Exploring Krakow with Children by Train

Krakow is a wonderful Polish city that we recommend you to visit. You can quickly get here not only by car, but also by train directly from Vilnius.

Traveling by train to Krakow with children is a great idea for a long weekend with the family or a short vacation. This Polish city is also perfect if you want to know the Polish culture and history. A trip to Krakow is also suitable for entertaining the whole family.

Here at “Travelling with Children®” we have prepared a detailed guide to Krakow with children. Here you will find all the information on what to visit, where to have fun, where to eat delicious food, where to stay and where to go for a walk.

What to Visit in Krakow

Wawel Castle

An impressively sized castle worth a visit if you come to Krakow and have a bit more time. The castle is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. We recommend a very interesting but inexpensive tour. We also recommend you buy the tour together with the entrance tickets.

More information with the exact coordinates of Wawel Castle can be found in our Krakow attractions map.

The Market Square

The market square is probably the most popular place in all of Krakow. It’s a very large square with many cafes, shops and entertainment. In the evenings, there are many artist performances, and from here you can ride in horse-drawn carriages. The market square is the most popular entertainment in Krakow. Rides start at the Market Square. The price for 30 minutes is about 50 euros.

The Market Hall

Sukiennice, or the Market Hall, is a medieval building in the middle of the Market Square. Since the 13th century, a covered market has been operating in this place. This place now sells souvenirs.

The Jewish Quarter

A historical place for a walk. Maybe not very interesting for kids, but this area is full of very fun cafes. This quarter became famous when the Oscar-winning famous S. Spielberg film “Schindler’s List” was filmed here.

Velička Salt Mines

The salt mine near Krakow is a 2.5 km long excursion route that leads through tunnels that are 64-135 m underground. One of the most interesting places in the mine is an underground chapel, where all the details are carved from salt. The total length of the labyrinth of salt mines, spread over 9 levels, is about 300 km.

We recommend buying a ticket in advance to skip the queues and make sure to use the services of a guide, because you will learn a lot of interesting things.

More information with the exact coordinates of the Velička salt mines can be found in our  Krakow attractions map.

The Auschwitz Museum

This one is a fit for children from 12 years old. The name of the Auschwitz concentration camp is well known to many. It reminds us of a painful part of our history about the Holocaust. We recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid standing in line.

More information with exact coordinates of the museum can be found in our Krakow attractions map.

Museum of Engineering and Technology

A very interesting and interactive museum that may appeal to older children.

The Florianska Street

A popular pedestrian street with many cafes, shops, and interesting places.

Having Fun in Krakow

Energylandia

Energylandia is the largest amusement park in Poland, which has three main zones: Bajkolandia (for the smallest), Family and Extreme. A childhood paradise awaits the smallest park visitors: it has not only carousels and trains, but also heroes of favorite fairy tales. The family zone established in the Viking village will not disappoint, and the adrenaline dose will be increased by sailing on a real Viking ship on a crazy river, Dragon and Boomerang trains, an interactive monster attack and many other fun attractions. The extreme zone is for the bravest. You will go up to a height of 33 meters on the Mayan train, on the Formula 1 attraction you will go at a speed of 100 km/h, and on the Water train you will go up to a height of 60 meters and go down at a speed of 110 km/h.
The largest amusement park in Poland also has the largest open water park. Even 14 water slides of an impressive size and a very large territory of the park will certainly not leave you indifferent. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

More information with the exact coordinates of Energylandia can be found in our Krakow attractions map.

The Krakow Zoo

There are about 260 species, 1500 animals in the zoo, the territory covers an area of ​​almost 17 hectares. The parking lot of the zoo is far from the garden itself, so if there is an opportunity, we suggest that you drive all the way to the zoo and drop off the children (under the supervision of one adult, of course). Until they buy the tickets, park the car in the lot, which is about 1 km away, and come on foot. More information can be found on the zoo’s website. It is very convenient to buy a ticket together with pick-up and drop-off from the hotel.

More information with exact coordinates of Krakow Zoo can also be found in our Krakow attractions map.

The Krakow Water Park

Krakow’s water park has a number of slides that are suitable for children. An outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer.

