DAYS
7
TOUR CODE
KRZA-27
COST
£3395
DAYS
7
TOUR CODE
KRZA-27
COST
£3395
Kraków is a city that presents a rich array of art and culture, from medieval monuments to Gothic churches and wonderful institutions housing a myriad of art treasures. Join ACE on this holistic journey of history, culture and Polish aesthetics.
Overview
Kraków, the official Royal City of Poland, is brimming with historical monuments and an intriguing artistic legacy. At the heart of the city lies its old town, one of the first locations to be allocated legal protection and international importance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the widely renowned Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest medieval market square.
Overlooking the Vistula River from its hilltop perch is the magnificent 13th century Wawel castle. As Poland's primary royal residence until 1610, its image still evokes life of a bygone time, not least for its imposing façade, but also owing to the ancient legend that a dragon once dwelt in the caves below. In the extensive castle grounds lie remnants of the original 14th century formal apartments and The Crown Treasury and Armoury that house military artefacts, from ceremonial weaponry and suits of armour to precious stones belonging to Polish rulers over the centuries. We will uncover further history at Collegium Maius, Jagiellonian University’s oldest building dating back to the 14th century, now transformed into a museum.
Kraków’s Jewish history is an integral component of the city's cultural identity, and a walking tour of the old town will introduce us to the stories of Jewish life, allowing us to gain a holistic understanding of the city and its past.
Alongside these fascinating historical and architectural visits, Kraków’s artistic heritage will form a key focus of our tour. At the Princess Czartoryski Museum we will delight in nationally significant galleries containing painting, sculpture and applied arts, including Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned Lady with an Ermine (1489-91). The Jan Matejko House and Museum, meanwhile, presents the work of Poland’s most renowned historical painter, Jan Matejko, alongside biographical artefacts.
No exploration of Polish art would be complete without consideration of the Young Poland movement that flourished between 1890-1918. An expression of political independence and preservation of cultural identity, art from this period created a new visual language inspired by Polish craft traditions, landscape, and the ethos of British Arts & Crafts. The National Gallery and the Cloth Hall (MNK) present us with wonderful pieces from this period by leading artists such as Jacek Malczewski, Leon Wyczółkowski and Stanisław Wyspiański, whilst what is considered to be the first project of Young Poland remains proudly in place in the interiors of St Mary’s Basilica.
Continuing our exploration of Polish creative culture and the Young Poland movement, we will journey to the mountainous region of Zakopane. Here we will explore Willa Kobila, the first building created by Stanisław Witkiewicz in the Zakopane Style of architecture, marvelling at traditional craftsmanship, including ornate wood and stylised floral and geometric schemes. Turning to ecclesiastical structures, we will witness a contrast of aesthetics, from the Sanktuarium Najświętszej which richly blends vibrant colour with biblical iconography, to the 19th century wooden Church of Our Lady Częstochowa.
A wonderful highlight of the tour will be an excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 700-year-old network of tunnels, grottos and mines. Not only was this a highly important centre for the salt trade in the middle ages, and thus a key generator of commerce for Poland’s economy, but it was also a site of artistic expression as seen in the carved walls and interior design of countless chambers. This fusion of industry and art converges within a religious context at the Chapel of St Kinga, the centrepiece of the salt mines, and where ‘saltscapes’ such as sculptural reliefs created by miners and crystal chandeliers champion the distinct creativity of the region.
Tour Director
Tom Abbott
This tour will be led by Tom Abbott, a highly experienced tour guide who has led cultural tours throughout Europe, including Poland, and America. He looks forward to introducing travellers to Kraków and its magnificent artistic and architectural legacy.
Our Tour Director, Tom Abbott, BA, MA, is an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. Tom is an accomplished lecturer and tour leader, with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe. His expertise ranges from the medieval to the modern, and he is particularly fascinated by the Baroque and Rococo.
– ACE customer on a 2026 tour with Tom Abbott
Our Accommodation
We will stay throughout at the five-star Hotel Francuski, whose interiors are sleek and contemporary. The property’s central position in the heart of Kraków’s Old Town makes for an ideal base from which to explore this wonderful city.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 0905, arriving Kraków 1230. Transfer to hotel followed by walking tour of historic Kraków following the old city walls. Welcome and introduction.
Day 2
Visit Wawel Castle complex (medieval hilltop castle with extensive grounds) and Palace of Bishop Erasmus Ciolek (medieval art and orthodox icons housed in restored 16th century townhouse – branch of the National Museum).
Day 3
Morning lecture followed by a walking tour of Kraków’s Jewish history in Kazimierz district. Afternoon excursion to Wielczka Salt Mine (including underground Chapel of St Kinga). Free evening.
Day 4
Visits to the Princess Czartoryski Museum (nationally significant collection of painting, applied arts and sculpture), Jan Matejko House and Museum (biographical museum of renowned Polish History painter) and St Mary’s Basilica (13th century Polish-Gothic architecture).
Day 5
Full day excursion to Zakopane: Willa Koliba (first building by Stanisław Witkiewicz in the Zakopane Style, 1892-1893), Sanktuarium Najświętszej (19th century church), Church of Our Lady Częstochowa (19th century wooden church) and the Tatra Museum. Free evening.
Day 6
Morning visit to the National Gallery at the Cloth Hall (19th and early 20th century art). Afternoon visits to The National Museum (with a focus on the Young Poland artists) and Franciscan church (glorious Art Nouveau windows).
Day 7
Morning visit to Collegium Maius (museum and Jagiellonian University’s oldest building dating back to the 14th century). Transfer to Kraków airport departing 1340, arriving Heathrow 1520.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
A moderate level of fitness is required for this tour as it involves a large amount of city-based walking and standing at sites, where there are not always opportunities to sit down. Please note that the ground can be uneven at times, especially in Zakopane where there are cobbled streets and inclines, and that Wielczka Salt Mine is dimly lit. Participants must meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £195.
Cost Details
Jewel of Poland: Medieval to Modern Krakow
June 22 - 28, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a comfort twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, two lunches, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, comfort double room for single use supplement £495.
More like this
Towns & Palaces of Poland
14th April–24th April 2026
with Alex Koller
Journey from Kraków to Warsaw, taking in Lublin and Zamość en route, as we discover a wealth of fascinating churches, palaces and art collections in the company of one of the leading experts in the field, Alex Koller
Princely Courts of Central Germany
20th July–26th July 2026
with Tom Abbott
Explore the outstanding collection of palaces, castles and picturesque gardens in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
Get in Touch
Our sales team are available to help Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. You can contact us by phone or email or by completing an enquiry form below.
To receive our latest tour details and news, request our most recent brochure or join our email newsletter, use the buttons below.
+44(0)1223 841055
sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk
