Yes — the Market Square Underground can surprise the youngest visitors. It’s not just excavations and old foundations, but also interactive displays and special areas designed for children that make Kraków’s history accessible and interesting.
The museum is family-friendly: along the route you’ll find a play area, interactive panels, and facilities such as restrooms and a baby-changing table. Many visitors appreciate the lift and wide walkways, which make it easier to visit with a stroller.
Exploring the entire route can take from about 1 up to 2–3 hours, depending on whether you stop at every exhibit and whether you take a guided tour. For families with small children it’s worth planning breaks and not rushing the visit.
A standard adult ticket costs around 40 PLN, a reduced ticket around 35 PLN, and family tickets (various options covering adults and children) are often offered as a single, favorable package. The museum also participates in discount programs and family cards.
Group rates apply for larger groups and are usually charged per person at a lower rate than the standard ticket. The museum allows purchase of group tickets and offers guided tours for an additional fee. Guided tours of the permanent exhibition are generally a fixed fee (often a few hundred PLN) — check the current price list when booking.
Free admission is sometimes offered on selected days (for example, certain Tuesdays or other days indicated by the museum), but rules for free days and reservation options on those dates can vary — if you plan a group visit, confirm the terms in advance.
If you’re planning a school trip, birthday outing or larger family excursion, book the date early — especially on weekends and during high season. City museums often limit the number of visitors per time slot.
A good practice is to inform supervisors about the expected duration of the visit and available rest areas. For groups with small children it’s helpful to have one or two extra adults beyond the formal chaperone-to-child ratio so movement along the route is smoother.
When booking, ask about cloakroom availability, toilets and baby-changing facilities, and about the possibility and cost of a guided tour. That way you’ll avoid surprises on the day of your visit.
Young visitors usually remember the interactive elements the most: animations, short stories, theatrical fragments and reconstructions of everyday objects used by Kraków’s past residents. These features turn a dry history lesson into a vivid, sensory experience.
Children are also drawn to parts of the exhibition connected to city legends — tales of dragons, merchants and medieval urban life presented in an accessible, often playful way. This approach links facts with imagination and helps memories stick.
It’s worth combining the visit with a short workshop or a small task for children (for example, a treasure map or simple detective tasks) — many families return to the exhibition with greater enthusiasm after such activities.
Living Museum of Obwarzanek — baking workshops and short lessons about Kraków’s culinary tradition. This hands-on experience is very popular with little ones and usually available at family-friendly ticket prices.
Kraków Water Park — pools, slides and zones for the youngest visitors. A great option for a rainy day or as a reward after a busy day of sightseeing. Tickets are available for set time slots (e.g., one or two hours) as well as full-day options.
Wieliczka Salt Mine (near Kraków) — a huge underground attraction with chapels, chambers and routes adapted for family visits. Remember comfortable shoes and to reserve places in high season.
Polish Aviation Museum — a large exhibition of aircraft, models and often extra attractions for children interested in technology and flying.
Zoo — a pleasant walk with animal encounters and seasonal educational events for children.
Museums with educational offers for kids — many museum branches in Kraków organize workshops and museum lessons; check current programs and register children in advance.
Interactive workshops and demonstrations — the city regularly hosts short family activities: ceramic, theatre, cooking and science workshops.
Entertainment centers and playrooms — places with inflatables, building blocks and organized birthday animations are a sure way to let children burn off energy.
Child-friendly themed walks around the Old Town — short routes with legends and tasks that engage the youngest visitors.
Check opening hours and last entry — in some museum branches last admission is about 75 minutes before closing, so arrive earlier to have enough time to see the route calmly.
Dress children comfortably and in layers — although the Market Square Underground is not as cool as a salt mine, underground spaces can have a different temperature than the surface. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Bring a small supply of snacks and water — you can’t always eat along the route; short breaks help keep children in good spirits.
Not booking a date in advance for a group visit — this can cause stress and the risk of cancellation. Book early, especially during tourist season.
Underestimating the time needed — families often plan a “quick” 30–45 minutes; in reality the route may take longer. Allow extra time for rest and play.
Not asking about facilities — before you come, ask about cloakrooms, baby-changing tables or lifts, especially with small children or visitors with limited mobility.
Do children enter for free? Very small children (e.g., up to 3 years old) are often admitted for free, but rules vary by attraction — check the regulations before your visit.
Can you visit with a stroller? The Market Square Underground has accessibility features, including a lift, but parts of the route run over uneven ground — ask about the route and any limitations when booking a group visit.
Is it worth hiring a guide? For groups and families who want fuller historical context, a guided tour is a good choice — it costs extra, usually as a one-off fee for the group.
The Underground Museum shows that beneath the familiar Main Square there are layers of history from the Middle Ages through modern times — it’s a great place to show children that a city is more than just the buildings above ground.
If you enjoyed your trip, share photos and tips with other parents — recommendations from friends are often the most valuable advice. For guided visits you can contact the licensed private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; details and offers are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. We also encourage you to share this article with friends and leave a short review after your visit.
