Did you know that the Garden contains a prism many times larger than the ones used at school — and that its interior holds glycerin? It's one of those simple yet spectacular exhibits that shows how light splits into colors. Little details like this make a walk through the Garden not only fun but also an accessible everyday physics lesson.
The park is named after Stanisław Lem and combines sensory, geological and astronomical educational elements in one green place.
It's an interactive educational park, a branch of the Museum of Engineering and Technology — over 6 hectares of green space where visitors can touch exhibits, perform simple experiments and observe phenomena in optics, acoustics, mechanics, hydrostatics and magnetism for themselves.
The Garden is arranged in themed zones: a Geo-area with various types of rocks, a sensory exhibit focused on smells, the Lem-maze (a green labyrinth with quotes from Stanisław Lem), a sand planet for the youngest visitors, plus activity zones and a planetarium offering spherical screenings. Each season brings new devices and special educational events and workshops.
The prism and Newton's disk — simple light experiments that delight both children and adults; a large kaleidoscope; a magnetic chaotic pendulum; a gyroscope and the Zorba ball for those after stronger sensations (some attractions may have an extra fee).
The sand planet, where you can create Lissajous figures and learn through creative play, and the Geo-area — a brief geology lesson in a natural setting. Seasonal additions sometimes include safe solar telescopes for observing sunspots, a small toboggan run and devices that demonstrate compressed air in action.
Address: al. Pokoju 68, Kraków. The Garden is next to Park Lotników and close to TAURON Arena and the M1 shopping center, which makes arrival and parking convenient. Contact and reservations: ogrod@mit.krakow.pl, phone +48 12 428 66 00.
Season and openings: the Garden operates seasonally — typically from spring to late autumn — and at times hosts winter light exhibitions. Opening hours and special events vary with the season, so it's a good idea to check the current schedule or call before your visit.
Tickets: normal, reduced and family tickets are available, and you can often buy combination tickets with the main museum. Some activities (gyroscope, toboggan runs, Zorba ball rides) may require an additional fee. School groups can book workshops and museum lessons — advance reservation is required.
Public transport: the Garden is easy to reach by trams heading toward Aleja Pokoju — nearby stops give a quick connection from the city centre. Cyclists can use bike routes and bike racks in the area.
Parking: the nearest options are the M1 shopping center car parks and areas around TAURON Arena. Weekends can be busy, so arriving earlier or using a nearby multi-storey car park and walking in is often the most relaxed option.
How much time should you plan? Plan at least 1–2 hours to try most stations at a relaxed pace. Families with children will likely want more time since many exhibits encourage repeated experiments.
Weather and clothing: most exhibits are outdoors — check the forecast and dress appropriately. Bad weather can limit some activities. In summer bring sunscreen and water; in cooler months wear warm layers.
Payments: sometimes the ticket desk may not have a card terminal for small purchases — it’s wise to carry a little cash for extra attractions and souvenirs. For workshops or group visits, reserve in advance.
Accessibility: the site is partially accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, though some interactive stations may be difficult to use — contact the Garden staff ahead of your visit to discuss specific accessibility needs.
Right next to the Garden you'll find the M1 shopping center and food outlets near TAURON Arena — the quickest places to grab a bite after your visit. If you're staying longer in Krakow, the Old Town and Kazimierz are 15–25 minutes away by public transport and offer a wide selection of highly rated restaurants and cafés.
For family-friendly options look for cafés with play corners or restaurants with children's menus to make mealtimes easier after an active day. For accommodation, consider hotels near Rondo Mogilskie or in the city centre — both offer good tram connections to the Garden.
Underestimating the time — many visitors try to 'rush' through the Garden in half an hour. The result is missing interesting stations and frustrated children. Schedule at least 1.5–2 hours.
Not having small change — if you plan to use additional paid attractions, bring some small cash for tokens or entrance fees. Check ahead whether the ticket desk accepts cards.
Arriving at a busy weekend without workshop reservations — if you want to join educational activities or celebrate a birthday, book in advance. Sunny weekends can be crowded, so arriving earlier helps avoid queues.
The magnetic chaotic pendulum really engages — every 'run' looks different, so even if you've seen it before, the next start will produce a new motion pattern.
The Lem-maze isn't just a plant labyrinth — its paths are lined with quotes from Stanisław Lem, adding a literary touch and a moment of reflection between experiments.
The Garden keeps expanding its offer — apart from permanent exhibits there are seasonal displays (for example winter light installations), workshops and themed events for families and schools.
Come ready to play and ask questions — this is the perfect place to check physics and biology rules yourself instead of just reading about them in a book.
If you'd like a more detailed guided tour and to discover the Garden's hidden highlights, you can arrange a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details for booking are available on the guide's page. If this guide helped you, share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can plan a great trip to Krakow!
