Autumn is a great time for a museum trip to central Krakow: fewer crowds than in summer, golden light in nearby parks and pleasant evenings after the visit. The collection’s most famous work — Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine" — makes the strongest impression when you don’t have to push through a crowd. The Princes Czartoryski Museum is part of the National Museum in Krakow and offers not only a Renaissance masterpiece but also rich historical context for the Czartoryski collection, so the visit is interesting for people with different levels of art interest. Virtual routes and online materials help prepare the group before coming to the museum.
In autumn it’s useful to account for shorter daylight hours and plan part of the program indoors — a good solution for medium-sized groups when visiting pace may vary depending on participants’ interests. Groups of 7–30 people have enough flexibility to book a guided tour and then spread time for conversations, photos and coffee in nearby cafés.
10:00 - arrival and meeting in front of the entrance. Ask participants to arrive 10–15 minutes early so you can handle formalities before the guided tour starts.
10:10 - drop backpacks at the cloakroom and buy tickets (if not reserved in advance). For groups it’s best to purchase tickets ahead or contact reservations to avoid queues.
10:20–11:20 - guided tour (60 minutes). This standard length allows focus on the most important exhibits, including the Lady with an Ermine and several of the collection’s most interesting rooms.
11:20–11:40 - time for purchases in the museum shop, quick questions and photos (no flash).
11:40–12:20 - coffee break at a nearby café (for example Café Camelot) or a short walk along the Planty, depending on the weather.
Alternative: if you book a longer guided tour (90 minutes), plan a shorter break after the visit or go straight to a nearby spot for lunch.
The museum offers guided tours of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Standard tours last 60–90 minutes; the fee for a Polish-language guide is usually fixed, while tours in other languages can be more expensive. For reservations and questions contact the National Museum’s Information and Reservations Center by email or phone during the hours given by the museum.
For medium groups (7–30 people) I recommend booking in advance. During busy tourist periods or special museum events it’s convenient to contact reservations 2–3 weeks before the planned visit, and for some themed programs even earlier. When contacting the museum, give the date, number of people, preferred language of the tour and any additional needs (e.g. space for strollers, audio description, educational preferences).
Opening hours: the museum usually opens around 10:00, but check current hours on the museum’s website before you go, as hours may change for special exhibitions or holidays.
Tickets: you can buy them at the ticket office or online; for groups it’s better to confirm ticket reservations in advance to avoid waiting. Touring the whole permanent display typically takes 1–2 hours, depending on the group’s pace.
Photography: allowed without flash; filming often requires museum permission. Please leave backpacks and larger bags in the cloakroom to move more easily through rooms and reduce the risk to the exhibits.
Accessibility: the museum provides accessibility options and alternative materials, plus virtual routes and audio description in several languages — useful when preparing participants or when someone cannot attend in person.
Send a short preparatory note to participants: meeting place, arrival time, cloakroom information and photography rules. A brief introduction helps punctuality and better use of time on site.
If the group has varied levels of interest in art, agree with the guide on your priorities — for example ask for a more general, popular-science approach instead of a technical, conservation-focused analysis.
Use virtual tours as pre-visit material. They help participants understand the collection’s context and get up to speed for the live guided tour.
There are many reliable places near the museum ideal for groups. Café Camelot is a romantic café with good reviews and a convenient Old Town location. Other options worth considering include Chimera for lighter meals and salads, Restauracja Wentzl for an elegant lunch near the Main Market, and traditional restaurants serving regional cuisine for more demanding groups. If you want an upscale lunch close to the Main Market, consider historic venues with established reputations.
When choosing a place for a group of 7–30 people call ahead to reserve tables or ask for a group menu. In the cultural season the best venues are often booked, so reserve at least for the day of the visit, and ideally 1–2 weeks before.
Failing to confirm the reservation in advance - even if the museum allows entry without bookings, a group risks queuing or not getting space for a guided tour. Best practice is to confirm the visit by email or phone.
Delays and underestimating time - with 20+ people every stop costs time. Ask participants to arrive earlier and plan 10–15 minutes buffer for entry and the cloakroom.
Unprepared materials for school or themed groups - if you care about a specific topic (e.g. painting techniques or the history of the Czartoryski family), agree the tour focus with the guide before the visit so the experience matches your expectations.
Can a group of 7–30 people get a guided tour in Polish? - Yes, the museum offers tours in Polish and, in selected cases, in other languages. Confirm language and scope with the Reservations Center in advance.
How long does a guided tour last? - Standard tours last 60–90 minutes. That’s enough time to show the main highlights and leave room for questions.
How far in advance should we book? - For a typical visit by a medium group it’s best to book 2–3 weeks ahead. For special programs or a busy cultural season plan even earlier.
Are there virtual materials and routes? - Yes, the museum provides virtual routes in several languages, with voice-over, sign language and audio description — excellent for preparing the group before the visit.
When planning a visit with a group keep communicating with the Reservations Center: give the exact number of people, preferred language of the tour and any special needs. Prepare a short practical note for participants — it shortens on-site organization time and helps everyone get more out of the visit.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like a professional guided tour tailored to your group, I invite you to book a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). Contact details are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site. Good luck with your planning and enjoy your visit!
