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Kraków · Forts

Kraków forts to visit with kids

20 October 2026 · 7 min read

Forts

Kraków is ringed by forts from the old Austro-Hungarian fortress. After the world wars many stood empty — today some are museums, a culture centre, an observatory, or parks you can walk around. Here are ten worth a family trip, from Kościuszko Mound to Fort Borek and Fort 49 in Nowa Huta. Tap a card to open the pin on the map.

Where these parks are

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  1. 1

    Fort 2 “Kościuszko” · Kościuszko Mound

    Kraków · al. Waszyngtona 1, Zwierzyniec, Kraków

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    Map
  2. 2

    Fort 38 “Skała”

    Kraków · ul. Do Obserwatorium, Przegorzały, Kraków

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    Map
  3. 3

    Fort 39 “Olszanica”

    Kraków · Olszanica, Kraków

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    Map
  4. 4

    Fort 52 “Borek”

    Kraków · Borek Fałęcki, Kraków

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    Map
  5. 5

    Fort 52a “Łapianka”

    Kraków · Jugowice, Kraków

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    Map
  6. 6

    Fort 50½ “Barycz” / “Kosocice”

    Kraków · Kosocice, Kraków

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    Map
  7. 7

    Fort 49 “Krzesławice”

    Kraków · Krzesławice, Nowa Huta, Kraków

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    Map
  8. 8

    Fort 31 “Benedykt”

    Kraków · Wzgórze Lasoty, Podgórze, Kraków

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    Map
  9. 9

    Bastion V “Lubicz” relics

    Kraków · Rondo Mogilskie, Kraków

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    Map
  10. 10

    Fort 53 “Bodzów” ruins

    Kraków · Bodzów, Kraków

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    Map

Parks in this guide

Tap a park to read its review and watch play-test videos, or jump straight to the map pin.

Loved this Kraków shortlist? parks and playgrounds next — ParkConnect’s family challenge helps you visit one new park or playground a week, then log it on the map.

What the Kraków Fortress was — and what’s left after the wars

In the second half of the 19th century Austria-Hungary turned Kraków into one of Europe’s biggest fortresses (Twierdza Kraków): a ring of brick-and-earth forts, artillery towers and bunkers around the city. After the First and Second World Wars the army used some of them as stores, others were left to decay, and a few were demolished as the city grew. Since the 1990s Kraków has been bringing them back: Fort 49 became a youth culture centre, Fort 52 “Borek” and Fort 52a “Łapianka” reopened in 2022 as a culture centre and a museum, and Fort 50½ is part of the Kraków Fortress Museum. For families they make great outings — earthworks to climb, moats to peer into, and usually a park or forest next door.

The ten forts

  1. 1Fort 2 “Kościuszko” · Kościuszko MoundCitadel around the mound · museum, cafés, city views.Open on map
  2. 2Fort 38 “Skała”University observatory since 1964 · edge of Las Wolski.Open on map
  3. 3Fort 39 “Olszanica”Restored fort with a small hotel and bar · info board.Open on map
  4. 4Fort 52 “Borek”Revitalised 2022 · culture centre and park grounds.Open on map
  5. 5Fort 52a “Łapianka”Scouting museum (Muzeum Krakowa) since 2022.Open on map
  6. 6Fort 50½ “Barycz” / “Kosocice”Well-kept armoured fort · Kraków Fortress Museum, open at times.Open on map
  7. 7Fort 49 “Krzesławice”Youth culture centre · park with paths and benches.Open on map
  8. 8Fort 31 “Benedykt”1850s artillery tower on Lasota Hill · near Krakus Mound.Open on map
  9. 9Bastion V “Lubicz” relicsExcavated fort walls on show · free, any time.Open on map
  10. 10Fort 53 “Bodzów” ruinsListed ruins in woodland · for older kids, stay on paths.Open on map

The list runs from the big-name forts in the west, through the revitalised southern forts, to Nowa Huta and two quick stops closer to the centre.

How to find forts you can visit

Opening times differ a lot: Kościuszko Mound and the museum-run forts have regular hours and tickets, culture centres open for their own events, and some forts are only open on special open days. Others — like Fort 53 “Bodzów” — are ruins you can only see from outside. Check the operator’s website before you go, and pair a fort with the green space around it: Las Wolski for Forts 38 and 39, the Vistula boulevards and Krakus Mound for Fort 31, and the park around Fort 49 in Nowa Huta.

How to use this on ParkConnect

Open the map, search Kraków, and tap each card to jump to the fort. When you visit, add a comment with what was open and whether there is a playground or café nearby, so the next family knows what to expect. For more Kraków outings, see our guides to parks with walking paths and to school basketball courts open after school.

More ways to parks and playgrounds beyond Kraków

This Kraków shortlist is a starting point. When you want a simple family habit — one new playground a week — open ParkConnect’s challenge to parks and playgrounds across cities and your own neighbourhood. Pair a sports stop from this guide with a quiet plac zabaw, mark toilets and shade after you visit, and keep exploring with the live map.

Parent tips

  • Stay out of tunnels, casemates and dark rooms unless you’re on a guided tour — floors and ceilings in ruins can be unsafe.

  • Moats and earth walls are steep: hold small hands near the edges.

  • Bring a torch for guided visits and sturdy shoes for the earthworks.

  • Check opening hours on the operator’s website — many forts open only for events.

  • Kościuszko Mound is the easiest first fort: paths, cafés and a big view at the top.

  • Respect private and fenced forts — several are not open to the public.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Kraków Fortress?
Twierdza Kraków was a ring of forts, towers and bunkers built around Kraków by Austria-Hungary from the mid-19th century to before the First World War. Dozens of its forts survive, in very different states.
Which Kraków forts can you go inside?
Fort 2 “Kościuszko” (Kościuszko Mound and its museum), Fort 52 “Borek” (Centrum Kultury Podgórza), Fort 52a “Łapianka” (scouting museum, Muzeum Krakowa) and Fort 49 “Krzesławice” (youth culture centre) are in regular use. Fort 50½ “Kosocice” is part of the Kraków Fortress Museum and opens to visitors at times.
Are Kraków forts good for kids?
Yes, with care. Restored forts and their parks are great for exploring; ruins are best seen from the outside, and moats and earth walls need close supervision.

Sources

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