This is a proposal for a roughly 3-hour tour, designed especially for school groups and families with children who want to feel the atmosphere of Kraków in a short time, see its most important symbols and hear stories that connect art, tradition and 20th-century history.
The route links the Main Market Square with a visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (including the story of the famous altar and the heynał), a walk along the Royal Route and parts of Kraków’s World War II memory: traces of the ghetto, Oskar Schindler’s Factory and Ghetto Heroes Square.
From experience, three hours is a good amount of time to cover the key points without rushing, keep students engaged, and leave room for questions and a short break.
In the text you will find the suggested order, practical tips for teachers and supervisors, and an FAQ with the questions groups usually ask before a trip.
Remember: admission tickets to some sites (for example St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel, Oskar Schindler’s Factory) cost extra. I’m happy to help decide which visits are worth booking and which can be viewed from outside if the group has a limited budget.
1. Start: Main Market Square – meeting point by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument or another agreed spot. Short introduction: how to 'read' the city, what the Royal Route was and why the Market Square is the heart of Kraków.
2. St. Mary’s Basilica – a talk about the architecture, the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altar and the heynał tradition. I explain why the heynał is played and the customs connected with the tower. If the group wants to enter the church, allow time for a short ticket stop – an interior visit takes about 20–30 minutes.
3. Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and a short walk around the Market – the history of trade, curiosities about the townhouses and a shared look at the city panorama.
4. Grodzka Street and approach to Wawel (external viewing) – stories about royal coronations, the cathedral and the symbolism of Wawel. Depending on the group’s interest and pace we can enter Wawel (tickets separate) or discuss the hill from the outside.
5. Walk toward Kazimierz / a section devoted to World War II memory – walking to sites connected with remembrance: stories about prewar life, the creation of the ghetto, Ghetto Heroes Square and surviving fragments of the ghetto wall. I choose narratives appropriate to the students’ ages, avoiding excessive detail for younger children.
6. Oskar Schindler’s Factory (entry depending on availability and interest) – a place where individual stories help understand broader processes. If the group does not go inside, an outside talk still gives strong images and context.
7. Finish: a short summarizing conversation about what we saw, group questions and practical tips on where to eat and how to plan the rest of your time in Kraków.
St. Mary’s Basilica is not just its tower and the heynał – it also houses the famous carved altar by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz), one of the most important sacral monuments in Poland. I talk about the artistic context, the sculptor’s workshop and the stories hidden in the altar’s details.
The heynał – a short, instantly recognisable trumpet melody played from the tower of St. Mary’s several times a day. For students it’s a great opportunity to talk about local tradition and the legend behind the broken-off tune – the heynał as a means of communication and a city symbol.
If we enter the interior, I point out the main elements: the nave, the altar, and I explain rules for visiting sacred places and cultural sensitivity toward churches.
For school groups I combine facts with simple comparisons and tasks: hint-questions, short on-site quizzes or observation exercises that help remember the most valuable details.
Practical note: entry to the Basilica may require a ticket; children and students often have discounts, so it’s good to have small change ready for group ticket purchases or to arrange this with me in advance.
World War II is a difficult topic, especially for younger listeners. My approach is truth adapted to age, with emphasis on personal stories that help understand the scale of events through individual lives.
On the route I show places of remembrance, tell about the functioning of the Kraków Ghetto, Ghetto Heroes Square and how the city and its residents commemorate those events. It is also important to show contemporary signs of memory: plaques, monuments and places for reflection.
For older students I prepare materials and questions for discussion – about causes, consequences and responsibility. For younger children I limit brutal details and focus on empathy and memory.
Important: if the group includes particularly sensitive students, please let me know before the tour so I can better prepare the content and pace.
If we plan to enter museums such as Oskar Schindler’s Factory, it’s worth checking availability in advance and adapting the program for time and the students’ ages.
Duration: approx. 3 hours. Flexibility: the tour can be shortened to 2 hours or extended to 4 hours if we include museum entries.
Meeting point: Main Market Square (Adam Mickiewicz Monument) or another convenient central location – we arrange this when booking.
Tickets and costs: the guide fee covers the guided walk; admission tickets to sites (for example St. Mary’s Basilica, Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Wawel) are additional. I can help purchase tickets or advise which entries are worthwhile for the group.
Equipment: for larger groups I provide audio-guide headset sets to improve audibility and comfort – especially in crowded places. The cost for sets is agreed when booking.
Safety and pace: I recommend 1 supervisor per 10–15 students depending on age. We take short breaks and keep a steady pace to ensure nobody gets left behind.
Weather: most of the route is outdoors; in bad weather I have a plan B with more indoor storytelling and shorter walking sections.
Clothing and footwear: comfortable shoes and layered clothing – Kraków’s weather can change quickly.
Snack break: plan a short snack break – there are many cafes and places to eat nearby, but for large groups it is often quicker and cheaper to bring packed snacks.
Documents and contact list: the teacher should have a participant list with contact numbers and an emergency plan in case a student gets separated from the group.
Encourage questions: I ask students to ask questions as we go – I value interaction and short tasks that engage the class.
Accessibility needs: if you have special requirements (for example wheelchair access or limited mobility), please inform me at booking and we will adapt the route together.
Is the tour suitable for younger pupils? Yes – the content and style are adapted to age. For the youngest I use more curiosities and playful elements; for older students I provide more historical context and discussion prompts.
How much does a school group tour cost? Prices are agreed when booking – standard hourly rates apply for school groups. Admission tickets to attractions are additional.
Do I need to book far in advance? The sooner the better, especially in high season and if you plan museum visits. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible but hours and availability may be limited.
What if it rains? Most of the route is outdoors, but I have a plan B with more indoor stops and a shorter walking section.
Can the tour be tailored to a history lesson? Of course – I prepare themed versions (for example 20th-century history, medieval art, Jewish culture) and supporting materials for teachers.
As a licensed Kraków guide since 2012, I will lead the group with empathy, energy and attention to the different needs of students. My tours combine reliable information with anecdotes and tasks that make the visit easier to remember.
If you want to book the walk, adapt the program to your school schedule or discuss tickets and logistics — write or call. Together we will plan a tour that students will remember for a long time.
See you at the Market Square!
Małgorzata Kasprowicz
Kraków tour guide
