Are you coming to Kraków with a group of young people and want to combine the must-see point — St. Mary’s Church — with a short, tasty route of nearby snacks? Great idea: the Market Square and its surroundings are perfect for walking, it’s easy to find places with quick bites, ice cream shops and cafés, and at the same time see the most important sights.
This article provides practical information about visiting St. Mary’s Basilica and its towers, tips on how to build a culinary route for a youth group (15–25 people), suggested stops, ideas for games and important organizational hints — all in a friendly tone and ready to use on a school trip or with a group of friends.
One thing to note from the start: entrance to the basilica and access to the towers can be limited by rules and there are often small fees or donations for conservation. It’s good to factor that in when planning the order of stops and breaks for food. (Practical details in the next chapter.)
I won’t list other guides or commercial offers here — I’ll share concrete ideas and tricks that will make your day on site easier.
Let’s begin!
St. Mary’s Basilica is both a place of worship and a tourist attraction — remember to keep quiet and show respect while visiting the interior.
Visiting the interior and seeing the altarpiece by Veit Stoss follows the basilica’s opening hours; outside liturgical times parts of the space are open for tourists. Tourist entry is usually from the south side of the building, and some displays (including the altarpiece) are available to view at specific times.
The towers and the trumpeter’s call are a separate attraction with safety limits: visits often run in cycles (for example every ~30 minutes), and during many months access can be limited for weather, renovation or organizational reasons; the number of people allowed in the tower at once is restricted.
Keep in mind age and safety restrictions: some tower entrances are not suitable for small children for safety reasons (there may be a minimum age), and higher, narrower levels may be limited to adults.
Tower entries are often handled by purchasing a small entrance ticket on site at the tourist desk without prior reservation — so with a larger group it’s smart to plan who will go up and who will stay on the square, or split the group into smaller subgroups.
The Veit Stoss altarpiece is a must-see: it impresses even those not usually into art. Allow a few minutes to look at the details and invite the young people to find one interesting thing (for example a figure, an animal or a scene) — it engages them.
Point out the atmosphere of a sacred space — before you start, briefly explain behavior rules (quiet, phones off or on silent, respect for people praying). A quick reminder prevents problems later.
If you plan to go up the tower, inform the group about the stairs, narrow passages and the limited capacity. Pre-assign volunteers so you avoid pushing and confusion on site.
If anyone has mobility issues, check which parts are accessible — not all tower levels are friendly for reduced mobility. When planning a day with young people, leave a short rest after stairs (coffee, water, a short pause).
Remember that inside photos are allowed without flash and general conservation rules apply — tell the group before you enter.
The route is designed to keep walking distances short and to let the group try several typical snacks and have a relaxed lunch.
Start: St. Mary’s Square at the basilica — a quick introduction, group photo and a short story (10–15 minutes).
Stop 1: Obwarzanki and small snacks near the Market — after leaving the basilica stop for an obwarzanek (traditional Kraków bagel) — a fast, cheap and local snack that young people often enjoy. It’s a great way to ‘taste’ the city.
Stop 2: Zapiekanki on Grodzka/Franciszkańska Street or a small pizzeria — the classic zapiekanka is a simple hit with youth; choose a stall or place with standing or quick seating nearby to avoid long waits. For a classic zapiekanka experience later in the day you can visit Plac Nowy in Kazimierz, famous for its zapiekanka stalls.
Stop 3: Café / patisserie in the Old Town — a short break for coffee (for supervisors) and something sweet for the young people: ice cream, cake, doughnut or waffle. In season ice cream shops are busy, so pick a place with takeaway options or outdoor tables — historic options include cafés on the Market Square such as Café Noworolski.
Stop 4: Lunch at a restaurant by the Market or in side streets — plan a place experienced with groups (a simple menu, quick service, card/group payment). For a low-budget plan choose spots with set menus or places serving pierogi, potato pancakes or one-pot dishes.
Optional finish: a short walk toward Kazimierz or the Planty — there you’ll find more sweet options and a pleasant atmosphere to wrap up the day and play integration games.
Look for venues experienced with groups: quick service, an easy-to-order menu and the possibility to split the bill or pay by card for the whole group. Many central places offer group lunch deals.
Pay attention to hygiene and seating conditions — young people like food served quickly and places where they can sit comfortably.
If your group has allergies or dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free), notify the venue in advance — many central places can accommodate this, and local culinary guides mention places with such options.
Budget: when planning a snack route plus a light lunch, estimate modest amounts per person (snacks 1–3 stops + lunch). Exact prices change seasonally, so check the menu in advance or choose a venue with a fixed group menu.
Think about convenient payment options — card terminals, mobile payments and easy bill-splitting make life much easier with a larger group.
Set a clear meeting point and agree before you leave how long you have for each stage of the route. Make sure every participant has a supervisor’s contact number.
Bring extra water and small snacks in case someone waits longer for a tower visit or in queues. It’s an easy way to prevent grumbling.
Carry a list of allergies and diets and have a backup plan — address of the nearest pharmacy, a contact number for the lead supervisor and a rough budget for extra expenses.
If you plan to climb the tower, remember capacity and age limits — the group leader should pre-split volunteers and set the order of ascent. It’s also good to inform parents/guardians ahead about the small maintenance fee (a donation or ticket) payable on site.
Check opening hours and religious holidays in advance — during services tourist access can be limited.
Mini-treasure hunt: hand out sheets with tasks like “find an animal carved on the altarpiece”, “take a photo with a column on the Market” — simple tasks that shorten waiting time and engage participants.
Culinary checklist: create a short taste-list to tick off (obwarzanek, zapiekanka, ice cream/pastry, local pierogi) — the person who ticks the most wins a small prize.
Five-question history quiz — after a short talk at the church you can give a simple quiz; it’s an informal way to recap and fix new facts.
Photo challenge: the group receives a list of photo themes (e.g., “something red”, “an ornate window”, “an architectural detail”) — then share photos together and laugh.
These activities don’t need to be complicated and they greatly improve atmosphere, making the trip memorable.
- Participant list and supervisors’ contact numbers.
- Information about budget for snacks and lunch and the preferred payment method (card/cash).
- Extra water, a small first aid kit, pain relief for emergencies.
- A brief reminder of behavior rules in places of worship and in food venues.
- A plan if the group gets separated: meeting point and maximum time to find someone (e.g., 10–15 minutes).
- A copy of the route with approximate times (start, breaks, return).
Be flexible — the plan is a sketch, not a rule. If there are longer queues at St. Mary’s or a big crowd on the Market, have alternatives ready: a shorter coffee break or a quick stop in the Planty.
Talk with the young people — short stories, fun facts and small tasks engage them more than a dry list of dates. For example, explain who Veit Stoss is in two sentences and ask everyone to pick the most interesting detail of the altarpiece.
Use city culinary guides — there are listings of group-friendly places and e-guides that help pick venues with fast service and suitable menus.
Most of all, have fun — Kraków is served on a plate and on the promenade, and with a well-organized group you can combine cultural impressions with delicious food without stress.
If you’d like, I can prepare a one-page version of this route with times and places suitable for a 20-person group — tell me the date and the budget, and I’ll tailor the plan.
