Yes — and in a way that leaves everyone in the group feeling they had a great time. Combining Zakopane and Kraków works very well: mountain hikes and regional fun in Zakopane supply energy, while Kraków completes the plan with cultural discoveries and a rich night offer. In practice, 2–3 days in Zakopane and 2 days in Kraków are usually enough to feel the spirit of both places without running pointlessly between attractions.
Plan so that active days (excursions, ATVs, trekking) alternate with relaxing evenings — a Highlander feast, a concert, or dinner at a good restaurant. Extroverts will love the mix of adrenaline and sociable evenings; groups doing team-building will gain natural topics for conversation and table games.
Remember logistics when planning: the drive Kraków–Zakopane normally takes about 2–2.5 hours by car under typical conditions, so schedule transfers outside rush hours when possible and book coaches or minibuses for the group in advance.
The Basilica of Corpus Christi in Kazimierz is one of Kraków’s oldest and most impressive churches. Founded in the 14th century, it combines a Gothic exterior with Baroque interior details — the pulpit shaped like a boat and the monumental altar are elements that impress even those who usually skip religious monuments.
If you are coming with a group, remember this is an active church: check Mass times and parish events, and consider arranging a short introduction from a guide or a knowledgeable person who can tell the story in a few minutes — this saves time and highlights details that often go unnoticed when visiting on your own.
Practical tips: dress modestly inside the church, keep quiet during services, be careful with photos (some areas can be temporarily off-limits for photography), and for larger groups ask in advance about access to specific chapels or the choir loft.
Kraków has neighborhoods that come alive in different ways after dark: the Old Town hosts classic pubs and clubs, Kazimierz offers atmospheric bars with live music, and areas around the student squares are great for dancing and after-parties. Extroverts look for buzz, chances to meet new people and space to celebrate — Kraków has plenty of that.
For groups, mix venue types: start with dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant, move on to a bar with a wide cocktail or craft-beer selection, and finish at a club with live music or a DJ. Reserve tables or a booth ahead of time — the best places fill quickly on weekends.
Look for places with signature cocktails, good craft-beer lists, live-music venues and intimate jazz bars. For team-building groups, venues with private rooms or the option to reserve a themed evening work particularly well.
The best bonding activities give space for shared laughter and light competition: escape rooms, ATVs, paintball or rope courses are activities that unite a team immediately. In Kraków and the surrounding area you can find organizers offering "all-inclusive" packages for groups — transport, instructor and catering included.
Laid-back, atmospheric options include culinary workshops (pierogi-making, pastry classes), an evening with a local band, a group dance lesson or karaoke. In Zakopane, a bonfire with Highlander music, a winter sleigh ride (kulig) or a Highlander feast with regional dishes and a live band are excellent choices.
For groups preferring less adrenaline and more intellectual interaction, consider pub quizzes, board-game tournaments in friendly cafés, and city games with tasks — a great way to learn the city and break the ice among people who don’t know each other.
When it comes to food, choose places with good reputations and staff used to hosting groups. In Kraków you’ll find both award-winning restaurants and cosy venues serving traditional Polish dishes. For groups, restaurants offering group menus or banquet sets are especially convenient.
In Zakopane, try regional specialties: oscypek with cranberry, kwaśnica (sour cabbage soup) and moskole — these tastes bring people together and spark conversation. A dinner with a Highlander band combines the meal with live entertainment. When choosing accommodation for groups, look for places that offer meeting rooms, group meal options and easy access to attractions.
Types of venues to consider: restaurants recommended by culinary guides (for a special evening), places with large banquet halls (for 30+ people) and guesthouses in Zakopane that offer integrative packages. Book well in advance, especially in high season and during long holiday weekends.
Good planning of days and transport is half the success. Kraków–Zakopane drive takes about 2–2.5 hours by car; buses and trains run regularly, but for groups renting a coach or minibus with a driver is often better — it gives schedule flexibility and comfort after a long day in the mountains.
Common group mistakes: an overpacked schedule (trying to see everything in one day), not reserving restaurant places, ignoring restrictions (for example, some parts of churches are closed during services), and being overly optimistic about travel time.
How to avoid these: leave buffer time (at least 30–60 minutes) for each transfer, confirm bookings the day before, choose group-friendly venues and check the weather forecast for mountain trips. Assign a single contact person in the group to manage logistics and communication with service providers.
In short — mistake one: no plan for the evenings. Solution: book at least the first night and an afterparty spot. Mistake two: ignoring opening hours of sights and Mass times. Solution: check schedules of religious sites and any special events.
Mistake three: trying to fit too many attractions out of fear of boredom. Solution: pick 3–4 “must-see” items and a few alternative options to use depending on weather and the group’s mood.
Mistake four: not matching the budget. Solution: prepare three program variants (economy, comfort, premium) and let the group choose before departure. This avoids tensions over costs on the trip.
Is the Basilica of Corpus Christi open to visitors every day? Usually yes, outside Mass times; with larger groups it’s best to call in advance and ask about visiting options.
Is Zakopane good for team-building outside the winter season? Yes — summer and late spring are great: hiking trails, mountain biking, ATVs and outdoor activities bring people together, and off-season means shorter queues and often better accommodation prices.
Surprising fact: elements of Renaissance decoration were recently discovered in one of the walls of the Basilica of Corpus Christi — a reminder that even well-known places can still reveal surprises.
Practical tip: if you plan an evening out in Kraków, book tables 3–7 days before the date (for weekends even earlier). In Zakopane, for banquet-style packages it’s best to reserve several weeks ahead during the high season.
If this article helped you, share it with friends to make planning a group trip easier. Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) is happy to help tailor the route, manage logistics and prepare the perfect program for your group — contact her via the official channels of ZwiedzanieKrakowa (the Kraków sightseeing service).
Have a wonderful trip: may it be full of laughter, great food and unforgettable moments — both on the trails in the Tatra Mountains and beneath the vaults of the Gothic basilica in Kazimierz. If you’d like, I can prepare a sample detailed 4-day itinerary for a group of 20 people — tell me which season you’re planning for.
