History school trips to Krakow

With its unsettled past telling a thousand tales, Kraków provides an ideal platform for students to immerse themselves in European history and learn how Poland overcame adversity to become the thriving country it is today. To fulfil GCSE learning objectives and offer a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, groups can also visit the Auschwitz concentration camp – the largest and most notorious of its kind – and pay tribute to the 55,000 Jews who perished there during the Second World War.

This incredible school trip is further enhanced by an airport meet & greet and a local representative – included in the tour price – who will support you and your group throughout your trip with accessing attractions, restaurants, and during activities. Travelling on a history school trip to Kraków has never been so easy!

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES


Day 1
  • Depart the UK and travel to Kraków
  • Guided walking tour
  • Time at leisure
  • Evening meal at local restaurant

Day 2
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • Obwarzanka Museum
  • Evening meal at local restaurant

Day 3
  • Wieliczka Salt Mines
  • Jewish Quarter Kazimierz & Remuh Synagogue
  • Folklore evening with show & dinner

Day 4
  • Visit Podgorze
  • Schindlers Factory
  • Galicia Jewish Museum
  • Depart Krakow and return to the UK

Features

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Wyspianski

Don’t let the socialist realism-styled facade fool you, inside is a fully modernised facility that welcomes all those who stay there. You can’t get any more central than Hotel Wyspianski, which is just moments away from public transport links, city sights and local green spaces.

  • 24-hour security
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • En suite rooms
  • Restaurant

Hotel Wyspianski

Don’t let the socialist realism-styled facade fool you, inside is a fully modernised facility that welcomes all those who stay there. You can’t get any more central than Hotel Wyspianski, which is just moments away from public transport links, city sights and local green spaces.

  • 24-hour security
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • En suite rooms
  • Restaurant

Excursions

Guided Walking City Tour & Entry to St Mary's Church

Wander through the streets of Krakow and you’ll uncover a treasure trove of cultural heritage, from universities dating back millennia to the city’s vibrant market square. But it’s the city’s incredible St Mary’s Basilica which is perhaps the city’s most impressive, with every brick of its Gothic architecture worthy of its UNESCO listing. Don’t forget to listen out for the church’s trumpet signal – the Hejnal mariacki – which is played every hour.

Auschwitz & Birkenau

A truly emotive and thought-provoking visit for older school groups, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Hitler’s tyranny. Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps, where it’s estimated over 1.1million individuals lost their lives. Here, students can gain an in-depth understanding of the lives of prisoners held in the camp and what went on behind its ominous gates.

Gallicia Jewish Museum

Housed in a renaissance synagogue, this museum boasts a rich collection of Judaica dedicated to more than 800 years of Jewish heritage in southern Poland, and is one of the best collections of its kind in Central Europe. Students can learn all about Jewish life in Poland through a detailed photo exhibition which documents the remnants of Galicia, celebrates the Jewish culture, and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.

Jewish Quarter Kazimierz incl.Remuh Synagogue

The centre of religious and social life among Jewish people in Krakow, the Kazimierz was incorporated into the city in the 18th century. On this tour, students will learn about Krakow’s Jewish history, and develop an understanding of the significance of the city’s most important monuments, such as the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery.

Obwarzanka Museum

Adored by locals and tourists alike, the Obwarzanki – a Polish twist on a bagel – is sold in several outlets throughout the city. At the Obwarzanka Museum, school groups can discover how the delicious dough ring has been a part of Krakow’s history for over 600 years. Located close to the city’s Main Square, the museum also gives students the opportunity to try making their own Obwarzanki, which they can then taste at the end of the demonstration.

Schindler's Factory

One of the most historically important buildings in Krakow, this former factory was owned by Oskar Schindler, and was a place of work for many Jewish people from the nearby ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Now a museum, students can learn a great deal here about the life of Schindler, what happened at the factory, and life in Poland in the lead up to and during the Second World War.

Wieliczka Salt Mines

A visit to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site is one we know your students will never forget – in fact, it’s one of our favourites too. Discover the wonders of this centuries-old mine on this excursion, which includes seeing an underground cathedral carved out of the rock! This is one of Poland's most popular attractions and of great historic and cultural importance.

