A guide is not just a person who “talks about monuments” — they are an animator, a translator of context and a guarantee that children and teenagers will focus on what really matters. A well-told story, prepared questions and tasks for students make history feel close and memorable. Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a licensed Krakow guide (ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com), has experience working with classes of different ages and can adapt the format: from short, dynamic walks around Kazimierz to quieter, more reflective memorial visits.
For school groups a guide helps with logistics: planning the route, coordinating entry to sites, reserving sets of headphones (audio guides) and advising how to lead students through places of worship and remembrance safely and respectfully. In practice this also saves time and reduces stress for supervisors — instead of managing every attraction, they can focus on the students.
It’s also useful to know approximate costs and rules: ZwiedzanieKrakowa offers flexible rates for small and large groups, audio-headset sets are available (approx. 8 PLN/person) and there are options matched to the length of the trip. During the season the guide will inform you about promotions and the best visiting hours — plan the day in advance to avoid queues and unnecessary rushing.
Kazimierz is a district full of history, contrasts and sites that teach multiculturalism. For school groups the most natural and safe option is a short, thematic route (e.g. 60–120 minutes) that connects the main points: Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery, the Tempel Synagogue, Plac Nowy and nearby courtyards.
Practical tips when working with students: plan short walking segments (max 10–15 minutes between stops), make frequent stops with tasks (for example: “find an architectural detail”, “draw the most interesting inscription”), give children space to ask questions and allow at least one longer break for rest or a meal. A 60-minute route shows the “essence” of the district; 120 minutes allows time to enter one or two museum interiors.
Behaviour and etiquette: when entering synagogues or cemeteries, remind the class of the solemnity of the place. Modest clothing, keeping quiet during prayer, and not standing on graves for photos are basic rules of respect. Stones are often placed on graves instead of flowers — tell students about this simple gesture of remembrance.
Visiting sites related to World War II and the Holocaust requires sensitive preparation. Before the trip organise short preparatory lessons: basic facts, personal testimonies, a discussion about respect and the language we will use. It’s good to warn students that some sites and exhibits may be emotionally difficult.
For younger children content can be softened — focus on everyday life stories, places of memory and symbolism. Older students (middle/high school) can benefit from full, substantive tours and a guided conversation after the visit. Plan a short reflective session on return — group work, posters, or question lists — to process impressions and address difficult emotions.
Remember that the guide can adapt language and materials to the group’s age; discuss this when making a reservation.
Combining a stay in Krakow with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is a common choice for schools, but it requires careful planning. Oświęcim is outside Krakow — the bus or coach ride usually takes about 1–1.5 hours each way depending on traffic, so the trip should start early. Don’t pack too many attractions into the same day — a visit to Auschwitz is intense and usually needs its own time block.
Reservations: entry to the museum and guided visits require advance booking — slots can be limited, especially in season and in morning hours. When reserving, specify the ages of participants and the number of supervisors. Also remember the museum rules (bans on bringing certain items, dress code, and quiet behaviour).
Rules for students: remind them of the solemnity of the place, the need for silence and respectful conduct. For younger pupils consider alternatives — shorter educational sessions in Krakow or museum programmes designed for their age.
ZwiedzanieKrakowa’s school offers are flexible and depend on group size and the length of the tour. For small groups (up to about 35 people) prices are usually given as a flat rate for a defined number of hours; for larger groups the price is per person. When booking, ask about available promotions and payment terms.
Additional costs to include in the budget: entrance fees to interiors (museums, synagogues, exhibitions), audio-headset sets (approx. 8 PLN/person), coach transport, any reservation fees for museums such as Auschwitz, meals and group insurance. For larger trips a per-person fee can be economical; for smaller classes consider an hourly package. When booking, ZwiedzanieKrakowa will inform you of current rates and promotions — give the intended trip date.
Half-day programme: Kazimierz (2–3 h) — start in the morning: 09:00–12:00. Route: Szeroka, Old Synagogue, Remuh, Plac Nowy. Break for a snack and return to school/accommodation.
Full-day programme (Krakow + Auschwitz): depart Krakow around 7:00; arrive in Oświęcim around 8:30–9:00, guided museum visit 9:30–12:00; lunch nearby or packed lunch; return to Krakow in the afternoon and a short Kazimierz walk 16:00–17:00. It’s an intensive day — plan breaks and confirm reservations in advance.
If you plan both attractions in one day, ensure travel time, queues and bookings are well coordinated — if possible it’s better to spread the programmes over two days.
Plac Nowy — a quick option: the well-known zapiekanka stand and many outdoor seating areas; good for a short break and experiencing local street food.
Hamsa (Middle Eastern/Israeli cuisine) — a friendly place with mezze, a good choice for groups seeking vegetable and vegetarian options; reserve tables in advance for larger groups.
Mleczarnia — a café-like atmosphere where supervisors can take a breather; not always ideal for very large classes, but great for a small break and a quieter spot.
Practical tips: reserve ahead for larger groups, inform the restaurant about allergies (nuts, gluten, lactose), consider lunchboxes for students — many places in Kazimierz offer group sets or pre-ordered meals.
Can you visit synagogues with a large class? Yes — but silence is required inside and some sites limit the number of people. For comfort it’s better to split the group into smaller subgroups or use rotational entries.
How far in advance should I book the trip and museum entries? It’s best to book several weeks ahead — in season and on popular school dates places fill up quickly. Auschwitz Museum bookings often require long lead times, so check availability when planning.
How does student age affect the programme? Younger children respond better to shorter, more interactive routes; older students can handle longer, more substantive tours, including visits to memorial sites. Consult the guide about the programme before the trip.
What about safety and medical care? Bring a first-aid kit, a list of students with allergy information and any regular medications. Set a contact number for the guide and a meeting point in case someone gets separated from the group.
Documents: attendance lists, parental consents, trip cards, contact details for students and supervisors.
Logistics: confirmed reservations (guide, museums, transport), a contingency plan (meeting point, emergency phone numbers), maps and a written schedule for the day.
Practical items: water, snacks, comfortable footwear, first-aid kit, spare clothes for younger children, power banks for supervisors’ phones.
Behaviour: a short reminder about rules in places of memory (silence, respect); set “checkpoints” during the tour (e.g. gather the group every 20–30 minutes).
When contacting ZwiedzanieKrakowa provide: the trip date, approximate number of participants, students’ ages, preferred route length and whether you want to combine the programme with a visit to Oświęcim. The guide will advise the best daily schedule and help with reservations for interiors and headset sets.
Discuss teaching details: whether you want the guide to prepare interactive tasks, worksheets for students, or a short reflective exercise after the visit. It’s also good to agree on the meeting point, planned breaks and meal arrangements.
Ask about current promotions and payment terms — for school groups it’s often possible to split payment or receive a single collective invoice.
Offer students a short post-trip activity: a brief description of impressions, an art task or group discussion. This helps process the experience and checks what students learned.
Discretion and respect: remind students that photos taken in places of memory are not always appropriate for social media — discuss this with the class and supervisors.
Collecting feedback: ask students and supervisors for a short survey — what was interesting, what surprised them, what could be improved for the next trip. This information helps refine future programmes and tailor them to the group’s needs.
