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Top Educational Places to See in Krakow on a School Trip

For teachers planning a school trip abroad that blends education with inspiration, Krakow offers a truly enriching experience.

From medieval architecture and poignant reminders of the Holocaust to vibrant urban districts, the city is packed with learning opportunities across history, religious studies, geography, and culture.

Whether you’re exploring the Old Town's cobbled streets or standing in silent reflection at Auschwitz-Birkenau, we’ll highlight the top six educational places to see in Krakow and offer practical tips to make your school trip seamless and successful.

Why visit Krakow for school trips?

Spanning 327 square kilometres, the former Polish capital (from 1038 to 1596) offers students an unforgettable journey into the heart of European history. It’s a chance to step beyond the classroom and into a living textbook, where every street, square, and building has a story to tell.

Here are just a few compelling reasons why Krakow should be your next school trip destination:

Historical significance

Dating back to the 7th century, Krakow was once the political and cultural heart of Poland, and remains one of Europe’s best-preserved cities. Over the centuries, it has witnessed monarchies, invasions, partitions, uprisings, and occupations.

For school groups, it offers an immersive history lesson, where they can walk in the same footsteps as kings, explore medieval castles, and confront the harsh realities of the Holocaust at sites like Auschwitz-Birkenau, deepening students’ knowledge of European and world events in a hands-on way.

Rich culture

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Krakow is also known for its lively cultural scene and traditions. Students studying psychology, music, or religious studies can visit the haunting beauty of its Gothic churches like St. Mary's Basilica, discover the sights, and sounds of Jewish festivals in Kazimierz, and learn about Jewish music (Klezmer).

By experiencing Polish culture firsthand, this broadens students' perspectives and nurtures intercultural understanding. Tasting traditional Polish food, visiting different districts, and observing local customs helps them connect with the world in a more meaningful way.

Easy to explore

One of the more practical benefits is how compact Krakow is. Many of the city's major attractions are all within walking distance of each other: the Old Town to Wawel Castle is just a 10-minute walk, while the Jewish Quarter is less than 15 minutes on foot from the Main Square.

This means students can spend less time in transit and more time learning! The pedestrian-friendly layout, flat terrain, and well-maintained infrastructure make it especially convenient and safe for school-aged groups to explore at a comfortable pace.

Accessible for UK students

Regular direct flights operate between major UK airports (e.g., London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh) and Krakow's John Paul II International Airport Krakow–Balice, with short flight times averaging just over two hours. Once in Krakow, food, accommodation, and transport are budget-friendly, making it a cost-effective option for schools.

Additionally, Krakow’s popularity with international tourists means English is widely spoken, and many attractions are geared toward school groups, offering guided tours, student discounts, and educational materials that align with UK curriculum.

Six educational places to see in Krakow

Clearly, it is a city worth visiting to expand students’ knowledge, perspective, and appreciation of European history and culture. Now, let’s take a closer look at six of the top educational places to see in Krakow, each providing a unique glimpse into its rich and complex past.

1. Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Location: Central Krakow.

Opening times: Open year-round; public squares and streets are always accessible.

How to get there: The Old Town is centrally located and easily accessible on foot from most parts of central Krakow. Public transport (trams and buses) also serve the area, with numerous stops around the periphery of Planty Park.

What to see and do:

Krakow’s Old Town is a must-see for any school group. The area is centred around Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest medieval town square, covering 40,000 square metres and surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and key historic attractions.

See the historic Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) which houses souvenir stalls and the National Museum's Gallery on the upper floor. Explore the Royal Route from St. Florian’s Gate, a 14th-century Gothic tower at the northern edge of the Old Town, to the majestic Wawel Castle perched on a hill overlooking the Vistula River.

Don’t forget to tour the underground Rynek Museum! Located at Rynek Główny 35 (Krzysztofory Palace), and open between 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, visitors can explore archaeological remains, medieval market stalls like Kramy Bolesławowe.

2. Wawel Castle

Location: Wawel Hill, south of Old Town.

Opening times: Monday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (varies seasonally)

How to get there: A 10-minute walk from the Main Square or accessible via tram routes 6, 8, 10, and 13.

What to see and do:

Perched above the Vistula River, Wawel Castle is a symbol of national identity, and one of the most iconic places to see in Krakow. This UNESCO World Heritage Site once housed the kings of Poland and serves as a treasure trove of art, architecture, and national pride.

You’ll be able to explore the State Rooms inside the castle itself, adorned with period furniture, tapestries, and artwork, giving young historians insight into the lives of the old royals who once lived there. The magnificent cathedral within the castle complex is also well worth a visit, as it served as the coronation and burial site for Polish monarchs and national heroes.

