Yes — and you can do it calmly, in a way that’s interesting for kids and gives you moments of rest between walks. Krakow is more than the Main Market Square and Wawel: the city and its immediate surroundings hide many smaller, themed attractions — interactive museums, craft workshops, playrooms for younger and older children, and nature trips outside the city that nicely complement a family program. Below you’ll find a suggested 7-day plan, a list of less obvious places, practical tips and an FAQ to help you plan your visit.
If you want to avoid crowds and see something children will remember, include at least one hands-on experience in the classic program (for example: obwarzanek baking, stained-glass workshops) or visit a small, themed museum instead of another walk around the crowded Market Square. These are often the nicest memories from family trips.
Day 1 - Old Town at a relaxed pace: walk the Planty park, visit the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and a short stop at St. Mary’s Basilica. Start in the morning before the tourist peak so children have more space and you have time for stories about history. Leave the afternoon for lighter attractions like a playground or a family-friendly café.
Day 2 - Wawel and the surroundings: the castle, the Cathedral and the Dragon’s Den. If you want something less standard, look for family workshops near Wawel or a short boat trip on the Vistula - a pleasant change from sightseeing historic sites.
Day 3 - Underground and salt: the Wieliczka or Bochnia salt mines. Both mines are a great choice for a rainy day and an attraction that keeps children engaged longer than the average monument. Routes can be long, so plan breaks and check age or mobility recommendations.
Day 4 - A day in nature: Ojców National Park or a shorter route around Las Wolski. Short trails, interesting rock formations and hilltop castles make even younger children happy to walk. Fun stories and legends add pleasure to the route.
Day 5 - Museums and interactive attractions: Krzysztofory Palace (museum), stained-glass studio and museum, the Center for Nature Education. This is an ideal rainy-day plan because many of these places offer hands-on and touch-friendly exhibits.
Day 6 - Play and movement: AleKlocki (LEGO playroom), water parks or modern entertainment centers like Smart Kids Planet or Pixel XL. I recommend one “easy” day when kids can burn off energy and adults can relax with coffee.
Day 7 - Amusement park or a special museum: a trip to Zator family attractions or a return to a favorite place from the week. Alternatively visit a bricks and figures exhibition (Bricks and Figs) or try a craft workshop — a nice way to finish the week.
Stained-Glass Studio and Museum - a small but fascinating space where you can see how stained glass is made. For children it’s a great lesson in color and craft, and short demonstrations or the chance to watch an artist at work are often available.
Live Obwarzanek Museum - a short, hands-on lesson in a local street food: a demo and workshop where children can shape and bake the local treat themselves. The experience is engaging and yields an edible souvenir.
Brick and figure exhibitions (for example Bricks and Figs) and themed playrooms like AleKlocki - perfect for an afternoon for construction fans and creative play. These places quickly become a hit with children of various ages.
Center for Nature Education and small museums in Krzysztofory Palace - exhibitions that explain regional history and nature in an accessible way, often with extra activities for the youngest visitors.
Workshops in craft studios - short classes in ceramics, stained glass, obwarzanek baking and similar crafts can make a greater impression than another museum tour. Workshops usually require prior reservation.
If you want a family atmosphere and a menu adapted to kids, consider places with a good reputation that also have space for families. Recommended spots often combine child-friendly interiors with tasty food and less touristy takes on traditional dishes. One local recommendation is Colorova - a restaurant with atmosphere and child-friendly options.
For a quick breakfast or a break during sightseeing, cafés with good coffee and fresh pastries on the Small Market (Mały Rynek) and around Floriańska Street work well. For families with small children it’s convenient to choose places with a changing table or easy access to a restroom.
For accommodation, it’s best to pick a base in the center or on Stare Dębniki - then many attractions are within walking distance and places like the Zoo or Las Wolski are close by. Family apartments with a kitchenette and good public transport connections are practical.
Buy tickets online in advance for the biggest attractions, especially the salt mines and popular exhibitions - it saves time and often money. Also check family ticket options and discounts, especially for larger groups.
Public transport in Krakow is efficient - trams and buses will take you to most points. When planning routes, consider limitations of narrow cobbled streets with a stroller. The easiest routes with a pram are the Planty, the Vistula Boulevards and the paths to the Zoo.
On rainy days plan museums, playrooms or the salt mines. Many places offer special activities for cloudy days, and children particularly enjoy touch-friendly exhibits or creative workshops.
Safety: carry spare clothes for children, basic medicines and the number of local medical services. In crowded places pin a small paper with a contact phone number to the child’s backpack or jacket - it gives peace of mind if they wander off.
Trying to see “everything” in one day - plan realistically: children need breaks and playtime. Instead of ticking off five points, choose three with the aim of quality experiences.
Leaving reservations to the last minute - family attractions and workshops can fill up, especially in high season. Book ahead, particularly for family workshops and popular exhibitions.
Eating only around the Market Square - convenient but often more expensive and less child-friendly. Look for family restaurants and cafés off the central route; quality and prices are often better there.
Not checking venue rules - some attractions have age limits or requirements for footwear and behavior. Check rules before you go to avoid disappointment.
Is the Salt Mine suitable for small children? It depends on the route. Tourist routes can be long and involve stairs - for the youngest children a shorter, special route or visiting a less extensive mine may be better. Always check recommended ages and tour duration.
Is Krakow easy to navigate with a stroller? Many central routes are accessible, especially the Planty and the Vistula Boulevards. Some historic sites have stairs and limited access - plan alternatives or bring a baby carrier for younger children.
What to do on a rainy day? Interactive museums, playrooms, salt mines and exhibitions are great options. Many venues offer creative workshops that perfectly fill a wet afternoon.
When is the best time to come with a family? Spring and early autumn are a good compromise: pleasant weather, fewer crowds than summer and many family events. In winter check seasonal attractions and opening hours.
In Krakow there are places dedicated to single treats - you can not only buy obwarzanki but also bake one yourself during a short workshop. It’s a simple activity that gives children a lot of joy and knowledge about local tradition.
Some brick exhibitions or private collections contain hundreds of rare figures and models that interest not only young builders but teenagers and adults as well. Check special exhibition dates - limited displays often appear.
Around Krakow there are short, family-friendly excursion spots (for example Ojców National Park) offering views and easy trails suitable even for preschoolers. It’s a great way to add nature to a city program.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends and on social media - every recommended family week is another set of memories to make. If you want a personalized itinerary or help with reservations and logistics, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact and details are available on the guide’s page.
I wish you a wonderful week in Krakow - full of laughter, discoveries and moments that will stay with you for a long time. If you want, I can prepare a ready-to-print plan for your family with maps and tips tailored to your children’s ages - tell me how many people and the dates you plan to visit.
