This three-hour route is a classic school trip in Kraków: it links the city’s most important historical points — Wawel Hill with the Royal Castle and Cathedral — and a stretch of the Royal Road that leads to the Main Market Square. For students it’s the perfect amount of time to see the must-see sites, hear engaging stories and still have a short break for photos and a drink.
Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz leads the tour in a lively, age-appropriate way — with humour, anecdotes and interactive elements (questions, short tasks). With her license and experience she makes sure students stay interested and safe throughout the visit.
A 3-hour itinerary is a practical compromise between a school-friendly pace and the possibility of entering key interiors (for example selected Castle rooms/Cathedral areas or short visits to available exhibitions). For school groups it’s worth agreeing in advance which interiors you want to visit (how many people and which exhibitions), because some Wawel exhibitions have limits and require ticket reservations.
0:00 – Meeting and brief welcome: the usual meeting point is by the Senators’ Gate or directly at the foot of Wawel Hill. Short briefing for chaperones (counting the group, agreeing rules of conduct).
0:10–1:10 – Wawel Hill: exterior visit and, depending on reservations, interior visits of the Royal Castle and Cathedral. Discussion of coronations, royal tombs and architectural symbolism. A short tale about the Wawel Dragon (great for younger pupils).
1:10–1:25 – Break to stretch legs, quick drink and toilet break (it’s a good idea to plan this before leaving Wawel).
1:25–2:15 – Walk along the Royal Road: descend Grodzka Street, short stop on Kanoniczna Street (canons’ houses, interesting townhouses), entrance to the Main Market Square. Along the way the guide tells stories about medieval trade and the importance of this route.
2:15–2:40 – Main Market Square: Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (stories about the bugle call and the Veit Stoss altarpiece), the Town Hall and town customs. Time for photos and a quick souvenir snack or light refreshment.
2:40–3:00 – Summary, a short quiz/task for the class and closing at an agreed meeting point (for example by the Adam Mickiewicz monument or by the Cloth Hall).
Wawel and its various units have changing opening hours depending on the season and temporary exhibitions. Typically the main exhibitions are available in morning and afternoon hours (for example approx. 9:00–17:00), and some attractions (e.g. the Dragon’s Den) may operate on a different, seasonal timetable.
Many exhibitions limit access and sell timed tickets — so for school groups it’s worth booking in advance. Group tickets and discounts for children/school groups often require proof of group status.
The guide holds up-to-date information about current opening hours and can help with reservations — she also offers access to radio headsets (audio-guide/transmission sets) that make leading large groups easier (a small additional fee; details arranged at booking).
Practical note: always check current opening hours and availability on the institution’s official pages the day before the trip — technical breaks, closed days or group reservation blocks can be introduced at short notice.
A complete list of participants and contact numbers for chaperones — it’s best to have the list in two copies (paper + electronic).
Recommend comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing — there’s a lot of walking, stairs and short outdoor stops; in the Cathedral maintain respectful and quiet behaviour.
Inform students about safety rules and the meeting point after breaks — set short checkpoints (for example every 30 minutes) and appoint a person responsible for head counts.
Tickets: reserve Wawel interiors if you plan to go inside and prepare documents for discounts (school IDs) if required.
Pocket money/snacks: plan a short break on the Market Square or nearby if you want students to buy something; alternatively ask for packed snacks and water.
A standard starting point at Wawel is the Senators’ Gate or the area at the foot of Wawel Hill — this is easy for groups to find and visible. The guide will confirm the exact meeting point and time before the trip.
Getting there: for practical reasons it’s best to exit close to Wawel by tram or bus — parking in the city centre is limited, so school coaches often stop at an agreed spot and then use designated drop-off/parking areas for buses.
If you plan a trip with several coaches, notify this in advance (traffic coordination and parking spots). The guide can help decide the most convenient meeting point for your group.
Along the Wawel → Grodzka → Main Market Square route there are many places to pause. For larger groups we recommend restaurants offering children’s and group menus; for a short break there are cosy cafés by the Market.
A few well-known spots that work well for school-group breaks: - Wierzynek (historic restaurant — worth a quick visit for the atmosphere) - Cafe Camelot (cozy café near the Market) - Charlotte (bakes and quick snacks on the Market) - Chocolate Houses and patisseries around the Market (quick sweet treats for students).
For classes seeking cheaper options consider nearby canteens and pizzerias off the Market where groups can order group sets. Always inform the venue in advance of the number of people and dietary needs.
How long will the route take? - The standard version lasts about 3 hours (time depends on the number of interiors visited and the group’s pace).
Is it possible to enter all Wawel interiors? - Not always; some exhibitions have restrictions and require prior booking. For school groups it’s best to agree a list of interiors when booking.
How many chaperones are needed? - The legally required chaperone-to-student ratio depends on school regulations; as a practical suggestion we recommend at least 1 chaperone per 10–15 children, though this depends on the group’s age.
Does the guide provide amplification equipment? - Yes — the guide can use radio headset/transmission sets which greatly help with large groups (additional fee).
What if the weather is bad? - The route is mostly outdoors, but many highlights are indoors in the Castle and Cathedral. In heavy rain consider an alternative plan or shift some interior stops to reduce exposure to the weather.
Approximate prices listed on the guide’s booking page (final details confirmed at reservation): for small groups (up to 35 people) a three-hour tour in Polish typically costs a few hundred PLN (for example around 400–450 PLN). For larger groups prices are often calculated per person (roughly a few dozen PLN per person) and rates vary depending on language, season and extra services (for example audio sets).
Recommendation: confirm the final price and availability directly at booking, giving the number of participants, the group’s age and the desired interiors. The guide will suggest the best program and cost-saving options (for example limiting paid interiors while keeping the key points of the route).
Payments and invoices: arranging details in advance makes issuing an invoice and coordinating school trip costs easier.
I tailor the narration to the group’s age — for younger pupils I use more legends and interactive tasks, for older students I offer more historical context and questions that encourage critical thinking.
I always recommend short quizzes and group tasks (for example find a particular monument or an interesting sculpture) — they engage students and help them remember key facts.
A school trip should be safe and enjoyable — I ask teachers to set clear rules before leaving and to designate checkpoints. If needed, I can help prepare a short trip script for chaperones.
When booking prepare: the date and approximate start time, number of students and chaperones, participants’ ages, information about special needs (for example wheelchair access), and whether you want to enter specific Wawel exhibitions.
In correspondence provide the school’s invoicing details and a contact person (phone, e‑mail). The guide will confirm the program, meeting time, costs and cancellation/change terms. Usually a phone call or short email confirmation is enough to secure the date.
If you have doubts about exhibition availability or current opening hours, ask also about help with booking Wawel tickets — the guide has experience with school groups and can advise on the best logistical solutions.
