Looking for an idea for a May holiday trip in Kraków that mixes sightseeing with reflection and won’t break a student budget? This guide shows how to see the most important places connected to Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II) in 1–2 days, how to organise a route for an Erasmus group or student friends, and how to move between spots cheaply and comfortably. We start with the questions you most often ask: what’s worth seeing, how long it takes, how to get there and what it costs. You’ll also find step-by-step route suggestions and practical tips based on official local information and guides.
Note: check opening hours and public transport timetables the day before you go. During long weekends (May holiday) schedules may change. Later sections include practical details about getting to Łagiewniki and the opening hours of centres related to John Paul II.
Kraków is a city where traces of Karol Wojtyła’s life appear at many corners. Here’s a list of places easy to include in a short route:
- Collegium Maius / Jagiellonian University – where Wojtyła studied and took part in academic life.
- Royal Route and St. Mary’s Basilica – important for religious life and Wojtyła’s pastoral activity in the city.
- Church on the Rock (Pauline Fathers, Skałka) – a meeting place with young people and a centre of important religious events.
- Wawel Cathedral – a focal point of the city’s religious history and sites connected with stages of his priesthood and episcopacy.
- John Paul II Sanctuary and the John Paul II Centre “Be not afraid” together with the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki – the largest modern complex commemorating the Pope in southern Kraków.
- Rakowicki Cemetery – the Wojtyła family grave is a place of remembrance visited by pilgrims and locals.
- Nowa Huta – including the Arka Pana and the story of the cross as a symbol of the confrontation between religion and everyday life in the Polish People’s Republic.
- Weather and greenery: early May usually favors walks and picnics – routes combine historic sights with parks and city views.
- Fewer crowds outside the Main Market Square: by planning early morning or later afternoon visits you can avoid the busiest lines.
- Local events: long weekends often include masses, concerts or thematic exhibitions in places connected to John Paul II – check local calendars.
Note: May holiday also brings increased tourist traffic, so bookings (e.g., guided tours or workshops) can be helpful. If you have a larger group (Erasmus trip), reserve a guide or group admission ahead of time.
Start: morning at Collegium Maius (around 9:00) – a quick walk through the UJ courtyard and a short intro to Karol Wojtyła’s ties to the university, then walk the Royal Route towards the Market Square.
Next: St. Mary’s Basilica – visit the interior and give a short note about Wojtyła’s pastoral role in Kraków.
Then: Wawel – walk around the cathedral courtyard (you can stay outside if time or budget are limited) and cover the main points connected to his spiritual activity in the city.
Afternoon: travel to Łagiewniki – visit the Sanctuary and the John Paul II Centre 'Be not afraid'. Plan at least 1–1.5 hours for the museum/exhibition (typical museum hours are around 9:00–17:00, but check before you go).
Evening: return to the centre – dinner in a student-friendly neighbourhood or Kazimierz, time for informal conversation and reflection after a day of remembrance.
Estimated time: 8–10 hours. Cost: museum tickets (if entering) and public transport fares. Students should check for discounted tickets.
Day 1 – centre and city core: Collegium Maius, Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, short stop at Skałka – finish the evening in Kazimierz or on the Vistula Boulevards.
Day 2 – south and outskirts: morning walk in Nowa Huta – symbolic sites (the cross, Arka Pana), then in the afternoon travel to Łagiewniki and the John Paul II Centre. If the museum is a main goal, reserve the afternoon to avoid morning crowds.
Transport: split journeys between tram and bus – some sections (e.g., to Łagiewniki) are best by tram or suburban train plus a short walk. Several tram and bus lines serve the southern districts; look for connections that go directly to Łagiewniki or Borek Fałęcki.
Budget: dorm or cheap hostel accommodation, meals in milk bars (bar mleczny) and inexpensive bistros near the university, and a day ticket for public transport (MPK) for savings during intensive travel.
Tip: student transport cards and a 24-hour ticket are usually the cheapest options when you have several trips in a day.
