Planning a weekend in Kraków with a little one and a stroller, but want to see the key places connected to the city’s Jewish history? Great — it’s doable. This is a practical guide: short routes, helpful tips for navigating cobbled streets with a stroller, places to take breaks and notes on etiquette at memorial sites. Everything written in a friendly tone for families who want to explore without rush or stress.
Don’t be afraid of the cobbles — with the right stroller and a simple daily plan most attractions are accessible. Where paving is too uneven, I suggest alternatives: shortcuts through courtyards, riverside routes or short stretches with a carrier/wrap. Read the short practical tips below before you leave the hotel.
- This article was created with families in mind and for relaxed walks. You’ll find a ready two-day plan below, but you can shorten it to one busy morning and afternoon if you prefer.
- Respect and memory: places linked to Jewish history are primarily sites of remembrance. I encourage calm, attentive visits — brief moments to explain to the youngest what a place means can be very valuable.
- Keep the weather in mind when planning — in summer start early in the morning, on cooler or rainy days plan longer breaks in cafés and at museums.
- A stroller with large air-filled or foam wheels will be your best friend. Small wheels on a thin frame quickly become uncomfortable on uneven cobbles. If possible pick a model with good suspension or an all-terrain stroller.
- A foldable, lightweight stroller is useful in places with steps or when you need to go into a small museum. It’s also worth taking a carrier or wrap for short stretches along narrow streets.
- Rain cover, sunshade, spare clothes and wipes are essentials. Bring snacks, a drink and a favourite toy — short stops go much more smoothly if the child is occupied.
- Documents, a phone with an offline map and a powerbank — in Kraków it’s often easier to get around using shortcuts through courtyards and GPS helps find the right passages.
- If you plan to enter synagogues or smaller museums, check opening hours in advance (best in the morning) — this helps avoid waiting in queues with a stroller.
Day 1: Kazimierz (morning and afternoon) - Morning: start at Nowy Square (Plac Nowy) — open space makes moving easier. Have a quick breakfast there and prepare your little one for the walk. - Next: Szeroka Street (the heart of old Kazimierz) — a short stroll, then Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery (a peaceful place; please keep a quiet tone). Many sites have small ramps but some entrances have steps. - Afternoon: head along Miodowa Street toward the Bernatek Footbridge (Father Bernatek Footbridge) or choose a riverside route along the Vistula to avoid the most uneven sections. Finish the day relaxing in a family-friendly café in Kazimierz.
Day 2: Podgórze and sites of memory (morning) - Morning: cross the Bernatek Footbridge or other pedestrian bridges over the Vistula to Podgórze. Here you’ll find traces of the ghetto and the famous Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem). - If you plan to visit Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum, book tickets in advance — in high season lines can be long, and entering with a stroller may require briefly folding it. - Afternoon alternative: a gentle walk around the Planty (park ring) and a short route through the Old Town — a nice way to close the weekend if you still have energy.
- The plan is flexible: you can compress both days into one longer day by choosing the must-see spots (Nowy Square, Szeroka, Remuh, Eagle Pharmacy, Schindler’s Factory). Leave room for breaks and meals.
- Sooner or later you’ll appreciate a carrier — don’t be afraid to use it for a few dozen minutes so you can visit stretches that are hard with a stroller.
- Approximate pace: with a stroller and short breaks for feeding/changing, plan 2–3 km of ‘active sightseeing’ per day to avoid tiring the child or adults.
Nowy Square and surroundings - Why: central Kazimierz, markets, cafés — a great place to start. - Accessibility: largely open, flat pavements around the square. Cobblestones appear on some stretches but there are convenient crossings along the curbs. Watch for weekend crowds.
Szeroka Street and the Old/Remuh Synagogues - Why: Szeroka was the heart of the former Jewish community; the Old Synagogue and Remuh are important memorial sites. - Accessibility: some parts are cobbled and narrower; the Remuh area includes a cemetery — entrances can have steps. Plan short sections and approach entrances where there are fewer steps.
Tempel, Isaac and High (Wysoka) Synagogues - Why: architectural variety and history. - Accessibility: some synagogues have upper-floor rooms (e.g., High Synagogue), so a stroller may need to be left at the entrance; interiors can be narrow. If you want to go inside, morning visits typically mean fewer people.
New Jewish Cemetery on Miodowa Street - Why: a calm, green space with matzevot and history. - Accessibility: alleys are generally wide and pleasant for a stroll, though some spots may be uneven. It’s a good place for a quiet pause with the child.
Podgórze: Eagle Pharmacy, ghetto sites and Schindler’s Factory - Why: another perspective on wartime history, with memorial sites and museum displays. - Accessibility: sidewalks to the Eagle Pharmacy and some points are without major barriers; the Schindler’s Factory Museum’s exhibition spaces are adapted but the entrance may require folding the stroller (ask staff if unsure).
