Yes — most of the main sights in central Kraków can be seen with a stroller if you plan your route well. Wawel and the Market Square delight children and adults alike, but they also have limitations — some exhibitions and interiors require leaving the stroller at the cloakroom or using lifts and platforms.
In practice this means: book entry times for interiors (for example the castle chambers) at specific hours, have a backup plan in case of queues and consider booking a private tour — that way you can adjust the pace to your child and family needs.
Buy tickets online where possible — you’ll save time in queues and can set a concrete time to enter particular exhibitions (especially at Wawel).
If you want guided visits of the castle exhibitions or a private tour - book in advance. Wawel’s reservation office accepts requests and usually confirms bookings a few days before the visit — this helps synchronize a family program.
Check the opening hours of each exhibition on the day of your visit — some displays have limited entry times and some routes may be inaccessible with a stroller.
Wawel regularly runs temporary exhibitions and family activities — check for family workshops, animations and special children’s programs. These events are great fun for little visitors and are often age‑appropriate.
Wawel has a cloakroom policy for large strollers: in some exhibitions you will be asked to leave the stroller in a deposit. For that reason it’s smart to bring a small folding stroller or a baby carrier as an alternative.
Not all routes at Wawel are stroller-friendly — parts of the crypts and some rooms have stairs or narrow passages. The institution provides lifts and platforms where possible, and staff can usually help plan an adapted route when you arrive.
Day 1 — Old Town and Wawel: start in the morning at the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, walk the Royal Route along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square (Sukiennice, St. Mary’s Church — photograph from the outside), then a short stroll to Wawel. Enter a chosen castle exhibition at your pre-booked time and take a break at cafés on Kanonicza Street or on the Planty.
Day 2 — Kazimierz and Podgórze: a calmer rhythm with fewer crowds than the Market. Plac Nowy is a good place for a stop and a quick bite; then cross Bernatka Footbridge to Podgórze to enjoy views of the Vistula and the Wawel panorama.
Pace and breaks: plan for a maximum of 2–3 stops per hour — children and parents need places to rest, change diapers and have a snack.
Many venues in the centre offer facilities: lifts, adapted toilets and changing tables. At Wawel you can find information about availability on specific routes — some rooms are reachable by platforms or lifts, others have size limits for strollers.
If you plan to enter interiors: be prepared to leave a large stroller in the cloakroom; bring an ID and some change for audio guide rental if needed.
Tourist information points in the centre will gladly help choose a family-friendly route and will point out the nearest toilets with changing facilities.
For a quick, family-friendly bite: Plac Nowy (famous for zapiekanki) and the many cafés in Kazimierz — good for a stroller break.
For a classic sit-down lunch I recommend restaurants near Kanonicza and by Wawel — you’ll find places with comfortable tables and airy interiors. For lovers of traditional Polish cuisine: Pod Baranem is a well-known spot for hearty Polish dishes.
For coffee and cake: Cafe Camelot on Świętego Tomasza is a cosy option near the Market; if you want a faster pick-me-up — cafés along the Planty and around the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) are usually available.
Not booking entries to Wawel and other popular exhibitions for the weekend — this often ends in long queues. Book ahead or choose off-peak hours.
Trying to enter every interior with a large stroller — instead have an alternative (folding stroller or baby carrier). Many interiors require leaving the stroller in a cloakroom.
Parking at the last minute in Kazimierz or the city centre — spots disappear quickly on weekends. Have a backup parking plan and consider arriving earlier in the morning.
Can I bring a stroller into all parts of Wawel? - No. Some exhibitions restrict strollers and require leaving them at a cloakroom. Accessibility for people with limited mobility is partially provided via lifts and platforms — ask at the information point.
Where can I change my child in the centre? - Wawel and larger museums have dedicated changing rooms; cafés and shopping centres also offer changing tables.
Is a private tour more expensive? - A private guide allows a personalised pace, flexibility and better adaptation of the program to your child’s needs — for families this is often the best investment in comfort and peace of mind during the weekend.
Wawel runs regular family workshops and educational programmes for children — check the “Wawel family” offer before your visit; it’s a great option if you want a child-friendly activity related to history and art.
Some rooms and routes at Wawel offer free audio guides or kid-friendly materials — ask at the ticket office about versions for children.
Often less obvious: the best photos of Wawel with your child are not from the courtyard but from the Vistula boulevards or from Bernatka Footbridge — there’s more space and fewer crowds.
If you want to get to know Kraków calmly and comfortably with a child, consider a private tour led by a local guide — the pace, route and breaks will be tailored to your needs.
Share this article with family or friends — it may help them plan a weekend in Kraków! If you’d like help organising a trip, please contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
