Student trips to Krakow often come with a tight schedule: classes, social events, paperwork and only small windows of free time. Many visitors still want to see the most important sites — the city’s history, places of memory and local atmosphere. A one-hour walk led by Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) offers a concise introduction, shows the key points and gives context that encourages independent exploration later.
A short, well‑run tour is especially useful for Erasmus groups and students because it: - saves time and energy; - helps with orientation in the city; - provides historical and cultural basics that make later solo walks more meaningful; - can be adapted to the language and interests of the group.
The aim of a 1‑hour route is not to tell the whole history, but to point out the essential places and give a brief, reliable introduction. After the tour participants should know roughly where synagogues are, where the Remuh Cemetery is located, the key points connected with the ghetto and how to plan further visits to museums or to Auschwitz.
Below you will find a suggested route, practical organization tips and information to help a student group decide whether and when to extend the program with a longer museum visit or a trip to Oświęcim.
The route focuses on the heart of the former Jewish district Kazimierz and is designed to show, in 60 minutes, the places that best convey its history and atmosphere. Start point: Wolnica Square or Szeroka Street — final choice agreed with Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
Main stops (order can be adjusted depending on the start): - Szeroka Street - the historic and symbolic center of Kazimierz, great for a short introduction to the district’s past; - Old Synagogue area (outside and a brief explanation of the museum function) - the role of Jewish religious institutions in community life; - Remuh Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery - a site strongly connected with memory and tradition; - Plac Nowy - an example of the district’s social and cultural changes, a meeting place known for its local snacks; - short mention of film locations related to Schindler’s List and direction towards the Schindler’s Factory Museum if anyone wants to continue visiting.
At each stop allow 5–10 minutes: 2–3 sentences of context, 1–2 important facts, and a note on what participants can see later on their own (for example: entering a synagogue, walking the cemetery, or visiting exhibitions). The route is compact but doable — using vivid anecdotes and memorable facts helps make the short time educational and engaging.
If the group wants to continue, recommend: - Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (a branch of the Museum of Krakow) — an exhibition about Krakow under occupation; book tickets online and check opening times in advance; - the former ghetto area in Podgórze — Ghetto Heroes Square, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle and preserved fragments of walls; - synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery — sites that require more time and silence but are essential to understanding religious and cultural life; - special exhibitions and educational programs — many institutions run guided tours and materials for school and university groups.
These sites need from one to several hours to visit properly, and some (for example the Schindler’s Factory) operate time‑slot ticketing and have limited entries, so plan ahead.
A one‑hour route is excellent as a first encounter with Krakow — it gives context and shows where to return. However, to truly understand Jewish Krakow and wartime experiences you need more time: - Full visit of Schindler’s Factory: 1–2 hours (depends on interest and whether you join a guided tour). - Walking the former ghetto area and memorial sites in Podgórze: minimum 1 hour. - Visit to Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial: about 3.5 hours on site, plus travel from Krakow (roughly 1–1.5 hours each way).
For student groups it makes sense to extend the program if they aim for deeper historical, ethical or social understanding. If the goal is merely to see landmarks, the one‑hour tour is enough. If the goal is education, reflection or project work (seminar, essay, discussion), plan a half or full day.
The Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial is a different kind of experience than a city walk — it requires time, booking and a particular approach. Practical points for visiting: - Reserve entrance or guided‑tour slots through the official system — the site is very popular so book in advance; - Plan at least about 3.5 hours for exploring exhibitions and the grounds; - Travel time from Krakow: approximately 60–90 minutes depending on transport and traffic; - Observe full seriousness and respect: suitable clothing, quiet on the premises, follow memorial rules; - There are baggage restrictions and security procedures — check current guidelines before the trip.
For students: combine the visit with preparatory materials (a short introduction at the university or before departure) and a reflective meeting afterwards. Because of the emotional weight of the site, consider arranging pedagogical support or a moderated discussion after the visit.
