Krakow and Zakopane are two different but perfectly complementary faces of Poland: one historic and urban, the other mountainous and highland. Combining a trip to Zakopane with a themed walk along Krakow’s modernist routes lets participants see that Poland is not only about historic tenement houses and Wawel, but also about fascinating 20th-century architectural experiments — from interwar modernist villas to the monumental layouts of postwar Nowa Huta.
This combined program works especially well for school groups: outdoor activity in the Tatra Mountains balances long walks and lessons in the streets of Krakow, and themed architectural routes become engaging for students if the chaperone can present buildings as “living history lessons.”
For individual tourists and families it’s an opportunity to discover a less obvious side of Krakow — places we often pass by without realizing they hide excellent examples of modernism, socialist realism, and the hybrid sometimes called socmodernism.
The term 'socmodernism' links modernist features with elements of the socialist realist aesthetic — here you’ll find both austere geometric forms and monumental planning solutions. In Krakow this layer of history is most visible in Nowa Huta, created as an example of postwar urban planning and offering a surprisingly rich set of 20th-century architectural “lessons.”
On a walk through Nowa Huta you’ll see the Central Square, cinemas and public buildings, the Theatre School, characteristic experimental apartment blocks (for example the Swedish Block and the French Block) and the church Arka Pana in Bieńczyce — each of these places tells a different story of the city’s modernization after 1945.
Remember that Nowa Huta is not only socialist-realist monuments — it also includes later modernist and experimental urban solutions that make a walk through the district varied and interesting.
Interwar modernism in Krakow is best discovered in areas such as Krowodrza, the Three Bards Avenues and around the Błonia meadow. In Krowodrza you will encounter elegant tenement houses, villas and professors’ homes from Jagiellonian University — often with delicate art déco details and thoughtful interior layouts.
The Three Bards Avenues (the stretch of Adam Mickiewicz Avenue and its surroundings) form a representative space where university and institutional buildings stand: the monumental volumes of AGH University of Science and Technology, the Jagiellonian Library or the National Museum. A walk along this route shows how modernist ideas were applied at an urban scale.
When planning a route it’s useful to use ready-made thematic trails: several maps and descriptions are available online as hints, but the most memorable experience comes from touring with short stories about the social and artistic context of each place.
Day 1: Arrival in Krakow, a light walk through the Old Town (a few landmarks), evening in Kazimierz or on the Main Square — dinner at a well-rated restaurant (book ahead for groups).
Day 2: Modernism route — morning in Krowodrza and the Three Bards Avenues (AGH, the Library, modernist tenements), afternoon: Wesoła and Grzegórzki or other local routes. In the evening travel to Zakopane (approx. 2–3 hours by car or bus).
Day 3: Zakopane — walk along Krupówki, visit Kościeliska Valley or Gubałówka, dinner in a regional inn (we recommend traditional, well-rated places; remember to reserve for groups).
Day 4 (optional): Return via Wieliczka (underground route) or add extra modernism-related stops in Krakow.
Start at the Central Square and the main public-use buildings — this is the best starting point to explain the idea of a “city for workers.”
Show the Światowid cinema — an interesting example of a building combining socialist-realist and modernist traits — and the State Music Schools complex with its mosaic. The experimental blocks (the French Block, the Swedish Block) help explain how architecture tried to respond to housing and social needs.
A good finish is a visit to the Steelworks Workers’ Canteen — an example of modernist functional solutions that today read clearly as traces of the past.
Krakow–Zakopane transport: the most popular options are minibuses and trains (to Zakopane via Sucha Beskidzka or with a transfer), as well as comfortable coach travel for groups. For school trips a hired coach is often most convenient, giving flexibility during the day.
Reservations: in season (especially summer and winter holidays) book accommodation and group meals in advance — restaurants and guesthouses have limited capacity, and large groups need confirmations. If you plan to visit interiors in Nowa Huta, contact cultural institutions ahead of time.
Safety: on mountain trails choose routes that match participants’ fitness; in Zakopane watch for quick weather changes and wear appropriate footwear. In the city carry a list of group contacts and documents and agree on a meeting point in case someone gets separated.
In Krakow choose venues with good reviews and experience handling groups: traditional, well-rated places near the Market Square such as Wierzynek, or restaurants in the Grodzka and Kazimierz areas — for larger groups consider reserving a separate room. In Kazimierz and Podgórze you’ll also find friendly, highly rated cafés and bars with local cuisine.
In Zakopane we recommend traditional inns with established reputations — for example the historic Karczma u Wnuka on Kościeliska Street and other trusted places serving regional dishes. It’s convenient to choose accommodation close to the center or trailheads — that simplifies daily logistics.
Accommodation: for school groups hostels or guesthouses offering full board are the most convenient; for families and couples, hotels near Krakow’s Market Square or guesthouses in Zakopane with strong reviews work well.
Assuming Krakow is only the Old Town — many visitors skip the city’s modernist heritage. Plan a route that shows 20th-century buildings alongside famous monuments.
Not booking for groups — restaurants and some cultural venues may refuse larger groups without prior notice. Book ahead and confirm times.
Inappropriate footwear and clothing for mountain excursions — even a short Zakopane walk can be demanding; check the weather and match the route to participants’ abilities.
Krakow has a rich modernist “gallery” — many unique 20th-century architectural solutions are hidden behind well-known street façades. It’s a great narrative: “a city that can surprise.”
Nowa Huta wasn’t from the start only a symbol of socialist-realist ideas — its designers experimented with public and residential spaces, creating places that today read as notes in the history of urban planning.
Many modernist buildings hide exceptional details: mosaics, original fittings in cinemas and community centers, building emblems or sculptures — encourage participants to look around carefully.
How much time for a modernism route? — For a basic orientation, 2–3 hours is enough for one route (e.g., Krowodrza or the Three Bards Avenues). If you plan to visit several interiors, reserve a full day.
Is Nowa Huta safe? — Yes; it’s a district full of residents and cultural institutions. As everywhere, keep the group together and choose well-lit routes for evening walks.
Do you need to buy museum tickets? — Yes, for most museums and some special interiors it’s worth buying tickets in advance, especially for larger groups.
If you liked the idea of combining a mountain getaway with discovering Krakow’s modernist side, share this plan with friends or organize a school trip. Sharing the itinerary makes preparation easier and saves time.
If you want this trip to be even more valuable — consider booking the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; local storytelling, a tailored pace and group comfort will raise the experience. Contact details and the offer are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website.
If this article was helpful — share it on your social profiles or send it to friends. Good luck planning and see you on the route!
