Yes — although Kraków is a historic city full of cobbles and steep approaches, you can plan a lovely visit that avoids stairs and difficult stretches. In practice this means choosing flat routes (the Planty, Grodzka Street), using low-floor trams and buses, planning museum entries in advance, and taking advantage of accessibility facilities available at many public institutions. This article lists the most important places, gives a practical one-day route, offers tips for students and Erasmus visitors, and a FAQ to make each day of sightseeing easier.
Local guides and city materials often provide accessibility maps and information about step-free entrances — it’s worth having these at hand before you set out. Many museums and institutions offer wheelchair or stroller loans on site or have lifts and toilets adapted for people with limited mobility.
1. Main Market Square and St. Mary’s Church (the Hejnał) — the heart of Kraków, best enjoyed from the square: the Market is wide and largely accessible, and the Hejnał is played every hour from the tower. Access to the church interior and the tower can be limited, so check opening times and step-free options before visiting.
2. Royal Route (Floriańska Gate – Grodzka Street) — a historic but relatively flat route connecting the main central points. By staying on the edges of squares and on the wider pavements you can avoid the roughest patches of surface.
3. Wawel (step-free entrances) — the hill has some slopes, but there are designated step-free entrances from the Bernardine and Grodzka sides. Some exhibitions and courtyards are accessible, and in certain places a wheelchair or stroller can be loaned — notify the information point in advance.
4. Vistula boulevards — wide, flat promenades ideal for resting and taking photos with a river view; the route is stroller-friendly with plenty of benches.
5. Kazimierz (partially accessible) — the historic district with many cafés and restaurants; many venues and streets have step-free access, though some courtyards have steps — stick to main thoroughfares (Plac Nowy, Józefa Street).
6. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (museum) — one of the city’s better museums in terms of accessibility: lifts, wide passages and facilities for visitors with limited mobility.
7. Main Market Underground — a modern exhibition with accessibility features including a lift; a great way to learn about the Market’s history without steep stairs.
8. Las Wolski and the Zoo (route toward Piłsudski Mound) — prepared paths and asphalt sections on parts of the trail make walking with a stroller possible; recommended as green escapes from the centre.
9. City museums and National Museum branches — many institutions (the National Museum and selected temporary exhibitions) have lifts and adapted toilets; check the 'accessibility' section before visiting.
10. Nowa Huta — large squares and simple traffic routes, good for a calm walk and to see a different face of the city without steep climbs.
Start: around the Planty or Matejko Square — the Planty are a green ring with even alleys, an ideal starting point. Head toward Floriańska Gate and Floriańska Street, staying closer to the square’s edge to avoid the most crowded and uneven patches.
Next: Main Market Square — take a lap of the Square, listen for the Hejnał from St. Mary’s and take photos by the Cloth Hall. If you want to enter the church, check the visiting hours and accessibility options in advance.
Then: Grodzka Street toward Wawel — this is a comfortable, gentle descent to Wawel; choose the entrance designated as step-free (Bernardine/Grodzka side). After a short walk, rest on the Vistula boulevards.
Afternoon option: Kazimierz — cross the river (choose a safe crossing with suitable access) and pick spots with step-free entrances. If you prefer a museum outside the Old Town, Oskar Schindler’s museum has convenient entrances and lifts.
Trams and buses (MPK) — most vehicles are low-floor with a dedicated space for strollers and wheelchairs. When choosing a service pay attention to the line and time — not every departure always has a low floor, but the fleet is being modernized continuously.
Taxis and door-to-door transport — major companies and apps offer quick rides; if you need wheelchair-accessible transport, call in advance or reserve a specialized service.
Renting a wheelchair or stroller — some museums and institutions offer rentals. If this convenience is important, reserve ahead or ask at the tourist information point.
Accessible toilets — main museums and large public venues have adapted toilets; in the city it’s wise to plan breaks at venues that list accessibility facilities.
Plan by pace and budget — as a student you’ll often want to see as much as possible in a short time. Start with the main points (Market, Wawel), then choose one museum. Many places offer student discounts — carry your valid student ID.
Use public transport and travel passes — trams and buses are relatively cheap; buying a 24- or 72-hour ticket saves money if you plan intensive sightseeing. Check MPK apps and maps to avoid long walks over cobbles.
Where to eat well and cheaply — choose venues with good reviews. Traditional places that have long enjoyed a good reputation include Pod Baranem (Polish cuisine), Cafe Camelot (cozy café), Noworolski (café in the Cloth Hall), Starka (Kazimierz) and Mleczarnia (Kazimierz). Try to visit outside peak hours to make entry with a stroller easier.
Assuming that 'the centre = trouble-free' — even short stretches of cobbles can make pushing a stroller difficult. Instead, plan a route including flat avenues (the Planty, the boulevards) and main streets.
Not checking museum accessibility in advance — some exhibitions and towers are not accessible to strollers or wheelchairs; check the 'accessibility' page and reserve any necessary loan equipment or timed entries.
Skipping planned breaks — Kraków is a city where frequent rests are worthwhile. Plan breaks every 20–40 minutes and have a list of cafés, benches or accessible toilets where you can stop.
On some sections of the Royal Route the city installs extra aids and tactile information — ask at information points about maps for visitors with limited mobility.
Many city museum branches are testing audio description and tactile maps — even if you do not use these solutions, their presence shows a growing institutional commitment to accessibility.
Las Wolski has asphalt stretches that are comfortable for strollers — it’s an excellent way to escape the tourist bustle without going far from the centre.
Will I hear the Hejnał live everywhere? - The Hejnał is played daily from the tower of St. Mary’s Church; you can hear it from the Market and many nearby spots. If you want to visit the tower, check visiting rules and step-free access options.
Can Wawel be visited with a stroller? - Yes, Wawel has several step-free entrances and selected exhibitions are adapted; not all parts of the hill are accessible (for example the Dragon’s Cave may require steps). Report your needs at the information point to get the easiest route.
How do I avoid difficult cobbled sections? - Stick to main pedestrian routes, use the Planty and the boulevards, and when crossing the Market try walking along the edge by the buildings where surfaces are often gentler.
When choosing restaurants and cafés, follow reviews and popularity — larger venues around the Market and in Kazimierz more often have step-free entrances and adapted toilets. Long-standing, well-regarded options include Pod Baranem, Cafe Camelot, Noworolski, Starka and Mleczarnia — these places typically have comfortable layouts and friendly service.
Accommodation: if movement comfort is important, pick a hotel or apartment near the Planty, close to the Main Railway Station, or in Kazimierz — from these locations it’s easy to reach most attractions with minimal elevation changes. When booking, ask about elevator access and door widths. For students, hostels near the Station or cheaper apartments close to the centre can be cost-effective.
If you want restaurants with the highest ratings — choose from the places listed above or check current rankings and reviews before visiting.
Kraków can be a charming city even when you visit with a stroller or want to avoid stairs. The key is planning: choose flat routes, check accessibility information for institutions, use low-floor transport and take regular breaks.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like to explore the city with the support of a professional guide, you can use the services of guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck with your planning and enjoy your stay in Kraków!
