The Planty encircling the Old Town are a natural, safe space for walking: gentle paths, plenty of benches and interesting monuments that can be used in history and nature lessons. St. Florian's Gate is the classic starting point of the Royal Route — a symbolic “entry” moment to tell the story of medieval Krakow. The route is planned to show the city's most important sights and history while avoiding long museum visits — an ideal solution when you have a full day but want a pace that suits children and teenagers.
The walk takes place outdoors, which makes it easy to add educational games, quizzes and short field workshops. The route is flexible — it can be shortened or extended, with extra stops at monuments, playgrounds or cafés to suit the group's age and stamina.
As your guide (Małgorzata Kasprowicz) I use anecdotes, tasks and questions to engage pupils — this makes the day pass quickly and helps them remember what they learn. I also have radio headsets (audio guides) that make it easier to guide larger groups comfortably.
09:30 — Meeting and short briefing at St. Florian's Gate. Friendly welcome, safety reminders and division into smaller teams.
09:45–11:00 — Walk through the Planty toward Wawel: talks about the medieval walls, local plants, monuments and the role of the Planty as the city’s “garden” — photo stops and a short history mini-quiz.
11:15–12:15 — Wawel Hill (outdoor area): a talk about the castle, the cathedral and the legend of the Wawel Dragon. Time for a second breakfast on the grass or a short break in one of the nearby cafés or bars.
12:30–13:30 — Return along the Royal Route through the Main Market Square: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church (a talk about Wit Stwosz’s altarpiece from the outside), the town hall, and short orientation tasks for the groups.
13:30–14:30 — Lunch in the Market Square area or Kazimierz — suggestions for venues and types of cuisine (details in the “Where to eat” section).
14:45–16:00 — Kazimierz: a walk through the historic district, short stops by synagogues, charming streets and Plac Nowy — elements of culture and everyday life in Krakow without entering museums.
16:15 — Finish at one of the parks or squares, wrap-up of the day, hand out small reflection tasks or souvenir worksheets for the pupils. I allow adjustments to times and order depending on group needs and weather.
St. Florian's Gate — the most important gate of the old city fortifications, a point on the Royal Route and the place of coronation parades and funeral processions. I talk here about the architecture, the Piast eagle and the little altar to the Piaskowa Madonna found in the passage.
Planty — a park about 4 km long, created on the site of the medieval walls. It's a living "gallery" of monuments and sculptures, consisting of several smaller themed gardens and an ideal place to observe nature in the heart of the city. Children learn how the Planty's purpose changed over time and which trees grow here.
Wawel (outdoor area) — from the outside we discuss the history of the hill, the functions of the castle and cathedral, coats of arms, legends (the Wawel Dragon) and the coronation context. This is also a good moment to show the panorama of the Vistula and explain Wawel's role in Polish history.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — a short story about trade, the importance of the Cloth Hall and life in a medieval market. From the outside we discuss the St. Mary’s altarpiece and the tradition of the hejnał trumpet signal.
Kazimierz — a walk through one of Krakow’s most interesting districts: synagogues, narrow streets, and the meeting of different cultures. It’s a great space to talk about diversity and the everyday life of the city's residents.
Field quizzes — short, clear questions after each stop (for example: “How many towers does St. Mary’s Church have?”, “What is the oldest monument in the Planty called?”). The winning team can receive a small symbolic prize.
Detective game “In the footsteps of medieval Krakow” — pupils look for architectural details (e.g. the bas-relief of St. Florian at the Gate) and write down short observations.
Art tasks — during a break pupils draw a fragment of the Planty or the silhouette of St. Florian's Gate; it’s a nice way to develop observational skills and remember shapes.
Mini-survey “What surprised me in Krakow?” — at the end of the day each group writes down three things that surprised them; this is a great source of reflection for teachers and material for a follow-up lesson.
Booking and reservation — it’s best to reserve a date a few weeks in advance, especially in high season. For large groups (over about 35 people) I recommend using radio headsets to ensure everyone can hear clearly.
Safety and communication — split the group into smaller teams with assigned chaperones. Exchange contact numbers, agree a meeting point and an emergency plan. In Poland the emergency number is 112 — it’s useful to remind students of this before you set off.
Clothing and equipment — comfortable shoes, layered clothing (Krakow weather can change), water and a small snack for quick energy. For large groups I recommend small first-aid kits and identifiers (for example colored wristbands) to help recognize students.
Toilets and breaks — plan breaks every 60–90 minutes. Around the Planty, Wawel and the Market there are several public toilets and cafés/restaurants where short stops are possible.
Group lunch near the Market Square — many places offer set meals and quick lunch options (pierogi, soups, pasta dishes). Choose venues with a separate room or the possibility to reserve for groups.
Cozy cafés and pizzerias — if you prefer a more relaxed format, near the Market and in Kazimierz you’ll find cafés and pizzerias that welcome youth groups. Popular options that often work well for school groups include Camelot Cafe (near the Old Town) and Massolit Books & Cafe (Kazimierz). Stalls around Plac Nowy also offer quick snacks.
Takeaway lunch and picnic — another option is to order takeaway sets and have a picnic on the grass in the Planty or on Wawel Hill — a simple, pleasant choice when the weather is good.
How long does the route take? — Typically a full day with breaks lasts around 6–7 hours (including lunch). I can also prepare shorter 2–4 hour variants.
Is the route suitable for younger children? — Yes. I adapt the route to the age and pace of the group, offering more stops and games for younger pupils.
Do we need entrance tickets? — In this version (without museums) we do not plan any ticketed entries. Wawel and other sites are viewed from the outside. If you want to visit a particular museum, we can arrange that separately.
How much does a guide cost? — Guide fees depend on the length and size of the group. I offer options for small and large groups and the possibility to rent radio headsets. Exact rates are provided at the time of booking.
When planning a full-day trip without museums, focus on the rhythm of the day: short, dynamic stops, activities that engage pupils and regular breaks. The Planty are a great “breathing” space that balance the pace of sightseeing.
Choose the time of day that works best for your group — mornings are usually quieter and cooler on hot days. In the afternoon the Market Square can get unexpectedly crowded.
If you have questions about tailoring the route to your curriculum, group size or special needs, or if you’d like ready-made worksheets and field tasks — I’m happy to prepare materials and adapt the program. Feel free to contact me to book a date — I’ll show your students a Krakow that stays with them.
