Places to Visit near Krakow

The Polish city of Krakow is one of the most sought after destinations in Europe: its fairytale charm, delicious food and wonderful buildings have made it an ideal place to travel, but also the surroundings of Krakow offer all kinds of adventures and experiences. Here are some of my favorites for you to find inspiration and have a spectacular trip.

The Holocaust is one of the darkest episodes in human history, and Auschwitz was in the middle of it all. Here, 1.3 million people were imprisoned for no reason, of whom 1.1 million were murdered. The prisoners were mostly Jews who came from all corners of Europe.

Although visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps from Krakow is not a pleasant experience, I consider it a tremendously necessary one, especially for younger generations whose view of the tragic events of the 20th century may be limited by distance and time.

All the facilities are in perfect condition because, although the Nazi army tried to destroy the evidence of their atrocities at the time when the Russian troops were advancing on their way to the liberation of Poland, the truth is that they did not have time to get rid of everything. The barracks, crematoria and gas chambers are preserved in almost perfect condition.

What is included in this experience

Round trip transfer from Poland to visit the Auschwitz complex consisting of several areas: the original camp known as Auschwitz I and the extension known as Auschwitz II. Also included is a guide in your language who accompanies the group of travelers at all times.

You should know that the Auschwitz facilities include a lot of sensitive material, stronger than what you will find in any other museum about the war and the holocaust. I recommend before the visit to read the rules for visiting Auschwitz from Krakow placed on their website and keep in mind that the museum itself does not recommend this visit for children under 14 years.

• Price: 26€.
• Duration of the tour: 7 hours.

Another key visit on any trip to Krakow is a tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mines. Located just a 20-minute drive from Krakow, this fantastic subway museum showcases different historical stages and mining techniques developed in Europe. These mines have been explored since the 13th century; the mines are about 327 meters deep, with 300 kilometers of galleries full of sculptures and amazing creations.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the best time to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines is in the morning; be aware that the mines can only be visited as part of a guided tour. My recommendation is to book as early as possible as the tours in English sell out quickly.

What is included in this experience

It includes a round trip from Krakow to the salt mines and back; generally a meeting point is arranged and you must be there 15 minutes before the tour starts. There is much to see in the salt mines, but pay special attention to St. Kinga's Cathedral, made entirely of salt, including the design of the floor, the lamps and the entire altar area.

• Price: 50 €.
• Duration of the excursion: 4 hours.

Booking a tour to visit the Polish capital is a favorite activity for travelers visiting Krakow. Popular for being the Polish city that most resisted the Nazi regime, its beautiful buildings were completely devastated by the bombings of 1939. After the fall of the regime, the city was rebuilt in an incredible way, sticking as much as possible to the original designs and materials.

You will find several alternatives to visit Warsaw from Krakow; the most popular ones include high speed train transfer and bus transfer. You can hire a guided tour that will allow you to learn in detail the intricate history of this fantastic city.

What this experience includes

Warsaw's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this type of experience usually includes a guide who takes the tour group on a walking tour of the most impressive historical sites in the center. You will be able to admire all kinds of medieval and Renaissance monuments.

• Price: 218 €.
• Duration of the tour: between 12 and 13 hours.

The city of Zakopane and the Tatra National Park is located only two hours drive from the center of Krakow. Booking a tour to Zakopane and Tatra is a fantastic plan if you are in Krakow for four or five days and want to enjoy the beauty of Polish nature.

Considered the most popular national park in Poland, it is one of the favorite destinations of Krakow's inhabitants, so you will find several excursions and tours in different languages to get to know and explore the area.

What is included in this experience

The most interesting thing about visiting the Tatra National Park is the many excursions available, which may change depending on the time of year. If you visit Krakow in summer you can enjoy the wonderful lakes, while if you visit Krakow in winter you can enjoy activities such as skiing in the mountains or the wonderful hot springs.

• Price: 68€.
• Duration of the excursion: 10 hours.

Located in the Pradnik Valley just 37 minutes drive from Krakow is the smallest National Park in the nation. For city dwellers, Ojcow is one of their favorite places to enjoy a weekend getaway or plan a camping trip with friends.

You can reach the park on your own using the services of a local company called Unibus. Their buses leave every 2 to 3 hours from Nowy Kleparz. However, if you are visiting Poland for the first time, my recommendation is to book a tour from Krakow.

