A trip from Kraków to Zakopane is a classic of Polish tourism — beautiful views and lots to do. For families with small children it’s important that the route and daily plan are realistic: not every mountain path is suitable for a stroller, and in Kraków Wawel and the Royal Route include cobbles and steps. Good preparation helps avoid fatigue, tears and extra costs from improvising.
A well-planned trip also means happier children — shorter distances, frequent breaks and attractions along the way (for example the Dragon’s Den, a meadow to play on, or a café with a kids’ corner) make memories positive rather than tiring. In this guide you´ll find specific stroller-friendly routes in Zakopane, practical travel tips and a list of the most common mistakes parents make when visiting Wawel with children — plus simple fixes.
If you want to avoid surprises, read the sections: stroller-friendly routes in Zakopane, how to travel with a stroller, and mistakes when visiting Wawel and how to avoid them. At the end there is an FAQ and sample day plans for families.
Gubałówka — a great option when you want quick access to the views without a difficult climb. The Gubałówka funicular accepts strollers, and on the top there is a comfortable, partly paved promenade with food points and viewing terraces. It’s an ideal first contact with the Tatra panorama.
Chochołowska Valley — a wide, hardened track runs through most of the valley and is one of the most family-friendly routes. There are mountain huts and rest places on site, and the open space lets a child run around. The trail is long, so plan your outing with breaks.
The Morskie Oko route — although it is a long route (an asphalt road that leads nearly to the mountain shelter), it is very popular among families with strollers. Remember that it’s kilometers each way and some elevation — for some children that may be too much. Seasonal horse-drawn carriage rides are an alternative, or plan a shorter section of the trail.
Równia Krupowa and the promenades in central Zakopane — perfect for a relaxed stroller walk, a playground stop and a quick café break. A good option for a shorter rest if your time is limited.
The Trail Under the Ridges (Droga pod Reglami) — running at the foothills of the Tatras and partly hardened, it suits strollers with larger wheels. It’s a great choice when you want to walk among trees without steep climbs.
Practical tip about strollers — mountain ‘no-stairs’ routes are easiest with a trekking stroller or a city stroller with air-filled wheels. On hardened roads (Morskie Oko, Chochołowska) most strollers manage fine, but on rocky sections a sturdier wheel set helps.
Transport — train or car? A train to Zakopane is a comfortable option with a child — you can move around the carriage, change a nappy and let a child stretch. A car gives more flexibility for luggage and stops, but in high season parking in the centre can be difficult. Plan stops every 1–2 hours so the little ones don’t sit too long.
Start early or later — leaving early in the morning increases your chances of less crowded access to the most popular routes (Morskie Oko, Chochołowska Valley). Alternatively choose late afternoon for a peaceful walk along Równia Krupowa or a short trip to Gubałówka.
Breaks for meals and changing — bring small snacks, a water bottle and a quick changing kit. Many mountain huts and eateries in Zakopane have changing facilities, but outside those it’s good to have a travel changing mat. Check whether the routes you pick have sheltered places in case of rain.
Plan B — always have an alternative: a shorter walk, a café with a play corner or a museum in town in case the weather changes or someone gets tired.
Not checking which parts are ticketed — many parents assume the whole Wawel is free. The hill and courtyards are publicly accessible, but specific exhibitions, royal chambers and some parts of the Cathedral require tickets. Fix — check which entrances you want to visit in advance and buy tickets online to avoid queues and disappointment.
Trying to see too many sites in one day — parents often try to “see everything” in a single outing. Wawel plus the Royal Route involves a lot of walking. Fix — choose 2–3 key attractions and save the rest for later. It’s better to leave wanting more than to tire the children out.
Taking a stroller into interiors and exhibits — not all exhibitions admit strollers, and the castle usually has a cloakroom. Fix — bring a light carrier or check cloakroom availability. Use the stroller on the courtyard and open areas, and use alternatives for ticketed exhibitions.