- Nowy Square: many cafés and food stalls, easy places to stop for a snack for the little one. - Kazimierz cafés: many venues happily welcome families; some offer changing facilities or will let you use their back rooms — don’t hesitate to ask staff. - Larger museums and institutions (e.g., Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum, Galicia Jewish Museum): often have toilets with changing tables and spots to rest. Call ahead to check opening hours and available facilities.
- Parks and green spots: small parks and squares around Kazimierz are great for a picnic or a nap in the stroller. - Child-friendly restaurants: choose places with spacious interiors and room to keep the stroller next to the table. Popular places fill up on weekends — it’s better to reserve a table.
- Pharmacies and shops: keep a list or map of nearby pharmacies just in case. Around Kazimierz and Podgórze pharmacies are available and staff are usually helpful. - If you need to change plans quickly (e.g., sudden rain): pick a café or museum as an emergency shelter to change the child and wait it out.
- Don’t be afraid to ask locals — residents and staff often point out the easiest stroller routes.
- Quiet and solemn tone: in synagogues, cemeteries and near memorials keep voices low and maintain respect. These are places of memory often visited by families and worshippers. - Photography: avoid photographing people in prayer; on cemeteries do not stand or climb on matzevot and don’t disturb other visitors. - Pebbles and stones: a traditional gesture of remembrance at graves is to place a small stone, not flowers — this is a simple idea to explain to children.
- Dress: when entering sacred places choose modest clothing (e.g., covered shoulders). This is a sign of respect, not a formality. - Short explanations for children: instead of complex history, talk simply about respect, memory and why a place matters. Children understand gestures, quiet moments and moments of thoughtfulness.
- If you plan to talk about difficult WWII topics, do it calmly and age-appropriately in a safe context. - Respect everyday life: Kazimierz is a residential neighbourhood where people live and work. Keep noise moderate and don’t block passages. - Many places have their own rules: it’s good to ask before entering whether strollers are allowed or if photographs are permitted.
- Check a map in advance and plan the trickiest stretches. Sometimes a short detour along a parallel street saves frustration. - If your stroller has a manual brake, lock it at every stop — cobbles or a slight slope can surprise you. - Bring a travel changing mat — not every café has a fixed changing table. - Book tickets online for popular museums (e.g., Schindler’s Factory) — entry will be faster and less stressful with a child.
- Mornings are the calmest: if possible visit interiors or smaller synagogues early to avoid crowds and queues. - If you must fold the stroller, keep a bag with essentials ready so you can quickly access diapers, wipes and snacks. - Check the weather: if rain is forecast, identify covered spots nearby where you can shelter quickly with the child.
- Short departure checklist: spare diapers, bottle/drink, carrier, rain cover, powerbank, offline map. - If you drive, pick parking near your route start (Nowy Square or Podgórze area are convenient starting points). - Trams and buses: public transport in Kraków is possible with a stroller — space is usually available but avoid peak hours. - Keep a comfortable pace: shorter stretches, more breaks and lots of photos — that’s the recipe for a successful family weekend.
Will I be able to see synagogues with a stroller? - Yes, but remember that some entrances have steps or narrow thresholds. If needed you can leave the stroller in a safe spot by the entrance and go in briefly carrying the child in a carrier.
Are the routes safe in the rain? - Cobbles get slippery when wet, so slow down, use a rain cover for the stroller and choose routes with more pavements and indoor options. Major museums and cafés are good places to take shelter.
How many kilometres will we walk each day? - With a stroller and breaks, plan about 2–3 km of active visiting per day — enough to see key places without overdoing it.
Where can I change a nappy? - The easiest places are larger museums, shopping centres or family-friendly cafés. Bring a portable changing mat, because not all small venues have a fixed changing table.
Do I need tickets for synagogues? - Not always — some synagogues welcome visitors for a small donation, others are open only at certain times. Check opening hours before you go.
- Start: Nowy Square (breakfast, stretch legs) - Szeroka Street, Old Synagogue and Remuh (cemetery) - Cross Miodowa Street / use shortcuts through courtyards - Bernatek Footbridge or riverside route along the Vistula to Podgórze - Podgórze: Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka Pod Orłem), ghetto sites, possibly Schindler’s Factory (reserve tickets) - Return: short walk along the Planty or relax in a Kazimierz café
- This plan is easy to modify — you can start in Podgórze and return to Kazimierz or split the route into very short sections with more breaks. - Most important: don’t chase a checklist of sights — observe, listen and rest. It’s the perfect combination for children and parents.
- If you’d like a more personalised route (pace, interests, your child’s needs), I’m happy to help plan a detailed itinerary tailored to your family. Warm regards and see you on a walk around Kraków — Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
- Wishing you a calm weekend full of small discoveries in Kraków.
