Kraków is Poland’s former royal capital, a city of cobbled lanes, church spires, and Europe’s largest medieval square—Rynek Główny. The Old Town and Wawel Castle sit within ring-shaped Planty Park, where carriages clip-clop past students from the 14th‑century Jagiellonian University.

Fun fact: the bugle call from St. Mary’s Basilica stops mid‑note each hour to commemorate a 13th‑century watchman. Kraków also gave the world the obwarzanek, the city’s iconic braided bagel you’ll see in blue carts.

Practical notes: Kraków is walkable and tram-connected, with plentiful affordable dining (think pierogi, hearty soups, and zapiekanki). Dress modestly for churches, carry a light jacket for underground mines (around 17°C), and book popular tours ahead, especially in summer and holidays.

Kraków

Old Town charm, riverside paths, and leafy parks make Kraków great for families. Between museum courtyards and dragon legends, you can fit in easy trails and viewpoints for a gentle dose of turystyka piesza.

• Top sights: Wawel Castle and Dragon, St. Mary’s Basilica, Cloth Hall, Planty Park, Kazimierz, Schindler’s Factory (for older kids), and the panoramic Krakus Mound.
• Family-friendly walks: Vistula Boulevards (flat, stroller‑friendly), Planty Park loop, and Las Wolski forest trails by the city zoo.
• Budget eats you’ll love: milk bars (bar mleczny), pierogi spots, and street‑cart obwarzanki.

Getting to Kraków: For flights, trains, or buses within Europe, compare routes on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Typical flight times: Berlin/London 1.5–2.5 hours (~$40–$130 off‑peak). Trains: Warsaw–Kraków ~2h20m; Prague–Kraków ~6.5–7.5h. If you’re flying in from outside Europe, check Kiwi.com. For additional rail options in Europe, see Omio trains.

Where to stay (budget to family‑friendly): Look for apartments in Kazimierz or Stare Podgórze (quiet, playgrounds, easy trams) or near the Old Town for short walks to sights. Compare deals on VRBO Kraków and Hotels.com Kraków.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Wawel & Kazimierz (Arrival Day)

Morning: Travel to Kraków and check in. If you arrive early, stretch your legs with a gentle loop around Planty Park, then peek into St. Mary’s Basilica to spot the famed Veit Stoss altarpiece (quick, wow‑factor visit for kids). Pick up warm obwarzanki from a street cart for an affordable snack.

Afternoon: Walk the Royal Route from the Cloth Hall to Wawel Hill (free to enter the courtyards). The fire‑breathing Wawel Dragon statue at the riverside is a kid magnet. Need an easy overview without little legs getting tired? Consider this short city tour:

Krakow: City Sightseeing Tour Eco Electric Buggy Golf Cart — See Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgórze in under 2 hours, with live commentary and photo stops. Great for families on Day 1 to get oriented. Typical duration 1–2 hours; budget around $20–$35 per adult.

For coffee and pastries nearby, try Wesoła Cafe (house bakes, kids’ hot chocolate) or ethically sourced brews at Karma Coffee Roasters on Krupnicza.

Evening: Head to Kazimierz for dinner. Budget‑friendly picks: Kuchnia u Babci Maliny (homey Polish classics; big portions), Przystanek Pierogarnia (tiny, cheap, and delicious dumplings), or Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa (lively, huge schnitzels; kid‑friendly). For a very light bite, grab legendary zapiekanki at Plac Nowy (try “Endzior” stall). Finish with ice cream at Good Lood or Lody na Starowiślnej 4, then a stroller‑friendly sunset stroll along the Vistula Boulevards.

Optional (better for teens/adults): The Schindler’s Factory Museum offers a moving WWII exhibit. Guided visit here: Krakow Schindler's Factory Guided Tour with Admission Ticket (about 1.5–2 hours). Tickets often sell out—book ahead.

