Start our journey with a place that literally allows you to peek beneath the surface of medieval Krakow. The Underground Market is a fascinating attraction located directly under the slab of the Main Square. Discovered during the renovation of the Cloth Hall, this underground exhibition is a true journey back in time to the medieval city. At a depth of 4 meters below the current level of the market, there are remnants of old stalls, craftsmen's workshops and fragments of medieval Krakow buildings dating back to the 13th century.

What makes this place special for families with children? First of all, the modern form of history presentation. Interactive touch screens, holograms and multimedia presentations make it possible for even the youngest to learn about the life of medieval Cracovians in an accessible way. Particularly fascinating is an area specially designed for children, where automated puppets depict scenes from everyday life centuries ago. Also unusual in the exhibition is an 11th-century cemetery with burials designed to prevent the dead from returning as vampires - this macabre curiosity is sure to intrigue older children.

From the underground, it's worth moving to the surface, to the MNK Sukiennice, or Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art of the National Museum in Krakow. This iconic building, which is the heart of Krakow's Market Square, originally served as a center for the cloth trade. Today, in addition to souvenir stores on the first floor, the first floor houses a magnificent gallery of Polish painting. Families with children may find the huge canvases by Jan Matejko depicting key moments in Polish history particularly interesting. Paintings such as 'The Battle of Grunwald' and 'The Prussian Homage' provide an excellent opportunity to tell children about important historical events in an accessible way.

Continuing our royal journey, it's impossible to miss Wawel Royal Castle. This majestic complex, rising on a limestone hill above the Vistula River, was the main residence of Polish monarchs from the 9th century until the 16th century, when King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital to Warsaw. Wawel is not just a castle, but an entire complex including a cathedral, courtyards, gardens and fortified walls.

For families with children, Wawel offers many attractions. The royal chambers with their original furnishings and famous tapestries allow you to imagine the life of ancient rulers. Wawel Cathedral hides royal tombs and the legendary Sigismund Bell, which according to tradition grants wishes. Also not to be missed is the Dragon's Den, a cave at the foot of the hill where, according to legend, the Wawel dragon lived. The metal sculpture of the dragon in front of the cave entrance breathes real fire every few minutes, which always causes delight among the youngest visitors.

It is worth mentioning that both the Underground Market and the Wawel Royal Castle are extremely popular, so it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, especially during the tourist season. Price-wise, the Underground Market is in the average category, while visiting the entire Wawel complex can be considered relatively expensive, although it is worth remembering the days with free admission and discounts for families.

Continuing our tour of medieval Krakow, it is impossible to skip Florian Gate - the only surviving main city gate, part of Krakow's former fortifications. This massive Gothic building from the 14th century was the most important defensive element of the northern part of the city and the beginning of the so-called Royal Road, which was used by monarchs to enter Krakow. The Florian Gate is not only an architectural monument, but also a symbol of the city's medieval power.

What makes this place particularly attractive for families? First of all, the opportunity to literally walk through history - crossing the threshold of the gate, children can feel like medieval travelers entering the royal city. The upper part of the gate offers a picturesque view of Florianska Street and a section of the Planty. Inside there is a small exhibition on the history of the city's fortifications, as well as a chapel with a Baroque painting of Our Lady of the Sand.

Legend has it that when the Tatars invaded Krakow in 1241, a warning bugle call was played from the tower of St. Mary's Church. Unfortunately, the trumpeter was hit by a Tartar arrow straight in the throat, which is why to this day the Krakow bugle call is still abruptly interrupted. This story always fascinates children and makes them listen with greater interest to the bugle call played every hour from the tower of St. Mary's.

After exploring the medieval monuments, take a break to relax in Planty, a charming city park that surrounds the Old Town with a ring of greenery. Planty was created in the early 19th century on the site of demolished defensive walls and buried moats. Today, this park with a length of more than 4 kilometers is a green oasis in the heart of the city, ideal for rest and relaxation.

For families with children, the Planty offers many attractions: playgrounds, alleys ideal for walking or rollerblading, numerous benches and cafes. What's more, while strolling through the Planty, you can admire the remains of the old city fortifications - towers and fragments of walls that have survived to our days. This is an excellent opportunity to tell children about the defense system of the medieval city. Along the alleys there are also monuments to famous Poles, which can become a pretext for a mini-history lesson.

For those who want to get to know the darker side of the Middle Ages, an interesting suggestion is the Museum of Torture on Florianska Street. This unusual attraction presents the tools and methods of administering justice in centuries past. The exhibition includes reconstructions of various torture devices used in the Middle Ages and later times, along with descriptions of their use. It is worth noting, however, that due to the drastic nature of the exhibit, the museum is recommended rather for older children and teenagers.

The Museum of Torture offers a fascinating, if somewhat gruesome, insight into the legal and penal system of former centuries. Visitors can learn how the medieval judiciary functioned, what crimes were most severely punished and what methods were used to extort confessions. This is a place that shows in an accessible way how our approach to law and justice has changed over the centuries. Ticket prices are affordable, making this attraction accessible to most tourists.

At the end of our journey through medieval Krakow, it is worth visiting a place that combines education and fun in a modern way. The WOMAI Krakow Science and Senses Center is an interactive museum that, while not directly related to the Middle Ages, perfectly complements a historical tour by showing how science and technology have evolved over the centuries.

This state-of-the-art educational center offers more than 70 interactive exhibits that present phenomena in physics, biology, mathematics and other scientific fields in an accessible way. Here children can experiment, touch, observe and discover for themselves the laws that govern the world. Of particular interest are exhibits showing how medieval machines and devices functioned, and how they changed with the development of science.

What sets WOMAI apart from other attractions? First of all, the 'hands-on' approach - everything here can be touched, tried and experienced firsthand. It's a place where learning becomes an adventure and knowledge is assimilated through play. The center also offers special workshops and scientific demonstrations, which can be the perfect complement to a family tour of historic Krakow.

Comparing all seven described places in terms of attractiveness for families with children, several aspects are worth noting. In terms of educational value, the Underground Market and Wawel Royal Castle lead the way, offering a wealth of historical information presented in an accessible manner. In terms of interactivity and involvement of the youngest, the WOMAI Science and Senses Center and the Underground Market with their multimedia expositions definitely stand out.

If we consider accessibility, the Planty and Florian Gate are the most accessible - they can be visited at any time and without tickets. On the other hand, the Wawel Royal Castle, while fascinating, requires more time to visit and can be tiring for the youngest children due to its vast grounds and numerous stairs.

In terms of price, the cheapest option is, of course, the Planty and Florian Gate (free admission), while a comprehensive tour of Wawel Castle may be the most expensive budget item. The Torture Museum, the Underground Market and WOMAI are in the middle price range.

Seasonality is also worth mentioning - all the described attractions are available all year round, but the Planty Park looks most beautiful in spring and summer, when the greenery is at its most lush. In winter, on the other hand, the interiors of the castle and museum exhibitions acquire special charm.

Summing up our tour of medieval Krakow, it is safe to say that the city offers a wealth of attractions for families with children of all ages. From the mysterious underground, to the majestic castle chambers, to the modern science center - each of these places allows you to look at history from a different perspective and experience it with all your senses. Krakow is not only a history lesson, but above all a fascinating adventure that will remain in the memory of both children and adults for a long time.

It's a good idea to plan your visit in such a way as to combine places that require more concentration (like museums) with those that offer opportunities for free activity (like the Planty Park). Such a balance will keep children interested throughout the day and make a family trip to medieval Krakow an unforgettable experience for all.