Did you know that even in popular tourist spots a modern “city” toilet can sometimes be out of service while several portable toilets stand nearby? Visitors to both Kraków and Zakopane report this kind of experience — so it’s smart to have a plan B before you set off sightseeing. Knowing where toilets are located can save a trip and keep the whole group comfortable.
Podgórze is full of interesting places — Zabłocie, the river promenade, and MOCAK — but visible free municipal toilets are not always plentiful. The safest approach is to remember a few reference points: municipal toilets (listed in official city guides), cafés and restaurants that usually let customers use their restrooms, and museums (for example MOCAK) that provide toilets for visitors.
It’s a good idea to have a map or an offline app with marked toilets — in Kraków there are several initiatives and maps that help locate publicly accessible facilities. Be aware that some municipal sites have limited opening hours (early morning or late evening hours may be reduced).
If you plan to walk along the Vistula or around Zabłocie, schedule a break at one of the cafés or restaurants on the promenade — these places are usually well-reviewed and tourist-friendly. If you’re traveling with people with disabilities, check ahead which toilets are accessible — the city publishes this information in official lists.
Zakopane receives a huge number of visitors in season, and sanitary infrastructure can be insufficient. In the center, around Krupówki, public toilets are sometimes scarce or charge a fee, and newly installed units are not always immediately operational.
Prepare for two main options: use toilets in restaurants and cafés (which may expect a purchase) or find municipal sanitary points listed by the local authorities. Hotels and guesthouses often help tourists in emergencies — a polite request usually works.
On mountain hikes remember that outside built-up areas there are no public toilets — plan stops at mountain huts, shelters or food points. Sanitary conditions vary in mountain facilities, so carry tissues and hand sanitizer.
Always check, before leaving your hotel, hostel or apartment, where the nearest toilet is and what its opening hours are. It’s a simple step that avoids a lot of stress.
Carry small change — some public toilets still charge a fee. Small coins also make it easier to quickly buy something in a café if needed.
Install or save an offline map of public toilets (interactive maps made by local initiatives can be very helpful). Take a screenshot in case you lose signal.
If you travel with a small child or someone with limited mobility, check in advance which locations are adapted — not all municipal toilets have facilities for wheelchair users or baby-changing stations.
Assuming “there must be a toilet here” — especially in small parks or promenades outside the center. Always have a backup plan.
Counting on a newly installed toilet being immediately usable. Often investments wait for service activation. Better to verify city information or local social posts.
Leaving waste at field toilets or along mountain trails. Take your trash with you and use designated disposal points.
Not telling companions about planned stops — especially in larger groups it’s good to communicate break plans to avoid panic.
When choosing restaurants and cafés, pick places with good ratings and active reviews — venues recommended by locals usually have clean, accessible toilets for customers. In Podgórze around Zabłocie and on the river promenade you’ll find modern cafés and bars used to welcoming tourists.
Museums and cultural centers (for example local museums in the Zabłocie district) are often reliable points with toilets — when planning visits include a break at such a place.
If you’re booking accommodation, check reviews about cleanliness and availability of sanitary facilities — good guesthouses and hotels highlight this in their descriptions.
Where can I find a list of municipal toilets in Kraków? - The city publishes lists and descriptions of sanitary locations; community-created toilet maps are also useful.
Do I often have to pay for toilets in Zakopane? - In the center you may encounter paid toilets or limited access; it’s wise to carry small change and have a backup plan.
What to do in the mountains if there is no toilet? - Use mountain huts or food points; follow Leave No Trace principles and carry hygienic supplies.
Will hotels let me use the toilet without being a guest? - Many receptionists will help in an emergency, but the usual expectation is that facilities are for guests; a polite request is typically enough.
In some cities modern municipal toilets stand unused due to technical or administrative issues — an expensive installation doesn’t always mean immediate public access.
There are civic initiatives and maps created by local associations that help tourists find working toilets, opening hours and accessibility features.
In Kraków some historical toilets have a long history — using them can be a small moment to connect a break with a bit of local history.
Check on your phone or a screenshot: nearest public toilets and their opening hours.
Carry small change, tissues and hand sanitizer.
Plan stops along your route — café, museum, tourist information point.
Inform your companions about planned breaks, especially when sightseeing with children.
If this guide was helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends you plan to bring to Kraków or Zakopane. If you would like to explore with a local guide, consider booking a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — information and contact are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck with planning and enjoy stress-free trips!
