A medium group of 7–20 people is a great size: big enough to fit in a small minibus, but intimate enough to adapt the tour quickly to the interests of participants. In practice this means a flexible program, shorter waits when changing locations and easier booking of restaurant tables and group tickets at museums. At the same time, remember that many popular sites have limited capacity and require advance group reservations — it’s worth arranging this ahead of time.
Start planning by setting priorities: does the group want to admire monuments, or would you rather have workshops, outdoor activities and team building? Based on that you can compose a one- or two-day itinerary in Krakow with an excursion to Wadowice. In the rest of the article you’ll find concrete route proposals and practical logistical tips.
Important: ticket prices, opening hours and reservation rules can change — book key attractions early and confirm details directly with the organizer.
I prepared this text so you can use it right away as an organizer’s checklist.
Wawel and surroundings - Wawel is a must-see. For groups it’s best to plan a specific route (for example the Royal Private Apartments or the Castle’s Underground Chambers) and make reservations in advance. Many exhibitions have limited entries; a guided tour or an audio guide helps absorb the information and speeds up moving through the displays.
Main Market Square - a walk around the Market Square, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and by St. Mary’s Basilica gives a great introduction to Krakow’s atmosphere. For a group of 7–20 people, set a clear meeting point and allow short breaks for photos and snacks.
Kazimierz - the former Jewish quarter full of atmospheric streets, cafés and monuments. For a medium-sized group Kazimierz is ideal for a themed route or a lunch break in one of the restaurants offering local and vegetarian dishes.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory - a place strongly connected to 20th century history; visiting requires tickets and reservations. Groups should check group booking rules and reserve in advance.
Wieliczka (if you plan a short trip outside the city) - the Salt Mine is a half-day option; underground the temperature is about 16–18°C and the tourist route includes several kilometers and many stairs, so inform participants before departure. Groups must reserve and follow specific ticketing rules.
Short full-day plan: Wawel in the morning, a stroll through the Old Town, lunch near the Market, afternoon in Kazimierz or a visit to Schindler’s Factory. If you add Wieliczka, consider a 4–5 hour minibus trip outside Krakow.
John Paul II Family Home and the Basilica - the heart of Wadowice is the family home museum of Karol Wojtyła and the basilica. The museum has set opening hours and clear ticketing rules; group tickets are available and you can arrange guided tours or audio guides.
Kremówki and the market square - a visit to Wadowice often includes tasting the famous kremówka (cream cake) and a stroll around the market square. This is a perfect short stop for a group after visiting the museum.
Surroundings of Wadowice - if you have more time, consider Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Ojców National Park or a short trip to the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland (the Jura). These sites complement historical or religious programs well.
Reservations and limits - the John Paul II Family Home accepts reservations and has rules for ticket sales; at busy times access may be limited. For groups it’s safest to contact the museum ahead and reserve group tickets and any guided visits.
Practical tip: Wadowice works well as a half-day trip from Krakow — travel by bus or minibus takes about 1 hour depending on traffic, so plan roughly 3–4 hours for visit and a short meal.
Morning: Depart Krakow for Wadowice - visit the John Paul II Family Home and the Basilica (approx. 1.5–2 hours). Short walk around the market and a kremówka.
Afternoon: Return to Krakow, visit Wawel (1.5 hours) and walk around the Main Market Square (1 hour). Finish in Kazimierz or leave time for dinner.
Logistics: To run this plan you need confirmed reservations for the museum in Wadowice and possibly tickets for Wawel or other sites. For groups of 7–20 a minivan/microbus is the most convenient and often quickest option; book the driver and allow time for parking and short breaks.
Duration: A full day from about 8:30 to 18:00, depending on season and opening hours. If you prefer a calmer pace, split the program over two days.
Alternative: If the group prefers less driving, skip Wadowice and spend the afternoon in Wieliczka or choose thematic workshops in Krakow.
Day 1: Wawel and Old Town - Wawel in the morning, a walk around the Market, lunch, afternoon at the Cloth Hall and by St. Mary’s Basilica. Evening dinner in Kazimierz.
Day 2: Wadowice or Wieliczka - choose one: a half-day trip to Wadowice (John Paul II Family Home, market, kremówkas), or a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine with its underground attractions.
Workshops and team building: For integration add a workshop - e.g. culinary (pierogi, obwarzanki) or creative (ceramics, a guided photo walk). Book workshops several weeks in advance, especially in high season.
Why split into two days: more time to rest, less rushing for tickets and reservations, and better learning from guided tours. It’s also safer for groups including older people or children.
