Kraków in summer lives outdoors: the boulevards along the Vistula buzz with life, parks and hills offer panoramic views, and city institutions and neighbourhoods prepare hundreds of free events for families. Below you’ll find a tried-and-true list of 15 free suggestions for summer 2025 — written practically, with tips for parents and a few surprising hints tourists don’t always know. You can adapt the plan to your children’s ages and your pace — at the end I add practical tips and an FAQ.
If you want a quick day plan: choose a short outdoor exhibition or a walk around the Planty in the morning, spend the afternoon on the Błonia or the river boulevards, and finish the evening with sunset from one of the city mounds — all with minimal spending.
1. Walk around the Main Market Square and the Old Town streets — a classic that never gets boring. Kids enjoy street performers, horse trams and the colours of the Cloth Hall; plan short stops so the little ones don’t get tired. 2. Picnic and play on the Błonia — a huge meadow in the city centre perfect for kites, ball games and family picnics. In summer there are also free events and children’s activities here. 3. Vistula river boulevards — a new space for walks, playgrounds and moments by the water. In summer event zones and family animations are often set up; check the local neighbourhood calendar before you go. 4. The Planty and a short city game — the green belt around the Old Town offers pleasant shade and is a great place to invent a simple game for kids: who can find the oldest tree, a memorial or a guardhouse. 5. Kraków’s mounds (Kościuszko, Krakus) — a short climb rewarded with wide city panoramas. Great place for a sunset with a thermos and snacks. 6. Walk through Kazimierz — atmospheric streets, Plac Nowy and the zapiekanka stalls are attractions for the whole family. Explore street galleries and murals — kids love hunting for colourful drawings. 7. Wawel Hill and the castle courtyard — the area around the castle can be explored for free, and excitement rises with the dragon legends of Wawel. Note that some indoor exhibitions are paid and opening hours vary. 8. Discover Zabłocie — a creative district with studios and outdoor installations; even without visiting museums it’s worth wandering this part of the city. 9. Free "Summer in the City" events and local fairs — in July and August many city institutions organize family workshops, concerts and outdoor animations. Keep an eye on the district calendar. 10. Trip to Nowa Huta — monumental architecture, squares and green corners for shared exploration; excellent for short bike trips or a guided walk. 11. Municipal bathing sites and waterside areas — Bagry and Przylasek Rusiecki are official bathing spots with lifeguards in season; Zakrzówek operates as a bathing site at specified hours — take care and use only designated zones. 12. Watching the sunset over the Vistula — simple, free and memorable — bridges, riverbanks and the mounds are excellent viewpoints. 13. Playgrounds and green squares — the city has hundreds of small playgrounds where kids can run free without charge; they’re also a good backup plan for sudden rain (a short dash between cafés and covered galleries). 14. Join free animations and city workshops — many activities are organized as part of municipal programs and revitalization projects; often outdoor classes, family games and art workshops. 15. Discover the city’s secrets and legends on your own — prepare a simple treasure map for kids: dragon traces, coat-of-arms plaques, the oldest tenement houses. It’s a free, engaging game you can tailor to the children’s ages. (Practical note: some bathing sites and event schedules change year to year — check local notices before visiting.)
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Check the events calendar before you go — in summer city institutions often schedule weekends with a packed program of animations. If you’re travelling with little ones, plan breaks for rest and cold drinks.
The Kraków Family Card (Krakowska Karta Rodzinna) is a city program that in the summer season can offer free tickets or discounts to selected attractions for cardholders — it’s worth checking if you qualify and collecting any available tickets for the day.
Some bathing sites (e.g. Bagry, Przylasek Rusiecki or certain periods at Zakrzówek) have free access to the beach, but lifeguard hours and safety rules apply — don’t ignore warnings and staff instructions.
Use public fountains and cooling points, but remember hygiene and always carry drinking water, sunscreen and a hat for the kids. Cobbled streets can be difficult with strollers — plan routes in advance.
When choosing a place to eat, favour venues with good reviews and family areas — in the centre and Kazimierz you’ll find many family-friendly cafés and restaurants; popular, reliable cafés often have a welcoming atmosphere and kids’ menus.
If you need convenient accommodation, consider the Old Town for proximity to attractions or Kazimierz if you prefer calmer evenings and shorter walks to dinner. For families on a smaller budget, apartments in Zabłocie and Podgórze are a good option — short commutes, more space and often a kitchen for preparing simple meals.
The city offers many free mini-festivals and local events — often they aren’t loudly advertised beyond the city website and district profiles. Check official city announcements and local calendars a few days before arrival.
A less obvious option: many cultural institutions organise free outdoor film screenings and concerts under Wawel or on the boulevards — perfect for family evenings. Bring a blanket and a thermos to create an open-air cinema for the whole family.
A surprising practice: in the season municipal family programs sometimes distribute a limited number of free tickets (for example as part of special city actions) — if you want to use them, arrive early and ask at the information point.
Trying to "do everything" in one day — Kraków has a dense network of attractions; better choose 2–3 highlights and spend more time there than running around without a plan.
Ignoring lifeguard hours and bans by the water — Zakrzówek and other reservoirs can be crowded; police and city guards enforce rules and may issue fines. Safety comes first.
Not preparing for cobbled streets — a carrier or a compact stroller will be more convenient than a large buggy on many routes; comfortable shoes for kids are recommended.
Failing to check the city events program — many attractions are time-limited and happen only on selected days; check dates and hours before you go.
Are all the mounds accessible for families with strollers? Not all — Kościuszko Mound has sections with stairs and steeper approaches; if you have a stroller, choose easier paths or bring a babycarrier.
Is Zakrzówek safe for swimming? During the season there are designated bathing areas with lifeguards operating at set hours; outside those hours supervision is limited and risks increase. City guards conduct checks — follow posted guidelines.
Where to find information about free events? Best to follow the official city calendar and district announcements — that’s where local animations, fairs and family workshops appear.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it helps families plan vacations in Kraków more easily.
If you want to spend time in Kraków more comfortably, with a planned route and no stress, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata will tailor the route to the children’s ages, interests and the family’s pace.
