Kraków photographs beautifully for family albums: historic townhouses and cobbled streets, wide meadows and riverfront boulevards, plus places full of colour and texture — all perfect backdrops for little models. For preschoolers, a city walk is an adventure: they can run on the Błonia, admire nativity scenes, feed ducks by the Vistula or explore the nooks of Kazimierz. Photos come out best when children are engaged with their surroundings rather than posed — so choosing places and planning the session around the child’s rhythm is key.
This guide gives a top-10 list of spots for photos with preschoolers, practical tips for photographing active children, what to pack, and how to combine a photo session with Kraków’s seasonal attractions and May holiday events. It’s written for families visiting Kraków and parents planning a short outdoor photo session.
1. Planty – the green ring around the Old Town: paths, benches and soft morning light. Perfect for calm portraits and shots with architectural details in the background.
2. Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) and Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) – atmospheric urban frames; best very early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds.
3. St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican – brick backgrounds and historic atmosphere, great for postcard-style Kraków photos.
4. Kanonicza Street and the Wawel area – cobbles, townhouses and plenty of picturesque details; a good place for family photos by historic walls.
5. Kazimierz (ulica Szeroka, Plac Nowy) – colour, murals and cosy café windows; here you’ll get lively, spontaneous shots.
6. Błonia Park – a huge open space ideal for running, picnics and photos in natural light; excellent in the morning and late afternoon.
7. Zakrzówek – turquoise water and rocky shores create strong, almost holiday-like contrasts (remember water safety).
8. Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa) or Kościuszko Mound (Kopiec Kościuszki) – panoramas of the city in the background; good for sunsets and elevated views.
9. Vistula River Boulevards and Father Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Ojca Bernatka) – benches, river views and bridges, perfect for family strolls and dusk shots.
10. Jagiellonian University Botanic Garden and the Stanisław Lem Garden of Experiences – green, educational spaces that are great for curious preschoolers and colourful photos.
Pick locations based on the child’s energy: for a calm morning session choose Planty, the Botanic Garden or Błonia; if the child has lots of energy and wants to run, try Kazimierz or the Vistula boulevards. Note the best times: the Market and St. Florian’s Gate look best at sunrise or in the evening when there are fewer tourists.
Check the weather and light direction: the golden hour (just after sunrise and before sunset) gives soft, flattering light, but for preschoolers mid-morning can be better when they’re well-rested. Pack a small backpack with snacks, spare clothes and wipes — these things often decide whether an outdoor session succeeds.
If you plan to go inside monuments (for example the Wawel cathedral), check photography rules and opening hours in advance; visits may be limited during services or special events.
Natural emotions are the most precious: laughter, curiosity, moments of play. Instead of a long, static pose try documentary-style shots — capture moments during play: blowing bubbles, jumping off a kerb, feeding pigeons (watch hygiene).
Get a low perspective — crouch or sit to be at the child’s eye level; this gives photos intimacy and shows the world from their point of view. Overhead shots can also be interesting to show the child in space (for example a child on a blanket on the Błonia).
Use burst mode for movement — a phone or camera in continuous mode increases the chance of the perfect frame. In low light (for example viewing nativity scenes in the evening) use a wide aperture and steady support or a small tripod; on phones try night mode or an external light if needed.
Kraków’s szopki are a unique local tradition — miniature, elaborately decorated constructions that appear in shop windows and displays during the Christmas season. The craft of making Kraków nativity scenes is listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and every year draws locals and tourists to special trails and exhibitions.
Many family activities are organised around the szopki — for example city office or festival bodies prepare activity sheets and games like “Around the Szopka” with small prizes or medals, which turn the visit into a playful quest. This is a great chance to capture children’s joy: photos with the activity card, next to a szopka or holding a medal make lovely keepsakes.
When photographing szopki focus on details — ornaments, tiny figures and vivid colours. If you photograph a child with a szopka, try a composition where the child is looking at it from profile or from behind (this builds a story: “what does the child see?”). Be mindful of reflections in display cases — shoot at a slight angle or, if you have a lens attachment, use a polariser to cut reflections.