Old Synagogue

Dating back to the 15th century, this fascinating synagogue is the oldest still standing in Poland, and one of the most precious landmarks of Jewish architecture in Europe. Historically the religious, social and organisational centre of the Krakow Jewish community, the synagogue became a target at the beginning of the Second World War under Nazi occupation. Today, it’s home to a wealth of history, which will help your students understand the true impact of the Holocaust on Poland’s Jewish community.

Wawel Castel

Towering over the city of Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the top of Wawel Hill. Made up of predominantly Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, the ‘crown jewel of Krakow’ dates back to the 14th century, offering student groups an insight into Poland’s vast history.

Guided Walking City Tour & Entry to St Mary's Church

Wander through the streets of Krakow and you’ll uncover a treasure trove of cultural heritage, from universities dating back millennia to the city’s vibrant market square. But it’s the city’s incredible St Mary’s Basilica which is perhaps the city’s most impressive, with every brick of its Gothic architecture worthy of its UNESCO listing. Don’t forget to listen out for the church’s trumpet signal – the Hejnal mariacki – which is played every hour.

Auschwitz & Birkenau

A truly emotive and thought-provoking visit for older school groups, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Hitler’s tyranny. Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps, where it’s estimated over 1.1million individuals lost their lives. Here, students can gain an in-depth understanding of the lives of prisoners held in the camp and what went on behind its ominous gates.

Gallicia Jewish Museum

Housed in a renaissance synagogue, this museum boasts a rich collection of Judaica dedicated to more than 800 years of Jewish heritage in southern Poland, and is one of the best collections of its kind in Central Europe. Students can learn all about Jewish life in Poland through a detailed photo exhibition which documents the remnants of Galicia, celebrates the Jewish culture, and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.

Jewish Quarter Kazimierz incl.Remuh Synagogue

The centre of religious and social life among Jewish people in Krakow, the Kazimierz was incorporated into the city in the 18th century. On this tour, students will learn about Krakow’s Jewish history, and develop an understanding of the significance of the city’s most important monuments, such as the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery.

Obwarzanka Museum

Adored by locals and tourists alike, the Obwarzanki – a Polish twist on a bagel – is sold in several outlets throughout the city. At the Obwarzanka Museum, school groups can discover how the delicious dough ring has been a part of Krakow’s history for over 600 years. Located close to the city’s Main Square, the museum also gives students the opportunity to try making their own Obwarzanki, which they can then taste at the end of the demonstration.

Schindler's Factory

One of the most historically important buildings in Krakow, this former factory was owned by Oskar Schindler, and was a place of work for many Jewish people from the nearby ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Now a museum, students can learn a great deal here about the life of Schindler, what happened at the factory, and life in Poland in the lead up to and during the Second World War.

Wieliczka Salt Mines

A visit to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site is one we know your students will never forget – in fact, it’s one of our favourites too. Discover the wonders of this centuries-old mine on this excursion, which includes seeing an underground cathedral carved out of the rock! This is one of Poland's most popular attractions and of great historic and cultural importance.

Old Synagogue

Dating back to the 15th century, this fascinating synagogue is the oldest still standing in Poland, and one of the most precious landmarks of Jewish architecture in Europe. Historically the religious, social and organisational centre of the Krakow Jewish community, the synagogue became a target at the beginning of the Second World War under Nazi occupation. Today, it’s home to a wealth of history, which will help your students understand the true impact of the Holocaust on Poland’s Jewish community.

Wawel Castel

Towering over the city of Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the top of Wawel Hill. Made up of predominantly Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, the ‘crown jewel of Krakow’ dates back to the 14th century, offering student groups an insight into Poland’s vast history.

Trip details

All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:

  • Return travel by air or coach (air packages include overseas airport transfer. Coach to UK airport from school is available as an optional extra)
  • All security charges, airport and local taxes
  • 1 free staff place for every 10 full paying passengers by air OR 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers by coach
  • Half-board accommodation
  • Excursions
  • Full use of your coach in resort (this applies to coach groups only and is subject to EU drivers hours regulations)
  • 24-hour emergency service support
  • All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
  • Lunches 
  • Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices
  • Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at time of travel will be charged a small tax fee
  • Tourist tax 
  • Damage deposit

Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.

Coach/air: Air

Nearest airport: Krakow Airport (KRK)

Transfer time from airport: 35mins

Best times to travel: Year round

Suggested tour length: 4 days, 3 nights