Kraków is the heart of Lesser Poland's history, art and culinary tradition, while Wadowice is a small town best known as the birthplace of John Paul II and the home of the famous kremówka — a perfect short, emotional break. For groups of 7–20 people this combination balances the city's major sights, meaningful memorial places and the local small‑town atmosphere, while keeping a reasonable sightseeing pace. In two days you can see Kraków’s icons, taste local cuisine and visit Wadowice without feeling rushed.
This article will help you plan a realistic 2‑day itinerary, covering logistics, reservations, meal suggestions and practical tips for organizers of medium‑sized groups. It was written with visitors of zwiedzaniekrakowa.com in mind — the goal is a pleasant, stress‑free and well‑organized trip.
Below you’ll find a model schedule (hourly breakdown), a pre‑trip to‑do list, suggestions for group lunches and dinners, and a practical FAQ.
08:30 — Arrival in Kraków, group meetup at an agreed point (for example at the Wawel entrance from Grodzka Street).
09:00–11:00 — Wawel Hill: walk the castle courtyard, visit the Cathedral (brief overview of royal tombs, the Sigismund Bell) — plan at least 1.5 hours for Wawel if the group intends to enter the Cathedral.
11:15–12:15 — Walk the Royal Route: Grodzka Street, Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica (allow time for a quick entrance into the basilica or just an exterior stop depending on interest).
12:15–13:30 — Group lunch in a restaurant with a fixed group menu (we recommend booking a set menu; for groups of 7–20 good options are restaurants near the Market Square or in Kazimierz).
13:45–15:30 — Kazimierz: stroll through the former Jewish quarter — Nowy Square, Józefa Street, synagogues and atmospheric courtyards. Option to enter a chosen synagogue or museum briefly if the group is interested.
15:45–17:00 — Free time for coffee, cake or quick souvenir shopping; optional visit to a local patisserie for dessert.
17:00 — Check‑in at the hotel; early dinner or dinner at a reserved venue. In the evening you can offer a light group activity (for example dinner with live music in Kazimierz or a night walk around the Market Square).
07:30 — Breakfast and hotel check‑out. Departure for Wadowice (driving time from Kraków city center: roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic).
09:00–11:00 — Wadowice: walk around the market square, visit the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and consider entering the Family Home of John Paul II (if the group wants to visit, it’s advisable to reserve tickets in advance).
11:15–12:00 — Time for the famous kremówka and a coffee at one of the local patisseries — a nice local touch participants usually enjoy.
12:15–13:30 — Lunch in a local restaurant; for groups we recommend places offering a dedicated group menu — book ahead.
13:30 — Optional stop at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (about 20–30 minutes from Wadowice) or return to Kraków depending on preferences and return time. If the group prefers to return to Kraków, head back in the afternoon and conclude the trip.
Note — alternative: if the group prefers Wieliczka instead of Wadowice, you can swap the order of attractions: Kraków (day 1) and Wieliczka + Wadowice (day 2). Keep in mind that Salt Mine visits require entrance time reservations.
Transport: for groups of 7–20 a minibus / bus with 9–20 seats or a small coach for larger 20‑person groups is most convenient — choice depends on comfort and budget. For 7–12 people renting a minibus with a driver often makes sense; for 15–20 people a 20‑seat bus is usually better. Plan time for boarding, disembarking and restroom breaks when scheduling transfers.
Parking: parking for buses can be limited in Kraków’s center and in Wadowice — agree on a meetup and drop‑off point before the trip. Hotels often assist with organizing coach approaches for groups.
Guide/pilot: having a guide on the route is recommended — even a short 2–3 hour local guide talk makes sightseeing easier and ensures the group gains more than from a self‑guided walk.
Audio systems: for comfort consider radio systems (headsets + transmitter) — they improve communication in noisy places and are very helpful for larger groups. Some sites (e.g., museums) provide or require their own systems and rules.
When choosing a hotel for 7–20 people look for double and triple rooms with the possibility of extra beds — this is usually the most economical solution. For corporate and school groups check availability of twin/triple rooms and group breakfast options.
