Krakow is a city that tempts with history, cafés and the atmosphere of the Old Town, but its historic streets and cobbled squares can be a challenge. The good news: many of the most important places can be visited comfortably — you just need to plan your route, check the available facilities and use the city’s information tools prepared for people with limited mobility. This text will help you choose routes and places that are actually accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with other needs. Prepare a list of questions, book tickets in advance and remember to take breaks — Krakow is best explored slowly and with pleasure.
Don’t worry — you don’t have to give up the most interesting sites: you just need to know which sections have lifts, where accessible toilets are, and where it’s worth informing the venue in advance if you need a sign language interpreter or audio description.
Basic rule: call or write ahead to the place you plan to visit — many museums and institutions offer extra assistance if requested in advance.
Throughout this article I share what has worked in practice and what to watch for during your stay.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (a branch of the Museum of Krakow) - one of the most accessible museums in the city: the exhibition route uses a lift between floors, there are wheelchair-accessible toilets near the ticket desks, and the museum offers audio description and the possibility of visiting with a sign language interpreter after prior arrangement. This is a highly recommended first visit, especially for people who value a well-prepared historical exhibition.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall - the Square itself is an open space that can be navigated in a wheelchair (though note there are uneven cobbles in places). There are public accessible toilets in the Cloth Hall and nearby — a real help during longer walks around the centre.
Planty and the Vistula boulevards - the green belt around the Old Town offers even, comfortable walking routes with no steps; some points on the Planty and on the boulevards have staffed accessible toilets. Walking the Planty is a great alternative to the crowded Market Square.
Kazimierz - the historic district often has low thresholds and many street-level entrances. Note: some cobbled sections can be bumpy, so plan shorter stretches and choose restaurants and cafés with step-free entrances.
Nowa Huta - the New Town route is included in city accessibility materials; wide avenues and modernist architecture make it ideal for people who prefer broad pavements and larger crossings.
Selected museums and galleries - many Krakow public institutions publish accessibility declarations detailing lifts, induction loops, audio descriptions, wheelchair-accessible toilets and whether guide dogs are allowed. Examples of well-prepared institutions include some branches of the Museum of Krakow (including Schindler’s Factory), the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK) and selected pavilions of the National Museum. Always check the specific branch page before visiting.
More and more Krakow museums are preparing full accessibility information: lifts, wheelchair-accessible toilets, buttons with Braille labels and audio descriptions. Many institutions also support people who are Deaf or hard of hearing via induction loops or the option to arrange a Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpreter — such requests are typically made in advance.
MOCAK and some branches of the National Museum have solutions for blind and partially sighted visitors, such as audio descriptions, tactile graphics and touch paths.
Schindler’s Factory is a good example of a venue that provides both physical facilities (lift, toilets) and accessible content (audio description). If you plan to visit several museums, check their accessibility declarations online or call — often you can also arrange a guided visit with assistance or a specialist tour.
Remember: accessibility may apply only to certain parts of a venue — ask about details (for example, whether a temporary exhibition is wheelchair accessible) to avoid disappointment.
Public transport: MPK Krakow has been modernising its fleet — a large majority of buses and trams are low-floor vehicles with spaces and boarding ramps for wheelchairs. Trams and buses have designated zones for wheelchair users marked with pictograms and buttons to inform the driver of your intention to get off. This makes using public transport much easier than in the past — still, it’s wise to check the timetable, line number and the best stops in advance.
Taxis and special transport: Krakow also has taxi services friendly to people with limited mobility — the city provides information about carriers and services for people with disabilities if needed.
Parking: there are parking spaces in the centre and near attractions reserved for holders of the “N” parking card — plan your arrival ahead and check where the nearest convenient spot is.
Equipment rental: city guides and accessibility materials list places that rent wheelchairs and other equipment — if you travel without your own wheelchair or need extra support, renting can make your stay much easier.
Krakow maintains a list of public accessible toilets — you’ll find them near the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall), on the Planty (several points) and on the Vistula boulevards. These facilities can be essential when planning a longer walk, so note their locations.
In many municipal places (parks, museums, cultural centres) there are staffed toilets — staff open the facility for the user, which increases security and convenience.