- Getting to Łagiewniki: from the centre by tram or tram+bus combinations; suburban buses also run from tram termini. There is a 'Kraków Sanktuarium' station useful for travellers arriving by train.
- Public transport: check schedules and possible traffic changes during the May holiday. Plan early visits to popular spots to avoid peak crowds.
- Walk or ride? Many John Paul II–related sites are spread across the city: central sections can be walked, but take tram/bus to Łagiewniki or Nowa Huta.
- Museum and centre opening hours: museums commonly open around 9:00 and close around 17:00, but exceptions exist. Allow 60–90 minutes for the John Paul II exhibitions.
- Group bookings: larger groups (over 10–15 people) should reserve guided visits in advance; many institutions offer group options.
- Start with context: Karol Wojtyła lived and worked in Kraków for many years – from his student days to his election as pope. The city shaped much of his life and spirituality.
- Link places to life events: studies, work, pastoral ministry, contacts with students and townspeople help explain why specific sites matter.
- Keep the pace lively: Erasmus students prefer short, dynamic stories with intriguing facts – avoid long monologues. Include an anecdote, a brief quote or a small group task like a moment of reflection or a photo challenge.
- Offer variety: mix sacred sites with urban spaces and viewpoints to keep the route engaging.
- Respect feelings and spaces: visits to graves or sanctuaries can be religiously significant for many – remind the group about appropriate behaviour in sacred places.
- Digital materials and short videos: if someone in the group has a smartphone, download official short films about John Paul II or prepare a couple of slides with the route map.
- Picnic stops: May greenery is perfect for breaks – suggested spots include the Vistula boulevards or parks near Łagiewniki and Borek Fałęcki.
- Local cafes and budget eateries: plan a pause for coffee and an affordable meal – near the university and Kazimierz you’ll find many student-friendly options and milk bars for cheap, hearty food.
- Group kit: powerbanks, water bottles and umbrellas in case of rain – May weather can be changeable.
- Alternative: if the group prefers not to visit indoor exhibitions, concentrate on outdoor memorials and stories – this still gives a rich experience at a lower cost.
- Keep quiet and avoid loud behaviour inside sanctuaries and churches.
- Photography: in some places interior photography is restricted – check the rules on site.
- Waste and picnics: separate and dispose of rubbish properly – help maintain a positive image of students and tourists.
- For larger groups, split into smaller subgroups to avoid blocking passages and disturbing other visitors.
- If you have doubts about access to some areas (e.g., special exhibitions), check with the organiser or the local tourist information point.
- Key spots to remember: Collegium Maius (UJ), St. Mary’s Basilica, Skałka, Wawel, John Paul II Sanctuary and Centre in Łagiewniki, Rakowicki Cemetery, Nowa Huta (Arka Pana).
- Time needed: 1 intense day or 2 days for a more relaxed pace.
- Transport: use trams and buses to reach Łagiewniki; walk between central sites – the core route is compact and easy on foot.
- Budget: museum tickets + public transport + meals. Students should look into reduced fares and day/group tickets.
- Final tip: leave room for improvisation – Kraków is best discovered by strolling without too much hurry.
Q: Are there student discounts for museums and the John Paul II Centre? A: Many museums and cultural institutions offer reduced tickets for students – bring your student ID and check the venue’s ticket desk or website before visiting.
Q: How long does a typical visit to the John Paul II Centre take? A: Plan at least 60–90 minutes for the exhibitions; more time if you want to attend a service or spend time in the sanctuary.
Q: Is Łagiewniki far from the city centre? A: It’s in the southern part of Kraków – about a 20–40 minute tram or bus ride from the centre depending on connections.
Q: Where to eat cheaply? A: Look for milk bars (bar mleczny), student cafeterias near the university, and casual bistros in Kazimierz – these offer affordable traditional and modern options.
Q: Any mobility tips? A: For participants with limited mobility, contact the venues in advance to ask about accessibility. Many modern facilities near Łagiewniki have ramps and lifts, but older churches and historic buildings can be less accessible.
