A full day is ideal for school groups: there’s no rush, plenty of time for stories, educational tasks and breaks for pupils. Wawel is more than a castle and cathedral — it’s a story about Poland’s history, art and legends. The Royal Route (walking through the Florian Gate, the Market Square and beyond) naturally extends that narrative.
A walk through the Planty park offers a calm pause between attractions and lets students see how the old town breathes today — it’s a great spot for short activities: history quizzes, mini photo assignments or talks about monuments.
Wawel: the castle courtyard, royal chambers (depending on reservations), Wawel Cathedral with the tombs of kings and the famous Sigismund Chapel. Stories here work well as material for history and art lessons — short anecdotes and curiosities make the biggest impression.
The Florian Gate and the Barbican: a great opportunity to talk about medieval city defences and how the city changed over the centuries.
Planty: the green ring around the Old Town with benches and paths — an ideal place to rest and run a short nature-related lesson.
Extras: if time allows, a brief visit to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) or a walk around the Main Market Square to discuss architecture and city customs.
09:00 – Meeting and a short overview of the plan in front of the Florian Gate. Warm-up: a short attention game.
09:15–10:00 – Walk the Royal Route: the Barbican and Florian Gate, stories about medieval fortifications.
10:15–12:00 – Wawel: visit the courtyard and the Cathedral; if reserved — entry to selected castle chambers. Time for questions and a mini-workshop for students (e.g. recognising architectural styles).
12:00–12:45 – Break for second breakfast / light meal in the Planty or at a nearby canteen (weather permitting).
13:00–14:00 – Walk through the Planty with a talk about the greenery, benches, and a short field game linked to the city's topography.
14:15–15:00 – Main Market Square: Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Church (external discussion and the Hejnał legend), time for questions and reflection.
15:00–15:30 – Summary, handing out educational materials, return to the coach.
Book in advance: the key to avoiding queues at Wawel and other museums. For school groups it’s worth reserving group tickets and entry times early.
Morning hours: starting earlier (for example at 9:00) helps avoid the biggest crowds, and pupils are still energetic for stories and tasks.
Split into smaller subgroups: if a site limits numbers, divide the class and organise coordinated entries with the guide.
Headsets / audio system: for larger groups headset sets work well — they help students hear clearly and reduce crowding around the guide.
Cooperate with site staff: the guide coordinates with museum personnel to arrange entry times so waiting is shorter.
Typical time options: I usually offer 2-, 3- and 4-hour visits. For school groups it’s best to plan 4 hours for Wawel and the Royal Route with breaks — a full day can be built by combining several blocks (morning + afternoon).
Sample rates (approximate) depending on group size: small groups (up to ~35 people) usually pay a fixed fee for the guide; larger groups are charged per person. There is an option to rent headset sets (about 8 PLN per person), which really helps when working with a class.
Payments and confirmations: bookings normally require confirming the date and agreeing details — contact the guide in advance to finalise the plan.
Note on promotions: sometimes there are seasonal discounts — it’s worth asking when you book, especially for school trips.
Take the attendance list and split into small teams before entering large sites — this greatly streamlines logistics.
Provide pupils with snacks and water — a short break in the Planty is a perfect moment to recharge.
Dress for the weather: in spring and autumn conditions can change quickly, and part of the route is outdoors.
Make sure students wear comfortable shoes: walking on historic pavements can be demanding for children.
Safety and rules: remind students about basic museum behaviour (quiet, no touching exhibits) and staying safe on busy streets.
Field quizzes — short questions handed out to pupils to complete during the walk. Keep questions brief and engaging, e.g. “Who lived at Wawel?” or “What did the Florian Gate defend?”
Photo tasks — each team receives a list of details to photograph (for example: the dragon, a coat of arms, a fragment of a tapestry, a favourite window).
Mini-workshops on style recognition — a short exercise to distinguish Gothic from Renaissance on selected architectural details.
Collecting memories — quick notes from pupils about what surprised them and what they’d like to see again.
Can I book a trip for a full day? - Yes. A full day can be planned as several blocks (morning and afternoon) with breaks. I always adjust the pace to the school group.
Do children have to pay extra entrance fees? - It depends on the site. Many places have group or reduced tickets for students; we’ll check the best option when booking.
How far in advance should we book? - Ideally at least a few weeks in advance during the school season; for larger groups plan about a month ahead.
What if the weather is bad? - I plan alternatives: more stories in covered spaces, museum entries, and shorter transfers between points.
Is the trip adapted to different ages? - Yes. I adapt language and tasks to the group’s age — from primary schools to high schools.
Comfortable shoes, a light windproof jacket or umbrella in case of rain, a bottle of water and snacks (following school rules).
A notebook and pen for students — short field tasks work very well.
Group ID / attendance list and contact details for the chaperone/guide.
A small first-aid kit — plasters and basic supplies.
Contact the guide with the proposed date, number of participants, pupils’ ages and preferred start time. This helps tailor the plan, reserve entries and prepare educational materials.
Agree on payment and possible discounts for students or groups. For larger classes consider the headset rental option.
Send the list of pupils and the phone number of the chaperone on the day of the trip to keep logistics smooth.
Ask about seasonal promotions — sometimes there are favourable conditions for school excursions.
I’m Małgorzata Kasprowicz — I have guided many classes and I know the best trips are those that combine knowledge with fun. If you want your group to return to the coach more curious, full of stories and smiling — I invite you to contact me and plan the route together.
I’ll happily adapt the pace and content to the students’ ages, prepare educational materials and mini-tasks. Together we’ll create a trip that will stay in their memories.
