This is a practical guide for people who want to spend a full day in Kraków combining sightseeing in the city with time outdoors. We focus on three elements: a short melex ride through the historic center, a visit to the Kraków Zoo (in the heart of Wolski Forest), and a walk through Wolski Forest finishing with a climb to Józef Piłsudski’s Mound.
The guide is written with families in mind, for those who want to limit walking in the center by using a melex, and for anyone looking for an active, varied day beyond the usual Market Square visit.
You will find practical tips on how to get there, opening hours, suggested time for each stop, walking routes and logistics — what to bring and how to schedule breaks.
At the end there are alternative route options — shorter and longer — so you can tailor the plan to the age and stamina of your group.
Note: melexes usually operate within the historic center and offer several standard routes. A direct melex ride to the Zoo is not a given — below we explain how to organise that in practice.
Wolski Forest is a large wooded area located west of Kraków’s historic core. It’s a green recreation area with a network of walking and cycling paths, historic points of interest and several characteristic sites: Bażantarnia, the Camaldolese hermitage and, on one of the hills, the Piłsudski (Independence) Mound.
In the central part of Wolski Forest you'll find the Kraków Zoological Garden. The Zoo occupies roughly 20 hectares and exhibits about 1,500 animals representing more than 270 species. More than one hundred of the species shown are threatened or endangered — the Zoo runs active conservation and environmental education programmes.
Thanks to its tree cover and varied terrain, Wolski Forest is a pleasant place to relax away from the city noise while remaining fairly easy to reach by public transport.
From one viewpoint on Wolski Forest — Sowiniec hill — there is a wide panorama of Kraków. The walk from the Zoo to Piłsudski Mound is about 1.5 km and typically takes around 25–35 minutes, depending on pace and stops.
The forest is dominated by deciduous trees — oaks and beeches among others — and hosts small mammals, many bird species and a rich insect fauna. That makes Wolski Forest attractive to nature lovers.
The Zoo sells tickets at the ticket office every day and adjusts visiting hours seasonally. Typically the ticket office opens around 9:00 and visits are possible into the late afternoon — hours are often extended in warmer months, so always check current times before you travel.
In practice: check the Zoo’s current opening hours and any organizational changes before your visit — especially outside the high season or if you plan to arrive late in the day. This avoids missing key exhibits.
If you want to attend feeding demonstrations or educational events, check the Zoo’s schedule in advance and whether places must be reserved.
For a full-day visit allow 2–4 hours for the Zoo (including a lunch break) plus an additional 1.5–2.5 hours for a walk in Wolski Forest and the ascent to the Mound — together this makes for a comfortable, unhurried day.
There are food outlets and a playground inside the Zoo, which makes breaks easier for families with children.
A melex is a small electric tourist vehicle popular in Kraków as a comfortable alternative to long walks. Standard melex routes cover the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze; a typical ride lasts 30–45 minutes.
You can book a melex through tourist information points, operators or directly with drivers. Many offers include an audio guide in a dozen or more languages. Prices vary by operator, duration and group size — a typical private ride for a small group may range from tens to a few hundred złoty depending on options.
Important practical note: melexes operate mainly within the historic centre and normally do not include a direct ride to Wolski Forest and the Zoo. If you want to combine a melex tour with a Zoo visit, ask your chosen operator about arranging a custom route or transfer — some companies can create tailor-made trips.
Alternatively you can: - take a morning melex ride around the Old Town and Kazimierz, - then travel independently by public transport or taxi to Wolski Forest and the Zoo, - finish the day with a forest walk and return to the centre by bus or taxi.
If comfort is a priority and you want to minimise walking, consider booking a taxi or private transfer from the end point of your melex ride directly to the Zoo.
Public transport is the simplest option: several city bus lines serve areas close to Wolski Forest and the Zoo. Because parking is limited and can be difficult on weekends, public transport is often the best choice.
If you travel by car, check availability and rules for Zoo parking — spaces may be full in peak season. There are short paved stretches and hard-surfaced access ways that make it easier to walk from parking areas to entrances.
From the city centre you can also reach Wolski Forest quickly by taxi or rideshare — the fastest and most convenient choice if you’re short on time or travelling with young children.
If you start the day with a melex ride, plan how to get from where the melex finishes to a nearby bus stop or taxi pick-up point. Melex drivers usually point out the nearest public transport connections if needed.
