Do you want to show the children and the rest of the family two very different faces of Kraków in one day? That's a great idea: in the morning we visit Wawel to see the royal chambers, the Cathedral and museum exhibitions; after a break we go to Nowa Huta to learn about the history of the socialist‑realist town, its squares, churches and interesting architecture. This article is a practical plan for a full‑day tour led by me — Margaret Kasprowicz — designed with families in mind.
Here you'll find a suggested timetable, a list of places to visit (with entries to the most important museums and exhibitions), practical advice about transport and tickets, and an FAQ answering the questions families ask most often.
The route is flexible — you can shorten it, extend it or change the order depending on the children's ages, the weather and your preferences. I lead tours full of anecdotes and activities for the youngest so that everyone returns with a smile and a new fun fact.
In the text I draw on my guiding experience and practical information about routes and services available during visits.
Let's start!
This combination shows contrast: Wawel is a thousand years of history, royal residences and sacred sanctuaries; Nowa Huta is postwar modernist and socialist‑realist urbanism, the story of a workers' town and life in the People's Republic. Children and adults remember contrasts like these — they learn how different eras and ideologies shaped the city's space.
Both parts have attractions that engage families: at Wawel there are short, “living” stories, riddles and exhibits to admire; in Nowa Huta there is room for walks, squares, characteristic buildings and places with stories you can tell in an accessible way.
With good organisation this makes for a comfortable, eventful day without too much rushing.
9:00 — Meeting near Wawel. A short introduction and preparation for the children: what we'll see, the order and what to pay special attention to.
9:15–11:15 — Wawel: Cathedral, royal crypt and tombs (short stories), a walk around the courtyards of the Royal Castle, selected museum rooms. Plan visits to the Treasury and Armory and the Royal Residence — these are places children usually remember thanks to the objects on display and stories about royal customs.
11:15–11:45 — Break for a snack and toilet break. There are cafés and snack points on and near Wawel; it's important not to rush the children before the next leg of the trip.
12:15 — Departure to Nowa Huta (tram, bus or taxi/car). Travel time depends on transport and traffic; typically allow 25–40 minutes.
13:00–16:00 — Nowa Huta: walk around Plac Centralny, visit the Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury or another local museum/exhibition, see the Wanda and Willowe housing estates, walk along Aleja Róż, pass places such as Restauracja Stylowa, the Nowa Huta Cross, Teatr Ludowy and the Arka Pana church. The programme can include a short staged story about everyday life in the PRL for children — simple, playful comparisons with today work very well.
16:00–16:30 — Coffee or cake at a local café, a recap of the day, questions from the children.
Optional 17:00 — finish at the Cistercian Abbey in Mogiła or return to Kraków city centre.
Wawel Cathedral — the coronation site and resting place of Polish rulers. For children I tell legends, explain symbols and describe what a king's coronation looked like. I also point out architectural curiosities and sculptures that are easy to remember.
Royal tombs and the crypt — short, accessible stories about famous figures. I avoid long lists of dates and focus on narratives.
The Royal Castle — courtyards, wardrobes and selected museum rooms. Chosen displays of armour, tapestries and everyday objects are excellent visual aids for children.
Treasury and Armory — if children are curious about “real armour” and shining objects, this will be a hit. Museum entries are best reserved in advance, especially at weekends and in the holiday season.
Plac Centralny (Ronald Reagan Central Square) — the heart of Nowa Huta's urban design, a large, accessible space perfect for talking about city planning in the PRL.
Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury (NCK) — a cultural centre that sometimes hosts exhibitions or workshops for children; check the programme before your visit.
The Wanda and Willowe estates — examples of different housing types from the early years of Nowa Huta.
The 'Swedish' and 'French' blocks — characteristic construction features and names you can use in a field game for children.
Aleja Róż and the places where the Lenin monument once stood — stories about the transformation of public space and the symbolism of the era.
Restauracja Stylowa — an icon of local dining, good for a quick lunch or dessert after the walk.
The Nowa Huta Cross and the community struggle to build a church — an important, moving story that can be told simply to explain the role of the local community.
