Yes — it's an excellent idea. Krakow offers a wealth of history, short and engaging routes through the Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz, while Zakopane gives space for movement, fresh air and group activities in the mountains. Combining city and mountains works very well for a 2–3 day trip: cultural and educational programme in Krakow, recreational and team-building activities in the Podhale region.
The May weekend can bring variable weather — in Krakow you can expect pleasant spring days, but in the mountains it may still be cooler and there can be snow on higher trails. For group organisation it's important to: book transport and attractions in advance, have a clear schedule of meetings and a plan B for rainy afternoons. As your guide I will help tailor the pace and content of the programme to the group's expectations.
Below you'll find a practical 2-day itinerary, team-building ideas, logistical tips and a checklist of items to reserve before arrival. Everything is written in plain language so organisation runs smoothly and without stress.
Note to organisers: if you want a programme tailored to a specific team-building goal (for example team workshops, sporting activities, evening events with extras), let me know when booking — I will prepare options and recommend the best venues.
The distance Krakow–Zakopane is about 100–110 km. Under normal conditions it's about 2–2.5 hours by car or coach; however plan extra time for traffic, especially during a long weekend. Trains and buses run regularly, but travel time can be longer than a direct coach without stops.
In Krakow it's best to start sightseeing in the morning (the Market Square and Wawel are less crowded earlier). In Zakopane it's worth setting off very early to make the most of the day in the mountains or at popular attractions (Krupówki, Gubałówka, Morskie Oko).
For team-building groups we recommend: advance booking of entrance tickets (museums, salt mine), hiring transport with an experienced driver and reserving a table for lunch or dinner for the whole group.
A licensed guide will lead the group taking into account participants’ safety and dynamics — it's worth agreeing on pace and planned breaks before the tour.
Day 1 – Krakow (morning and afternoon) – Start 9:00
- 9:00–11:00: Walk through the Old Town: Main Market Square, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Basilica — a short introduction to history and some anecdotes.
- 11:15–12:15: Wawel — outside view and a short story about the Castle and Cathedral. For those interested: entry to the Cathedral or one of the exhibitions (if pre-booked).
- 12:30–13:30: Lunch / coffee break — local restaurant or group catering (worth booking in advance).
- 14:30–16:00: Kazimierz — walk through the historic Jewish quarter; places of memory, atmospheric corners and suggestions for evening plans. An ideal end to the day: a short team city game (30–45 min) — team tasks and group photos.
Day 2 – Zakopane and the Podhale region (full day) – Start 7:00–8:00
- 7:00–9:30: Transfer from Krakow to Zakopane (an earlier departure minimises traffic delays).
- 9:30–12:30: Krupówki and Gubałówka — funicular up Gubałówka for views and time for local snacks. Alternative: an easy walk near the lower funicular station.
- 12:30–14:00: Regional lunch — oscypek, kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup), trout. For groups it's best to have a table reserved in advance.
- 14:30–17:00: Options depending on group's fitness and preferences: a short walk towards Morskie Oko (in May the walk can take several hours so plan with a margin), an easy hike in the Tatra valleys, or a folk workshop / demonstration of oscypek-making — a team-building activity.
- 17:30–20:00: Return to Krakow or overnight in Zakopane for groups who want extra rest.
Notes on the programme:
- For companies that have only half a day in Zakopane, instead of Morskie Oko I recommend Gubałówka and a walk in the lower Tatra area; this gives a mountain atmosphere without a multi-hour hike.
- If you plan to go higher into the mountains, check trail conditions and consider hiring a mountain guide (different licence) — this increases safety.
- City game in Krakow — simple tasks and history quizzes divided into teams; it breaks the ice fast and engages everyone.
- Culinary workshops with local dishes (oscypek, pierogi) — great for building cooperation and a lot of laughs.
- Mini-outdoor Olympics in Zakopane — easy-to-organise competitions: throwing games, a regional quiz, logic tasks.
- Evening team event with local stories and music — a short recital or musical performance creates atmosphere and encourages conversation.
- Photo challenge — who takes the best picture of monuments and nature; photos at the end of the day make a nice souvenir and material for a company newsletter.
- A hired coach or minibus for the group is the most reliable option: punctuality, flexible stops and luggage space. When ordering a vehicle remember to allow extra time for traffic to and from Zakopane.
- Train travel is comfortable for some participants, but remember the journey can take longer and getting from the Zakopane station into the centre requires additional time.
- For large groups (over 20–30 people) it's worth investing in audio systems (headsets) — they improve audibility and the comfort of the tour.
- Book museum and salt-mine tickets in advance — during long weekends many attractions operate with limited group ticket allocations.
- Plan breaks and food to match the group's rhythm; quick corporate-style catered lunches often save time and help keep the schedule.
- Book your guide and transport as early as possible (ideally a few weeks before the May weekend) — slots fill up fast during long weekends.
- If you plan on indoor visits (museums, Cathedral, the Salt Mine), buy group tickets online or ask the guide to help with reservations.
- In the mountains remember insurance and inform participants about the difficulty level of proposed routes. For higher trails consider cooperating with Tatra National Park rescuers or a certified mountain guide.
- Take care of participants' documents and a contact list for the trip (support for people with mobility limits, allergies, etc.).
- Layered clothing — it can be warm in Krakow and cooler in the mountains; a windproof jacket and a warm layer are essential.
- Comfortable shoes — lots of walking on cobblestones in Krakow; in Zakopane the ground can be muddy or slippery.
- A small daypack, a water bottle, a hat and sunscreen.
- A group first-aid kit with basic medicines and plasters.
- For active participants: trekking poles (useful on longer trails).
- Approximate prices for guiding and organisational services vary depending on route length, language and group size. For small groups short walks (2 hours) are often quoted as a fixed fee, while for larger groups prices may be given per person.
- Transport, admission and catering costs should be calculated separately and presented to participants as a net sum to avoid surprises.
- If you want to personalise the offer for your group — a themed historical walk, city game or regional workshops — I will prepare a detailed quote and plan.
To book a date and finalise programme details please contact me directly — I will gladly help refine the programme to suit your group's expectations and budget.
- Plan B: always have an alternative programme in case of rain — museums, the salt mine, interiors of historic sites and workshops work perfectly.
- Pace: in team-building groups expect different participant needs — combining short walks with longer rests gives the best results.
- Atmosphere: focus on simple activities that engage everyone, not only physical effort — quizzes, workshops and team games are very effective.
- Souvenir: take a group photo in a characteristic spot (Market Square, Wawel, Gubałówka) — a great keepsake and material for a company wrap-up.
If you want, I will prepare a personalised plan for your group — just tell me the number of people, preferences (culture, activity, gastronomy), date and budget. I look forward to helping organise a May weekend that your team will remember for a long time.
