Poland, Krakow with Kids- what to visit

Things to do in Kraków when traveling with children. We recently visited Kraków with our 3y daughter and since I didn't find much guidance online, I thought of sharing it with you here!

We flew from Amsterdam to Kraków with KLM and once landed, went straight to the train station that is linked to the airport. A trip from the Kraków airport to Kraków city center takes around 25 minutes and costs 17PLN (aprox 4 Eur). The conditions are better than the uber (cleaner, faster).

Our hotel (Hotel Mercure Kraków Stare Miasto) was opposite to the train station and to one of the big malls from the city - Galeria Krakowska.

For restaurants in Krakow, please check my other post. Here I will be sharing ideas for activities to do and places to visit with your child(ren) :

• Horse carriage ride tour around Kraków

This was a very cute experience that made our daughter feel like a little princess. I recommend you to negotiate the price half comparing to what they ask you and ideally to pay cash. The ride goes through Main Market Square, Planty Park, and picturesque streets of the Old Town.

Price : 250 PLN (initially asked price was 450-500PLN)

• Wawel Castle , Smocza Jama & the Dragon of Kraków

The castle is a prestigious place full of history dated from 14th century. For the full experience, you can go through the cave - Smocza Jama (formed nearly 12 million years) and you will be “welcomed” at it’s exit by the Dragon of Kraków , a creature from folklore that is also one if the symbols of the city. There is also an easier way to visit the Dragon - walk directly at the base of the Wavel Hill.

Price : castle 40PLN , cave 10 PLN, dragon - free

• Live Bagel Museum of Kraków

Great and fun idea for both kids and adults to hear more about the history of the polish traditional bagels (Obwarzanka) and to learn baking your own!

https://www.muzeumobwarzanka.com/?lang=en

Price : 40PLN (9.5 Eur) per person for 3y+

• Aqarium and National History Museum - Przyrodnicze

Very informative and educational place with information for each taste about fossils, animals, reptils and many more! They have also the whooly rhyno - an extinct mammal species.

Price : 40PLN

Link : http://www.isez.pan.krakow.pl/

• Art Museum - Czatoryski

The most valuable collection in Poland, and one of the most valuable ones in Europe. The Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci or the Landscape with the Good Samaritan by Rembrandt van Rijn, as well as many other masterpieces of not only painting, but also sculptures etc.

Price : 65PLN, Tuesdays (free)

Link : https://mnk.pl/oddzial/muzeum-ksiazat-czartoryskich

• Pinball Museum

A fun museum located close to Wawel with various pinball and arcade games. Unlimited free play on all the machines - starting from almost hundred-year-old machines to the newest pinballs with an LCD screen.

Price : 50 PLN per person 18y+ and 40PLN for children under 18y

Link : https://krakpin.com/index_en.html

• Children friendly Parks :

  • Park Strzelecki
  • Skwer Ewy Demarczyck - Kanonicza 13A (playground)
  • Bulwar Inflancki - Hieronima Wietora 9 (playground)
  • Plac zabaw “Dzikie Planty”- Swietej Gertrudy 16 (playground)
  • Henryk Jordan Park - very nice park also with a water area for sunny days and a nice children friendly cafe (Organic Coffee)

• Open air swimming pool - Zakrzówek

This is an unique and charming place very close to the city center - crystal-clear clean water, majestically surrounded by limestone rocks and unique nature allowing visitors to enjoy the sun and the natural lake water. There are different pools - some human made for little children, but also adults and you have also the lake where people can enjoy a re-freshing swim or padel.Usually it is very busy so we went there before 08:30 and was NO queue (after 9:15 the queue was very big and there was also a limitation of the people allowed in).

What we didn’t know upfront is that there is only one cafe and no other shops. Good to bring with you all the necessary (e.g. food, towels, swimming helpers)

Price : free

• Cat Cafe Kociarnia

This is a very cute cafe very close to the city center where you can enjoy a capuccino in form of a cat while playing with a cat. I have been there few times myself. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my daughter there since they allow 7y+ children only to make sure that the cats are not stressed.

Price : free entrance

Link : https://www.kociakawiarniakrakow.pl/

• Bunny Cafe Kociarnia

This is another cute cafe place where you can play with rabbits while enjoying a drink. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my daughter there as well since they allow 7y+ children only.

Price : 22PLN

Link : https://bunnycafe.pl/en/strona-glowna-en

• Shops for children :

  • BAJO wooden toys - situated very close to the Vawel castel, has plenty of wooden toys, most of the Montessori style - https://www.bajo.eu/
  • Smyck - situated usually in the malls, a shop where you can find both clothes and toys for your little ones - https://www.smyk.com/

After capturing many beautiful memories in Poland, we returned back home. The airport had children friendly areas (both before security, at check in area and after security - there is one playground next to gate 4-5 and another one at the lounge).

Hope you enjoyed my Kraków blog and feel free to reach out to me via instagram if you have any questions!