The Planty encircle the Old Town like a green band of memory — created on the site of medieval city walls, they have been the favorite city park for Cracovians for centuries. It’s an ideal place for a shorter walk or a stop on a longer route: it combines nature, history and architecture while offering the flexibility you need when working with young people.
For students, the Planty make history tangible: in a few steps you pass remnants of the old walls, monuments to local artists, intimate gardens (for example the Wawel garden, the University garden) and elements of small architecture that can be used for educational tasks.
For school classes (primary and secondary), youth groups on educational workshops, language camps and families traveling with teenagers. The route also works well for mixed groups who want to avoid the crowded Market Square and prefer a calmer, more engaging walk.
Małgorzata is a licensed guide with many years of experience leading school and youth groups. She runs sessions with humor, asks questions, uses short tasks and anecdotes that capture attention. She knows methods for engaging young people and can adjust pace and storytelling level to the participants’ age.
On private tours Małgorzata offers practical solutions: places for breaks, shortened-route options, the use of headset sets (for larger groups) and programs tailored to teachers’ requirements and school curricula. On request she prepares quizzes, field tasks and support materials for group leaders.
Start point: Florian Gate or the Barbican — a short introduction about the defensive walls and the creation of the Planty. Then: walk along the Planty toward the Słowacki Theatre, stop at the Gródek Garden to talk about former entertainment and city culture.
Further on: the Stradom Garden and the Wawel area — a story about the hill’s construction, legends (for example the Wawel Dragon) and the defensive functions of the city. At the end: the University Garden and the Palace of Arts — a short photo activity or a detective task (for example, find a symbol connected to a given artist). The route is planned flexibly — it can be shortened or extended to match the group’s pace.
Quiz “Who answers first?” — short questions after each stop (30–60 seconds to answer). Prizes can be symbolic (stickers, points for a group leaderboard).
Photo-challenge: split the group into teams and ask them to take creative photos (for example, the most interesting shot of a section of the wall, the prettiest bench, an element of a sculpture). Finish with short presentations and discussion.
Mini-project: a short field assignment (for example 10–15 minutes) — gather information about one place, prepare 2–3 summary sentences and present them to the rest of the group. This format develops teamwork and information synthesis skills.
Meeting point: agreed and easy to find (for example Florian Gate). Prepare an attendance list and a clear emergency plan in case the group gets separated. The guide explains the rules for moving around the city and safe spots for breaks.
For larger groups it’s worth using headset sets — they improve audibility and help keep discipline. If the weather is uncertain — there is always a plan B: a shortened route, more stories at covered stops or moving part of the program to a nearby museum or café. Bring water, comfortable shoes and a small first-aid kit.
Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a well-known spot for fresh bakery goods and quick drinks, good for a short break with young people. Café Camelot (near the Old Town) — a cosy café friendly to tourists and families. Noworolsky Café / cafés around the Cloth Hall — an option close to the Market Square for groups who want to combine their walk with a quick meal.
If you plan a longer stop or a group lunch, choose restaurants with good reviews and group service options, and reserve ahead. Planning breaks in advance saves time and stress.
Not planning breaks — young people quickly lose focus. Plan a 10–15 minute break every 45–60 minutes. Not booking a guide in advance — in season dates fill up quickly; private tours are best confirmed ahead of time.
No alternative for bad weather — have a plan B (museums, a shorter route, activities in a café). Not adjusting the pace to the group’s age — it’s good to agree in advance whether the group prefers more dynamic tasks or calmer storytelling.
The Planty were created on the site of former defensive walls — a great starting point to talk about how the function of urban space has changed. During the walk you can point out where towers and gates once stood and how alleys and gardens now grow in their place.
There are many small monuments and benches in the Planty commemorating local figures — perfect material for a quick “who is it?” game or a small research task for the group.
How long is a typical youth tour? — I recommend 90–120 minutes as optimal: long enough to show a few places and run activities without tiring participants.
How many people in a group? — Private tours work best for groups from a few up to several dozen people; for very large groups we use headset sets and extra logistical solutions. Is the route accessible for students with limited mobility? — Most of the Planty are walkable, but please report needs in advance so we can adapt the route and pace.
What if it rains? — We have a shortened version of the route with more covered stops and storytelling, or we can move parts of the program to a nearby museum or café. How do I book a tour? — Bookings are easiest by email or phone; please provide preferred date, number of participants and the group’s age.
The Planty are the perfect place to offer young people something different — a short green walk turned into an interactive lesson, a photo challenge and a city game. A private tour allows you to tailor pace, content and format to the group’s expectations, and with the guide’s experience you can expect an engaging program.
If you would like your class or youth group to discover Kraków in a friendly, fun and informative way — we invite you to get in touch. Details of the offer and contact information are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. If you found this article helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends. We look forward to your private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz!
