Are you planning a group photo for 30–60 people while visiting Lesser Poland? Here are tried-and-true, photogenic locations — places where a large group can be arranged, where the background will do the heavy lifting, and where organisation won’t drive you crazy.
1. Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall (Old Town, Krakow) - a classic that offers many variations: wide perspectives, colourful townhouses and the Cloth Hall arcades. For large groups the best times are very early (just after sunrise) or late evenings outside the high season. Watch for crowds and pigeons — set a clear meeting point and have a quick plan for arranging people.
2. Wawel — courtyards and Vistula boulevards (Krakow) - the castle’s monumental backdrop and the spacious boulevards along the river make a great combination. Courtyards are dramatic, but for larger groups it’s wise to contact the Castle administration in advance (some areas have limits and rules). The riverside boulevards are ideal for panoramic shots and sunsets.
3. Kazimierz — streets, squares and atmospheric courtyards (Krakow) - the artistic, informal character of this district provides a natural, ‘alive’ background. Plac Nowy, Szeroka Street and hidden courtyards with string lights are great for relaxed, reportage-style photos. For large groups choose bigger squares or agreed private courtyards, and check with venue owners if you plan to use their space.
4. Vistula Boulevards (Krakow) - a long promenade along the river lets you line up a large group in a single row or several rows to create spacious compositions. Good for sponsored, corporate and more natural group portraits. Look for nearby steps, piers or terraces to help layer heights (rows).
5. Kościuszko Mound (Krakow) - a viewpoint with a broad clearing and the city panorama in the background. A good spot for aerial shots (if you can use a drone with permission) or group portraits with the city far behind. Consider the logistics of getting everyone there and parking limits.
6. Zakrzówek (Krakow) - rocky banks and turquoise water make a very striking, dramatic background. Some areas are subject to access restrictions (nature protection, closed zones) — check availability and safety for large groups and whether any permits are needed.
7. Wolski Forest and Independence Mound / near the Zoo (Krakow) - natural scenery ideal for outdoor photos, picnics and team shots. This area is a popular alternative to a crowded centre: plenty of greenery, clearings and viewpoints, plus sanitary facilities near the Zoo, which makes organising for 30–60 people easier.
8. Nowa Huta — industrial spaces and Central Square (Krakow) - wide open plans and raw industrial backdrops give a different, trendy effect. It’s usually easier to arrange a large group here without interfering pedestrians and cars; great for minimalist, urban-style photos.
9. Wadowice — Market Square and the Basilica (Wadowice) - the pope-associated town offers historic backdrops and an intimate market square, excellent for pilgrimage, family and school groups. Avoid major religious feast days or Mass times — schedule photos outside those periods. Don’t forget a short stop for a kremówka (local cream cake) — it’s a local classic.
10. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (near Wadowice) - a pilgrimage complex and monastery gardens (a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape) are an excellent setting for formal, symbolic group shots. Wide alleys and green areas make it easier to position many people and create ordered compositions. Be mindful of pilgrimage traffic and liturgical events when planning.
I selected locations that combine three key features for large photos: space to arrange many people, a background that gives strong context or mood, and practical logistics (parking / toilets / ability to set up quickly). In practice that means: wide squares, terraces, steps or clearings — places where the photographer can work from a distance, arrange rows, use natural elevation (steps, terraces, hills) and have room for equipment and a second shooter if needed. When choosing a spot always consider the time of day and tourist traffic: crowds can hide the background and make arranging a large group difficult. The safest option is very early morning or off-peak late afternoon.
For many locations (Wawel, some parts of Zakrzówek, the Zoo grounds, sacred sites or the Calvary) it’s sensible to notify the owner/administration in advance — with large groups courtesy and avoiding surprises pay off in a stress-free session.
If your photo is part of an official event (corporate, school or pilgrimage), consider labelled IDs for supervisors, a clear schedule and named people responsible for arranging the group.
Permissions and bookings - check the administrative requirements of each place (especially Wawel, the Zoo and Kalwaria). For 30–60 people it’s better to have confirmation of space availability and any permits.
Meeting point and schedule - set one clear meeting spot, give an exact time and plan 10–15 minutes for a quick staging rehearsal. With big groups every late arrival costs precious minutes.
Divide into subgroups - split the group for sightseeing into smaller teams (e.g., 2–3 subgroups of 15–30 people) with individual supervisors. This helps control movement and communication during transitions and breaks.
Transport and parking - plan coaches with a drop-off/parking spot close to the photo location. In central Krakow during the season reserve parking spots or move short distances on foot to avoid blocks.
