Wawel is not only a symbol of Kraków but a large complex: the cathedral, the castle, the Crown Treasury, the armory and the Dragon’s Den. Good planning lets you avoid the biggest crowds and see the most important places even with a small child and a stroller. Keep in mind, though, that some interiors have stairs or other limitations, so it’s better to be prepared with a carrier or plan to leave the stroller in a designated place.
The most important rule: buy tickets online in advance and choose early opening hours or weekdays. That way you’ll much more easily avoid queues at ticket offices and entrances to particular exhibitions.
It’s worth planning your route so you visit the ticketed exhibitions first (for example the Crown Treasury, Representative Chambers) and leave the cathedral or the Dragon’s Den for the end — if time and energy allow.
Arriving about 30 minutes before opening or exactly at opening helps you avoid the largest groups. Check opening hours and last entry times for each exhibition – not all exhibitions admit visitors until the very end of the day.
Buy tickets online in advance and keep the confirmation on your phone or printed. Practically speaking, the best times are early mornings on weekdays and late afternoons outside the high season.
If you plan to visit several exhibitions, consider a combined ticket or the family route – these shorten waiting times and provide a logical visiting order.
The castle courtyard and arcades – free to access and possible to stroll through with a stroller. They’re a great place for a short rest and photos.
Wawel Cathedral – worth entering, but not all parts of the cathedral and crypts are accessible with a stroller. The royal crypt and some chapels have stairs, so you may need to leave the stroller and go down on foot or use a carrier.
Crown Treasury and Armory – museum rooms where some displays may be reached only by stairs; some rooms are on one level but accessibility can be limited.
Representative Chambers and Private Royal Apartments – beautiful but often narrow and with staircases; it’s recommended to leave the stroller in the designated area and carry the child in a carrier.
Dragon’s Den – seasonal entrance; part of the route is on steep steps, so a stroller usually makes descent difficult. It’s better to carry the child or use a sling/carrier.
Many visitors choose the “Most Important at Wawel” route – a family-friendly version with an educator, designed for children and with clear rules about strollers.
Buy tickets online in advance – this allows you to reserve a specific entry time and skip queues at ticket offices. The online system limits the number of tickets per transaction, so for larger groups plan purchases ahead.
Check the last-entry times for each exhibition; some have technical breaks during the day.
On days with “quiet hours” or free admission the situation can be different – check this before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
A lightweight, foldable stroller makes moving around and storing it much easier. The easier and faster you can fold the stroller, the simpler it will be to handle places to leave or transport it.
Bring a carrier or sling – they’ll be invaluable in places with stairs. If your child dislikes carriers, plan shorter indoor visits and more frequent outdoor breaks.
Pack water, snacks and a small changing kit – a visit can last several hours, and breaks by the stroller are most convenient for the little ones.
There is a luggage storage area on the arcade courtyard – this is where visitors are usually asked to leave strollers before entering selected exhibitions.
Do not leave the stroller with valuables unattended. After leaving the stroller, cover it if possible and take documents and valuables with you inside.
If you worry about leaving the stroller, mark it in an obvious way (for example with a colorful ribbon) and do not leave backpacks or bags in it that might attract attention.
Can I enter the cathedral with a stroller? – Many parts of the cathedral are accessible, but crypts and some chapels cannot be visited with a stroller because of stairs. Prepare a carrier or plan to leave the stroller in storage.
Is the Dragon’s Den open year-round? – The Dragon’s Den is sometimes seasonal and includes stairs; check the current schedule and be ready to carry your child or use a sling/carrier.
What happens if I miss my reserved time? – Entries take place at set times, so being late can mean losing your chance to enter. If something happens, contact the ticket office staff.
Not buying tickets in advance – this leads to long waits. Buy tickets online and select a specific time slot.
Trying to see everything at once with a stroller – not all places are adapted. Plan a shorter route and prioritize what you most want to see.
Being unprepared for child needs and breaks – lack of snacks, drinks or a changing mat causes stress. Pack a small parent-and-baby kit for the day.
Around Wawel and the Main Market Square you’ll find many family-friendly places. Recommended options include the historic Restaurant Wierzynek, well-known cafés, and spots offering home-style dishes as well as regional meals and children’s portions.
For a quick coffee and cake pick a café by the Market or on Kanonicza Street – many have good reputations and comfortable places to rest after a walk.
If you want a relaxed meal with your child, look for places that offer family space and changing facilities – many central restaurants are happy to accommodate families with small children.
Wawel offers special family routes and educational programs for children – a great alternative if you want the visit to be engaging for your little one.
On selected days and exhibitions admission may be free or limited – watch for announcements about “free days” or “quiet hours”, which improve comfort for more sensitive visitors.
Some exhibitions have technical breaks (for example mid-day) – include these pauses in your route planning so you don’t arrive at a closed room.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on your social media – it helps other families better plan their visit to Kraków.
If you want to visit Wawel without stress, consider the help of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) - contact details and the offer are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. A private tour provides comfort, a personalized plan and the ability to set the pace to suit your family. Good luck and enjoy your visit!