Choosing the wrong approach to Wawel — the path from Podzamcze Street is shorter but steeper. For people with strollers the gentler approach from Bernardyńska Street is easier. This simple adjustment saves effort.
Not planning breaks and toilet stops — parents often forget to schedule rests. Fix — plan cafés or the Wawel Information Centre as rest and changing points.
Quick activators — bring a small toy, a picture book with the legends of the Wawel Dragon, or a sticker card that the child fills after mini-discoveries. Short tasks (“find the dragon statue”, “count the columns in the courtyard”) work wonders.
Rain plan — if the weather turns, move to museums or a relaxed lunch in a child-friendly restaurant. In Kraków there are cafés near the route with changing facilities and play corners, which make sudden downpours easier to handle.
Carrier as a rescue — a baby carrier is invaluable in crowded spots or where there are steps. It’s also a great option for infants who fall asleep quickly in contact with a parent.
Morning plan in Kraków — start at Wawel at 9:00: a walk around the hill, a quick stop at the Dragon’s Den and a short telling of the legend. After 45–60 minutes take a break for coffee and a snack at a café along Grodzka or another recommended spot on the route.
Afternoon quick trip to Zakopane (if you plan to do both in one day) — choose a relaxed option: Gubałówka by funicular and an easy walk along the ridge, or Równia Krupowa and a short playground visit. Avoid setting off on a long hike like Morskie Oko the same day if the kids were already active in the morning.
Two-day alternative — day one: Wawel, the Market Square and a relaxed café stop with an overnight stay. Day two: a full day trip to Chochołowska Valley or Morskie Oko — reserve the whole day to avoid rushing back.
In Kraków — pick cafés and restaurants that offer a kids’ corner, changing facilities and space for a stroller. Choose well-rated family places near the Wawel–Royal Route path and consider booking a table on weekends.
In Zakopane — near the popular routes you’ll find mountain huts and family restaurants with space for children. Around Gubałówka and Równia Krupowa there are several cafés and dessert spots perfect for a quick rest.
Practical rule — rely on places with good reviews and quick service, especially when travelling with a hungry child. If a venue advertises a play corner, book ahead in high season — it often makes a big difference.
Wawel has free access to the courtyards — use this as a full experience if the interiors are too demanding for the youngest. A courtyard walk and a legend story can be a wonderful, low-cost visit.
On some Tatra routes you can take traditional horse-drawn carriages — a seasonal attraction that can greatly simplify a stroller trip over longer distances.
Some castle and museum programs include family-friendly workshops — check event calendars, especially outside the high season.
A small change of approach to Wawel can change the whole day — choosing the gentler Bernardyńska route instead of the short but steep Podzamcze route saves energy and nerves.
Is entry to Wawel free? - Yes: the hill area and courtyards are publicly accessible and free. Selected exhibitions and some parts of the Cathedral may require paid tickets.
Can we get to Wawel with a stroller? - Yes, but not every interior and exhibition is accessible. For convenience choose the Bernardyńska approach and consider a carrier or the castle cloakroom for interiors.
How to avoid queues at Wawel? - Buy tickets online in advance for specific exhibitions, choose less popular times (for example early morning) and plan breaks so children aren’t tired while waiting.
Is Morskie Oko stroller-accessible? - Yes, the road to Morskie Oko is asphalted, but it’s long — consider the seasonal carriage or be prepared for many kilometres of walking.
Which stroller is best in the mountains? - Models with air-filled wheels and good suspension work best. On paved and hardened roads most strollers manage, but on rocky sections choose sturdier wheels.
Checklist before departure: check tickets for paid exhibitions, choose your approach to Wawel (Bernardyńska vs Podzamcze), bring a carrier and basic snacks, confirm your stroller type and plan breaks every 45–60 minutes.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — helping other parents plan enjoyable days with children is always worth it. For a personalised guided route around Kraków and Wawel tailored to your family’s needs, you can contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz via her site. A well-planned trip means less stress and more joy for everyone!