Toilets and catering - for large groups accessibility to toilets and a plan for breaks is essential. If you order catering, agree on a serving area and schedule so it doesn’t block the photographic space.
Plan B for rain - prepare an indoor alternative (a café, museum hall, or the Cloth Hall arcades) so you don’t lose the day if the weather changes suddenly.
Rows and tiers - arrange people in several rows: taller people at the back, shorter people in front; use steps, terraces or small rises for natural tiering. You can also create semicircular formations to draw attention to the centre.
Use natural levels - steps, low walls, benches, terraces and mounds act as natural ‘stands’ for rows. They help the photographer capture everyone’s faces without an extremely wide-angle lens.
Timing and signals - appoint someone to signal the start (short whistle, raised hands) — 30–60 people don’t respond well to a long shout. Run a short rehearsal: “on three — smile” and repeat once.
Coordinated clothing - simple suggestions: a unified colour palette, an accent item (scarves, bandanas, T-shirts) or small props improve the photo’s readability and impact. Avoid overly busy patterns that distract the eye.
Assistant photographers - with this many people it’s worth having a second photographer or assistant. One shooter can do wide shots while the other captures details, small groups and alternative compositions.
Lenses - a wide-angle is useful but mind edge distortion; if possible work from a greater distance with a longer focal length (70–200 mm) — compression helps bring rows together nicely.
Tripod and remote - a tripod stabilises the frame (especially in low light) and helps find the ideal composition; remote release (wireless trigger, self-timer) is handy when you don’t have a second photographer.
Lighting - golden hour light is beautiful, but in shaded urban areas you may need a flash or reflectors to light faces. For large groups favour natural, soft light or plan staged fill lighting at a few key points.
Drones - dramatic aerial photos show scale, but many places (city centre, protected areas, historic sites) have flying restrictions. Always check local rules and, when necessary, obtain formal permission.
Backup plan - carry a spare plan and a contact list (supervisors, site admin, photographer), plus spare batteries and memory cards.
After the session everyone will appreciate a proper break with coffee and something sweet. In central Krakow and Kazimierz you’ll find many cafés and restaurants that can handle larger groups — reserve tables or arrange catering in advance. For classic options try cafés and bakeries around the Main Market and Kazimierz; many places offer indoor space or garden areas that can be booked for groups and can serve orders quickly.
In Wadowice — a must-stop is a kremówka on the Market Square. The cafés around the square are used to tourists, but for bigger groups tell the bakery or café ahead of time to avoid long waits.
If you plan picnic-style catering after an outdoor shoot, choose a provider experienced with outdoor events and organise serving zones so you don’t block the photo area.
Do we need permission for a group photo in central Krakow? - Usually short, non-commercial photos on public streets don’t require a formal permit, but historic locations, castle courtyards, sacred sites and the Zoo often have their own rules. For 30–60 people it’s prudent to inform administration and get confirmation of availability.
When should we shoot to avoid crowds? - Best is very early morning (just after sunrise) or late afternoon off-season. Weekends and high season require extra time for staging and crowd management.
Can we fly a drone over the Market or Wawel? - In most cases no — strict regulations apply to flights over historic areas and city centres. If you plan aerials, arrange permissions well in advance.
How quickly can you arrange 50 people? - With good organisation: 10–20 minutes. The key is prepared supervisors, clear commands and using natural ‘stands’ (steps, terraces). Prepare a layout plan and assign roles ahead of time.
What if it rains? - Have a Plan B (café, arcade, museum interior) and umbrellas for everyone. For formal sessions consider renting a small event tent to protect people quickly.
Confirm date and final headcount with the location administration (7–14 days before).
Book the photographer and any assistant and confirm equipment (tripod, remote, extra memory cards).
Prepare a staging plan with row assignments and responsible supervisors.
Secure transport and parking, agree on the meeting point and arrive at least 30 minutes before the shoot.
Plan short breaks for coffee/toilets and an option in case of rain.
If you’d prefer to leave logistics to an experienced organiser, I offer help with route planning, bookings and coordinating group photos in Krakow and the surrounding area. On the website zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you can find the offer and contact details for the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — we’ll be happy to prepare a plan tailored to your group size, the purpose of the photo and the desired style.
Good luck with the organisation — a well-planned group photo is a wonderful keepsake, and Krakow and its surroundings have many places that will make an impression in every frame. Wishing you beautiful light and smooth logistics.
If you’d like, I can prepare a short printable PDF version of this list with a checklist — tell me the group size and I’ll make one especially for you.
