A full day in Krakow is a great opportunity for a class to see the city’s most important places without rushing: the Main Market Square, the Royal Route, Wawel, Kazimierz and interesting corners of Podgórze. As a guide experienced in working with school groups, I gladly lead routes adapted to the pupils’ age, energy level and interests.
A whole day allows combining short stories, educational games and breaks so children stay engaged and happy — they won’t just remember facts, they’ll experience an adventure.
The program is easy to adapt: you can shorten or extend stages, add a museum workshop or book a quick lunch in a venue set up to receive school groups.
We make sure the pace is right — we alternate walking, stopping at interesting points and doing short games that keep young participants attentive.
The suggestions and tips presented here come from practical experience running many school trips in Krakow and are meant to help teachers prepare an unforgettable day.
9:30 — 10:15: Start in the Old Town. Two short games: “Detail Detectives” (searching for small architectural details) and “Minute for the Master” (quick thinking tasks).
10:15 — 10:45: Walk to the river boulevards and a short break (water, fruit). A moment to stretch legs and quickly swap roles within teams.
10:45 — 11:30: Cross to Podgórze via a bridge (for example, the Bernatka Footbridge) — “Bridge Mission” with team photo tasks.
11:30 — 12:30: Short walk around Podgórze and local stories — whispered legends at a green spot (short, engaging tales adapted to age).
12:30 — 13:15: Lunch — quick and organised eating (reserved venue or simple boxed lunches). A short moment of calm and a summary of the morning before heading out.
13:15 — 14:30: Kazimierz — “Brick Bingo” (spot architectural elements) and “Map of Flavours” — a short walk through side streets with stories about culture and history.
14:30 — 15:00: Finale and summary — team presentations: one photo of the day and one takeaway. Small prizes or stickers given out.
This plan can be shortened or expanded — on request I add more games, museum visits or short workshops.
Class roles: Photographer, Map Reader, Chronicler and Spokesperson — each has simple tasks that rotate during the day. This way everyone has responsibility and an interesting role to play.
Example games: “Detail Detectives” (who finds the listed detail first), “Minute for the Master” (quick logic tasks), “Brick Bingo” (who first completes the list of architectural elements). Games are simple to prepare and bring a lot of fun and learning.
Materials: task cards (one A4 per team), pens/markers, camera/phone for photo tasks, simple role armbands.
Prizes don’t need to be expensive — stickers, mini certificates or small tokens are great motivators.
I adapt the pace and difficulty of tasks to the group’s age: younger children get more pictures and shorter distances, older students more complex tasks with an intellectual competition element.
Participant list with contact numbers for supervisors, a schedule noting allergies or special needs and a copy of the signed permission to go on the trip.
Suggested plan details: meeting place (usually the Main Market Square), start time, expected end time and pickup location. From experience, having one fixed meeting point and short, regular breaks helps manage the group quickly.
Lunch: I recommend booking a place in advance or arranging boxed lunches. A simple ordering scheme and three menu options (including choices for those with allergies) work best.
First-aid kit, a few spare water bottles, role cards for students and the guide and short procedures in case someone gets lost — these items save time in a crisis.
If you plan to use headphone sets (for larger groups or noisy environments) — I can provide this option with prior reservation. Popular, school-friendly lunch venues in Krakow include Pod Wawelem and Starka in Kazimierz, and many museums (e.g., Wawel Royal Castle, Schindler’s Factory Museum, MOCAK) offer group booking options or nearby places suitable for quick group meals.
I offer Polish-language trips tailored to school groups: time options (2, 3, 4 or more hours) and special prices for larger groups. Prices depend on route length and number of participants — I provide details and a calculation when you book.
It’s possible to tailor a themed route (for example, following legends, site histories or Kazimierz culture) and to include games and educational materials in the trip price.
If you wish to rent headphone sets or additional materials, I include those costs in the quote and reservation.
I prepare a detailed quote after I receive information on the number of participants, pupils’ ages, route length and preferences (museums, lunch, workshops).
Seasonal promotions and special group packages may be available for larger bookings — it’s worth asking when planning your date.
Trips run regardless of weather, but in bad conditions I can modify the route to spend more time indoors (museums, monuments). I have a prepared plan B for rain and heat.
I recommend comfortable shoes, a hat for younger pupils, spare water and small snacks. A reminder about sunscreen in summer and a rain jacket if rain is forecast helps avoid discomfort.
For safety I propose fixed meeting points, a quick attendance check after each stage and designated class supervisors to hold the list and check the group.
If there is a need to contact parents or the school urgently — I have a template for quick messages and a list of crisis actions (lost child, minor injuries, delays).
To make the day calmer it’s helpful to go over behaviour rules before leaving and to remind students of the roles like “map reader” and “chronicler” — this surprisingly soothes the group.
Is the route suitable for children? Yes — every route is adjusted to the group’s age. For younger children the program includes more games and shorter walking sections; for older students it has more elaborate tasks and discussion elements.
What about rain? The trip can take place in a modified form — more stories inside monuments and shorter outdoor walks. I always have a plan B prepared.
Where do we meet at the beginning? Usually we meet at the Main Market Square (for example, near the statue), but the meeting point is set individually when booking so it’s convenient for the group.
How long does a full day last? A sample day is about 5–6 hours of active programme with breaks (start between 9:00 and 10:00, finish usually in the afternoon). Longer or shorter options can be arranged.
How do we book the trip? Send a message with basic details (date, number of students, ages, preferences) — I will prepare a detailed quote and route plan.
Plan the lunch spot ahead — 30–45 minutes is usually enough for an organised meal if the venue accepts group reservations.
Divide the class into teams before departure (4–6 people) — this reduces chaos during tasks and makes the supervisors’ job easier.
Bring a small trip journal: one card per task, a place for a photo and a short reflection. It’s a great souvenir and material for later classwork.
If you have a specific theme idea (e.g., art history, legends, everyday life in the Middle Ages) — I’ll include it in the route and educational tasks.
Remember: the main goal is a good memory and an engaging lesson outside the classroom — facts can be learned, but the atmosphere needs to be experienced.
If you’re planning a school trip to Krakow and want it to be safe, engaging and memorable — I’ll be happy to guide your class. A full day full of games, stories and practical history lessons is a perfect way for students to fall in love with Krakow.
Send me basic information: date, number of participants, students’ ages and preferences (museums, lunch, themes). I’ll prepare a detailed plan, quote and printable materials for teachers.
See you on Krakow’s streets — ready for a detective-style city adventure?
Sincerely, Małgorzata Kasprowicz — Krakow guide.
PS. If you need a ready printable teacher checklist (what to bring, class roles, parent permission template) — I provide it with every reservation.