Day 2: Forest Walks or Salt Mine Wonder (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning (Active & kid‑friendly): Ride a tram/bus toward the west and wander Las Wolski, Kraków’s city forest with easy, shady trails. Families love pairing a short loop with the Kraków Zoo visit, or walking to the hilltop Camaldolese Monastery viewpoint. Pack a simple picnic (bakery rolls, fruit) to keep costs down.

Lunch: Back in town, try a classic milk bar such as Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą (soups, potato pancakes, pierogi) or Bar Mleczny Górnik—fast, filling, and very affordable.

Early Afternoon (Signature experience): Descend into a glittering underworld of chapels and salt sculptures at the UNESCO‑listed Wieliczka Salt Mine. The mine stays around 17°C; wear comfy shoes and bring a light layer. This tour includes transfers so you don’t worry about tickets or transit:

Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour from Krakow: Ticket & Transfer — Expect ~3.5–4 hours door‑to‑door; budget roughly $55–$75 per adult. Young kids usually love spotting the salt carvings and underground lake.

Evening: Departure day. If you have a little time before your train/flight, grab a quick bite near the station—try Gospoda Koko for budget Polish plates or split a Neapolitan pie at Pizza Garden (kid‑approved). Pick up last‑minute sweets at Stara Pączkarnia (filled doughnuts) for the journey.

Alternative (Extend or Swap Day 2): Zakopane & Hot Springs

If you have a late‑night departure or an extra day, trade the city forest for mountain air in the Tatra foothills. You’ll ride a funicular to Gubałówka for views and an easy ridge walk, sample highlander cheese (oscypek), and soak in thermal pools—very family‑friendly.

Krakow: Zakopane & Hot Springs Tour with Cable Car (Hotel Pickup) — Full‑day (8–10 hours) with transfers; plan ~$80–$120 per adult depending on inclusions. Great if you want light hiking plus guaranteed kid smiles at the pools.

Eat & Drink: Budget Favorites You Can Trust

• Breakfast/Coffee: Wesoła Cafe (scrambles, pancakes), Karma Coffee Roasters (house‑roasted beans), Ranny Ptaszek (veg‑forward shakshuka and spreads), Tektura (specialty brews).
• Lunch: Przystanek Pierogarnia (mix‑and‑match pierogi), Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą or Górnik (set plates under ~30–45 PLN), Plac Nowy zapiekanki (share a long baguette topped with mushrooms/cheese).
• Dinner: Kuchnia u Babci Maliny (cutlets, beet soup), Pod Wawelem (big portions; book at peak times), Nolio (excellent Neapolitan pizza; moderate prices), Streat Slow Food (casual burgers).
• Treats: Good Lood and Lody na Starowiślnej 4 (gelato legends), obwarzanki from blue carts (classic Kraków snack).

Getting Around & Money‑Saving Tips

• Trams/buses: Frequent, stroller‑friendly; single rides are inexpensive and 24‑hour tickets are good value for busy days. Validate on board.
• Free/low‑cost sights: Planty Park, Vistula Boulevards, parish church interiors (donations welcome), Wawel courtyards, and Krakus Mound for city views.
• Pack smart: Lightweight rain layer, comfy shoes, and a small daypack. Mines are cool (17°C), forests can be breezy.
• Book ahead: Salt Mine and popular tours sell out—reserve early via the links above to lock in times and prices.

Note on solemn sites: Auschwitz‑Birkenau is a profound historical visit best suited for adults and mature teens. If you choose to include it on a future trip, options from Kraków include respectful, guided transfers like this Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour from Krakow with Ticket & Transfer.

Final travel links (save for later): Flights to/from Europe (Omio) | Trains in Europe (Omio) | Buses in Europe (Omio) | VRBO Kraków | Hotels.com Kraków

In two days, you’ll trace royal footsteps through the Old Town, meet the Wawel Dragon, wander a city forest, and descend into the shimmering halls of the Wieliczka Salt Mine—all without straining your budget. Kraków delivers history, walks, and flavor in a compact, family‑friendly package you’ll want to revisit.