Are you looking for someone to show your group the most important places in Krakow in an engaging, lively and tailor-made way? A private guided tour is a great option for people who prefer a pace and program made to measure - from families with children, through school groups, to individual tourists and small travel agencies. My most popular route is Wawel and the Royal Route - the classic heart of Krakow, told with passion, humor and attention to detail. For those who want to learn about the more difficult history of the 20th century, I offer a combined program of Krakow with a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau - organized professionally and with full respect for the memorial site.
I pay attention to the group's comfort: I adapt the pace to participants, use stories and methods that engage both young people and adults, and for larger groups I provide audio headsets so everyone can hear clearly even on a busy Main Market Square or below Wawel Hill.
My work is also based on practical experience - I know entry conditions at popular sites and how to plan the route so your time in Krakow is as efficient and pleasant as possible.
If you are planning a school trip or a one-day combined outing with Auschwitz, I help with logistics, answer teachers' and parents' questions and propose a program aligned with educational goals.
- Time savings: the route is planned logically, without getting lost or unnecessary pauses.
- Tailored to the group: pace, level of detail and topics are agreed before the tour - history, legends, curiosities or an educational version for classes.
- Comfort and sound quality: for larger groups audio headsets are available, which make listening easier in crowded places.
- Professionalism and safety: I cooperate with museums and know visiting rules, which is important for school groups and visits to sites with limited capacity.
The Wawel and Royal Route walk is the classic passage through Krakow's most important historical points - we start on Wawel Hill, tell the royal history and legends, enter the cathedral space, visit royal tombs and explain the castle's symbolism. Next we descend to the Main Market Square where you will see the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Basilica with its bugle call, and continue down Floriańska Street to the Barbican, a remnant of the old city defenses.
During the walk I talk both about major political events and everyday life of past residents, customs and small historical 'treats' that make the story come alive and stay memorable. The route is flexible - it can be shortened or extended, include visits to museums (for example the Rynek Underground museum) or be enriched with themed anecdotes suited to the group's age and interests.
For school groups I focus on key facts and interactive exercises to make the trip not only enjoyable but also educational.
Combining sightseeing in Krakow with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum requires a good plan and a high degree of sensitivity. If you plan such a one-day trip, consider an early departure from Krakow, reserved museum entry passes and allowing sufficient time for the visit - Auschwitz is a place where the pace should be set by respect and reflection - rushing is not appropriate.
As a guide I help organize the whole day: we agree departure time, reserve places when possible and I provide historical context before we arrive at the museum, which helps visitors understand what they will see. Important: maintain silence and solemnity on the museum grounds, dress respectfully and prepare young people mentally - a short introduction before entering often helps students to process and understand this difficult encounter.
A practical example: an early morning departure from Krakow, a short Krakow route focused on Wawel and the Royal Route or selected highlights, then transfer to Oświęcim; return to Krakow in the evening. This plan should be agreed in advance to reserve tickets and avoid queues.
School trips are a separate category - they require programs consistent with the curriculum, safety and student engagement. I offer versions adapted to age: shorter, interactive history lessons for younger classes and deeper presentations for older students.
For larger groups we use audio equipment, plan breaks and places for meals, and include time for questions and short educational tasks. I also help prepare materials for teachers and parents - a cost estimate, approximate timings, information about entry tickets and museum requirements.
If the group is also going to Auschwitz, we approach the topic sensitively and professionally - always with respect for the victims and in accordance with museum guidelines.
- Duration: typical city walks last 2-4 hours; common packages are 2 hours, 3 hours or a full day (when we combine multiple attractions).
- Prices: for small groups (up to about 35 people) prices start from a few hundred zloty for a 2-hour service; for larger groups fees are usually calculated per person. Ask about seasonal promotions and packages (for example, lower prices off-season).
- Languages: I guide in Polish and also offer tours in English - programs in other languages can be arranged in advance.
- Equipment: comfortable audio headset sets are available (usually charged per person), which greatly improve the comfort of visiting in crowds.
- Payments and reservations: payment is usually by cash or bank transfer; booking in advance is recommended especially for school trips and visits to museums with limited availability.
The easiest way is to contact me in advance with the date, approximate number of participants, ages (if it is a school group), preferred language and approximate duration. Based on that I propose a program and advise what needs to be reserved: tickets to attractions, audio headsets, transport to Oświęcim, etc.
A few practical tips for organizers: bring comfortable shoes, pack small snacks for breaks, have a backup plan in case of bad weather (Krakow's museums and covered attractions), and for school trips prepare an attendance list and contact details for supervisors.
When booking a one-day trip combined with Auschwitz, set the departure time so as to avoid traffic and make the most of the visiting time.
Q: How much time is enough for Wawel and the Royal Route? - A: 2 hours is a quick pace to see the main points; 3-4 hours allows entry to selected museum interiors and more time at key sites.
Q: Can you combine Krakow sightseeing with a visit to Auschwitz in one day? - A: Yes, it is possible but requires advance reservations and a planned schedule. I recommend leaving early and deciding which parts of Krakow to visit before or after the trip.
Q: Does the guide handle museum tickets? - A: I help with planning and advise which reservations to make - the final purchase of tickets is usually arranged according to the client's preference and the rules of the institution.
Q: Are tours available in English? - A: Yes, I offer guiding in English; please request this when booking.
Q: What about student behavior during an Auschwitz visit? - A: Before the visit I give a calm, age-appropriate introduction and cover expected behavior on the museum grounds. It is important that students have time for reflection and know what to expect.
- Plan shorter routes in the morning or late afternoon - during high season the Market Square can be very crowded.
- If you want to enter specific museums (for example the Rynek Underground or Wawel interiors), book tickets in advance.
- For school classes consider having 2-3 supervisors per group and schedule meal breaks away from the main attractions.
- Take photos, but remember that memorial sites require silence and solemnity.
- Ask your guide questions - the things discussed and practiced during the tour are the ones that stick best in memory.
If you would like me to guide your group around Wawel, the Royal Route, Kazimierz or plan a combined Krakow and Auschwitz trip - write or call. Together we will design the perfect route for your group: educational and engaging, and at the same time logistically stress-free.
I will gladly prepare programs for schools, family outings and themed groups. See you in the streets of Krakow!
