Can you show students a major site of remembrance and Kraków’s historical centre in a single day? Yes — if the day is well planned. Combining a visit to the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial with a short walk through the Old Town gives you two complementary lessons: 20th‑century global history and the local geography of memory, symbols and traditions. In practice it’s an emotionally heavy day — leave time for processing impressions and short moments of silence.
When you combine these two program points you need to manage the class’s pace, set clear meeting points and schedule breaks: students learn and remember better when the day has a rhythm (two “pillar” sites + one light stop between them). That rhythm reduces chaos and creates space for conversation after difficult topics.
Practical fact: travel from central Kraków to Oświęcim typically takes about 1.5 hours by coach. The museum sites on the former camp grounds (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II‑Birkenau) should be treated as one combined visit — guided touring usually lasts about 3–3.5 hours in total (for example roughly 2 hours in Auschwitz I and 1–1.5 hours in Birkenau).
A full trip with pickup in Kraków and return is typically 7–8 hours: morning departure, guided visit, lunch break and a short walk around the Old Town — or the reverse (Old Town first, then Oświęcim). Allow 25–30 minutes buffer for entrances and group changes.
Arrange transport according to the group size, make sure the coach has space for luggage, and clearly agree a reunification point for after the visit to the memorial site.
07:30 — meeting point in central Kraków, short briefing for students and chaperones, roll call. 08:00 — depart for Oświęcim (approx. 1.5 h). 09:45 — arrival, group prep, entry to the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial. 10:00–13:30 — guided visit with a museum educator (Auschwitz I + Birkenau + moment for reflection). 13:30–14:15 — lunch / break (pre‑ordered packed meals or restaurant). 15:45 — return to Kraków. 16:30 — short walk in the Old Town: St. Mary's Basilica from the outside, Main Market Square, Planty — debrief and time for questions. 17:00 — finish, roll call and travel home.
You can of course invert the schedule (Market Square first, then Oświęcim) — choose the option based on museum opening times and transport. Always keep a plan B for delays.
In the city centre choose places that are spacious, easy to organise and reasonably calm. Tried‑and‑true spots include: the Planty (benches shaded by trees), the Vistula boulevards (a short walk and breath of fresh air), and Wolnica Square in Kazimierz (more space and less tourist pressure than the Main Market).
If you want to stay close to St. Mary's, the smaller side streets and passages off the Main Market give room for short reflective exercises or group briefings. Important: always pick a clear meeting point with easy orientation (for example a particular stone bench, a fountain, or an exit of the Sukiennice).
If the weather lets you down — book an indoor room in a nearby café or restaurant with group sets (pre‑order) or use covered arcades around the Market.
A quick, low‑chaos lunch is possible if you use a simple pre‑order system: 48 hours before the trip collect choices from a list of three set menus and send the order to the chosen venue (menu A/B/C).
At the venue arrange tables in blocks of 6–8 people, bring two printed seating charts with menu assignments, and assign chaperone roles: entrance, toilets, timekeeper. The first plates should arrive 5–7 minutes after the group enters the restaurant.
Example sets that work in practice: Set A (classic): soup + main course (e.g. cutlet or pierogi) + drink. Set B (lighter): cream soup or salad + pasta + water. Set C (vegan/allergy‑friendly): seasonal broth without dairy + plant‑based main. Dessert only if you have at least 45 minutes and confirmed service speed.
St. Mary's Basilica is a symbol of Kraków — the hourly bugle call (hejnał) is a powerful moment for a class (a short story about the tradition and the meaning of the hejnał adds context). The Market gets crowded: choose a meeting point on the opposite side of the Sukiennice or a specific café entrance so you don't waste time searching for each other.
Toilets and cloakrooms: agree on places in advance (for example the Sukiennice toilets or a nearby café) and reserve 15–20 minutes for storing bags/backpacks before entering the museum or the next site.
Remind students about noise and eating while standing in busy passageways — guidance about respectful behaviour helps keep order and fosters good relations with residents and local businesses.
This place of remembrance requires particular preparation: before the trip talk with students about the visit’s purpose, rules of conduct and options for resting afterwards. Clear rules on photography (especially in permanent exhibition areas), silence and respect should be discussed before entry.
Tickets: reserve entry passes in advance through the official museum booking channels; in high season guided tour slots fill quickly so plan ahead and keep confirmations. Touring with a museum guide‑educator provides context and helps lead a substantive, sensitive discussion with young people.
Set aside an extra 20–30 minutes after the Birkenau visit for a short debrief and a moment of quiet for students — it’s important to allow time to process emotions before continuing the day.
Mistake: no lunch pre‑order. Result: long waits, chaos and delays. Fix: pre‑order 48 hours before and assign tables.
Mistake: no meeting point and no designated leader. Result: the class scatters in the crowd. Fix: appoint two meeting points and a person responsible for each subgroup.
Mistake: underestimating travel and entry times. Fix: add 25–30 minutes buffer to each major part of the day and keep a plan B for delays.
Is visiting Auschwitz appropriate for every class? The decision belongs to the teacher and parents; for younger pupils the subject can be emotionally demanding — consider an alternative programme or a shortened, age‑appropriate visit.
Can you buy tickets on site? Sometimes there are entry passes available, but in high season it’s better to book in advance; if you haven't booked, arrive very early and have an alternative plan.
How long should the lunch break be? 30–45 minutes is the minimum if you use a well‑planned pre‑order; if you expect dessert or slower service, plan 45–60 minutes.
The hejnał from St. Mary's is not just a short tune — it’s a tradition dating to the Middle Ages and a symbol of the city’s ongoing dialogue with its past; the story behind the interrupted melody is a great entry point for discussions about memory.
Many organisers reduce Market crowds by dividing the class into micro‑groups with short, different field tasks — this engages students and simplifies group control.
If you plan lunch near the Market, keep a short list of backup venues — some places may refuse large groups without prior arrangement.
If you want this Kraków day to be substantive, calm and well organised — use a simple rhythm: two pillars + one light stop, pre‑order lunch and clear meeting points. A class organised this way will return home tired but full of meaningful knowledge and calm.
If you'd like help designing a programme for your class, preparing a pre‑order with a venue and aligning entry times with tickets — I’m happy to help. You can contact me through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com and together we'll arrange the details and create the perfect day for your group.
If this article helped you — share it on social media or send it to a colleague. Contact details for the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz are available via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — feel free to ask questions and make a booking.