Finally, discover the legendary Wawel Dragon! This metallic beast lives in a cave at the foot of Wawel Hill and breathes fire every few minutes, delighting visitors and bringing local folklore to life!

3. Auschwitz-Birkenau

Location: Town of Oświęcim, approx. 60 kilometres (37 miles) west of Krakow and 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the main Auschwitz I camp.

Opening times: The Museum is open all year long from 7:30 PM, seven days a week, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday (closing times vary seasonally).

How to get there: Coach travel is available through tour providers, or you can take a 1.5-hour train from Krakow Główny to Oświęcim, followed by a short 10-minute bus or taxi ride to the memorial.

What to see and do:

Auschwitz-Birkenau stands as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of World War II, and as a way to remember all of those who were there. It teaches students the consequences of hatred and intolerance, and the importance of human rights.

At Auschwitz I, visit the preserved barracks, the "Arbeit macht frei" gate, the Block 11 (the "Death Block"), the gas chamber and crematorium, and exhibitions displaying personal belongings of the victims.

Explore the vast expanse of Auschwitz II-Birkenau’s 40 camps and sub-camp, including the railway tracks leading to the "selection ramp," the remains of wooden barracks, the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria, and the memorial monuments.

4. Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz)

Location: South of Old Town.

Opening times: Vary for each synagogue and museum. It's best to check the individual websites for information. The streets and squares of Kazimierz are public spaces accessible at all times.

How to get there: You can easily reach it on foot by crossing Planty Park. Trams (lines 3, 19, 24) also serve the area, with stops along the main roads bordering the district.

What to see and do:

Kazimierz, Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter, is now one of the top educational places to visit in Krakow Old Town for its vibrant mix of culture, history, and renewal. Once the centre of Jewish life, Kazimierz now houses museums, synagogues, and memorials.

Visit the Galicia Jewish Museum (open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM), which is dedicated to preserving and commemorating Jewish life and culture in Galicia—the historical region of Poland and Ukraine. Also, don’t miss the oldest surviving synagogue in Poland (located at 24 Szeroka Street), where students can explore centuries of Jewish history.

For film and media enthusiasts, walk through some of the locations where Steven Spielberg's film "Schindler's List" was filmed (e.g., the former factory on Lipowa Street), which brought the history of the Krakow Ghetto and the Holocaust to a wider audience.

5. Schindler's Factory

Location: Lipowa Street, Podgórze district.

Opening times: Monday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (varies seasonally)

How to get there: Tram lines 3, 9, 19, 24, or 50 and alight at Pl. Bohaterów Getta. From this stop, it's an 8-minute walk to Schindler’s Factory. You can also take the local train from Krakow Główny (Main Station) to Krakow Zabłocie.

What to see and do:

This former enamel factory belonged to Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who famously saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish people during World War II by hiring them. Today it is a museum that tells the story of Krakow under Nazi occupation and Schindler's heroic actions.

Some key highlights include the interactive exhibit "Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945," which vividly portrays the daily life of Krakow's inhabitants during the war, the creation and liquidation of the Ghetto, and the story of Oskar Schindler and his "Ark."

Personal stories about the experiences of the Jewish workers and Schindler are shown through photographs, documents, and testimonies. Meanwhile, artefacts and memorabilia from the period provide a tangible connection to the past.

6. St. Mary’s Basilica

Location: Eastern side of the Main Market Square in the Old Town.

Opening times: Open to visitors daily between 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM with the exception of special days.

How to get there: It is easily accessible on foot anywhere from the Old Town

What to see and do:

St. Mary’s Basilica is a fantastic example of Polish Gothic-style architecture. Built in the 13th century, this historical church is one of the most popular landmarks in Krakow. Known for its hourly Hejnał mariacki (trumpet call), it offers insight into Krakow’s religious and artistic heritage.

Admire the Gothic vaulting, stained glass windows, and other artistic details of the church's interior, including the magnificent altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss—one of the largest and most important Gothic sculptures in Europe. The basilica also houses beautiful frescoes, intricate wooden pews, and ornate chapels.

Climbing the taller tower is another highlight for many visitors and offers more than just spectacular views. The climb involves ascending a narrow wooden staircase of over 200 steps, and once at the top, students are rewarded with breathtaking, panoramic views over Krakow’s Old Town, the Vistula River, and, on clear days, even the distant Tatra Mountains.

Book a Krakow school trip with NST!

Planning a school trip abroad involves careful co-ordination—but with NST, you’re in safe hands. As one of the UK’s leading school travel specialists, we offer expertly designed itineraries to Krakow that ensure both educational depth and safety, giving your students a life-changing experience.

We offer many different school trips to Krakow, including:

With over 50 years of experience in creating enriching educational trips, we’re here to help you make the most of every moment. Request a quote or get in touch today to learn more.