Arriving in Krakow is often one of the most eagerly awaited moments of a trip — and combining a visit to the Main Market Square with entry to St. Mary’s Church and a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine gives you the ideal mix of history, art and an unusual underground adventure.
This guide is prepared especially for medium-sized groups — from 7 to 20 people — who want to explore comfortably, in a pleasant atmosphere and with access to curiosities and anecdotes you won’t find in ordinary brochures.
On the itinerary: stories about Krakow’s monuments and its people, the famous hejnał played from the tower of St. Mary’s Church, and a visit to the Wieliczka undergrounds — with practical tips on timing, pace and physical requirements.
Krakow’s history is rich and layered with facts, legends and details that create the city’s atmosphere. A guide helps separate legend from document and suggests what’s really worth seeing, saving the group time.
For groups of 7–20 people the pace of sightseeing can be perfectly adjusted — stops last as long as needed so the group can ask questions and take photos, while keeping the program from dragging on.
When visiting places such as St. Mary’s Church or the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a guide also handles many organisational details — advising when to buy tickets, where to meet best, and how to handle changes in plans on the spot.
St. Mary’s Church is one of the icons of the Main Market Square — inside you’ll find a true gem of Polish sacred sculpture: the altarpiece by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz). Its details are worth examining slowly — every scene carries its own story and symbolism.
You can also experience a moment many consider a must-see in Krakow — the hejnał mariacki. The melody played from the tower sounds on the hour and brings with it the legend of the trumpeter said to have been struck down mid-melody. It’s a simple but very moving moment — aim to be on the Market Square a few minutes before the hour.
A few practical notes about entering and behaviour: modest dress and silence are expected in places of worship — especially during services. Entrances for worshippers and for visitors can be organised separately — please respect that.
Photography in the church is usually allowed, but avoid using flash at the altarpiece and always follow signs or staff requests. During services refrain from taking photos.
For groups of 7–20 people, touring the interior with a guide offers ideal conditions for questions and focus — everyone can hear, see and have time to discuss the most interesting details.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a unique place — operating since the Middle Ages and listed as a UNESCO site. For many visitors it’s the most interesting destination outside central Krakow.
On the tourist route you’ll descend roughly 1,000 steps — the first stretch alone is about 380 steps. The visitor trail includes several kilometres of walkways and stairs, and the tour usually takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on the chosen route and the group’s pace.
Temperatures underground are steady, usually around 14–16°C — bring a light layer even in summer.
Wieliczka offers several routes — tourist and miner’s trails — and unique chambers, chapels and salt sculptures. For medium-sized groups, a visit with a guide allows the route to flow smoothly and without crowds, with appropriate breaks and explanations.
Sample one-day programme — comfortable and unhurried:
- 09:30 - meeting at the Main Market Square. Short briefing about the route and safety.
- 09:45 - entry to St. Mary’s Church, stories about the Veit Stoss altarpiece, a moment for the hejnał (if the hour allows).
- 11:00 - coffee break or short stroll around the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice).
- 12:00 - departure to Wieliczka (approx. 20–30 minutes by road) — transfer by coach or train as agreed.
- 13:00 - start of the mine tour — tourist route with a guide, breaks for photos and a discussion of St. Kinga’s Chapel.
- 16:30 - end of the underground visit, return to Krakow.
Times can be flexibly adjusted depending on the group’s preferences and Wieliczka reservation availability.
Shoes — comfortable with a stable sole. The mine has many stairs and stone surfaces, so high heels and very soft shoes are not a good idea.
Clothing — in Wieliczka a light jacket or sweater is helpful — the underground temperature is lower than on the surface. In the church it’s good to have something to cover your shoulders.
Luggage — for larger bags it’s best to leave items on the coach or use luggage storage — historic interiors and the mine are not places to carry suitcases.
Health and fitness — the route includes stairs and longer walks. People with difficulties on stairs or with claustrophobia should notify us in advance so we can find the best solution.
Food — there are food points in selected chambers of the mine, but it’s a good idea to plan a meal after the tour.
Reservations — tickets to Wieliczka and entry to popular museums should be reserved in advance, especially during high season and on weekends.
For groups of 7–20 people I design the route so that pace and content match expectations — from short 2-hour walks to extended 4-hour programmes. Current service prices and promotions are available on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com.
It is possible to rent headset sets, which make it easier to hear the guide in noisy places and keep comfortable listening across the whole group.
The cost of a trip to Wieliczka includes mine entrance tickets and possible transport — ticket prices and reservation conditions may change, so it’s worth confirming them when booking.
School groups and organised groups usually need shorter, engaging narratives and additional educational attractions — I can prepare quizzes, field tasks and materials tailored to the participants’ age.
When booking school groups, it’s useful to have a list of participants and information about supervisors and any health limitations.
If you plan a corporate integration or special event, program elements can be adapted — themed puzzles, local stories and catering breaks.
Do I need to book far in advance? - Yes, especially in high season and for visits to Wieliczka. Booking guarantees a spot on the chosen route and helps avoid queues.
How long is the whole visit with St. Mary’s Church and Wieliczka? - Depending on the programme, but a typical day is about 6–8 hours including transport and breaks.
Can elderly people manage in Wieliczka? - Wieliczka requires climbing many stairs. For people with significant mobility limitations we can propose a shortened route or alternative solutions — please report such needs when booking.
Can the guide speak in English? - Yes, tours are offered in English as well — pace and content are adjusted to the group.
What happens in case of bad weather? - Museum and mine visits take place regardless of weather. It’s always good to have a plan B for possible delays caused by traffic.
If you want to book a visit for a group of 7–20 people, write or call using the contact form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or provide preferred dates and an approximate number of participants. Together we will agree on the route, pace and coordinate entries to museums and the mine.
After confirmation you will receive a detailed day plan, directions and practical information — meeting point, luggage storage options and all the small details that will make the group’s day easier.
You’re warmly invited — with passion I will show you Krakow, tell stories that will make you laugh and think, and turn the trip to Wieliczka into a real adventure.
