Let's begin our journey with Bielany-Tyniec Landscape Park, a true gem of nature on the outskirts of Krakow. This vast protected area, established in 1981, is an ideal place for families seeking peace and contact with nature. The park, stretching along a picturesque bend in the Vistula River, offers not only beautiful scenery, but also a fascinating lesson in history and geology.

To reach the park, it's best to use public transportation - bus lines 112 and 162 will take you to the 'Koło Tynieckie' bus stop, from where you can easily reach the main hiking trails. For motorists, parking lots are available at the Tyniec monastery and near the Piekarski rocks.

The park is accessible all year round, with no age restrictions or entrance tickets. However, it's worth remembering to wear appropriate footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, especially if you're planning longer hikes.

One of the park's main attractions is the Tyniec Rocks - picturesque limestone formations that will delight not only geology lovers, but also climbing enthusiasts. For families with children, we recommend easier trails, such as the educational path 'Uroczysko Grodzisko', which presents the natural and historical values of the area in an accessible way.

Also nearby is the famous Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, the oldest existing monastery in Poland. It's the perfect place to combine active recreation with a history lesson. The monastery offers guided tours (tickets: regular 16 PLN, reduced 12 PLN, family 40 PLN - as of 2023), as well as workshops and tastings of Benedictine products.

For more active families, the park offers a network of bicycle trails. You can rent bicycles at a nearby bike rental shop (prices from PLN 30 per day, as of 2023) and set off on a trip along the 'Tyniec Trail' - a 12-kilometer route leading through the most interesting corners of the park.

Remember that the park is home to many species of plants and animals. It's worth taking along binoculars and a guide to the local flora and fauna - maybe you'll be able to spot a rare butterfly or hear a protected bird sing?

After a day full of excitement, we can relax in one of the nearby agritourisms or guesthouses. We recommend 'Gościniec pod Dębem' in Tyniec (prices from 120 PLN per night, as of 2023), which offers not only accommodation, but also home-cooked meals prepared from local products.

Bielańsko-Tyniec Landscape Park is a place where nature intertwines with history, offering an unforgettable experience for the whole family. It's the perfect start to our weekend adventure in the Krakow area!

The next point on our weekend trip is the Krakow Zoological Garden, located in the charming Wolskie Forest district. It's a place that has been delighting visitors with its rich collection of animals from all over the world since 1929. The zoo is open year-round, with opening hours varying seasonally (usually from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or 7:00 pm, depending on the season).

To get to the zoo, the most convenient way is to use bus lines 134 or 172, which take you directly to the gate of the zoo. For motorists, there is a parking lot on Kasa Oszczędności Street of the City of Cracow (payable on weekends and holidays).

Ticket prices (as of 2023) are: normal - 40 zlotys, reduced - 30 zlotys, children under 3 - free admission. It is worth considering the purchase of a family ticket (2+2) at the price of PLN 120, which is an attractive option for families.

The zoo offers many attractions for visitors of all ages. Children will be delighted with the mini zoo, where they can pet and feed the animals. For the older ones, there are interactive educational boards and the opportunity to observe animal feeding (schedule available on site).

Remember to wear comfortable shoes - the tour route is about 3 km long. It is advisable to take water and snacks with you, although there are also food outlets on the zoo grounds.

After an exciting visit to the zoo, it's time for another unusual attraction - the 'Wieliczka' Salt Mine. This is a place that has fascinated tourists from all over the world for centuries, offering a journey into the depths of the earth and history.

The mine is located in Wieliczka, just 10 km from the center of Krakow. It can be reached by bus line 304 from the stop 'Dworzec Główny Wschód' or by train from the Main Station (about 20 minutes' drive).

Tours of the mine are conducted in groups with a guide. The tourist route is 3.5 km long and covers a depth of up to 135 meters underground. The tour time is about 2-3 hours. It is worth remembering to wear warm clothes - the temperature in the mine is constant at about 14-16°C.

Ticket prices (as of 2023) are: normal - 109 zlotys, reduced - 89 zlotys, family (2+2) - 309 zlotys. Children under the age of 4 can enter free of charge.

The mine offers special attractions for children, such as 'Solilandia' - an underground playground, or the interactive exhibition 'In the footsteps of Wieliczka legends'. This is a great opportunity to combine learning with fun.

During the tour you will see unique salt chambers, sculptures made in salt and learn about the history of mining this precious mineral. The highlight is a visit to St. Kinga's Chapel - an underground temple carved in salt.

After the tour, visit the 'Kitchen of the Soltys' restaurant on the mine site, where traditional Polish dishes are served.

Both the zoo and the salt mine are places that are sure to be memorable for the whole family, offering unique educational and entertaining experiences. These are perfect highlights for a weekend of excitement in the Krakow area!

To conclude our weekend adventure, we suggest two unique places to further explore the charms of the Krakow area.

The first is the Skolczanka Nature Reserve, located in the Bielany-Tyniec Landscape Park. It's a perfect place for nature lovers and peaceful walks. The reserve, established in 1957, protects unique plant communities and rare species of butterflies.

To reach the reserve, it is best to take bus line 112 or 252 to the stop 'Tyniec Krzyż', and then walk about 1.5 km. For motorists, a small parking lot is available at the entrance to the reserve.

Admission to the reserve is free and available all year round. However, it is worth remembering that this is a protected area, so you should walk only on designated paths and follow the rules of nature conservation.

For families with children, we recommend the educational path 'Butterflies of Skolchanka', which presents the wealth of local flora and fauna in an accessible way. The path is about 2 km long and is relatively easy, suitable even for younger children.

Remember to wear appropriate footwear and clothing - the terrain can be uneven and in some places wet. It is worth taking binoculars and a camera with you - there will certainly be something to admire!

At the end of our weekend adventure, we suggest a visit to the Living Museum of Obwarzanka, located in the heart of Krakow, at 4 Paderewskiego St. This is a place where tradition meets modern presentation, offering an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

The museum is easily accessible - it is just a few minutes' walk from the Main Square. You can reach it by virtually any streetcar or bus line running to the city center.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices (as of 2023) are: regular - 25 zlotys, reduced - 20 zlotys, family (2+2) - 75 zlotys. Children under 4 years of age enter free of charge.

The museum's main attraction is an interactive workshop on obwarzanek baking. Each participant can shape and decorate a traditional Cracow obwarzanek with their own hands, and then watch the process of baking it. This is great fun not only for children, but also for adults!

The workshop lasts about an hour and is led by experienced bakers. During the class we will learn about the history of the obwarzanek, the secrets of its production and interesting facts related to this traditional baked product.

After the workshop, visit the museum store, where you can buy fresh obwarzanki and souvenirs related to the baking tradition of Cracow.

The Skołczanka Reserve and the Living Museum of Obwarzanka are places that perfectly complement our weekend program. They combine elements of education, entertainment and contact with nature and tradition, offering an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Remember that the area around Krakow is a treasure trove of attractions that are worth discovering gradually. Each visit can bring new experiences and memories. We encourage you to explore these charming places and enjoy the riches that this region of Poland offers!