Book in advance — especially in the high season (May–September) and during major events in Kraków. Hotels often offer group conditions (invoicing, consolidated payments, reserved breakfast slots).
Location: for a program focused on Wawel and the Market, look for a hotel in the center or near public transport; for school or business groups, hotels just outside the strict center with good bus access can be cost‑effective.
Wawel: entrance to Wawel (Cathedral, treasury, royal chambers) may require timed tickets — if your group plans to go inside, reserve tickets in advance.
Family Home of John Paul II in Wadowice: the museum and papal home have limited capacity — for larger groups check availability of time slots and possible group discounts.
Wieliczka (if added): the Salt Mine requires booking a specific time slot; in high season book several weeks (or earlier) in advance for groups.
Auschwitz‑Birkenau (optional): visits require booking well ahead — this site has strict visiting rules and limited capacity.
For groups it’s best to reserve a set menu in advance — it speeds up service and reduces the risk of long waits. Many venues in the center and in Kazimierz are experienced with group service and offer special sets.
A few recommended places in Kraków (examples with practical group experience):
- Restauracja Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — atmospheric historic interiors, suitable for group lunches with Polish cuisine.
- Restauracja Szara (Main Market Square) — elegant menu, convenient Market Square location.
- Starka (Kazimierz) — intimate spot with traditional Polish dishes; they offer group menu options and should be booked ahead.
In Wadowice: choose a place by the market square — it’s easy to organize a short meet‑up and dessert (kremówka). Local patisseries and cafés are happy to host groups for a brief tasting; for a longer stay reserve a table or a group menu.
Plan realistically: two days is short, so prioritize quality of experience over quantity of places. An overly tight schedule tires participants and increases the chance of delays.
Meal times: book meals close to sightseeing sites to avoid long transfers. Ask the restaurant to serve the group menu promptly.
Accessibility: check for ramps/elevators at museums and hotels. Not all routes (e.g., some parts of Wawel or sections of the Wieliczka Mine) are fully accessible for people with mobility difficulties.
Group leaders and chaperones: appoint a person responsible for attendance, handing out the itinerary and liaising with the guide/agency — this makes it easier to react quickly to unexpected situations.
Insurance: verify whether participants have accident insurance or whether group trips are covered by the organizer’s policy.
Are 2 days enough? - Yes, to see Kraków’s key sights and make a short visit to Wadowice; be realistic about time and make reservations.
Do I need to book tickets in advance? - Yes, for places like Wawel, Wieliczka and the Family Home of John Paul II it’s better to book in advance, especially for groups.
What are approximate costs? - Costs depend on transport standard, hotel and menu choices. Many agencies offer packages for school and corporate groups; if organizing on your own, budget for transport, accommodation, entrance fees and meals.
Is it worth hiring a local guide? - Yes. Even a short guide narrative enriches the visit and helps manage time and group movement.
Booking and documents: confirmations for hotel, transport, reserved attraction tickets, contact numbers for restaurants and venues.
Materials for participants: daily program with times, organizer contact numbers, a map (digital or paper), information about expected extra costs (optional entries, souvenirs).
Equipment and conveniences: first aid kit, power banks, audio system for the guide (if used), list of participant allergies and dietary needs to share with restaurants.
Organizing a 2‑day Kraków + Wadowice trip for 7–20 people is like putting together a small puzzle: with a good plan the pieces fit easily. The key is to set the group’s priorities — history, religion, cuisine or atmosphere — and match the pace and reservations to them.
If you’d like, I can prepare a version of this itinerary tailored to a specific date, number of participants, culinary preferences or accessibility needs — send the date, number of people and any special requirements and I’ll prepare a detailed plan with times and reservation suggestions. Good luck with your organization — Kraków and Wadowice have a lot to offer, and I’m happy to help make your trip a success!
Thank you for your trust — this guide was created to make life easier for organizers and to ensure the group returns home satisfied and full of great memories.
