Are 3 hours enough for an interesting walk through Krakow’s city centre? How can we keep students safe? Will the guide reserve museum tickets? How do you get young people interested in history? — if these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place.
As a licensed Krakow guide (I have held a license since 2012) I have led thousands of people, including many school groups. This article answers practically every question about a three-hour private tour focused on the Planty and St. Florian’s Gate — a route friendly to primary and secondary classes, with the option to reserve tickets and receive educational materials.
I focus on interaction, clear safety rules and a pace adapted to the students’ age — so the tour is engaging, educational and stress-free for teachers.
Below you’ll find route details, a sample timetable, information about reservations and practical tips on how to prepare a class before arrival.
If you want to book a tour or ask about available dates — write or call using the contact form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com.
A private tour guarantees an individual approach: I adapt the pace to the group’s age and fitness, emphasise activating students with educational tasks, and use methods that help history stick.
It’s easier to ensure discipline and safety with a school group — private tours allow us to set rules in advance, divide the class into smaller teams and use headset systems so everyone can hear the guide even in a crowd.
Bonus: I can help reserve entrance tickets to selected museums and prepare a short contingency plan and instructions for supervisors — a big help for school trip organisers.
My approach is practical and experience-based: I know which places capture children’s and teens’ attention and I can tell about them in an engaging way full of interesting facts.
For teachers I prepare a simple checklist of what to bring and tips on how to prepare students before the walk — this makes the outing run more smoothly and pleasantly for everyone.
The route focuses on the outer spaces of the Old Town — we start with a walk along the Planty and head towards St. Florian’s Gate and a stretch of the medieval defensive walls.
Planty is the green belt surrounding the historic centre — a perfect setting to tell stories about the city’s former layout, the royal castle and everyday life in medieval Krakow. The terrain is gentle, with many spots for short stops and tasks for students.
St. Florian’s Gate (with surviving fragments of the walls) is an excellent point to talk about the defence of a medieval city, the symbolism of gates and architectural changes over the centuries.
Depending on the group’s age we can enrich the route with short visits to selected points (for example parts of museums or cellars) — if needed and if tickets are available, I organise reservations in advance.
The route is flexible — it can be extended with short stops at the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) or along the Royal Route if the group wishes and time allows.
Times are approximate — I adjust the pace to the group, take breaks and run short tasks to involve the students:
- 0:00–0:15 — meeting, a short briefing about safety rules and an icebreaker game so students get to know each other and know what to expect.
- 0:15–1:00 — walk along the Planty: stories about medieval gates, the city map, local customs and anecdotes that attract younger listeners.
- 1:00–1:15 — short break for a snack/rest on benches in the Planty.
- 1:15–2:00 — approach to St. Florian’s Gate, history of the defensive walls, a task for students (e.g., a mini-quiz, identifying architectural elements).
- 2:00–2:30 — discussion of monument symbolism and Krakow’s role in Polish history; a mini-workshop (e.g., who was a craftsman, what was student life like in the Middle Ages).
- 2:30–3:00 — summary, short Q&A, handing out simple support materials and tips for teachers on follow-up classroom activities.
This plan balances knowledge, activity and rest — we avoid long standing and an overload of dates, favouring vivid stories and short tasks.
I can assist with reserving entries to popular museums in central Krakow — this helps avoid queues and makes the tour schedule more reliable. Reservations depend on availability for the chosen date, so it’s best to request them in advance.
For school groups I often book group entries and provide headset sets that make the guide audible even in crowded rooms.
If you want to enter a specific museum or interior (for example special exhibitions or cellars) we will agree on that during trip planning — I will prepare a list of required information and may ask for participant details if the institution requires them.
I always inform teachers about baggage restrictions, expected behaviour rules in selected venues and any extra fees — so there are no surprises on the day.
Please remember some places have limited daily slots — booking in advance helps a lot.
Group safety is my top priority. I prepare a simple contingency plan tailored to the trip: what supervisors should do in case of a lost student, injury, bus delay or sudden weather change.
Before the walk I discuss supervisors’ roles with the teachers and suggest dividing the class into smaller subgroups to help control the students. For larger groups I recommend using headsets that transmit my commentary — then everyone can hear without constant calling back of students.
I also prepare a simple trip log (attendance list, route plan, contact numbers) and share it with supervisors before departure — this facilitates contact and quick response if needed.
During the walk I point out safe stopping places, pedestrian crossings and suggest when to take a longer break. I also know convenient locations for restrooms or quick shelter from rain.
Thanks to experience I balance engaging storytelling with discipline — students participate actively and supervisors feel in control.
For schools I prepare short practical materials: quizzes, worksheets with field tasks and a list of questions teachers can use after the trip. Materials are tailored to the class level.
Field tasks are simple and engaging — for example: spot three Gothic elements on the gate, write down one interesting fact to present to the class, or draw a map of a Planty section. These activities reinforce learning and develop observational skills.
After the trip I can send the teacher brief suggestions for follow-up work: project ideas, homework topics or lesson proposals related to the visited places.
This support makes it easier to use the trip as a valuable part of the teaching process.
Materials are sent electronically before or after the tour, depending on prior arrangements.
Clothing and shoes: comfortable footwear for walking on cobbles and park paths; layered clothing for cooler days. Remember umbrellas or rain ponchos in case of rain.
Food and breaks: for a three-hour tour it’s a good idea to bring a small dry snack and water — a short break on a bench can be used for a task or a quick chat.
Documents and permissions: make sure teachers have up-to-date student lists and necessary permissions. If needed I will provide a simple printable trip log template.
Communication: before the tour agree on meeting time and place and a contact number for the guide — during the meeting I will explain behaviour rules and how to report any problems.
For teachers: with larger classes I recommend discussing rules with students in advance — this shortens on-site organisation time.
There are short and longer tour options and special packages for school groups. Prices and available packages may vary by season, promotions and additional services (e.g., ticket reservations, headset sets, educational materials).
It’s best to request a preliminary quote when you propose dates — I will prepare an offer tailored to the number of participants, students’ ages and the scope of the route.
For availability and booking details please contact via the form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com — I reply quickly and help match the route to the group’s needs.
For schools I offer advance booking options and organisational support — from clever time scheduling to preparing documents needed by supervisors.
If you want approximate prices before contacting me, send a short message with: number of students, ages, preferred date and whether you want museum entry included.
To book a tour, provide the date (or several options), the number of students and supervisors, the approximate age of the group and whether you want museum reservations.
When booking a school group we will also discuss the meeting point, the contingency plan and I will ask for a list of supervisors with contact numbers. This helps the day run more smoothly.
After confirmation I send a short itinerary confirmation and practical tips — what to bring, where to meet and how we’ll act in unexpected situations.
If you have particular requests — for example a themed outdoor lesson or special needs among participants — I will include that in the programme.
I aim to make the tour as valuable and stress-free as possible for supervisors, so I contact the organiser before departure to finalise details.
Three hours on the Planty and by St. Florian’s Gate is an excellent compromise between time and content: students will see the historic centre, hear engaging stories and complete simple tasks that help them remember what they learned.
A private tour gives teachers organisational comfort and allows work that supports the curriculum — and above all it’s fun for students.
If you want, I’ll do everything to make the tour not only a history lesson but an adventure — with humour, engaging tasks and safe organisational solutions.
If you’re ready to book a date or discuss details — contact me via the form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com. I’ll gladly prepare a tailor-made offer for your class and answer any extra questions.
See you at the Planty — Małgorzata (Margaret) Kasprowicz
