Kraków is a city of monuments, museums and parks — fortunately, in recent years many institutions and public spaces have been adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility. Renovations, lifts in museums, lowered curbs and low‑floor trams make getting around the city much easier.
This guide collects practical information about places we most often recommend to visitors who use wheelchairs or have other accessibility needs. I also share tips on how to avoid common pitfalls and how to prepare for a day of sightseeing.
1) Wawel (Wawel Hill) — the heart of Kraków’s history. Most outdoor areas, courtyards and selected exhibitions are accessible for wheelchair users (there are lifts and stair platforms). Not all parts of the castle and some towers are accessible because of historic staircases; before visiting, ask about external lifts and the possibility of borrowing a wheelchair if needed.
2) Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and Main Market Square — the city’s central space. The Cloth Hall has facilities that ease access to the exhibition area; remember that on very busy days steep curbs and crowds on the Market Square can make maneuvering a wheelchair more difficult.
3) National Museum and its branches (including the Sukiennice branch, the Princes Czartoryski Museum collections and other thematic branches) — a large part of the collections and exhibition spaces have been adapted: lifts, wide passages, accessible toilets and materials in formats that help visitors with different needs.
4) Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (Museum) — the exhibition route is accessible for wheelchair users, with a lift and an accessible toilet. It’s a popular and moving exhibition, so book tickets in advance and check entry times to avoid very crowded periods.
5) Stanisław Lem’s Garden of Experiences (Museum of Engineering and Technology) — an outdoor science exhibit with pathways and an accessible toilet; occasional small thresholds may occur near ticket desks, but staff are helpful and support or reserved sessions for visitors with special needs can usually be arranged.
6) Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden — wide paths, accessible greenhouses and benches; seasonal outdoor areas are comfortable for wheelchair movement, although some historic features may have uneven surfaces.
7) Kraków Zoo — the zoo offers a dedicated route adapted for visitors with disabilities, accessible toilets and parking; during the season the zoo provides maps showing wheelchair‑friendly paths.
8) Planty Park and Błonia meadow — the green belt around the Old Town and the large, flat Błonia meadows are excellent level spaces for a stroll or a short rest without stairs or uneven cobblestones.
9) Kazimierz (the former Jewish quarter) — many streets and synagogues have routes and entrances adapted for wheelchairs; some narrow streets still have cobbled sections, so plan routes in advance and choose side streets with smoother surfaces when possible.
10) Nowa Huta and the Nowa Huta Museum — the modernist layout includes large, even squares and paths designed with accessibility in mind; some museum programs offer special routes and information tailored to different needs.
Call or email the place you plan to visit — many museums and attractions accept advance bookings and can prepare assistance (e.g., lifts, platforms or a loan wheelchair).
Choose routes that avoid old, uneven paving: Planty is a great alternative around the Old Town; many visitors combine a short ride across Błonia with a visit to Wawel.
Use public transport — most trams are low‑floor, and stops and rolling stock are continually being modernized. For shorter distances consider an accessible taxi or a transport service for people with disabilities.
Check for accessible toilets in advance — not every café or small venue has them.
If you’re planning an intensive day (many museums, long routes), bring a plan of stops and places with benches for short rests.
Several well‑reviewed places frequently recommended to visitors with reduced mobility include: Restauracja Wierzynek (historic and elegant, located on the Market Square), Szara Gęś on the Market (high‑quality Polish cuisine), and Pod Wawelem (traditional food near Wawel), as well as numerous cafés near the Planty. Because interior layouts vary, call ahead to confirm step‑free access and accessible toilets before booking.
Hotels in the Old Town and Kazimierz increasingly offer rooms adapted for guests with disabilities. When choosing accommodation check: door width, lack of thresholds at the room entrance, bathroom type (roll‑in shower or adapted equipment), and lift availability. When booking, request a room specifically listed as accessible.
Mistake 1: Assuming all historic interiors are accessible. Reality: many areas are adapted, but some rooms or towers remain unreachable. Always call ahead.
Mistake 2: Planning a full day without breaks. Reality: the pace for visitors with limited mobility is different; schedule rests, seating and bathroom stops.
Mistake 3: Underestimating outdoor surfaces (cobblestones, gravel). Reality: even short stretches of uneven ground can make wheelchair travel very difficult — have alternative routes ready.
Many Kraków museums have introduced audio description, sign‑language routes and sensory trails — these are not only accessibility aids but also enriching, different ways to experience exhibitions.
City programs are improving movement in public space: lowered curbs, high‑contrast markings at crossings and audible signals at new traffic lights.
Some parks and attractions offer wheelchairs for loan on site — ask at the venue’s information point.
Is it easy to move around Kraków with a large electric wheelchair? Most main attractions and routes are accessible for electric wheelchairs, but check in advance about doorway widths and the availability of lifts in specific museum branches.
Can I bring an assistance dog? Most institutions accept visitors with assistance dogs — it’s best to let them know ahead of your visit to avoid misunderstandings.
Where can I find maps of wheelchair‑friendly routes? Download city accessibility guides and use apps and guides that list places adapted for visitors with different needs. Tourist information points can often provide printed maps and advice.
If you’d like: plan your route the day before, buy tickets online where possible and contact venue staff to ask for help at the entrance or to adapt the visit to your needs.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan their stay in Kraków.
If you prefer to explore with a local guide, I recommend the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. She can tailor pace and routes to individual needs and help coordinate with the places you want to visit. More information is available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
