If you are planning a school trip to Krakow and want it to be safe, engaging and aligned with the curriculum, start with a clear goal: exploring the city’s history through the spaces beneath its surface. "Underground with class" is not a brand but an approach: select appealing, substantive underground sites (museums, mines, caves) and pair them with a well-designed lesson plan, sensible logistics and planned breaks. The aim is to make the visit educational, memorable and smoothly organised for both pupils and teachers.
The focus is on combining authentic historical sites and finds with age-appropriate activities so that learning happens through experience, not only through lectures.
The Market Square Underground Museum, located beneath the eastern part of the Main Market Square, is the most frequently chosen subterranean attraction in the city centre. Its permanent exhibition, titled "In the footsteps of Krakow's European identity", is based on many years of archaeological research.
Below ground you can see fragments of medieval streets and cellars, relics of craft workshops, remains of old waterworks and finds from many periods — from the early Middle Ages to modern times. The exhibition mixes authentic excavations with multimedia reconstructions, sound effects and animations, making history accessible and engaging for students.
There are educational zones and materials adapted to different age groups. The museum offers practical facilities such as lifts and toilets; photography without flash is usually allowed. Typical visiting time is 1-2 hours, though a full exploration with activities can take longer. Some days may offer free admission for certain groups, so it's worth checking availability before your trip.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a classic on school itineraries - extensive routes, chambers, chapels and centuries of mining history offer rich material for educational activities. Because parts of the route include stairs and galleries, check pupils' fitness and any limitations in advance.
The Dragon's Den beneath Wawel Hill and the spaces associated with Wawel Cathedral and its crypts are shorter stops but very evocative - ideal for linking historical lessons with local legends and the city’s royal past.
Also consider smaller themed displays and educational rooms in municipal museum branches; many offer workshops and ready-made lesson scenarios. Pair one or two major underground attractions with gentler surface activities to create a good rhythm for the day and keep students focused.
Design the trip around 2 pillars + 1 light point - the pillars are two main attractions (for example the Market Underground Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine), - the light point is a walk, workshop or a short visit on the surface (Kazimierz, the Planty, a short stop by the Vistula).
Leave a 60-90 minute buffer between attractions for transfers, meals and possible delays. A morning start at the Market Underground Museum often works well - after descending into the past, pupils emerge onto the Market Square and have an immediate, vivid setting for further stories.
Book entries in advance and confirm group size. It’s useful to split a large class into subgroups following the venue’s rules - many places set limits on the number of people per guide. For bigger groups, using listening sets or hiring an extra guide helps keep communication clear.
Many underground institutions offer ready-made educational scenarios, workshops or interactive sessions tailored to age groups - from simple games and short theatre activities for the youngest visitors to source-analysis tasks and archaeological investigations for older students.
Plan short field tasks: identifying artefacts, comparing cellar construction techniques, analysing display sources and reflecting on how urban space shapes inhabitants’ lives. Interactive elements and multimedia help pupils retain information longer than traditional lectures.
Before departure check each venue’s rules: opening hours, maximum group size, cloakroom and toilet availability, and any baggage restrictions. Some sites have specific arrangements for school groups (designated times or separate entrances).
Underground spaces are often cooler and more humid than the surface - remind pupils to wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket. Prepare a contact list of participants and supervisors and make sure everyone knows the meeting point and time. Carry a first-aid kit and have an emergency plan in case someone needs to leave earlier.
- Book tickets and confirm entry times and group limits. - Check availability of educational workshops and any methodological requirements. - Verify facilities: lift, toilets, cloakroom, photography policy. - Prepare a day schedule with time buffers for transfers and breaks. - Divide the class into small groups, assign supervisors and share contact numbers. - Remind pupils about comfortable clothing and museum behaviour rules.
Notes: keep contacts for venues handy and reconfirm bookings a few days before the trip. If you want a tailored school programme, contact ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com (Małgorzata Kasprowicz) for specialised arrangements.
Visiting Krakow’s underground gives students not just historical facts but a tangible experience of the spaces from which stories about everyday life in the past emerge. The combination of genuine excavations, multimedia reconstructions and educational activities creates a program "with class": safe, engaging and aligned with learning objectives.
A well-planned underground visit will be remembered by students as an adventure full of meaningful lessons about the city’s history and its people. It encourages curiosity, observation and discussion — perfect outcomes for an educational trip.
How far in advance should we book? Aim to reserve tickets and workshops as early as possible, especially during school terms and holiday seasons. Confirm numbers a week before the visit.
What to pack for pupils? Comfortable shoes, a light jacket, a packed snack if allowed, and any required medication. Label bags and keep a clear meeting schedule.
Where to eat? There are many cafés and restaurants around the Market Square and in Kazimierz suitable for school groups. Consider a short seated lunch or boxed meals to keep the schedule on track.
Accessibility note: Some underground routes have limited accessibility due to stairs and uneven surfaces. Check each venue’s accessibility options in advance and inform the staff about any special needs.
If you need help planning a school-friendly itinerary or creating learning materials tied to the visit, contact ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com (Małgorzata Kasprowicz) for custom programmes designed for schools.