What is included in this experience

When hiring this type of service companies include the transfer from Krakow; some companies will propose a common meeting point in a central area while others include the pick up from your hotel.

In addition to the transportation you will receive an assisted tour in Ojców Park and its beautiful attractions, these include: Pieskowa Skala Castle, a visit to the largest caves in Poland called Jaskinia Łokietka and the possibility to visit St. Florian 's Gate and the Famous Church on the water.

• Price: 131.
• Duration of the tour: 4 hours.

Whether you are Catholic or not, I recommend you to take a guided tour to Wadowice and Czestochowa, two small towns located in the south of Poland that today are places of great cultural interest for different reasons:

• Wadowice is the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II. In this city you can visit the museum dedicated to this emblematic figure of the twentieth century.
• In Czestochowa is the monastery of Jasna Góra and is the main pilgrimage center and spiritual capital of Poland due to a miraculous painting of the Black Madonna.

What is included in this experience

This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop -off and transfer in an air-conditioned minivan. The tour includes a visit to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa and the Museum of the Family House of John Paul II in Wadowice. Between the different visits there will be time to rest and have lunch.

• Price: 150 euros.
• Duration of the excursion: 10 hours.

Does the idea of combining nature and sacred sites appeal to you? Well, both plans are within your reach if you book an excursion to Pieskowa Skala Castle and Czestochowa, the heart of Polish Catholicism and one of the sacred sites of the region.

In addition, you will explore the Eagle's Nest Route, where you will see more than 20 well-preserved medieval castles, which are the living history of the country. You will also visit Czestochowa, home of the Jasna Góra Monastery, where the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, the patron saint of the country, is located.

During the day you will also visit the Pieskowa Skala Castle, an impressive fortress located in the Ojców National Park, and you will have access to the art museum inside the castle.

What is included in this experience

This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop -off and transfer in a private vehicle. In addition, you will be accompanied by a professional driver/guide at all times. In small groups of about 15 people you will have the opportunity to visit the Jasna Góra monastery, where you can see the iconic Black Madonna, and visit the Pieskowa Skala castle.

• Price: 115 €.
• Duration of the tour: 8 hours.

Another popular alternative in Krakow but not sufficiently explored by the tourists who flock to the city is to do some ecotourism in Pieniny National Park.

Pieniny National Park is a two-hour drive from the city center. If you visit Krakow in spring or summer, don't miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful natural enclave and do one of Krakow's favorite activities: rafting in the Dunajec River gorge.

What is included in this experience

All excursions generally include transfer from your hotel or a central area of Krakow to your final destination in the Park; it also includes a guide in your language or a guide in English. Also included is the safety equipment necessary to perform the activities involved in the excursion.

• Price: 90€.
• Duration of the tour: 7 hours.

Wroclaw is the English name for the Polish city of Wroclaw. Located just over three hours by train from the city of Krakow, this is a much less popular destination but one that I would recommend visiting on a tour of Poland. Due to the proximity you have several transportation alternatives to go to Wroclaw from Krakow and return to your hotel in Krakow all in one day.

What this experience includes

Visiting Wroclaw is one of the hidden gems of Poland; described as the cultural and intellectual center of the country, the main academic centers and most important universities are located in this city.

The most interesting part of a visit to Wroclaw is the beauty of its old town. It is an area where it is very easy to walk around, so you are prepared to walk through it on foot. It is full of vibrantly colored buildings, towers and churches. The aerial views of the old buildings built around the Oder River are really impressive.

• Price: 100€.
• Duration of the excursion: my recommendation is that you set aside a full day of your itinerary to see this beautiful city.

Known throughout Poland as "the painted village" this beautiful and picturesque village is an interesting destination to visit if you are visiting Krakow with children. Take half a day of your itinerary to see the colorful architecture of Zalipie, where the facades of houses and buildings have been painted with colorful patterns allegorical to Polish folk art. This destination offers spectacular photography so don't forget to pack your camera!

What is included in this experience

Organized tours include transportation to and from the colorful village from your hotel in Krakow. Ideal if you don't know the local language and find it difficult to communicate in languages other than English. Once you arrive at the village you will have free time to explore it at your leisure before heading back.

• Price: from 58€ per person.
• Duration of the excursion: about 5 or 6 hours.