Krakow is a city that can delight even the youngest visitors: wide squares, dragon legends, lawns perfect for a picnic and many places you can enter for free — all you need is a good plan and comfortable shoes. Many popular attractions in the center are free or have free adjacent spaces (the boulevards, Planty, courtyards), which makes a May long weekend with a preschooler joyful and economical.
When planning days with small children, focus on short walking distances, places with toilets and spots to rest, and attractions that offer lots of space to run — Krakow has plenty, from the Vistula boulevards to city mounds and parks.
1. Walk around the Main Market Square — vast open space, pigeons, street musicians and a view of St. Mary’s Basilica. It’s a must, but try early hours to avoid the crowds.
2. Wawel Hill — the castle grounds and courtyards are free; children love stories about the castle and the dragon legend.
3. Dragon’s Den and the Dragon sculpture — under Wawel there’s a dragon sculpture that breathes fire; it makes a big impression on little ones. The sculpture can be enjoyed from outside and is free to visit.
4. Planty — the green ring around the Old Town, ideal for a stroller walk, short games and resting on a bench.
5. Vistula Boulevards — wide paths, lawns and picnic spots; great for flying kites, blowing soap bubbles and a short scooter ride.
6. Henryk Jordan Park — large playgrounds and sports areas, plenty of space for free play.
7. Kościuszko Mound or Krakus Mound — a short climb and panoramic city views; the mounds are also great places for a snack and a rest.
8. Kazimierz — stroll between historic sites and stalls, discover big squares and family-friendly corners; try to find quiet cafes near the squares.
9. Dragon Trail and small sculptures around the city — hunting for “dragon” motifs is a game for a preschooler that you can turn into a little expedition.
10. Botanical Garden and planted gardens — lots of greenery and free outdoor walking areas on many days of the season (check current entrance rules).
11. Sukiennice courtyards and adjacent stalls — look at the vendors, stop briefly for a snack, enjoy the arcades.
12. Small outdoor educational spots — some city events and outdoor exhibitions are free during the May long weekend (check local calendars).
13. Free events and workshops in parks — during long weekends the city and local organizations often prepare extra outdoor family attractions (workshops, puppet theatres).
14. Walks along quieter neighborhoods with small playgrounds — less touristy areas also have their charms and the silence needed to recharge.
15. City games and simple scavenger hunts for kids — prepare a short list of things to find (dragon, well, sculpture); it’s an easy and free day-long activity.
Krakow also has many paid attractions that are excellent for preschoolers — for example the Zoo, the Garden of Experiments or museums with interactive exhibits. If you plan one paid visit during a longer stay, pick a place that matches your child’s interests (animals, experiments, chocolate).
Remember that many museums and cultural institutions announce free entry days or reduced family prices — check the institution calendars before you go.
- Start the day early: mornings are milder, cooler and less crowded — perfect for little legs.
- Plan a maximum of 2-3 short activities per day with long breaks for meals and rest; children tire quickly from too much stimulation.
- Choose routes adapted to a stroller or with easy access — Planty, the boulevards and most main alleys are stroller-friendly, but the cobbles on the Market Square can be challenging.
- Bring a supply of water, light snacks and rain ponchos — May weather can surprise you.
- If you plan a picnic, bring a blanket and a small mat to sit on — the best spots along the Vistula fill up fast.
If you want a break in a pleasant café or family restaurant, choose places known for being family-friendly and having good service. Around the Market Square and in Kazimierz you’ll find cafés and patisseries friendly to children — for example Charlotte or Massolit — great for breakfast or cake before more sightseeing.
For a quick meal, look for places with a kids’ menu and changing facilities; many central restaurants have high chairs and baby-changing areas, but it’s always good to ask in advance.
1. Trying to “see everything” in one day — instead of rushing through all the sights, pick 2-3 activities and leave time for play and rest.
2. Unsuitable footwear and no plan for bad weather — May can be changeable, bring layered clothing.
3. Ignoring practical info — check park opening hours, toilet access and any route works or closures.
4. Pushing a stroller through the Market Square at busy afternoon hours — choose an alternative route or wait for less crowded times.
- Many Krakow museums and institutions have free-entry days or special children’s activities — check the calendar before you travel.
- The dragon sculpture under Wawel is designed to breathe fire from time to time — it’s a short, spectacular show, but it may be turned off for technical or weather reasons.
- Around the Old Town you’ll find many small free installations and sculptures that can turn a regular walk into a treasure hunt for a child.
Is everything on the list completely free? Some items are public spaces and are free (Planty, boulevards, mounds), others have free elements (e.g. Wawel courtyards) and some institutions occasionally offer free-entry days — check current information online before you go.
Can I get everywhere with a stroller? Most parks, boulevards and Planty are stroller-friendly, but the Market Square and some cobbled streets can be difficult — plan shorter segments and consider a carrier if needed.
How long should we plan for each attraction? For a preschooler, 30–90 minutes per attraction is usually enough, plus time for snacks and free play.
Morning: a gentle walk through Planty and breakfast in a café by the Market Square (for example Charlotte). Late morning: Wawel and the Dragon’s Den (short dragon story). Afternoon: picnic on the Vistula Boulevards and playing on the grass, then a short walk around Kazimierz. Evening: a quiet time in a park or return to your accommodation.
You can modify every day to match your child’s mood — it’s better to leave extra time than to rush through points.
If this guide helped you plan a May weekend in Krakow with a preschooler — share it with friends or on social media to make life easier for other families.
If you’d like to explore Krakow with a guide who knows the city from a family perspective, you can contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the guide’s website.