The May long weekend brings many city events: concerts, open-air film screenings, craft fairs and traditional happenings such as singing lessons or Emaus tree displays. You’ll find free attractions and special cultural programmes, but also more people at popular sites. To plan photos, aim for morning hours or explore lesser-known corners of the city to avoid crowds.
Practical tip: museums and cultural institutions often change opening hours for holidays, so check current opening times before you go (especially if you plan to visit the Schindler Factory or branches of the National Museum). Booking tickets online and reserving a place for lunch helps avoid queues. Public transport may run on a special holiday schedule — check routes if you plan to move by tram with a group of children.
Bring a small blanket and a picnic basket — May is a great time for a family picnic on the Błonia or by the Vistula boulevards, and those natural picnic moments create beautiful, spontaneous photos.
Take: spare clothes, small snacks, water, plasters, sunscreen and a small first-aid kit. Wet wipes and a bag for dirty clothes are also useful.
Check: availability of toilets on your route (there are public toilets and cafés with facilities near the Market, in Kazimierz and at large parks), opening hours of places you want to visit, the weather forecast and holiday public transport timetables.
Water safety: Zakrzówek and the river boulevards are beautiful but always keep children on a short leash or at your hand near water edges. Avoid unmarked paths down to the water and do not leave children unattended near rocks or embankments.
Avoid this mistake: don’t plan an overpacked itinerary. Preschoolers need breaks and regular meals; it’s better to schedule shorter routes and more playful stops than an ambitious list of “must-sees.”
Cafés around the Market Square are convenient for breaks: consider well-established local cafés where families are welcome and where you can get a quick meal or dessert. You’ll also find many family-friendly options in Kazimierz.
For accommodation look for family rooms or apartments near the Old Town or Kazimierz — short walks reduce tiredness for little ones. Hotels that offer flexible breakfast times or take-away breakfast options are an extra help for families.
Always check reviews and ratings — choose restaurants known for good family service (high chairs, kids’ menus, quick service). If you’d like, I can prepare a list of highly-rated family-friendly cafés and restaurants tailored to your preferences.
1) Packing too many attractions into one day — result: tired, cranky children. Solution: pick 2–3 highlights per day and leave time for play and rest.
2) Not booking popular museums or restaurants in advance — result: long queues. Solution: buy tickets online and reserve a table for meals, especially during the May holiday and weekends.
3) Photographing in low-light places without preparation — result: blurry photos and frustrated parents. Solution: use natural light when possible, set burst mode for moving children, bring a powerbank and consider a simple phone light or reflector.
4) Dressing children poorly for changeable weather — May can be unpredictable. Solution: layer clothing, bring a light rain poncho and an extra pair of socks for kids.
Is it easy to find a changing table in Kraków? – Yes, in the centre and at major attractions there are family toilets or cafés with changing facilities; it’s still handy to carry a small changing mat just in case.
Are the szopki accessible with strollers? – Many outdoor displays and shop-window nativity scenes are barrier-free, but some narrow streets or older buildings may be harder to navigate; plan your route ahead.
How to avoid crowds at the Market and Wawel? – Come very early (just after sunrise) or late in the evening; alternatively choose nearby, less-known streets and the Planty for family frames.
Can I take photos inside churches? – Usually yes, but photography may be restricted during services; respect places of worship and the rules of each church.
Make a “mini photo safari”: create a simple checklist of things to photograph (for example a red roof, a bench with wrought-iron backrest, a small statue in a gate) and give your preschooler a simple disposable camera or compact — children love tasks and they see the city differently than adults.
Use local events: if you come across a singing lesson, market or a szopka exhibition, take documentary-style photos — children often react spontaneously and those images are the most lively.
Small props add atmosphere: a favourite hat, a polka-dot picnic blanket, a balloon or a box of snacks can make photos feel more personal and colourful.
If this guide helped you plan a family trip to Kraków — share it with friends or on social media so others can use the practical tips. I also encourage contact with the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you can find family tour offers and contact information to make your Kraków walk more comfortable and tailored to preschoolers’ needs.
Would you like a list of specific family-friendly cafés and restaurants or a ready hourly plan for the May weekend with children? Write to me and I’ll prepare a detailed plan adapted to your preschoolers’ ages and preferences.
Thank you for reading — have fun and take lots of photos!
