Krakow is a city full of surprises — alongside historic monuments and atmospheric streets it offers places friendly to families, technology fans and food lovers. The Polish Aviation Museum is one of those attractions that will please more than just aviation enthusiasts: impressive aircraft in hangars, interactive exhibits and stories about Polish designers provide a solid dose of knowledge, and after an intensive visit it’s only natural to crave a good dessert. This article will help you plan your day: how to get to the museum, what to see, and where near the museum or in the city center you can enjoy excellent sweets recommended by locals and visitors.
Visiting the museum followed by a stop at a chosen patisserie is the perfect mix of active city discovery and pleasant relaxation. Below you’ll find practical tips, a list of top dessert spots and a few surprises and common mistakes worth avoiding.
The Polish Aviation Museum is located at al. Jana Pawła II 39. It is a large site with hangars and indoor exhibitions where you can see real aircraft, gliders, helicopters and aircraft engines — the collection includes several hundred items, and in recent years the museum has also developed new thematic displays.
Opening hours vary throughout the year — in many periods the museum is open from morning until mid-afternoon, and in summer it may stay open later. It’s worth checking current hours and closure days before your planned visit, because the museum is often closed on Mondays and on certain public holidays. Ticket prices are reasonable; the museum also occasionally offers days with free admission to selected exhibitions (for example free entry to the permanent exhibition on selected days).
On site you’ll find free parking on the al. Jana Pawła II side and road access via ul. Markowskiego. The museum is accessible for visitors with limited mobility, and special events, evening shows or Night of the Museums events are often organized. When planning your visit, allow at least 2 hours if you want to calmly view the exhibitions and take photos.
Start with the main hangars where the largest machines are displayed — big aircraft make the strongest impression, especially on children and anyone interested in construction. Also look for exhibitions devoted to the history of civil and military aviation and displays of engines and onboard instruments.
Pay attention to sections with Polish-built aircraft and to details that tell the stories of pilots and technicians. If the museum offers temporary exhibitions, check their themes — they are often interesting, multimedia presentations that enrich the visit.
For families: check whether workshops or educational activities for children are scheduled on the day of your visit — these are a great way to make the tour more interactive.
The museum is easiest to reach by public transport or by car. Visitor parking is located at the museum and the entrance is from al. Jana Pawła II after turning onto ul. Markowskiego.
Check opening hours in advance — during summer the museum may stay open a bit longer, while in winter the hours are shorter. Keep in mind that ticket sales and last admission usually stop about 45 minutes before closing.
Admission is budget-friendly, but if you plan to visit more attractions it’s worth considering combination tickets or special offers. On some days there is free entry to selected permanent exhibitions (for example on selected Tuesdays) — this can be a good option for visitors watching their budget.
After visiting the museum it’s great to go for dessert — Krakow has many excellent patisseries, cafés and ice cream parlors. Here are places that enjoy very high ratings and are often recommended by locals:
Cukiernia Pod Arkadami 1971 — tradition and high-quality cakes. Ideal if you’re looking for kremówki (cream cakes), layered cakes and desserts made with tradition in mind.
Cukiernia Kawiarnia Cichowscy — artisanal baked goods, a pleasant café atmosphere and a wide selection of seasonal desserts.
Chimney Cake Bakery — popular kurtoš (chimney cakes) with modern fillings; a tasty, sweet and visually appealing snack for a walk.
Tartelette Cafe — French pastries and elegant desserts; a nice place for a quiet coffee break.
Nowa Prowincja and Cafe Camelot — iconic cafés in the center, known for excellent hot chocolate and atmospheric interiors; recommended on a winter afternoon.
Słodki Kazimierz, Ciastkarnia Vanilla and local ice cream spots like 'Lody na Starowiślnej' or 'Emil Kręci Lody' — if you prefer artisanal ice cream or modern desserts, look for places with good reviews and a steady flow of customers.
The papal kremówka (kremówka papieska) is a dessert many visitors want to try in Krakow — a sweet puff pastry filled with cream, associated with local history. It’s also worth trying the Krakow-style cheesecake, cream puffs, traditional cakes and artisanal ice cream.
If you prefer something modern, look for places serving seasonal fruit desserts, lower-sugar cream options and gluten-free or vegan choices — more and more patisseries offer at least one such item on the menu.
For sharing: choose a dessert plate with several mini treats at a café — it’s a good way to taste different flavors without overdoing the calories.
The Aviation Museum is not only big machines outdoors — many of the most interesting exhibits and archival documents are often in smaller display cases. Give yourself time to read the descriptions to better understand the context.
A common mistake is arriving on Monday thinking the museum will be open. Mondays are often a day off. Another mistake is not checking public holidays — the museum is sometimes closed then.
If you want to eat at a popular café in the center, avoid peak hours (weekend afternoons) — queues can be long. Reserving a table where possible saves time.
Remember that not all popular patisseries offer seating — some sell items to take away, which is perfect for a walk around the Market Square or along the Vistula boulevards.
How much time should I plan for the Polish Aviation Museum? Allow at least 2 hours to calmly see the main exhibitions; if you are interested in temporary displays and the museum library, plan more time.
Is parking available at the museum? Yes — the museum provides visitor parking with entrance from al. Jana Pawła II and access via ul. Markowskiego.
Are there free-entry days during the week? In some periods there are days when entry to the permanent exhibition is free (for example selected Tuesdays) — check the museum’s current information before you go.
How to combine the visit? Plan your day so the museum visit is paired with another part of the city: in the afternoon you can return to the center for a walk around the Old Town and a dessert at one of the recommended patisseries.
If you liked this day plan — share the article with friends or tag the person you want to go on an aviation-and-dessert adventure with. I also recommend the services of private guide Malgorzata Kasprowicz, who helps plan Krakow trips tailored to your interests; contact details for bookings are available on the guide’s page.
Enjoy your visit and delicious desserts! If you want, I can prepare a shortened version of this article for a one-day leaflet or suggest transport routes from your accommodation to fit your schedule.
