Villa Decius is a Renaissance residence with roots in the 16th century (the first construction works around 1535), located in the picturesque Wola Justowska. Around the villa lies Decius Park — a historic palace-and-park complex designed in the first half of the 16th century by Italian architects. For teenagers it offers a nice mix of green space, interesting architecture and small attractions (a sculpture gallery, a seasonal café, a playground), and at the same time it’s an easy place to arrange a short educational walk or an urban game.
The park covers about 10 hectares and delights with mature trees — lindens and hornbeams — that speak to the site’s long history. The villa and the cultural institution operate year-round, but access to interior spaces and programs for children are often seasonal, so it’s worth checking the calendar before your visit.
For a family or a youth group the site is a good escape from crowded city center — fresh air, benches, places to rest and simple attractions mean that spending a midday or a full day outside the Old Town can be just as rewarding as a classic Market Square walk.
Assuming the villa is “always open” — this is one of the most frequent mistakes. The Institute of Culture Villa Decius has standard office hours, but interior visits take place according to the event calendar or by prior arrangement. Before taking a group, check the villa’s calendar or call ahead.
Thinking there is plenty of parking — parking at the palace-and-park complex is limited: there are spaces on-site, but they can fill up quickly on weekends and during events. Plan to arrive earlier, use public transport, or have a plan B if parking is full.
Skipping the attractions “along the way” — many visitors only see the villa’s façade and leave, not realizing the park houses the Bronisław Chromy sculpture gallery, a seasonal café and nearby playgrounds. Take a moment to walk the park and check the current offer.
Assuming the ground is ideal for bikes and scooters — although many alleys are paved, the park also has sections with roots and natural unevenness. If you plan a roll-and-ride activity with teens, check the route in advance and remember protective gear (helmets) and cautious riding.
Start your walk around the villa — notice the loggia with decorative tiles and learn about former owners: the Decius, Lubomirski and Czartoryski families. This is a great starting point for a short history lesson about Renaissance residences and the role of Wola Justowska.
The Bronisław Chromy Gallery, located near the former band shell in the park, often surprises with the forms of its sculptures and includes a seasonal café (for example, Café Pod Pegazem). Plan a short “search game”: ask the teens to find selected motifs in the sculptures or count particular elements (e.g. how many dragons or figures), so the walk becomes more interactive.
For younger and older groups: detective walks and workshops — Villa Decius regularly organises family and children’s activities (detective walks, art workshops). This is ideal when you want a guided visit with narration and tasks. Information about such activities is published in the institute’s calendar.
A short educational route: Renaissance — park — sculpture — rest. This structure balances culture, movement and free time, which works well with youth groups.
The Institute of Culture Villa Decius keeps standard office hours, but interior access is tied to the event calendar or prior arrangement. Always check the current schedule before you arrive.
Decius Park is open to the public — entry to the park is free. Entry to exhibitions or events in the villa may be ticketed.
Parking: the palace-and-park complex has two parking areas — a lower parking (about 20 spaces) and an upper parking (about 10 spaces). During bigger events or sunny weekends available spots shrink quickly, so plan to arrive early or consider public transport.
Getting there and transport: Wola Justowska is easily accessible from Kraków city centre — you can reach it by public transport or car. If you’re organising a larger youth group, consider splitting into smaller teams and using nearby stops.
Accessibility: the villa’s information indicates facilities for visitors with visual impairments; if you have people with additional needs in your group, contact the institution in advance to arrange details and possible support.
A seasonal café operates in the park near the Bronisław Chromy Gallery — a convenient stop for coffee, cake or ice cream after a walk. In the Wola Justowska and Zwierzyniec area you’ll also find recommended places to stay; one venue connected to the palace complex is Hotel Dom Erazma (the former outbuilding of Villa Decius), which can be a comfortable base if you want to spread your visit over two days.
If you plan a meal with a youth group, choose places with good reviews and prompt service — on weekends it’s wise to reserve tables, especially for larger groups. Prepare a few budget options (cafés, bistros) and one more “sit-down” option in case of rain or if the group wants to linger.
If you’d like, I can help choose specific well-rated places depending on your preferred style (vegan, Italian, dessert cafés) — tell me your preferences.
Villa Decius was a meeting place for intellectual and cultural elites over the centuries — it’s not just a pretty façade but also a site with a rich social and artistic history.
Parts of the park’s tree stand date back centuries — lindens and hornbeams that survived wars and later changes, making the park one of Kraków’s interesting green corners from a natural-history perspective.
The park features contemporary art elements (including Bronisław Chromy’s sculptures) — it’s a good chance to talk with teens about how tradition and modernity can coexist in the same space.
Activity idea: a mini-themed festival for teens — short presentations, field tasks and a finale by the café; you can run such a scheme in a few hours and it brings lots of fun without heavy logistics.
Is the park paid? No — entry to Decius Park is free.
Can we enter the villa without reservation? The villa is sometimes open to visitors during events or by prior arrangement; don’t assume the interiors are always accessible.
Are there toilets and places to rest? Yes — the park has benches and seasonal food points; with a larger group it’s best to plan short breaks and check toilet availability for your date.
Can we arrive by bus/tram? Yes — Wola Justowska has connections with the city centre; when planning a group route, check current public transport timetables.
1. Start: arrival and a short introduction to the place (15–20 minutes) — tell a few curiosities about Decius and the villa’s history. 2. Park walk and mini-quest (45–60 minutes) — photo tasks and searching for sculpture elements. 3. Visit the Bronisław Chromy Gallery and a break for coffee/ice cream (30–45 minutes). 4. Creative activity or a short detective walk with a guide/workshop (60–90 minutes) — if there’s no organised event, arrange simple educational tasks yourself. 5. Finish and return, optionally a meal at a nearby place. This plan is flexible and gives teens a balance between movement, culture and rest.
If you want, I can prepare a ready-made quest scenario or a list of questions and tasks tailored to the group’s age.
Plan calmly: check Villa Decius’s calendar, arrive early if you need parking and have a backup if interiors are closed. Give teens space to explore, but also give them tasks that engage them.
If you want the visit to be even more interesting and logistically safe, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — professional tours, youth-focused scenarios and help with event bookings. Contact details for Małgorzata are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If this guide was helpful — share it with friends, post on social media or recommend it to anyone planning a weekend in Kraków. Good luck and enjoy visiting Villa Decius with your group!
