planty" playground near the Hotel Royal), decorative fountains, the "Tree of Freedom", the Lantern of the Dead and dozens of historic monuments. You can make the walk into a family game: who spots the Copernicus monument first, who finds the piano fountain, or how many tree species you can count.
For a short snack break it’s convenient to plan a stop near Szczepański Square or by the Philharmonic, where cafés and toilets are easier to find. If you want to combine the Planty with a visit to the Market, the entrance from Sławkowska Street leads straight to the heart of the Old Town, and the approach to Wawel from the southern side of the Planty is quick and scenic. Remember that children often linger to take pictures or play at certain monuments and small bridges — schedule rest time so the walk doesn’t turn into a rush.
The two best-known playgrounds in the Planty are designed for different age groups. "Plantuś" near Poselska Street offers climbing elements, slides and a sandpit plus solutions that support play for children with varied abilities. "Wild Planty" has a more creative, nature-inspired design — irregular shapes, insect motifs and unusual benches. Both are great when you want to give children space to play safely while you continue sightseeing.
There are also public toilets near the Planty (for example at Szczepański Square and at the corner of Franciszkańska and Straszewskiego Streets) and points where you can find changing tables. The Tourist Information Center and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) are typical places with easier access to baby-changing facilities and toilets for people with disabilities. It’s a good idea to check opening hours and availability in advance — during busy tourist times queues at toilets can occur.
Krakow has an efficient tram and bus network that will bring you close to the Planty and the main attractions. For families the most convenient option is short time-based tickets purchased in mobile apps or at ticket machines — they allow transfers without buying a new ticket each time. Mobile ticket apps and an electronic passenger account make life easier because you can buy tickets quickly and keep them on your phone.
Good practices when traveling with children: keep tickets handy, choose trams rather than crowded buses during rush hours, and when boarding with a stroller check whether the tram entrance is low-floor. Stops closest to the Planty and the Old Town include Main Station (Dworzec Główny), Dworzec Główny West, Basztowa, Stary Kleparz, Bagatela Theatre and the Philharmonic — pick the stop nearest your starting point.
Krakow’s ticket system is varied: there are short-term time tickets (for several minutes or an hour), 24-hour tickets, family weekend tickets and season passes. Time-based tickets are the most convenient for short tourist walks because they are valid for a set period after validation and permit transfers. Mobile apps and electronic media simplify buying and storing tickets.
Regarding young children, practical rules commonly found on the network: children up to the age of starting compulsory schooling often travel free based on a parent/guardian’s declaration; primary school pupils may be entitled to free travel in certain conditions after showing a school ID. Discount and free-travel rules can change, so it’s always worth checking current information with the transport operator before you travel.
The easiest option is to download the official city ticket apps and create an Electronic Passenger Account — this lets you buy tickets in advance, extend season tickets and recover tickets if you change phones. Stationary ticket machines and onboard machines sell single paper or electronic tickets. It’s also useful to have at least one taxi app installed for quick rides (for example Uber or Bolt) in case traveling with a stroller requires more flexible transport.
Start: Main Railway Station (easy to reach by train or bus) — a quick stop by shops and platforms, ideal if you arrive by train. Head to the Planty and begin your walk toward the Barbican / St. Florian’s Gate. On the way: pause at Szczepański Square for a short rest and coffee for adults.
Next: walking the Planty you’ll reach Szczepański Square and the Philharmonic — a good place for the first longer stop. Pop into a local café or use the restroom. Continue toward Wawel — along the way small playgrounds and monuments will interest the children. Stop at one of the playgrounds (Plantuś or Wild Planty) to give the kids time to play freely.
Finish: after the playground you can head to the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church) or walk down to the Vistula River and enjoy the Wawel panorama from the boulevards. If you plan to eat, booking a table near the Market or in Kazimierz makes finishing the day more relaxed.
Around the Planty and the Old Town you’ll find many well-rated cafés and restaurants that welcome families. Choose places with good reviews and child-friendly amenities — high chairs, play corners, children’s menus or quick service. Popular and well-regarded spots in this part of town include cozy cafés by the Market and several places offering traditional Polish dishes and rich desserts. If you plan a meal on a weekend or during high season, booking ahead is a good idea.
Family-friendly restaurants near Wawel and the streets leading from the Market usually offer a wide range of dishes and are open from morning until late evening, which gives flexibility when planning mealtimes with children.
Trying to fit too many sights into one short walk — it’s better to pick 2–3 goals and spend time on them. An overambitious plan with little children often ends in tears and exhaustion.
Not managing tickets — even short tram rides require a valid ticket; keep documents proving entitlement to discounts handy if you use them.
Ignoring the weather and children’s clothes — Krakow can be changeable: pack a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes; on sunny days bring a hat and sunscreen.
Skipping breaks and snacks — plan regular stops, playground time or a short coffee break so children can rest and recharge.
Do children travel for free? - Many categories of children have special entitlements: the youngest often travel for free accompanied by a guardian based on a parent’s declaration, and primary school pupils may have specific entitlements after showing appropriate ID. Rules are updated from time to time, so check the current information with the city transport operator before your trip.
Are the Planty stroller-friendly? - Most alleys are easy to push a stroller along, but some sections and entrances to the Market have cobbles or small steps. Planning the route and choosing entrances with firm surfaces will make stroller walks easier.
Where can I find a changing table and toilets? - Near the Planty and in the immediate area there are public toilets (for example near Szczepański Square and Franciszkańska Street) and changing tables at the Tourist Information Center and in the Cloth Hall. For a longer day of sightseeing check a central map to plan breaks by convenient facilities.
How to avoid crowds? - Visit the Planty in the morning (just after cafés open) or in the late afternoon on weekdays. Weekends and midday in high season draw the busiest crowds. If you encounter a busy spot, walk one path over — the park has many parallel routes.
Bring a small emergency kit: wipes, a lightweight first-aid set with plasters, small snacks and a water bottle. Give children a few small tasks (for example a list of things to find in the Planty) to turn the walk into a game and keep them engaged longer.
Buy a ticket in the app before boarding the tram — it saves time and avoids stress if someone forgets to validate a paper ticket. In case of inspection have documents proving discount entitlements (school ID, etc.).
If you plan a longer stay in Krakow with frequent trips, check 24-hour tickets or family weekend packages — they can be much cheaper than single fares.
The Planty were created in the 19th century on the site of medieval defensive walls and moats — when you walk the Planty you literally follow the line of the old city fortifications. That’s a fun historical puzzle for children: why are parks sometimes where walls used to be?
Among the trees in the Planty you can count species together with the kids: ash, horse chestnut, maple, linden, poplar and elm. With some luck you may also spot a rare plane tree and tell a short story about it.
The Planty contain monuments to figures children can hear interesting anecdotes about — from astronomers to writers. A small game: who spots the Copernicus statue or the Matejko monument first?
The Planty are an ideal place for a calm family walk — with a bit of planning, a few practical items and some knowledge of how Krakow’s public transport works, your day will be a success. If you find this guide useful and think other families could benefit, share it on social media or send it to friends.
If you’d like to explore Krakow with someone who knows the city inside out and can tailor the route to your family’s needs, feel free to contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she can help make a Planty walk the start of a wonderful family adventure in Krakow!
