The Kraków obwarzanek has more than 600 years of history, and in Krakow you can not only eat one but also bake it yourself — that’s exactly what you do at the Living Obwarzanek Museum. The city offers plenty of attractions for families with small children, but it’s worth planning your route to avoid the trickiest cobbled streets and steep steps. This text will help you plan a private tour including obwarzanek workshops and suggest stroller-friendly places to stay.
Krakow is more than just the Market Square and Wawel — it also has the green Planty, wide boulevards along the Vistula, and an increasing number of venues adapted to family needs. With good preparation, a weekend or longer stay with a little one can be truly enjoyable.
The Living Obwarzanek Museum is an interactive place where short demonstrations and workshops introduce the history and techniques of baking the Kraków obwarzanek; afterwards you shape and decorate your own pastry. Workshops usually last about an hour, run in small groups, and are great for both children and adults. After the session each participant takes home their own obwarzanek and a commemorative certificate.
The museum is located in the city centre, near Stary Kleparz, making it a convenient stop during a walk around the Old Town. Booking in advance is recommended — workshops are very popular, especially during the tourist season and at weekends.
The Living Obwarzanek Museum has several workshop rooms with different layouts. Not all rooms are barrier-free — there can be steps at the entrance level, and one of the rooms can be harder to access with a stroller. Museum staff are usually happy to help, so it’s a good idea to call or message before your visit and confirm which room will host your workshop.
If you plan to attend with a very small child, remember to inform the organisers about allergies (workshops use flour, poppy seeds and sesame) and the child’s age — children under a certain age often enter free, but group booking rules may differ.
Which district to choose depends on priorities: proximity to attractions, ease of daily getting around, and evening quiet. Here are some proven options:
- Old Town: closest to the main attractions and the Living Obwarzanek Museum, but streets are often cobbled and crowded. If you want to be within walking distance of most points, look for hotels or apartments with elevators and step-free entrances.
- Kazimierz: a charming district with a good selection of restaurants and shorter walks to museums. Historic pavements can also be uneven, but many venues offer comfortable entrances and spacious family-friendly interiors.
- Podgórze (areas around Podgórze Market and the Vistula Boulevards): increasingly chosen by families thanks to flat pavements, pleasant riverside walking routes and fewer tourists in the evening. It’s a good pick if stroller walks and quieter evenings matter more than being right next to the Market Square.
- Grzegórzki/Śródmieście: good transport connections, larger modern hotels with lifts and family rooms. It’s usually easier to find places with child-friendly amenities and step-free access here.
When searching for a place to stay with a stroller, ask about specific amenities — don’t assume “city centre” means barrier-free. Check the following before booking:
- step-free entrance or an elevator from reception to the room;
- door width and access to a shower (comfort for changing and bathing a child);
- the possibility of a cot and renting a high chair;
- a ground-floor apartment or a fast elevator — these make daily logistics with a stroller much easier;
- reviews from parents and information about changing facilities in the reception/restaurant;
- distance to the nearest supermarkets and pharmacies — practical when travelling with small children.
If you want recommended addresses, choose properties with strong family reviews and those that list specific amenities. Aparthotels in the centre or modern hotels on main arteries often have what you need.
Krakow runs a network of low-floor trams and buses, which makes travelling with a stroller easier — many stops have step-free access to platforms. During rush hour public transport can be very crowded, so plan journeys outside peak times or opt for short walks.
For short distances and narrow streets a taxi or ride-hailing service can be convenient — some apps operate in the city and often offer child seats for an additional fee. If you plan an evening return with many bags, book a taxi with a larger trunk.
For planning walks choose the Planty and the Vistula boulevards — these are usually even, wide paths without cobbles, ideal for strollers. Avoid the narrowest parts of the Old Town during the busiest tourist hours.
Krakow has many family-friendly venues. If you’re looking for places with a play corner or changing facilities, check recommendations from parents. Many restaurants on the Old Town and in Kazimierz are known for a family atmosphere and good service.
When choosing a place pay attention to: availability of high chairs, a place to change a baby, and whether you can enter with a stroller. Some cafés offer discounts for customers who bring their own cup, while others have special kids’ menus.
If you want reliable recommendations, pick places highly rated in family reviews — there you’re most likely to find comfort and fresh, tasty food.
Booking accommodation without checking the entrance and the lift — this can mean carrying a stroller up stairs every day. Always confirm these details with the property.
Trying to see the entire Old Town with a heavy stroller in one day — it’s better to spread the plan into shorter walks with breaks for feeding and rest.
Not informing workshop organisers about limitations — if someone in your group has allergies, access issues or a very small child, notify organisers in advance so they can prepare assistance.
Book the Living Obwarzanek Museum workshops in advance and confirm which rooms are accessible for strollers.
Choose accommodation with a lift or ground-floor access and request a cot if needed.
Pack a light changing mat, a portable food-heating solution for baby meals and a small first-aid kit.
Install navigation and transport apps for Krakow (maps, taxis), and check tram timetables and walking routes.
Can children take part in the obwarzanek workshops? Yes — workshops are aimed at families and children participate enthusiastically; check age limits and reduced ticket rules when booking.
Is the museum adapted for strollers? Partly — some rooms are easier to access than others and there can be steps at the entrance. Staff usually help. It’s best to contact them beforehand to confirm which room will be used.
Where is best to leave a stroller while dining? Check with the venue staff about space near the entrance or storage options; in some places the team will gladly advise the safest spot.
The Kraków obwarzanek has protected geographical status — this means the authentic method of baking is closely tied to the region and tradition. It’s not just an ordinary pretzel!
Many small cafés in the centre offer changing facilities and family-friendly spaces even if they don’t advertise them loudly — it’s worth asking, especially in the morning off-peak hours.
If you want to avoid crowds and cobbles, consider staying on the other side of the Vistula or along the boulevards — from there a walk into the Old Town can be more pleasant and less bumpy.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help other families better plan their trip to Krakow.
If you’d like a private tour tailored even more precisely to your family’s needs, consider booking a private guide — a personalised route can be planned to suit your stroller, your child’s pace and your food preferences. This is a convenient option when you want to adapt the itinerary to mobility and timing needs.
Good luck with your planning and enjoy a tasty obwarzanek!
