Starting your visit to Kraków at St. Florian's Gate and the Planty puts you right in the heart of the city’s history and a cheerful atmosphere. St. Florian's Gate is a surviving fragment of medieval city fortifications, and the Planty is the green ring park created on the site of the old walls — a perfect place for a calm walk before you explore more of the Old Town.
For families this area has many advantages: short distances between attractions, plenty of benches and small squares to rest, nearby cafés and places to eat, and easy access to other Kraków icons — the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz.
A walk starting here is also a great introduction to the city’s history: in one place you can see a piece of the old fortifications, feel the medieval street layout and tell children, in a simple and engaging way, how the city looked long ago.
I suggest a route that works well for a family weekend — it includes the key points but also leaves time for play and rest.
Start: St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican - a short look, a few photos by the impressive walls and a story about the city’s guards.
Floriańska Street - a walk along this street full of souvenir shops, sculptural details and the atmosphere that leads you toward the Market Square.
Main Market Square - the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Basilica (tell the story of the hejnał), and the Rynek Underground (an interactive exhibition — great if you have time and the children like multimedia displays).
Short break — ice cream, a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy or lunch at a family-friendly restaurant (for example Café Noworolski, Pod Wawelem or a bakery like Charlotte).
Wawel - view from outside and (if you plan a longer day) a short visit to the Cathedral or the royal chambers. Don’t forget the story of the Wawel Dragon and the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) at the foot of the hill.
Vistula boulevards - a place to relax after intense sightseeing, watch the river and let kids play on the grass.
Evening option: a short night walk through the illuminated Market Square and the Planty — the area has a completely different, very pleasant character after dark.
Duration: the basic route without entering interiors takes about 2–3 hours; with entrances and breaks plan for half a day or a full day.
St. Florian's Gate is one of the best-preserved city gates in Kraków — it was part of the medieval defensive walls and an important point on the Royal Route. Several traditional royal processions began at this gate.
The Barbican next to the Gate is a cylindrical fortification that still impresses with its massiveness — a great place to imagine the city’s old defenses and tell stories about knights and sieges.
Fun fact for kids: tell them about the city guards and arrange a short game 'who can stand like a guard' — a simple activity that gets them involved and stays memorable.
Near the Gate it's easy to show how the city boundary used to look and how much the urban layout has changed over the centuries — a simple history lesson right in the centre.
The Planty is the green belt surrounding the Old Town, created on the site of the former city walls. It’s an excellent place to catch your breath: paths, benches, fountains and small play areas for children.
A walk along the Planty can be adjusted to your sightseeing rhythm: after an intense time on the Market Square it’s nice to move into the Planty so children can run on the grass while adults enjoy a coffee from a nearby café.
The Planty are dotted with plaques and monuments commemorating various figures and events linked to the city — a short story at one of the monuments is a great chance to spark younger visitors’ interest in local history.
Practical tip: the Planty are stroller-friendly for the most part, but on some stretches cobbles or uneven surfaces may require attention — comfortable shoes and a little patience make the walk much easier.
Even short visits can be turned into an adventure: try a simple map with tasks — find a dragon sculpture, count the towers visible from the Planty, locate the oldest paving stone, etc. Simple tasks give children a sense of purpose and help them remember places.
Add theatrical elements: a short enactment of the Wawel Dragon legend or a contest for the best hejnał imitation is a hit with younger children.
Choose interactive attractions: the Rynek Underground, the Living Museum of the Obwarzanek (Żywe Muzeum Obwarzanka), Ogród Doświadczeń (the Garden of Experiments) or museums with tactile and multimedia exhibits are great for teens and curious little ones.
If the weather disappoints, have a plan B — cafés with children's corners, indoor play areas or short workshops (ceramics, obwarzanek baking) will save the day.
Tickets and reservations - for the most popular interiors (royal chambers, some exhibitions) it's worth buying tickets in advance to avoid long lines and disappointment. If you have children, choose morning hours when it's less crowded.
Best times to visit - morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant; at midday the Market Square can be busy, which tires the youngest visitors.
Transport - the city centre is very walkable; you can walk from the train station to the Old Town. If needed, trams and buses quickly take you to further areas.
What to bring - comfortable shoes, a water bottle, small snacks for the children, and a light jacket or wrap (the weather can change). A bit of cash is handy for small purchases and snacks.
Toilets and changing facilities - there are public toilets in the centre and eateries with family facilities; plan short breaks to keep the visit pleasant.
Safety - watch your bags in crowds and agree a clear meeting point in case someone gets separated. For little children you can pin a card with a guardian’s phone number to their clothes.
How long does a walk around the Planty and St. Florian's Gate area take? - A walk along the Planty and seeing the Gate usually takes 1–2 hours, but if you include the Market Square, Wawel and play breaks, plan for half a day or a full day.
Is the route suitable for strollers and small children? - Most of the Planty and main streets are accessible for strollers, but cobbles can be uneven in places — a sturdy stroller or a baby carrier is recommended.
Can you go inside St. Florian's Gate? - The Gate is primarily a historic monument and is best viewed from the outside; access to interiors depends on current exhibitions and conservation work and may be limited.
When is the best time to visit with children? - Morning and late afternoon, outside peak tourist hours — children have more space to explore and lines are shorter.
Is the route paid? - Walking the Planty and viewing the Gate is free. Fees apply for entering some museums, royal chambers or special exhibitions.
If you only have an afternoon: choose a shorter version — St. Florian's Gate, a quick walk down Floriańska, the Market Square with a short break and a distant view of Wawel. This way you feel the city's atmosphere without rushing.
For older children: add educational elements — photo tasks, a mini history quiz or a 'find Gothic details' challenge to spark interest in architecture.
Weather matters - on a sunny day the Planty are perfect for a picnic; on rainy days choose museums with interactive displays.
If you’d like a guided visit: contact me to tailor the route to the ages and interests of your group so that children and young people return home smiling and with new knowledge.
The Planty and St. Florian's Gate are a great starting point for discovering Kraków — they combine history, greenery and easy access to the main attractions. For families and young people, this route can be light, interesting and full of fun if you add a few simple engaging elements.
If you’d like me to help plan your Kraków weekend so every family member is happy — get in touch or book a route. I will gladly tailor the program to your children’s ages, your interests and your sightseeing pace.
