Places to Visit near Krakow

The Polish city of Krakow is one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe; its fairy-tale charm, rich Polish food served in elegant restaurants, captivating bars, beautiful Krakow churches and the charming Krakow Market Square have made it an ideal place to vacation with friends and family, or to embark on a solo adventure.

As you may have noticed there is a lot to see and do in the second most important city in Poland, the truth is that the surroundings of Krakow also offer all kinds of adventures. 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 the history of mankind, and Auschwitz was in the middle of it all. Here, 1.3 million people were imprisoned for no reason; 1.1 million of them were murdered. The prisoners were mostly Jews from all corners of Europe.

Although visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps from Cracovianois a pleasant experience, I consider it an extremely necessary one, especially for younger generations whose vision 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

Transfer to and 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.

Please note 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 take into account that the museum itself does not recommend this visit for children under 14 years old.

• Price: Organized tours to Auschwitz from Krakow are available from approximately 25€ per person.
• Duration of the excursion: You should reserve one day of your trip to visit the Auschwitz camps. Considering the Auschwitz museum schedule and the return trip to Krakow, the trip usually takes about 8 hours.

Another key visit on any trip to Krakow is a tour ofthe Wieliczka Salt Mines; located just 20 minutes 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 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; usually a meeting point is arranged and you should be there 15 minutes in advance. 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 chandeliers and the entire altar area.

• Price: Excursions to the salt mines are available from 46€ per person.
• Duration of the tour: This tour lasts at least 4.5 hours, so you should reserve at least half a day of your travel itinerary to Krakow.

Taking an excursion to visit the Polish capital is one of the favorite activities 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 transfer by high speed train and transfer by bus. You can hire a guided tour that will allow you to learn in detail the intricate history of this fantastic city.

What is included in this experience

Warsaw's Old Town has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, 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: It can vary a lot depending on the experience you choose and the facilities included. Group tours with guide included are usually available from 180 Euros; while private tours with hotel transfer in Krakow usually cost around 400 Euros.
• Duration of the tour: You will need to book a full day for this experience. They usually leave Krakow early in the morning and return to the city at the end of the day.

Wroclaw is the English name for the Polish city of Wroclaw. Located just over three hours by train from the city of Krakow, it 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 is included in this experience

Visiting Wroclaw is to know one of the hidden gems of Poland; qualified 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: A tour to Wroclaw can cost approximately 100€ this price includes the transfer to and from Krakow as well as the accompaniment of an expert guide during the whole experience. If you go on your own a one way ticket to Wroclaw using PKP Intercity will cost on average 17€; consider in your budget the return ticket and additional money for food and transportation within the city.
• Duration of the tour: The trip from the center of Krakow will take you at least 3.5 hours to go and another 3.5 hours to return. My recommendation is that you set aside a full day in your itinerary to see this beautiful city.

Known throughout Poland as "the painted village", this pretty 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

The organized tours include transportation to and from the colorful town from your hotel in Krakow. Ideal if you do not know the local language and find it difficult to communicate in languages other than English. Once you arrive at the town you will have free time to explore it at your leisure before you start your return trip.

• Price: This type of experience is available from 58€ per person.
• Duration of the excursion: The village of Zalipie is located only 1.5 hours drive from Krakow. Organized excursions take about 5 to 6 hours of total travel time. If you leave Krakow in the morning you will be back by late afternoon.

The city of Zakopone and the Tatra National Park is located only two hours by car from the center of Krakow; it is a fantastic destination to visit 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 for the inhabitants of Krakow 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: From Krakow there are different types of excursions with different itineraries, however the average cost is around 60€ approximately.
• Duration of the excursion: Although the distance from the Tatra National Park is only two hours, there is too much to see and do within the park. For this reason the itinerary of the excursions usually requires about 8 hours of your time, so I recommend reserving a full day for this adventure.

Located in the Pradnik Valley just 37 minutes drive from Krakow is the nation's smallest national park. 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 or 3 hours from Nowy Kleparz. However, if you are visiting Poland for the first time, my recommendation is to book an excursion from Krakow.

What is included in this experience

When hiring this type of service the 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 transportation you will receive an assisted tour in Ojcow 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: A guided tour from Krakow usually costs about €50 on average. Transfer, escort and a guide in your language or in English are included.
• Duration of the tour: It may vary a little depending on the company you hire, however the minimum time of the tour is usually 5 hours and the maximum of 7 hours.

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

If you visit Krakow in spring or summer, don't miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful natural enclave and do one of the favorite activities of Krakowers: rafting in the gorge of the Dunajec River.

What is included in this experience

All excursions generally include transfer from the 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 carry out the activities involved in the excursion.

• Price: This type of experience is available from €90 per person. This payment includes the transfer to and from Krakow and all equipment and charges associated with rafting.
• Duration of the excursion: The average duration of this excursion is approximately 7 hours, including travel time to and from Krakow. You should reserve at least one day for your itinerary.