Looking for a short, engaging and content-rich tour of Krakow for your class? The route “Royal Route: Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall - Traces of Jewish Krakow” is an excellent choice. In about 3 hours you will see the main sights of the Old Town, hear fascinating stories and visit places that teach about the coexistence of cultures - all presented in a format tailored to school groups. As a licensed guide I show Krakow as a living city full of anecdotes and curiosities, not just dry facts. I want children and young people to remember more than dates - they should take away emotions, images and questions to explore further.
The route is designed to balance a pace suitable for younger and older pupils with enough short stops - a brief story, a question for the group, a moment for photos and then on the move. This makes the three hours fly by and helps information stick. The program includes interactive elements, quizzes and tasks that help consolidate learning - ideal for school classes.
If safety and comfort matter to you - I have worked with school groups for many years and know suitable places for breaks, toilets and quick snacks. I also provide sets of headset audio-guides that make it easier to guide larger groups in crowded areas.
Note: Organizational details - duration, price and equipment - are agreed individually at the time of booking so we can meet the school and teachers’ expectations. Please contact us via the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website or by e-mail to arrange the booking.
1) Main Market Square - the starting point and the heart of the city: a short introduction to medieval Krakow, an explanation of the square’s layout, the bugle call (hejnał) from St. Mary’s tower and anecdotes connected to the square.
2) The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - the history of trade and architectural changes: I will tell the story of the name, its commercial function and how this place evolved over the centuries. For students it is a great opportunity to see how trade influenced the development of the city.
3) Rynek Underground (optional) - if the group wishes and time allows, a short presentation of what lies beneath the Market Square - foundations, excavations and medieval streets. This is a big attraction especially for younger adventurers.
4) Route to Kazimierz - a story about the neighborhood, medieval roads and urban changes - how Krakow expanded. Along the way we will point out traces of the Jewish community visible in the urban space.
5) Kazimierz - traces of Jewish Krakow: we will visit symbolic places and I will show how to read layers of history - synagogues, cemeteries, former trading streets and I will talk about everyday life of residents before the war. The route is not a staging of suffering - it is an attempt to understand history through places and stories.
My tours are dynamic - I combine storytelling with questions and short tasks. For younger pupils I use simple questions and riddles; for older students I offer shorter mini-lectures enriched with discussion and historical context. For school groups I often propose:
- short quizzes with small prizes (e.g. little souvenirs) - they engage students and help fix knowledge;
- photo tasks - students look for architectural details or symbols;
- "space investigation" exercises - reading traces of the past from seemingly ordinary places.
I emphasize patience and flexibility - I adapt the pace to the day, the weather and the group's energy. If needed, we make longer breaks or shorten descriptions so children do not become tired.
Duration: standardly 3 hours - ideal for school trips that want to see the essence of the Royal Route and learn about traces of Jewish Krakow.
Price: costs are arranged individually - they depend on group size and additional options (e.g. entrance to the Rynek Underground, headset sets). For schools I offer clear terms and proposals adapted to your budget.
Group size: I guide both small classes and larger school groups - I have sets of headsets that help when working with a larger number of participants and improve comfort in crowded places.
Booking: please contact me via the form on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website or by e-mail - this is the fastest way to set the date, route and organizational details. In the e-mail please include: school name, class, number of participants, preferred date and any special requirements (e.g. accessibility needs).
On days with heavy tourist traffic it is wise to book in advance - especially during high season and around school trip periods.
The walk follows some cobbled streets and busy parts of the Old Town - please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. For younger pupils it is helpful to have an adult supervisor at the back of the group to keep order during crossings in busy areas.
Accessibility: parts of the route are suitable for people with limited mobility, but some sections may be difficult due to stairs or uneven surfaces. If you have participants with special needs, please inform me during booking so we can adapt the route and pace.
Insurance: schools usually arrange insurance for trip participants - please ensure all paperwork is complete before departure. I take care of the tour’s educational and organizational safety during the walk.
In case of bad weather the route may be modified - we use covered spaces more often and shorten walking sections.
If you plan to eat during or after the route - I will gladly recommend places friendly to school groups.
Is the route suitable for primary school pupils? - Yes. Materials and stories are adapted to age - with more anecdotes and tasks for younger children and deeper context for older classes.
How long do we stand still at one point? - I try to keep stops no longer than 7-10 minutes at a single point, unless the group requests a longer stop. This helps maintain students’ attention.
Are there elements that touch on difficult topics in Jewish history? - Yes, but they are presented in an age-appropriate way and without sensationalism. I focus on respect and accurate presentation of facts.
How should we prepare students before the trip? - A short classroom talk about basic facts (what the Market Square and the Cloth Hall are, who lived in Kazimierz) and encouraging students to bring notebooks or phones for photos is enough. I can also send the teacher a short tour plan before the trip.
What if we want to enter a museum or the Rynek Underground? - Visits to paid sites are optional and require extra tickets - it’s best to indicate this when booking so tickets can be reserved and the schedule adjusted.
- Check the weather and ask students to wear comfortable shoes - cobblestones can tire the legs. - Pack a small backpack with water and a light snack - short breaks for food help keep energy up. - Remind students about appropriate behavior at memorial sites and monuments - quiet and respect where needed. - For larger groups it’s useful to assign several supervisors spread throughout the group to help keep order. - If someone has special needs (e.g. mobility issues) - inform me in advance so we can plan the route optimally.
If you are running late at the last minute, please call me. I try to be punctual and flexible, but group safety is the priority.
Photo tip - the best light on the Market Square is in the morning and at the end of the day, but for class photos the time before lunch often gives more even light.
A small tip for teachers - bring tissues and a small first-aid kit; they always come in handy with school groups.
And one more thing - a smile from the students is the best reward for the guide :)
If you want to book the route or receive a detailed offer for your class - send an e-mail with the planned date, number of participants and program preferences. In the message you can ask for cost proposals and route variants (e.g. including entrance to the Rynek Underground).
After receiving your inquiry I will prepare a suggested program, an approximate cost and logistical tips - meeting point, start time and a contingency plan in case of bad weather.
I will gladly answer any questions - my goal is to make the trip stress-free for teachers and inspiring for students.
Contact details for booking and questions can be found on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website and in the office contact e-mail.
Book in advance - especially in spring and autumn dates fill up quickly.
