Autumn is an excellent time to travel with a youth group: fewer crowds than in summer, golden colors of the mountain-forest belt and shorter lines at museums make it easier to work with historical material. Zakopane offers a unique mix of memorial sites connected to World War II, local museums and natural spaces, so a history lesson can be multidimensional: politics, the fate of local communities and the role of the region in the dramatic events of the 20th century.
In the town and its immediate surroundings there are tangible traces of the occupation — the former Gestapo headquarters building (commonly known locally as "Palace" or the "Katownia Podhala"), memorials and plaques commemorating victims and witnesses, and traces of the Jewish community. These elements can be integrated into an educational plan and themed walks.
A well-planned program combines visits to museums and memorials with short nature walks, so difficult topics are absorbed better and students have time for reflection in a calm, supportive atmosphere.
Museum "Palace" (a former villa that served as Gestapo headquarters during the occupation) — this is the key stop for local wartime martyrology; the exhibition and original basement cells make a strong impression and provide an excellent starting point for conversations about the occupation in the Podhale region.
Memorials and plaques in the urban space — around Krupówki and the Zakopane Market it is worth paying attention to tenement houses and sites connected to the prewar Jewish community, as well as traces of prewar architecture and property.
The Jewish cemetery (kirkut) and surrounding hills — on some hills and outskirts of Zakopane there are former cemeteries and places associated with the local Jewish community and traces of labor camps; even a short walk around the outskirts gives social and cultural context for discussions about World War II.
The Tatra Museum and educational walks — the museum runs themed walks and workshops for school groups that connect the town's history with stories about people, culture and nature of the region.
Natural elements and Tatra National Park — a short walk in the reglow (forest belt) zone is a good way to calm down after an intense visit; the TPN runs educational programs that can be included in the trip plan.
Morning: depart Kraków on an early train or coach, arrive in Zakopane and a short introduction on the square in front of the main Krupówki promenade.
Late morning: visit the "Palace" Museum — guided tour of the basements and exhibition rooms, a short lesson on the local resistance movement and the fate of prisoners.
Noon: themed walk through the town — sites connected with the prewar Jewish community, historic tenement houses, the Zakopane Market; break for a meal at a recommended restaurant (choose a place with good reviews and the ability to serve groups).
Afternoon: a branch of the Tatra Museum or outdoor educational activities (short march into a reglow valley, quiet time, questions and team tasks), return to Kraków before dusk.
Day 1: arrival, introduction, visit to the "Palace" Museum, city walk and discussion about prewar communities. Overnight in a well-reviewed guesthouse or youth hostel.
Day 2: morning short nature trip (for example Strążyska Valley or another reglow trail) led by a TPN educator or Tatra Museum staff; afternoon dedicated to historical workshops or activities at a Nature Education Center, then depart for Kraków.
A two-day format gives time for calm discussion of difficult material, group conversations and reflective exercises — very important when working with young people.
You can reach Zakopane by train or coach; for school trips it is often cost-effective to hire a coach with luggage space and to plan travel outside peak season to avoid traffic and parking limits.
If you travel from Kraków, check train schedules and possible replacement services; reserve seats in advance for groups. When booking accommodation, make sure the facility has experience hosting school groups and offers meals adapted to young people's needs.
Plan breaks every 60–90 minutes of walking and carry a first-aid kit, a list of participants, contact phone numbers and copies of parental consent forms and insurance documents.
Sites connected to wartime victims require special sensitivity — before entering a museum ask students to observe a few simple rules: quiet, phones silenced, respect for exhibits and personal testimonies. Explain the meaning of the place: why we remember and how to talk about tragedy without sensationalism.
Encourage youths to ask questions and express emotions; have short reflective tasks ready (for example, write a brief note, draw a single symbol, or do a short group exercise). After the visit allow time for a calm conversation and, if needed, debrief difficult topics with a psychologist or group supervisor.
Remember rules about photography: in some museum areas photos may be restricted or prohibited — check regulations and inform the group before entering.
Reserve tables at restaurants with good reviews and experience serving groups; one historic and often recommended restaurant in Zakopane is U Wnuka — this is also an opportunity to tell local culinary stories and traditions. When choosing catering or canteen services check for dietary options and allergies.
For overnight stays choose properties well rated by other school groups — guesthouses near the center allow shorter walks and hosts often help organize programs. For savings and group integration consider a youth hostel or well-reviewed guesthouses offering group meals.
Do not forget to secure hot drinks and snacks during stops — in autumn conditions a warm tea and simple sandwiches boost group morale.
An overpacked schedule — trying to fit too many stops into one day causes fatigue and superficial lessons. Plan with time for breaks and discussions.
Lack of preparation for long walks in cold weather — autumn weather changes quickly: pack layers and prepare a backup plan (indoor alternatives).
Mixing very emotionally heavy sites (for example Auschwitz) with ordinary tourist attractions without preparation — if you plan such combinations, allocate extra time for introduction and debriefing.
Do museums need to be reserved in advance? Yes — for organized groups it is worth checking opening hours and reservation rules in advance, especially for war-themed museums and educational programs of the Tatra Museum.
How long does a visit to the "Palace" Museum take? A standard guided visit usually lasts from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the form of workshops and the age of participants.
Can younger children participate? World War II topics can be difficult; for younger classes it is better to focus on broader cultural context and shorter activities adapted to their age.
Before World War II Zakopane was multicultural — besides the highlander culture, a significant Jewish community lived in the town, which is a lesser-known aspect of its history. This helps discuss how war transformed local societies.
The "Palace" building has a complex history: beyond its tragic wartime role, part of its story after the war was connected with the development of sport and skiing in the region — this complexity helps understand that memorial places often have varied, complicated destinies.
The natural part of the trip (a short walk in the reglow forest belt) often reinforces historical learning — a change of scenery helps young people process emotions and remember facts better.
If you liked this guide — share it with colleagues or on social media to help other supervisors and teachers plan valuable trips.
If you would like the trip to be organized professionally and without stress, consider arranging it with the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata can prepare a program tailored to the participants' ages and will provide educational support during museum visits.
Good luck planning — a well-prepared trip can become one of the most important and memorable educational experiences for young people.
