A small group gives you the freedom to choose the pace, timing and stopping points. For families with small children, grandparents, or friends travelling with one or two little ones, a private guided tour means shorter walking sections, longer rest breaks and the ability to adapt the story to the children’s age.
The guide can tailor the content to the interests of the youngest participants — turning dates and names into stories, riddles and simple tasks to complete on the route. For groups of 2-6 people it’s also easier to reserve a table in a café, arrange entry to interiors and manage logistics (stroller, toilet, changing table).
If you’re visiting with children, plan the route with several “rest points” — playgrounds, child-friendly cafés or quiet benches along the Vistula. That rhythm makes sightseeing enjoyable for everyone.
A suggested 2-3 hour route, ideal for small groups and families:
- Start: cross Bernatek Footbridge — views of the Vistula and Wawel give a pleasant first “wow” with little effort.
- Walk along the boulevards or a short climb to St. Joseph’s Church — a few photos and a brief story about Podgórze’s past.
- Rynek Podgórski — a place for ice cream or the first break. The market square is intimate, less crowded than the Old Town and has several quieter cafés.
- Stop at a chosen café — time for coffee for adults and something for the kids, a changing table or space to sort things out.
- Optional: a short walk through Podgórze’s nearby streets or return along the riverside boulevards towards Kazimierz.
Around Rynek Podgórski you’ll find several intimate venues that are good for a break with little ones. Here are a few tried-and-true options that fit a private walk for 2-6 people:
- De Revolutionibus Books - Rynek Podgórski 8 - an independent bookshop combined with a café. Ideal when you want to sit in a calm atmosphere, browse children’s books and use a small literary corner. The venue often organises cultural events and workshops — an extra plus if there’s an activity for the youngest on that day.
- Lu-kier Cafe - Rynek Podgórski 4 - a classic café with a pleasant vibe, good for a quick stop for coffee and cake. It’s a well-known spot on the square and frequently recommended by locals.
- Mazi - Rynek Podgórski 9 - a café/patisserie in the heart of the square where you can sit outside in good weather. A good choice for a dessert after a walk; you’ll often find fresh pastries and sweets kids love.
These places are a natural choice for small groups: they are not large restaurants, staff usually serve small tables quickly, and the atmosphere tends to be calmer than in busy tourist spots.
When planning a private walk with children, remember a few simple rules that will make the day easier for everyone:
- Reserve a table in advance, especially if you want a place with a changing table or a comfortable spot for feeding. For small groups a reservation means you won’t be waiting with an irritable little one.
- Choose early morning hours or late afternoons at weekends to avoid tourist peak times. The townhouses and cafés around Rynek Podgórski are most peaceful then.
- Ask at the venue about toilets and changing facilities before you enter — not all smaller cafés have changing tables on site.
- If you have a stroller, pick a route with the fewest steps and with places where the stroller can be stored near the table.
- Bring small snacks, spare wipes and a water bottle — little surprises can save the mood during an outing.
A private guide lets you flexibly adjust the length of the walk and the pace. Here’s what I usually do when leading small groups with children:
- I shorten walking sections so there are regular breaks every 20-30 minutes.
- I pick places with easy access to toilets and safe seating.
- I turn dry history into play: riddles, spotting characters on façades, simple drawing tasks for the youngest.
- I help with logistics — reserving a table, pointing out the shortest route to a toilet or suggesting a place for lunch after the walk.
For groups of 2-6 people this personalisation makes sightseeing relaxing rather than stressful.
- 10:00 - Start on Bernatek Footbridge; a short story about the river and the bridges.
- 10:20 - Walk towards Rynek Podgórski with a stop for photos and a legend about the district.
- 11:00 - Coffee and dessert at De Revolutionibus Books (bookshop + café) - a moment for reading and rest.
- 11:40 - Short walk around the neighbourhood; a game of finding interesting architectural details.
- 12:00 - Finish at a favourite patisserie or ice cream shop on the square and a quick briefing on where you can go next with a map in hand.
This plan leaves room for short extra breaks and longer stops at favourite places.
Podgórze and Rynek Podgórski have a more intimate character than the Old Town; pavements can be narrow and there are shallow thresholds on the square. If someone in your group has mobility limitations, tell the guide in advance so we can choose a route without steep climbs.
Cafés on the square usually offer outdoor seating — a good option when children like watching passers-by. Always check whether the venue accepts strollers at the tables.
Remember basic safety rules by the river — keep children on a short lead or close by when walking along the boulevards.
Is the route stroller-friendly? - Yes, the suggested route is possible with a stroller, though you may encounter cobbled sections. The guide will adjust the pace and route to minimise difficult stretches.
Do local cafés have high chairs and changing tables? - Small cafés do not always have changing tables, but many places in the area offer high chairs. It’s worth calling ahead when booking a table.
How long does a typical private family tour last? - Usually 2-3 hours; it can also be shortened to 60-90 minutes for a brief walk with a coffee stop.
Can the guide recommend a place for lunch after the walk? - Yes, the guide knows local restaurants and can recommend child-friendly menus and help with a reservation for a small group.
- Don’t try to pack too many sights into one day. Children (and adults) will appreciate a calmer pace and one longer break at a playground or café.
- Trust your local guide — a private tour means tailoring attractions to your group. If you want more history, we’ll add it; if you prefer more breaks and play, that’s perfect too.
- Bring appetites: in Podgórze it’s easy to find patisseries, cafés and ice cream shops that will delight the little ones. Small rewards after a program point work wonders.
If you’d like to plan a private tour of Rynek Podgórski and the surrounding area focused on family comfort — I’ll gladly help organise the route, reservations and adapt the pace to your needs. Contact me to plan an intimate walk through Podgórze with Malgorzata Kasprowicz.
