When people talk about workations, they usually picture solo freelancers or couples hopping between cafés with laptops and flat whites. Family workations don’t always make the highlight reel. But with the right setup and the right city, they can work beautifully.
For us, Krakow turned out to be exactly that kind of place.
Why Krakow?
The reason for Krakow was simple: my wife, a software engineer, needed to be there for work. I can work from anywhere, so instead of doing a week apart, we decided to turn it into a family workation. That meant travelling not just as a couple, but with our daughter and her nanny, who could look after her during working hours.
We stayed for one week in September 2025, which turned out to be a perfect time to visit. Warm days, cooler evenings, fewer crowds than peak summer, and the city is still buzzing with life.
Where We Stayed (and How We Worked)
We based ourselves in a two-bedroom Airbnb in Krakow’s Old Town, close enough to walk everywhere but quiet enough to actually get work done. The apartment had strong, reliable Wi-Fi and a proper dining table, which doubled as my conference-call headquarters.
To be safe, I brought Starlink as a backup connection—one of those “just in case” decisions that helps you relax. In the end, we didn’t need it once. Kraków’s internet infrastructure was more than solid for video calls, cloud tools, and deep work.
That peace of mind alone made the workation feel viable rather than risky.
A Typical Workation Day in Krakow
The key to making this work was structure. We didn’t try to squeeze work around family life or vice versa—we gave each its own space.
Most days followed a similar rhythm.
Morning: I’d wake up early and take our daughter out in the pram to a nearby bakery. Krakow is packed with incredible bakeries—think fresh breads, pastries, and coffee that easily rival bigger European cities. Those quiet morning walks through cobbled streets and Planty Park were a highlight in themselves.
Back at the apartment, we’d have breakfast together as a family. Around 9:00 am, our daughter and nanny would head out for the day—often heading to parks, museums, the castle or simply exploring the city. My wife would Uber to her office, and I’d settle in at the dining table for calls and emails.
Late morning: was all about collaboration: meetings, Teams, email, and anything that required being “on.”
Lunchtime: I’d head out into the city to find my daughter for a break and lunch outdoors together. Krakow makes this easy; everything is walkable, and there’s always a park, square, or casual lunch spot nearby.
Afternoon Deep Work, Café-Style
After lunch, I’d relocate to a café for the afternoon. Most days, that meant Kazimierz, Krakow’s old Jewish quarter, which has an amazing café culture and a creative, relaxed vibe.
Places like Alchemia, Hevre, Massolit Books & Café, and countless smaller spots offered:
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- Plenty of space
- Great coffee
- A quiet buzz of other remote workers
This part of the day was reserved for deep work—writing, problem-solving, and tasks that benefit from focus. The separation really helped: mornings for collaboration, afternoons for flow. Around 5 pm, I’d usually wrap up with what I like to call a “cheeky end-of-day beer”—finishing emails while sitting outside, watching the city wind down.
Evenings as a Family
By early evening, we’d reunite in the Old Town. Krakow in the early evening is beautiful: golden light, street musicians, and a calm energy that feels safe and welcoming.
We’d take a scenic walk, then head back to the flat around 6:30 pm to get our daughter ready for bed. Once she was asleep in the pram around 7:30, we’d head back out, this time to the Main Market Square.
There’s something special about having dinner outdoors in one of Europe’s largest medieval squares, with your child peacefully asleep beside you, work done for the day, and the city glowing around you.
We’d be home by around 9 pm. If needed, I’d tie up a few loose ends for work, then wind down properly.
Why Krakow Works So Well for a Family Workation
After a week there, it was clear why Krakow works so well as a family workation destination.
- It’s incredibly walkable – You can live your whole day on foot, which is a gift when you’re juggling work, a pram, and family logistics.
- It feels safe – Walking around with laptops, phones, and camera gear never felt stressful, day or night.
- The café culture is outstanding – Not just for coffee, but for working. There’s a sense of quiet community among remote workers that makes you feel less alone.
- Food and drink are excellent and affordable – Prices have risen compared to 10 years ago, but it’s still great value for the quality.
- Culturally, it’s the right level of “different” – It feels like a real change of scene from the UK architecture, food, culture, without being hard to navigate. English is widely spoken, and everything just… works.
- Breaking the day into clear work modes – Collaboration in the morning, deep work in the afternoon—made it easier to be fully present in each role: professional, parent, partner.
Final Thoughts
This week in Krakow didn’t feel like squeezing work into a holiday—or forcing a holiday into a workweek. It felt balanced, intentional, and surprisingly calm.
As a family workation, it showed us that with the right destination, setup, and expectations, working abroad with a child isn’t just possible—it can actually improve how you work and how you live.
Krakow didn’t just host our laptops for a week. It gave us a rhythm that worked for everyone.
Joe Minchin is the award-winning Managing Director of Nyala Marketing, a B2B marketing strategist and leader. He builds custom teams that combine smart B2B tech expertise with agile, big-agency-level delivery to solve the toughest B2B marketing challenges.