Inside Wolski Forest you’ll find a network of paths — some are paved and accessible to strollers and people with limited mobility, but many sections have natural surfaces. Keep this in mind when choosing your exact route.
Variant A — comfortable, for families with children: morning melex ride through the Old Town and Kazimierz (30–45 minutes), then taxi transfer to the Zoo. Spend 2–3 hours at the Zoo — lunch at an on-site café or a picnic. In the afternoon walk through Wolski Forest and climb Piłsudski Mound. Return to the centre by taxi or bus.
Variant B — active: morning self-guided sightseeing on foot or a short melex ride, bus to the Zoo. After the Zoo, take a longer, relaxed walk along the forest trails toward the Mound and the Camaldolese hermitage. Optionally extend the route to include the Sikornik ridge or Kryspinów reservoir (swimming in season).
Variant C — short: if you don’t have the whole day, choose one main attraction — either a melex + city centre, or Zoo + Wolski Forest. For families with small children the Zoo plus a short forest walk is often the best choice.
Adapt each variant to participants’ ages — for little ones plan shorter walking sections and more frequent rests.
Approximate time: melex 30–45 min; Zoo visit 2–4 hours; forest walk with ascent to the Mound 1.5–2.5 hours (depending on pace and stops).
Footwear: comfortable closed shoes suitable for forest paths — some trails can be uneven, especially after rain.
Weather: wear layered clothing, take a waterproof jacket and a bottle of water — Wolski Forest provides shade but weather can change.
Strollers and accessibility: some paved sections and approaches to the Mound are stroller-friendly, but many forest tracks can be demanding — if you need a fully stroller-accessible route, plan shorter sections on hard-surfaced tracks.
Tickets and schedule: when buying Zoo tickets check feeding times and educational events — these enrich the visit. If online tickets are offered in season, consider buying ahead.
Food: there are eateries at the main Zoo entrance and inside the site — a picnic is also possible, but respect nature and take your rubbish with you. For families with children it’s wise to keep snacks handy.
Photography: Wolski Forest and the Zoo are great for nature photography — follow the Zoo’s rules (designated visitor zones, no feeding) and respect wildlife in the forest.
The Zoo runs an extensive education programme and themed trails — a great place to learn about species protection and observe animals up close. Check available activities for schools and families before your trip, as some require registration.
Wolski Forest offers opportunities to observe local flora and fauna — a guided educational walk with a forest ranger or a short workshop are excellent options for children interested in nature.
With children, plan more frequent rests, playtime on the playground and shorter walking segments — the Zoo also has a mini-zoo and contact areas that are usually a big hit with young visitors.
Safety reminder: do not approach enclosures or feeding areas, follow instructions from keepers and educational staff.
If you’re organising a school or group visit, contact the Zoo’s education department in advance to reserve and tailor the programme.
Before you leave, download a map of the Zoo and a map of Wolski Forest paths — both help plan the optimal route and save time. Many maps are available to print or view online.
On site use information points and path-boards. If you want to limit walking, plan short sections between the most interesting attractions.
If you plan to visit other nearby sights (for example Kościuszko Mound or the observatory on Chełm), arrange them as separate stages — this helps with logistics and energy management.
Many melex operators and tour offices offer ready-made route suggestions and can adapt a trip for your group — ask about combining a melex with transfer to Wolski Forest if you want maximum convenience.
Leave some spare time for surprises: a special Zoo exhibition, a coffee stop or a longer rest at a viewpoint.
Quick checklist before you go: - check current Zoo opening hours, - book a melex or ask about a transfer if you plan to combine services, - plan 2–4 hours for the Zoo and 1.5–2.5 hours for the Wolski Forest walk, - bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Will a melex help with this plan? Yes — if you want to reduce walking in the centre or enjoy a short, impressive tour of the Old Town and Kazimierz. Standard melex routes do not automatically include Wolski Forest and the Zoo, so plan transport to the forest separately or request a custom transfer from the operator.
If you have a full day the best option is to combine: a morning melex or city walk, then the Zoo with lunch and an afternoon forest walk ending at Piłsudski Mound. This makes for a comfortable, varied day ideal for families or nature lovers.
Enjoy your visit — parks and the Zoo are places where the number of discoveries grows with curiosity and a calm pace. Give yourself time to really appreciate the day.
If you’d like, I can prepare a detailed hourly schedule for a family with children or for someone with only half a day — tell me your preferences and I will create a personalised plan.
