If you’re wondering how to spend the long May weekend with children in Krakow and the surrounding area — you’re in the right place. Krakow offers a perfect mix of fun, learning and green spaces, and within about an hour’s drive you’ll find the large Energylandia amusement park. This article lists tested attractions for the little ones, practical tips for self-guided audio tours and maps, plus a ready-made plan for a small group of 2–6 people for the May long weekend. Everything is written in a friendly tone so parents can relax and enjoy seeing their children happy.
I prepared this guide for families who like to combine a bit of energetic fun with relaxed walks and easy planning — without rushing and, when possible, avoiding long queues if you bring a few practical tricks.
1. Main Market Square and the Hejnał from St. Mary’s Basilica — starting from the heart of the city, children enjoy movement, street performers and souvenir stalls. Plan shorter walks and breaks for ice cream or a traditional obwarzanek.
2. Main Market Underground — a multimedia archaeological exhibition that brings the city’s history to life; great for curious kids. Book tickets in advance and don’t plan to spend an entire day here.
3. Dragon’s Den and the Wawel Dragon statue — the legend and the dramatic ‘fire-breathing’ effect are a must for little ones; on the way, descend to the Vistula riverbank for a picnic.
4. Wieliczka Salt Mine (just outside Krakow) — an underground experience with strong impressions, but the route includes stairs and longer walking; best for slightly older children or shorter sections of the tour.
5. Stanisław Lem Park of Experiences — an outdoor science park with interactive installations; ideal for a sunny day and for letting children experiment on their own.
6. Klockoland / LEGO exhibits and interactive play centers — spaces that are easy to match to different ages, often with corners for younger children; reservations may help for workshops.
7. Live Obwarzanek Museum — a short, practical lesson about Krakow’s specialty; kids bake their own obwarzanek and take home a souvenir.
8. Krakow Aquapark — an excellent option rain or shine; zones for children, slides and paddling pools make it a reliable plan for a wet day.
9. Jordan Park and Wolski Forest — places to run around on playgrounds, cycle or hike up to Piłsudski Mound; a calmer pace after busy sightseeing.
10. Educational Park “Villages of the World” and nature education centers — an alternative to monuments; learning through play and themed workshops.
Energylandia in Zator is a real hit for families: a huge range of attractions, zones tailored to different age groups and seasonal events. It’s a great one-day trip from Krakow — for a May long weekend the key is good organization.
Practical tips: buy tickets online in advance (this helps avoid queues), check park hours and special events for the May holiday and arrive early to make the most of the day. By car, the drive normally takes around an hour — if you plan stops, allow extra time.
The park has zones for the very young, family attractions and extreme rollercoasters for older kids and adults — set family priorities beforehand, because it’s easy to get stuck at a single attraction. There are food outlets and parking on site; during long weekends parking can be busy, so an early arrival is recommended.
Audio guides and route apps are great tools when you want to explore at your own pace and without large groups. These work on smartphones, often include GPS, offline mode and narration in several languages — ideal for small groups of 2–6 people.
Recommended types of solutions to check before you go: apps that automatically play when you reach a point of interest (useful so kids hear stories right at the location), city guides with downloadable maps and city audio-walks shared by local institutions. Before you set out, download the route for offline use, check battery level and bring a powerbank — GPS and audio drain phones quickly.
Self-guided audio tours work well in the Old Town and Kazimierz — it’s easy to pause for a meal or an ice cream and then resume. For younger children choose shorter segments with interactive stops (museums, parks, workshops).
Day 1: Morning walk around the Main Market Square and Kazimierz with a self-guided audio tour; stop for an obwarzanek and spend the afternoon at the Park of Experiences or a nearby park.
Day 2: Day trip to Energylandia — a full day of fun: arrive early and make use of the park’s app or an attractions planner.
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mine or a quieter day: a Vistula river cruise, playground time in Jordan Park and dinner at one of the recommended, well-reviewed family-friendly restaurants.
A few practical tips: check opening hours and possible maintenance closures before your chosen day; book tickets to popular attractions ahead of time; expect crowds over the May holiday, so start early. Pack clothing for variable weather — spring can be unpredictable.
When choosing restaurants and cafés for families, look for places with friendly service, child-friendly menus and space to relax. A few tried-and-true spots worth considering are: Massolit Books & Café (family-friendly, bookish atmosphere and a comfortable break spot), Restauracja Pod Wawelem (traditional Polish cuisine, convenient after visiting Wawel) and Forum Przestrzenie (relaxed vibe by the Vistula, good for a snack and rest after a walk).
For accommodation: choose reputable hotels and family-friendly guesthouses near the Old Town — opt for family rooms, apartments with kitchenettes or properties offering child-friendly amenities. Book early for the May long weekend — it’s a peak season and the best options go fast.
1. Overpacking the itinerary — parents often want to “see everything,” which overwhelms children. Plan shorter stages and one major attraction per day.
2. Not booking tickets in advance for top attractions — during the May holiday queues and waiting time can eat up most of your day. Buy online where possible.
3. Poor practical preparation — forgetting a powerbank, snacks or rain clothes makes the day harder. Prepare a small emergency backpack.
4. Not checking age/height restrictions for attractions — especially important in amusement parks; before you go, confirm which rides your children will be able to use.
- Many city audio guides offer an offline mode — download the route before leaving the hotel to avoid roaming charges and connectivity worries.
- Hands-on workshops (for example, baking an obwarzanek) keep kids engaged and provide a homemade souvenir — often a better keepsake than an expensive trinket.
- Around Wawel and the Main Square you’ll find several small local ice-cream parlors that are sometimes less crowded than the ones right on the main routes — shorter queues mean more fun time.
Is Energylandia suitable for a one-day trip from Krakow? Yes — it’s a popular one-day destination for families, especially if you arrive early and buy tickets online.
How do audio guides work and are they suitable for children? GPS-based audio guides play short recordings at specific points; for kids pick tours with short, engaging stops or those that combine a walk with hands-on activities (workshops, interactive museums).
Should we reserve a table at a restaurant for the May long weekend? It’s a good idea, especially for larger groups or if you plan to dine at a popular place — the May holiday brings many tourists and locals out to eat.
If this guide helped you plan your May long weekend, share it with friends or on social media — families will appreciate ready-made ideas. If you prefer to delegate the organization of walks or want a private tour tailored to your children’s ages and family pace, consider the services of licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website.
Wishing you a wonderful trip, lots of smiles and unforgettable moments together in Krakow and Lesser Poland!