Nemo Water Park

Nemo Water Park is located near the city of Katowice, about 70 km from Krakow. It has three outdoor pools that are open seasonally, outdoor trampolines for children, as well as an outdoor and indoor cafe. Inside is a great area for children.

More information with exact coordinates of Nemo water park can also be found in the Krakow attractions map.

Gojump Megapark

This one is a large trampoline park that is sure to please the kids. A great rescue in bad weather.

Museum of Aviation

This museum in Krakow has an extremely large display of over 200 different aircraft and 100 aircraft engines. Those interested in aviation will definitely like it. It is very convenient to buy tickets in advance.

For more information with exact coordinates of the museum, refer to the Krakow attractions map.

Museum of Slot Machines

This museum in Krakow will definitely take us back to our childhood. More than one and a half hundred vintage gaming machines that can still be played. More information can be found on the museum’s website. It is very convenient to buy tickets in advance.

More information with exact coordinates of the museum can be found in our Krakow attractions map.

Swimming on the Vitula River

Very fun and popular entertainment. Both children and adults will like it. We tried this route. We really enjoyed this ride.

More information with exact coordinates of this object can be found in the Krakow attractions map.

Where to Take a Walk in Krakow

• Stanislaw Lem Experimental Garden – a great park for children, with a variety of swings, climbing frames, and sculptures that develop children’s imagination.
• World campuses – an educational park. This one is a great place for children to get to know world culture and traditions. On the territory of 3 hectares, children will be able to get to know the whole world.
• Vistula River Promenade and Father Ojca Bernatka Bridge. This one is a very popular place for walks. Many cafes, food carts. There are many children’s playgrounds along the way. Be sure to cross the iconic bridge!

Where to Eat in Krakow

• Judah food market. This one is a very popular food van spot. Located in the Jewish Quarter.
• Wezze kraft. A very popular place among young people and tourists. It has a great patio and bakes very tasty pizzas.
• Under wawelem. A mix of Polish and German cuisine. Very tasty food and huge portions. The prices are very friendly.
• The bark. Restaurant on the ship, on the Vistula river. There are concerts, and it also provides simple, but really tasty and delicious food.
• Stara paczkarnia. This one is a very popular chain donut shop with divine tasting doughnuts. If you are a fan of them – visiting is a must.
• Cafe Mini Kraków. This cafe has amazing desserts.

Practical Advice

• If you plan to visit more museums in Krakow, the KRAKOW CARD CITY PASS card will be very useful. It will give you the opportunity not only to visit 37 museums, but also to use transport – just note that you must choose the option that provides transport in that case.
• If you come to the old town by car, it is very convenient to park in the underground parking lot near the Wawel Castle. The full address is as follows: plac Na Groblach 24, 31-101 Kraków. Coordinates on Google Maps are as follows: 3W4J+6Q Krakow.
• Be sure to take advantage of the free organized tours of Krakow.
• The famous flea market opens early in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays in Plac Nowy market square.

Traveling by Train

News! From December 11 traveling to Poland will also be possible by train.

Traveling by train to Poland will take longer than by car. The journey from Vilnius to Krakow with a transfer will take about 12.5 hours.

The trip to Poland by train will take place with a transfer. Passengers traveling from both Vilnius and Kaunas will have to change to another train in Mockava, Lazdija district. You will not need to buy a new ticket, as one ticket will be valid for the entire trip.

The trip on the route Vilnius – Krakow will cost 30 EUR. The train will depart from Vilnius every day at 12:10, and from Kaunas – 13:20. The train will arrive at the Krakow Central Station at approximately 23:30 local time.

The train from Krakow to Vilnius will depart every day at 4:01. This train will reach Kaunas at 16:25, and it will reach Vilnius at 5:34pm Lithuanian time.

You can buy tickets on the website of Lithuanian Railways.

We wrote about Krakow and entertainment with children earlier, so make sure to check our older article out: Krakow with Children: Energylandia Park and Zoo.

This article is author’s work and was prepared by “Travelling with Children ®”. Copying and using without permission is strictly prohibited.

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