Want to plan a May holiday outing with young people but don't know where to start? Here are quick answers to help choose the route:
- How much time to set aside? If you have only 1–2 hours, focus on the Main Market Square and the immediate area. For a full-day trip plan Wawel, Kazimierz and a short visit to Podgórze or the Vistula boulevards. For two days add Nowa Huta or the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
- What will interest youth? A mix of good stories (history, anecdotes), views, photo spots and activities (e.g., photo challenges, mini-quests) works best.
- Do you need reservations? May holidays can be busy. If you plan to enter museums or travel with large groups, check opening times and make reservations in advance.
- How to get around the city? Krakow has an extensive tram and bus network. Some routes are more convenient on foot, while others - especially Łagiewniki and Nowa Huta - require a tram or bus ride.
Start: 09:00 - Collegium Maius (Jagiellonian University) - a short look at the oldest academic monuments and curiosities about student life then and now. It’s a great place to start a conversation about the city's functions and the role of education.
10:00 - Royal Route to the Main Market Square - a story about urban development, crafts and trade. At the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) you can talk about Renaissance architecture and the role of trade in medieval Krakow.
10:30 - St. Mary’s Basilica - an introduction to Gothic architecture and iconography. Briefly explain the hejnał tradition with respect for the place.
11:15 - Walk to Wawel - an exterior discussion of Wawel Hill: a mix of styles (Gothic, Renaissance, Romantic influences), and the function of the castle and cathedral in Polish history. If time and budget allow, do a short visit to selected exhibition spaces.
13:00 - Lunch break - I recommend the Vistula boulevards or cafés in Kazimierz, where young people can find options for every budget.
14:30 - Kazimierz - a walk among synagogues, narrow streets and squares; discuss the history of Jewish urban life and the district's postwar changes.
16:00 - Podgórze - Heroes of the Ghetto Square, a brief reflection on 20th-century history and a visit to remembrance sites. Optionally visit the Schindler Factory (if time and tickets permit).
18:00 - Finish - time to summarize the day, take photos and have casual conversations in one of the many cafés. Estimated duration: 8–10 hours with breaks.
Day 1 - Old Town and Kazimierz: morning walk through the Old Town (Collegium Maius, Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica), afternoon in Kazimierz visiting synagogues and learning about Jewish history. In the evening take a short walk along the Vistula boulevards.
Day 2 - Nowa Huta and Podgórze: morning tour of Nowa Huta - socialist-realist urban layouts, the 'Ark of the Lord' and PRL-era history; afternoon in Podgórze with remembrance sites and an optional visit to a contemporary art museum (for example MOCAK) or the Schindler Factory. Alternative: instead of Nowa Huta, take a day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Why two days? It gives space for deeper stories, slower exploration of exhibitions and time for workshops or group tasks. Youth remember information better when they aren’t overwhelmed with facts in a short time. Plan 60–90 minutes for larger exhibitions and 20–30 minutes for shorter stops. During the May holiday keep in mind possible changes to opening hours and longer queues.
If you plan to stay overnight, consider university dorms or budget hostels near the campus - that way you can start early from a youth-friendly location.
For school groups: inform supervisors in advance about rules of conduct at memorial sites and schedules for return times and reservations.
Route "Gothic and Renaissance" - Old Town, St. Mary’s Basilica, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Wawel (focus on architectural elements and sacred art). Ideal for groups interested in art history.
Route "20th Century and Memory" - Podgórze (Heroes of the Ghetto Square), Schindler Factory, memorial sites, MOCAK. Here we talk about recent history and how it is understood today. Combine with short films or testimony excerpts to give the topics authenticity.
Route "Socialist Realism and Nowa Huta" - planned PRL district, Arka Pana, housing estates and public spaces. A great lab for discussions about urban planning, ideology and everyday life in the past.
Route "Famous panoramas and viewpoints" - Kościuszko Mound, the Vistula boulevards, some accessible rooftops in the centre (where viewing is allowed). Pair the visit with a mini photo challenge.
When choosing a route, match the pace and activities to the participants' age - short walking sections and frequent breaks help keep attention.
Schindler’s Factory - a powerful, concrete story about 20th-century events; the exhibition often moves visitors and sparks discussion.
MOCAK and contemporary art museums - interactive displays and varied forms of expression that speak more directly to young audiences.
Collegium Maius - lively stories about student life across centuries and amusing university anecdotes.
Kazimierz - atmosphere, cafés and streets ideal for a break; stories about Krakow’s multicultural past are a good starting point for discussion.
Vistula boulevards and Planty Park - places to relax, have a picnic and run short field tasks. During the May holiday plan a stop here to rest.
Nowa Huta - for young people this is a chance to see another face of the city: wide avenues, monumental housing estates and socialist-realist architecture that tell much about 20th-century Polish history.
Wieliczka Salt Mine - an option for an extra day; it feels like a trip back in time and often leaves a lasting impression.
Plan early starts - morning hours help avoid big crowds at main attractions. During the May holiday some places change schedules, so check details the day before departure.
Tickets and reservations - for larger groups book entries in advance and prepare student or group discount documents where applicable. If you don’t plan to enter interiors, focus on outside stories - these still offer rich content at a lower budget.
Transport - trams and buses are enough for shorter transfers. For longer distances (e.g., to Łagiewniki or Wieliczka) consider tram connections plus short walks or hiring a bus for the group.
Clothing and comfort - May weather can be changeable. Pack comfortable shoes, light jackets, water and powerbanks. In sacred places remind participants of appropriate dress and behaviour.
Group management - split into small subgroups, assign people responsible for timekeeping and attendance. For field tasks prepare short instructions and small prizes for the fastest or most creative teams.
Meals - choose places with a range of prices: food stalls, bars, cafés in Kazimierz or near the university. A picnic on the boulevards is an inexpensive and pleasant option.
Photo challenge - a list of objects to photograph (architectural detail, sculpture, view), with a short time limit. Then compare photos and have a quick discussion.
Mini outdoor history quiz - 5 short questions at each stop; a prize for the team with the most correct answers.
Role-play "Krakow merchant" - a group acts a short scene at the Cloth Hall to help remember the place's function and historical context.
Map escape - tasks lead from point to point using an old map of Krakow; young people learn orientation and history at the same time.
Architectural detective task - identify styles (Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, socialist realism) from photos and on-site, followed by a short debrief.
Check museum opening hours and make reservations if needed.
Prepare the participant list, contact numbers for supervisors and a schedule with meeting times.
Take care of safety items: first aid kit, extra water, powerbanks, rain gear.
Inform the group about rules at memorial and sacred sites - silence, respect and restrictions on noise in certain areas.
Plan breaks every 60–90 minutes and choose places for meals or a picnic.
