Krakow is a city that combines living history, rich museum collections and walkable routes — an ideal setting for school learning tasks. For students it is a chance to see in person the monuments discussed in history, art or Polish language lessons, and for teachers it offers ready-made lesson plans and educational programmes tailored to different age groups.
The city offers many formats for working with school groups: guided tours, museum lessons, city games, practical workshops and themed routes of varying length — from short walks in the Old Town to multi-day programmes combining Krakow with trips to Wieliczka or Ojców. Our guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz), can help tailor the programme to your learning goals and group needs. (Contact details can be arranged through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.)
The phrase “with class” can be understood in two ways: first, as elegant, well-ordered and thoughtfully planned visiting — meaning care for the programme, comfort and the overall aesthetics of the trip; second, literally as visiting with a school class. Both perspectives matter when planning a school outing.
In practice this means combining an attractive programme (with elements of play and activity) with professional organisation: advance bookings at museums, a guide adapted to the group’s age, well-timed breaks and a clear focus on student safety.
1. Define the educational goal - think about which topics you want to reinforce: medieval history, Krakow’s Jewish culture, Polish art, or the history of World War II. A clear goal helps choose sites and supporting materials.
2. Match the route to age and time - for younger pupils, shorter routes with workshops or games work best; for older students consider themed routes including Collegium Maius, Wawel and selected museums. A typical one-day programme often follows the Royal Route: Wawel - Grodzka - Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church.
3. Book in advance - contact museums and cultural centres to reserve museum lessons, games or workshops. Krakow’s city and national museums run steady educational programmes for schools and frequently require prior booking.
4. Plan logistics - transport (coach, train), a place for meals, water supplies and a plan B for bad weather. Check group admission rules and whether parental permissions or participant documents are needed.
5. Assign supervisors - follow school regulations to plan the number of chaperones; appoint people responsible for attendance lists, medications and first aid supplies.
Museums in Krakow present extensive educational programmes: themed guided tours, museum lessons, games and workshops. Branches of major institutions prepare activities suited to different education stages and the national curriculum, and some also offer hybrid forms (on-site and online).
For example, museum lessons at the national museum typically last 60–90 minutes in person. Fees and booking rules usually include a per-student charge and minimum group rates. Museums also run museum games — longer, active sessions that can last up to two hours and may have separate pricing.
In practice you can combine a short guided tour of an exhibition with a hands-on art workshop or a city game — this way the programme mixes knowledge with active student engagement.
Some institutions publish fixed rates for museum lessons and games for school groups. Typical examples you may encounter are: museum lesson in Polish from about 15 PLN per student, higher rates for lessons in a foreign language, and minimum group fees (for instance a minimum charge around 150 PLN).
Longer games and workshops may have different tariffs, for example a per-person fee set to cover running the activity and often a minimum group rate (for example 250 PLN). When booking, ask about preferential rates for school classes and possible discounts (family cards, youth concessions).
To be sure financially, ask in advance about available dates, required billing information, group size limits and potential cancellation costs. Many institutions provide direct phone numbers or email addresses for reservations — bookings are commonly handled by phone or e-mail.
Preschool and early primary - short, interactive programmes: a Market Square walk with legend-telling, an art workshop at a museum, an outdoor view of the Wawel dragon and a short field game. Duration: 2–3 hours with a break.
Primary school (grades 4–6) - combined routes: Wawel and the courtyard, St. Mary’s Church (the story of the altar as an educational focal point), Cloth Hall, and a museum lesson related to a chosen historical period. You can add practical workshops (e.g., craft workshops, baking an obwarzanek demonstration).
High school and upper secondary - themed programmes: World War II and occupation history (visits to memorial sites and selected museum exhibitions), art and architecture (Collegium Maius, contemporary art exhibitions), field research elements and structured academic discussions. Routes can be longer and use resources from several museums.
A professional guide can adapt language and topics to the students’ age, shorten or expand stories and propose activities that engage the class. Popular school routes include the Royal Route, a walk through Kazimierz and trails that follow Krakow’s legends.
For schools that prefer a comprehensive service, the guide and team at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com (Małgorzata Kasprowicz - Margaret Kasprowicz) offer full organisation: assistance with bookings, advice on tickets and timing, arrangements for listening sets, and optional coordination of transport and reserved museum lessons. Choosing this option lets the school delegate many organisational tasks while keeping control of the programme and budget.
Safety is a priority. Before the trip inform parents about the day plan, transport, contact numbers for supervisors and the expected return time. Prepare a list of students with medical information and copies of parental consents.
In the city plan clear meeting points: a set time and place to gather, a lunch break in a safe spot and easy access to restrooms. Make sure supervisors know the route and have first aid kits and an evacuation plan in case of emergency.
Working closely with the guide from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com simplifies coordinating a group in crowded places — the guide can confirm group entry times booked in advance and help maintain order during visits.
Many museums prepare lesson plans, worksheets and suggestions for pre- and post-visit activities. Using these materials helps make the visit more effective: students arrive prepared and it is easier to consolidate the knowledge afterwards.
City and museum games are an excellent way to engage students. Field tasks, themed crosswords, map-based assignments and hands-on workshops engage different types of learners and strengthen teamwork.
08:00 - Depart from school; arrive in Krakow in the morning.
09:30–11:00 - Walk the Royal Route: Wawel (exterior and courtyard), short stories about the castle and symbolism; walk along Grodzka to the Main Market Square.
11:15–12:00 - Guided tour in a chosen museum branch or a museum game (booked in advance).
12:15–13:00 - Lunch/meal at a reserved place; short break.
13:15–14:00 - St. Mary’s Church - story about the altar and the bugle call, followed by a short lesson at the Market Square (Cloth Hall).
14:15–15:00 - Walk to Kazimierz or the Vistula boulevards with a field task; summary and return to the coach.
Always confirm bookings a few days before departure. Check payment rules and invoice procedures with the institutions you work with.
Adjust the pace to the group — it is better to plan shorter blocks with several engaging points than a long “marathon” that loses students’ attention.
Plan breaks and have a contingency plan for rain: museums, cafés or available educational rooms can serve as backup spaces.
Consider working with our local guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz, who knows techniques to keep children and teenagers engaged and can tailor the narrative to your curriculum.
A well-planned school trip combines an educational goal, an engaging programme and solid logistics. Krakow offers many possibilities — from short, hands-on walks to extensive museum and workshop programmes.
Arrange bookings, adapt the route to the students’ age, cooperate with museums and our guide, and prioritise safety. This way the trip will be not only enjoyable but also educational — truly “with class”.
Can we buy museum tickets on the spot? - For small groups and some museums this is possible, but in high season and for popular exhibitions it is safer to book in advance. Our guide can assist with ticket purchases to speed up entry.
How many supervisors are recommended? - Follow your school regulations, but remember that for younger children a higher supervisor-to-student ratio is advisable. Appoint specific adults for attendance, medicines and first aid.
Where to eat with a class? - Quick, group-friendly options near the Old Town include Plac Nowy for casual street food, simple cafés around the Market Square, and reserved school menus in selected family-friendly restaurants. If you prefer a pre-booked lunch, we can suggest and arrange suitable places.
Accessibility notes - Many museums and key sites offer accessibility options, but the range varies. If you have students with mobility needs, mention this when booking so the guide and museum can prepare appropriate support.
