If you are planning a weekend trip to Kraków and want sightseeing to be comfortable, thoughtful and led in English by a licensed guide, you are in the right place. As a licensed guide (since 2012) with many years of experience working with a variety of groups — including seniors — I help plan the route, pace and rest breaks so the day is interesting without being tiring. Below you will find practical route suggestions, a sample weekend plan, tips on what to bring and an FAQ that often appears when booking tours for older visitors. Everything in English and tailored to your needs.
Any program can be adapted to specific mobility needs, interests in history, or a preference for more relaxed, story-driven walks. I organize visits so they are safe, calm and enjoyable for everyone.
A licence guarantees knowledge of the city's history, the ability to work with different groups and the right to lead tours in selected museum sites. For seniors this means the guide can plan a route with the group's pace, accessibility and resting spots in mind. The guide also knows practical tricks to avoid crowds and can flexibly change the plan during a walk — slow down, take a longer coffee break or shorten a walking section — all without stressing the group.
In addition, I hold entry authorisations for several important places in Kraków, which makes organising visits to spots like Wawel Castle or certain exhibitions easier. For seniors this often translates into shorter queues, smoother entry procedures and a more comfortable visit.
Below is a sample relaxed weekend plan that combines the city's most important attractions with regular breaks and places to rest:
- Saturday - a short morning walk around the Old Town (Main Market Square, Cloth Hall from the outside, St. Mary’s Basilica — stories and views from outside), a coffee break and an easy visit to Wawel Castle (no long queues, pace adjusted to the group). In the evening a suggestion for a quiet dinner at a senior-friendly restaurant or café.
- Sunday - a walk around Kazimierz with stories about its history and culture, stops at benches and quiet corners for resting, optionally a short visit to a small museum or relaxing by the Vistula river. The route is planned to avoid long continuous walks and to provide many places to sit down.
This plan can be changed freely — if you prefer shorter, more frequent breaks, want more historical detail, or more stories about local life, I will adapt the route to the group. All services can be provided in English.
Combining sightseeing in Kraków with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial can be emotional and tiring, but with good organisation it is manageable and educational. My proposals are based on practical rules: pace adapted to the group, breaks every 20–40 minutes, comfortable transport and advance booking.
A few practical tips I use when organising such a day:
- Book tickets and a museum educator in advance — the Memorial requires prior reservations and often limits the number of groups at specific times.
- Allow about 3.5 hours on the Memorial grounds — this is the minimum to see the essential elements and understand the context.
- If you choose an early departure, the museum visit happens in the morning and the afternoon can be reserved for a shorter, gentler walk in Kraków — pleasant pace and regular breaks.
- Transport — for seniors it is worth hiring a minibus with a low step or a coach; this also allows leaving luggage during the museum visit.
The cost of a tour depends on many factors: route length, guiding language, number of people and possible transport. For private English-language groups, indicative rates for small groups (1–35 people) usually start from a base fee for 2 hours and increase for longer programmes; seasonal promotions may also be available. Audio headset sets are offered and can be useful in larger groups and crowded sites.
If you plan a weekend trip, it is best to book in advance, especially during the tourist season and for groups that need extra logistics (e.g., transport or reserved museum visits). Specific prices and promotional conditions are best confirmed during booking — I will gladly prepare an offer tailored to your group.
- Pace of walks adjusted to the group's fitness — shorter segments between points and more frequent breaks.
- Routes that include benches and resting places — I choose sections of the Royal Route and Kazimierz where it is easy to sit and rest.
- Option of partial transfers — where possible, you can combine walking with short rides (e.g., taxi or hired minibus) to avoid long continuous walks.
- Support with bookings for museums and larger attractions — I have experience and authorisations that help plan visits smoothly.
- Audio headset sets for rent — so everyone can hear the guide clearly even in busier places.
- Comfortable, stable shoes and layered clothing — city weather can change.
- Medications, a bottle of water, small snacks and tissues — handy items help avoid unnecessary interruptions.
- Identification documents — for group reservations some places may require ID checks.
- Avoid large backpacks — museums often limit luggage and big bags are better left on the bus or in the hotel.
- Information about mobility restrictions — if someone has walking difficulties, please let the guide know in advance so the route can be even better adapted.
Q: Can the tour be entirely in English? - Yes. All programmes are available in English, delivered clearly and calmly, which is especially friendly for visitors whose first language is not English.
Q: Will the group have to walk a lot? - I design routes to minimise long continuous sections whenever possible. I recommend regular breaks and seating. If someone prefers shorter distances, I will prepare such a plan.
Q: How large can the group be? - I work with both small private groups and larger organised groups. For bigger groups I recommend using audio headsets so everyone can hear the guide.
Q: Do you organise transfers to Auschwitz? - I assist with planning logistics and collaborate on transport arrangements — I can advise on optimal solutions, though vehicle rental details are agreed individually.
- Start the day early to avoid the biggest crowds at the Market Square and Wawel.
- Plan breaks in places with toilets and seating.
- Choose shorter thematic fragments of the route instead of one long march — this gives more time for stories and rest.
- When booking a full day including a museum visit (e.g., Auschwitz-Birkenau), leave time buffers for travel and meals.
- If the weather is bad, the route can be adjusted to include more indoor time or extra coffee stops.
The best approach is to contact me with as much notice as possible and provide basic information: number of people, preferred language (English), dates and an approximate idea of participants' fitness. Based on that I will prepare a proposed programme, an estimated cost and logistical options. For weekend plans and visits to places requiring reservations (e.g., the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial) it is advisable to book weeks in advance, especially during the tourist season.
If you would like an offer tailored to your group — describe your needs and I will prepare a programme and a cost estimate.