Schindler’s Factory is one of the most visited branches of the city museum and an excellent place to understand Krakow under occupation. When planning a visit pay attention to: - Tickets and opening hours: the museum sells timed tickets online and uses specific entry slots; tickets can sell out in advance; - Prices and discounts: there are full, reduced and group tickets; students usually get discounts upon showing ID; - Guide requirements: some museum branches expect guided visits to be led by licensed guides with certain authorizations; - Transport: the museum is reachable by tram and is located near the Zabłocie area — the address is Lipowa 4.
If your group has limited time, booking Schindler’s Factory tickets in advance or arranging a group tour with the museum is the best way to avoid long queues and disappointment.
Key organizational points for a short Krakow tour for Erasmus and students: - Book the guide in advance: agree language, meeting point and route length (1 hour) — Małgorzata Kasprowicz will adapt pace and content to the group; - Student discounts: ask about reduced tickets and have student IDs ready; - Group size: short tours work best with 10–25 people — larger groups may need sound systems; - Equipment: a tour‑guide headset system simplifies communication for bigger groups; - Timing: choose morning or late‑afternoon slots when pedestrian traffic is lighter; - Connections: trams and buses take groups close to key points (including Schindler’s Factory), and organized trip providers offer transfers to Auschwitz.
Costs: a one‑hour guided tour is usually the most affordable form of guided visiting, with the price shared across the group. Extra costs include entrance fees (if you visit synagogues or museums), local transport and headset systems. For Erasmus groups it’s worth negotiating a group rate or a fixed hourly price.
Topics related to the fate of Krakow’s Jews and the Holocaust require particular sensitivity. The guide should introduce a few basic rules: - maintain silence and seriousness at places of memory; - avoid playing audio in a way that disturbs others; - photography: respect the rules in museums and cemeteries — some exhibits or areas prohibit photos; - language: use precise and respectful terms; - reflection: encourage students to ask questions but also to consider the emotional aspects of the topics.
It is also useful for the guide to recommend preparatory materials (short texts, documentaries, suggested exhibitions) so participants can better process and understand what is presented during the hour.
Checklist 'before departure' (for the organizer): - Confirm meeting time and place with Małgorzata Kasprowicz; - Ensure everyone has student IDs if discounts are planned; - Plan a rainy‑day alternative (short museum entries, an educational café); - If planning a trip to Auschwitz — book tickets and transport well in advance.
Checklist 'after the tour' (for the group): - Share a short list of places to visit later on your own (synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, Schindler’s Factory, Podgórze); - Hold a short round of questions and reflections — what was new, what surprised you; - Suggest materials and places for deeper study; - If the tour had an educational aim — consider follow‑up tasks (an essay, presentation or discussion).
Practical tips: - Best public transport stops for the route: tram stops around Wolnica, Szeroka and Plac Bohaterów Getta; - Food: try local snacks at Plac Nowy — the legendary zapiekanki — and for a sit‑down café consider places in Kazimierz and Zabłocie; - Accessibility: many streets in Kazimierz are walkable but some older pavements can be uneven — check accessibility needs in advance.
FAQ: - Q: Can we enter synagogues on the one‑hour tour? A: The route usually includes exterior stops and brief explanations; entering synagogues may require extra time and checking opening hours. - Q: How soon should we book Schindler’s Factory tickets? A: As early as possible — the museum uses timed tickets and popular slots fill up. - Q: Is Auschwitz suitable for all ages? A: The memorial contains very heavy content and is generally recommended for older teens and adults; check age recommendations and prepare students emotionally.
A one‑hour walk through Kazimierz with Małgorzata Kasprowicz is an effective way to show Erasmus students and university groups the essential points of Jewish Krakow, provide historical context and encourage deeper visits later.
If the group wants to include places of deeper educational significance — such as Schindler’s Factory or Auschwitz‑Birkenau — plan extra time and make reservations. Good preparation before departure (a short introduction, clear ethical guidelines and bookings) will ensure that every minute in Krakow is used wisely and with respect.