Places to rest: in the centre you’ll find benches and sheltered spots along the Planty and on the boulevards that make good short rest points. For longer routes, plan shorter sections and breaks to ensure comfort for everyone in your group.
The city publishes a guide called "Krakow for the tourist with a disability" and a mobile app that groups places, routes and practical information with pictograms showing the type of facilities available. This is the most convenient source to quickly check whether a museum branch has a lift, an accessible toilet, or offers audio description.
It’s also good practice to check the accessibility declaration on the specific museum or institution’s website — there you’ll find precise details about lift dimensions, induction loops, the ability to order a PJM interpreter or rent an audio guide.
If you use public transport, check timetables online and look for low-floor services — this helps avoid waiting at a stop without an appropriate vehicle.
When choosing a café or restaurant, pay attention to the entrance (step-free or with a ramp), door width and table layout — these often determine how comfortably a wheelchair can enter. Around the Market Square and in Kazimierz there are many ground-floor places, but there are also charming spots with narrow thresholds — always ask before booking.
If you plan to stay at a table for a while, ask for a spot by the aisle and whether an extra table can be added to give more manoeuvring space. A short phone call or email explaining your needs (for example: "please reserve a table with no steps, wide entrance") often saves time and stress.
Practical tip: many cafés and patisseries near the Planty and in Kazimierz are located on the ground floor — check photos of the entrance online or call if you need to be sure about accessibility.
1) Check the information about accessibility (lift, toilet, audio description) in the city app or on the venue’s website. 2) Book tickets online — this shortens waiting time in queues and reduces the need to stay in crowded corridors. 3) Call the museum if you need a PJM interpreter, an audio-described tour or help entering — many institutions ask for advance notice. 4) Plan breaks and locations with accessible toilets. 5) If driving, check availability of parking for holders of the “N” card. 6) If you travel without your own equipment, check wheelchair rental offers.
Is Wawel accessible for wheelchair users? - Some parts of the historic complex have facilities, but accessibility depends on the specific exhibition and the season. Always check current notices from the venue and ask how to access particular rooms.
Can I enter with a guide dog? - Yes — many museums and cultural institutions allow entry with an assistance dog. If you plan to bring a dog, notify the venue in advance to get practical information.
Can I travel by tram or bus with a wheelchair? - Yes — most of the fleet are low-floor vehicles with wheelchair spaces and boarding ramps. Fleet modernisation in recent years has greatly improved travel comfort.
How do I arrange a PJM interpreter or audio description? - Many institutions offer these services after prior notice — contact them by email or phone at least a few days before your planned visit.
Where can I find an accessible toilet in the centre? - There are public accessible toilets near the Main Market Square and on the Planty; these are handy for planning longer walks.
Can I rent a wheelchair locally? - Yes — city materials and guides list equipment rental points. Contact a rental service in advance to reserve suitable equipment.
Are restaurants in Krakow accessible? - Many ground-floor places and restaurants near the Market have step-free entrances, but not all do. If accessibility is important, ask before booking or choose a venue with confirmed step-free access.
- The city app and guide "Krakow for the tourist with a disability" - your basic source for routes, venues and facilities. - List of public accessible toilets — near the Main Market Square, on the Planty and on the boulevards. - Museums with developed accessibility services: selected branches of the Museum of Krakow (including Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory), MOCAK, and some pavilions of the National Museum — all publish declarations describing what is available. - MPK — over 90% of trams and most buses are low-floor vehicles with designated zones for people with limited mobility. Save these points on your phone before you head out — it will save time and increase confidence.
Krakow can be moving, delicious and beautiful — and increasingly it is also becoming accessible. Thanks to city guides, apps and the work of cultural institutions, more attractions can be seen without compromise. The most important thing: plan, use the available declarations and don’t hesitate to ask for help — museum and institution staff often gladly support visitors with additional needs.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalised one-day or two-day route tailored to your needs — tell me how you move around the city, how much you want to walk each day and which topics interest you most (history, food, art, Nowa Huta). I’ll happily help plan a comfortable and inspiring stay in Krakow!
Wishing you a pleasant visit — Krakow has a lot to offer if we give it the chance to show its accessible side.