Teatr Ludowy and the Arka Pana church — places that show the district's culture and spirituality.
The Cistercian Abbey in Mogiła — optional, if you have more time or prefer a quieter end to the day.
Entries to the most important rooms at Wawel and to selected exhibitions should be booked in advance, especially in season (May–September), on long weekends and during holidays. I recommend buying tickets online or arriving early so you don't spend much time with children in queues.
Wawel sometimes runs family programmes and workshops — check whether there are educational events for children on the day of your visit.
In Nowa Huta some institutions (for example local cultural centres) offer exhibitions and workshops; check current programmes before your visit.
If you plan to enter several museums, prioritise — for small children it's better to visit 1–2 exhibitions well than 4 quickly and without attention.
Tram or bus — usually the most convenient and economical option. Off‑peak travel is quick and lets children see the city from a different perspective.
Taxi or car — convenient, especially with a stroller or a larger group, but expect variable road conditions and travel time depending on traffic.
Coach — for larger school groups or organised family groups consider a minibus or coach.
If you travel with a stroller: most trams and buses in Kraków have low floors and facilities for strollers, but check vehicle accessibility for specific departures ahead of time.
Comfortable shoes and layered clothing — Kraków's weather can be changeable, especially outside summer.
Snacks and drinks for the children — short breaks help keep everyone in a good mood during longer walks.
Documents and tickets — have printed or electronic tickets for museums, and a child's ID if needed.
A small backpack with basics: tissues, sunscreen (in summer), umbrella/foldable raincoat.
Phone with a charged battery and a powerbank, plus a transport card if you have one.
I offer tours in Polish and English. Group pricing is flexible (rates depend on route length and group size). For small groups (1–35 people) standard rates start from shorter 2‑hour walks; longer routes use different hourly rates.
I have audio‑guide headset sets available, which makes it easier to tour larger groups and in noisier places.
To book a tour — the best way is to email or call at a time convenient for you. Weekend and high‑season reservations are recommended in advance.
Wawel — not all museum rooms and parts of the hill are fully stroller‑accessible (there are stairs and sometimes narrow passages). Always ask at the ticket office for the easiest route and lift availability.
On the Nowa Huta route most sidewalks and squares are spacious and easier to navigate with a stroller, but older estates may have curbs and uneven surfaces.
If you travel with an infant: plan extra breaks and places to change the baby (cafés, cultural centres).
Do children pay for museum tickets? - Ticket rules vary by institution: many museums offer reduced fares for children and school youth, and some exhibitions are free for the youngest. I always check this before the visit and let parents know what to buy in advance.
Is the route suitable for preschoolers? - Yes, but shorten time in museums and add more breaks and movement activities. For younger children I recommend a more 'storytelling' approach with games and riddles.
Do we have to reserve a table for lunch? - In popular places, especially at weekends, it's worth reserving a table, particularly if you are a larger group or have dietary requirements.
How many kilometres of walking are in this plan? - It depends on the route variant: expect a moderate amount of walking in the centre, on Wawel and in Nowa Huta; wear comfortable shoes.
Is the route safe for children? - Yes. Both parts of the route are safe, but, as always, supervise children near busy streets and when crossing roads.
Start the day early — morning visits to Wawel are more pleasant with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in summer.
Plan your museum priorities — choose 1–2 rooms you really want to see rather than trying to 'tick off' everything quickly.
Give children roles — for example a small 'treasurer' who looks for coats of arms, or a 'photographer' who takes pictures of interesting details — this engages them and helps focus.
If you want the tour to be led by me, tell me your preferred date and the number of people and the ages of the children — I will prepare a programme tailored to your needs.
A shared day at Wawel and in Nowa Huta is a great way to show your family Kraków's diversity — from royal legends to postwar histories and urban space. The route is flexible, child‑friendly and rich in visual attractions.
If you have questions about adapting the route to your children's ages, dietary needs or accessibility — I will gladly help prepare the ideal plan. I look forward to your message and to seeing you on the walk!
