Short and honest — yes, Wawel is a great place for children, and Rakowice Cemetery has a lot of historical and artistic value, but November 1 (All Saints' Day) is a completely different story. If you come to Krakow with children exactly on that date, it's worth thinking through your plan carefully: crowds, traffic restrictions and special organization can make a visit tiring for both little ones and adults.
If your goal is a calm viewing of sculptures, tombstones and a walk through the necropolis — consider visiting Rakowice on another day. If, however, you want to experience the atmosphere of All Saints' Day with your family (for example, to visit relatives' graves) — prepare for logistics, safety measures and shorter walking distances with children.
Below I give practical solutions: how to plan Wawel with little ones, what to avoid on November 1 at Rakowice Cemetery, and family route and activity suggestions that will interest children.
P.S. I prepared this text with families in mind — in simple language and with emphasis on practical advice. If you want, I can prepare a shortened plan for a specific day — tell me how much time you have and the ages of the children.
Organizational note: I especially recommend this guide to families visiting Krakow for the first time who want to combine sightseeing with comfort for children.
Wawel is a place full of legends, royal chambers and interesting spaces that can be presented attractively to children. The best family-friendly spots: the Dragon's Den with the dragon statue (a short descent into the cave), the castle courtyard as a place to rest and take photos, and selected royal exhibitions that you can choose so as not to overload the little ones.
Preparation - what to do before you go: buy tickets online in advance (this reduces stress and waiting time), plan for a maximum of 1–2 exhibitions, bring light snacks and water, and check whether on the day of your visit there are restrooms with changing tables if you have an infant. It's also good to have a carrier or sling — some parts have stairs and a stroller can be inconvenient.
Visiting time: for families I suggest allowing 1.5–3 hours depending on the children's ages. The youngest will be happiest with short stories about the Wawel Dragon, knights and little puzzles from the royal chambers. If a child gets bored quickly, plan breaks in the courtyard or in a nearby park.
Accessibility and movement: some routes have stairs and uneven surfaces - this matters for strollers. Where possible, it's better to use a carrier. On Wawel there are usually food points and places to rest, which helps organise breaks for children.
How to get children interested in history: tell a short, lively legend about the Wawel Dragon before entering the den; prepare a small task like 'find the statue with a lion' or 'count the columns in the chapter house'. Such simple games engage children and make the perceived time of the visit shorter.
Rakowice Cemetery is a historic necropolis with beautiful tombstones, but on All Saints' Day (November 1) visiting conditions are special. The cemetery is extremely crowded at that time, entrances may be controlled, and in many places car traffic is prohibited. This is important for families travelling by car.
Why you should consider another day: large crowds can be tiring and dangerous for small children - it's easy to get separated among the people. Parking is also difficult, and many streets around the cemetery are restricted. If your aim is to view sculptures and historic graves in peace, pick a day before or after the holiday.
If you must go on November 1 - practical tips: plan to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening, keep children close and give them a paper with your name and phone number in a pocket or on a bracelet, agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. There are information points and increased supervision in the necropolis, but it's still better to be prepared.
What to bring to the cemetery with children: a flashlight or a phone with a power bank (if you go after dark), comfortable shoes, tissues, spare clothes in case of dirt, and leave small candles to the adults — children should not get close to open flames. Also remember respect and silence — explain the rules of behaviour at the cemetery to your child beforehand.
If your goal is to visit the graves of famous people and artists - it's better to visit Rakowice on another day. Then you can calmly read inscriptions, tell stories about the figures and take photos without rushing.
Short trip (for families with small children) - best on days other than November 1: morning at Wawel (about 1.5–2 hours) - Dragon's Den, a short exhibition and the courtyard, then lunch at one of the nearby child-friendly restaurants, followed by an afternoon walk along the Planty or a visit to a playground. Leave Rakowice for another day if you want to explore it without hurry.
Full day with history (if you have older children): morning at Wawel - 2–3 hours with a chosen exhibition and stories about the kings, in the afternoon take a tram or car (check parking availability) to Rakowice Cemetery - a calm walk along the Alleys of the Distinguished, storytelling about notable people, and finish at a nearby café. Remember to avoid November 1 if you value tranquillity.
Plan everything with extra time - children like breaks, and unplanned stops for ice cream or a playground can save the trip from complaints.
Transport: trams and buses to the centre run frequently. On All Saints' Day public transport is often reinforced, but also more crowded - if you travel with a stroller, be mindful of the crush on vehicles.
Weather warning: autumn can be chilly and damp - bring warm jackets, hats and waterproof shoes.
Tickets - buy Wawel tickets online and check opening times for specific exhibitions.
Map and plan - plan a maximum of 1–2 attractions per child to avoid overdoing it.
Spare food and drinks - small snacks, water, tissues.
Layered clothing - autumn weather can be changeable.
Carrier/sling - makes getting around stairs and crowds easier.
Child identification - a note with name and phone number.
Flashlight/phone with charged battery - useful after dark.
Behaviour rules - remind your child about silence and respect before entering the cemetery.
Plan B - a shorter route or a quick exit if the child has had enough.
Scavenger hunt - prepare a simple list to find: a dragon, an eagle on a tombstone, part of a column, a commemorative relief. A sticker or small souvenir after the trip can be a reward.
Stories along the way - turn facts into short, lively tales: who might have lived in the royal chamber, who was the knight and why does he have a big monument.
Drawing diary - a small sheet of paper and crayons let the child draw the most memorable element. After returning, you can talk together about what they drew and why.
Quiet observations - at the cemetery suggest the game 'what do you see and what does it make you think about' instead of loud play, to keep the mood of the place and teach children respect for memory.
These simple activities will keep children focused, less fussy and help them take away an interesting lesson in history and empathy from the outing.
If you're planning a visit around All Saints' Day and you don't have to be at the cemetery on November 1 - choose another day. Crowds can ruin a family walk, and the experience of remembrance and reflection is better lived calmly.
Children learn by example - before entering the cemetery talk about why people visit graves and how to behave there. Simple, honest answers will be best for them.
If you need help planning a route for a specific day or want me to prepare a route tailored to the ages and interests of your children - write to me, I'll gladly help. Sightseeing in Krakow with children can be pleasant and stress-free if you organize it well.
Finally - remember to leave time for rest and small pleasures: ice cream, tea or a moment on a swing. Often those little moments make the best memories from a trip.
I wish you wonderful, safe and interesting walks around Krakow! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