Practical tip: for group accommodation choose places with a communal dining option or a private room — it simplifies logistics and fosters integration.
Tickets for museums and popular routes - many sites, including Wawel, Wieliczka Salt Mine and the John Paul II Family Home, have entry limits and special group rules. To be safe, book entries and guides in advance; some institutions require written notification several days or even two weeks before the visit.
Group pricing - group ticket prices differ from individual fares and often have minimum group sizes (e.g. group offers may start at 10 people). Check current price lists and concessions (pupils, students, seniors).
Guides and audio guides - if you want a guided tour, book a licensed guide early; alternatively audio guide sets are often available on site and can speed up organization.
Changes and cancellations - check the change and cancellation policies. Some sites allow date changes only under specific conditions and timeframes, so ask about these rules when booking.
Notify the group - after booking, send participants clear info: meeting point and time, expected visit duration, required documents (e.g. student ID), accessibility notes and clothing tips (for Wieliczka wear comfortable shoes and a warmer layer).
Choosing a vehicle - for groups of 7–20 it’s usually worth hiring a minibus or minivan (8–20 seats). This option is more flexible than a large coach and often allows you to stop closer to attractions. Transport companies in Krakow offer vehicles with driver and various amenities - air conditioning, seat belts, luggage space and sometimes Wi-Fi.
Parking and zones - downtown parking is limited; allow time to find parking and to switch from vehicle to walking. Note alternative parking spots and pickup/drop-off points when planning routes.
Travel time - Wadowice is about one hour from Krakow depending on traffic. During peak hours journeys may be longer, so add a 30–45 minute buffer for unexpected delays on day trips.
Public transport - if you prefer not to hire a vehicle, combine visits using trains or local buses, but remember this requires extra coordination for group movements and timetables.
Useful tips: set a clear meeting point and time, keep a contact list of participants, and print confirmations and supplier phone numbers (museums, transport, restaurants).
Restaurant reservations - many places around the Old Town, Kazimierz or on routes to Wieliczka/Wadowice have group menus. For group comfort set the menu in advance so the staff can serve a larger number quickly.
Group menus and diets - when booking, inform about allergies and diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). Restaurants often prepare set lunches for school trips and tourist groups and can provide snacks to go.
Coffee breaks and picnics - if the schedule is tight, plan short coffee and snack stops in convenient locations or order catering to your meeting place if you have a picnic area or a reserved room.
Budgeting - group lunch prices depend on the restaurant and menu; ask for a per-person quote including taxes and extras (drinks, tips).
Practical tip: book lunch in advance, especially in high season and at weekends. For groups of 10–20 set menus with two or three choices work best so the kitchen can operate efficiently.
Culinary workshops - short classes making pierogi, obwarzanki or local sweets are great for team building and make a nice souvenir. Combine a workshop with a meal or as an afternoon activity.
Craft and art workshops - ceramics, a guided photography walk or historical calligraphy sessions give participants hands-on experience and a memorable keepsake.
City team tasks - city games, a photo-challenge or short themed quests around the Old Town and Kazimierz work well for groups of this size.
Outdoor activity - if the group likes being active, consider a walk in Ojców National Park, light hiking in the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland or bicycle trips around Krakow.
Match activities to the group - choose forms of integration that suit the group profile: youth enjoy gamified activities, adults prefer culinary or artistic workshops, and seniors appreciate calm guided walks.
1) Set program priorities and duration (1 day / 2 days / more).
2) Book tickets to key attractions (Wawel, John Paul II Family Home, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Oskar Schindler’s Factory) — especially if your dates fall in high season.
3) Hire transport (minibus/microbus) and confirm the meeting point and departure time.
4) Reserve lunch/dinner with a group menu option and inform about allergies/diets.
5) Prepare a participant list, contact details and reservation confirmations in paper or PDF form.
6) Tell participants practical details: meeting time, expected visit lengths, clothing, and any ID needed for concessions.
7) Check each supplier’s rules for changes and cancellations.
8) Prepare a plan B in case of bad weather (museums, workshops, additional indoor rooms).
Communication is key: send reminders to participants 3–7 days before the trip and a final reminder the day before with the exact plan and emergency contact numbers.
Mind the pace: a group of 7–20 people tolerates shorter touring blocks and more frequent breaks. This prevents fatigue and keeps interest high.
Be flexible: have alternatives ready - a different restaurant, a shorter route or a replacement activity if something goes wrong.
Book in advance: in peak season and on weekends key attractions can fill up fast.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized program (with a cost estimate) for a specific date and group profile - send the date, number of participants and preferences and I’ll make a concrete plan.
