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For those visiting Krakรณw, the Wieliczka Salt Mines are not to be missed! A visit to Wieliczka, in fact, is definitely a must-see in Krakow. The Wieliczka Salt Mines have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. This mine is located only fifteen kilometers from Krakรณw and is the subject of a classic half-day trip starting from the center of Krakรณw.
Salt mining in Wieliczka dates back to the 13th century and continued until 1996. Wieliczka, therefore, is home to one of the oldest salt mines in the world. The mine stretches 287 kilometers and reaches a depth of 327 meters. With Wieliczka tours, the depth reaches 135 meters, and a visit to Wieliczka is just over two hours long.
From Krakow to the salt mines of Wieliczka
Before explaining what to see in the Wieliczka Salt Mines I will tell how to get to Wieliczka from Krakow. The first way to visit Wieliczka is the easiest and the recommended one: join a group tour starting from Krakow, such as this one here.. Joining a tour from Krakow to Wieliczka allows you not to worry about travel arrangements. In my opinion it is 60 euros well spent!
The second way to get to Wieliczka is to use the Bolt cab app. The price is about 12 euros (from downtown Krakow) but my friends and I could not find a cab. We, thus, used another method to reach the Old Town.
The third link between downtown Krakow and Wieliczka is by train. The SKA1 train (the same one that connects downtown Krakรณw to the airport) connects Krakow Glowny (or Krakow Grzegorzki) Central Station to Wieliczka Station, which is a five-minute walk from the entrance to the salt mines. This service costs about 5 euros round trip.
The last connection is useful for those staying in the castle area. In fact, from Wavel to Wieliczka there is the possibility of using the bus and streetcar combo (304 and 13): the cost is about two euros.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
The tour in the Wieliczka Salt Mines begins at a depth of 60 meters, after having already faced about 400 steps. At this level it is possible to see halls depicting mine work over the centuries, local legends, and some statues dedicated to Polish heroes, who may be military or scientists, such as Nicholas Copernicus.
The second level, at a depth of about 100 meters, houses St. Kinga’s Chapel, surely the most beautiful place in the entire Wieliczka Salt Mine. It took a full 70 years to complete St. Kinga’s Chapel! To this day it is still possible to admire a splendid chapel, a full 54 meters long. The great works of art in St. Kinga’s Chapel are the bas-relief depicting The Last Supper, the chandeliers composed of salt crystals, and the statue dedicated to John Paul II. Here is a video of St. Kinga’s Chapel!
The third level, at a depth of 135 meters, allows one to admire the sulfur pools and appreciate, once again, architectural ingenuity. A beautiful dining room, adorned with chandeliers similar to those seen in St. Kinga’s Chapel, is a reminder that important events can be booked in the Wieliczka Salt Mines!
IN ADDITION TO THE SALT MINES NEAR KRAKOW, YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN…
Trip to Bolivia, featuring the mines of Potosi!
The tunnel to the North Cape, biking 220 meters below sea level!
INFORMATION ABOUT WIELICZKA SALT MINES, CRACOW
- On the Wieliczka Salt Mines website. you can book various tours. Personally, I strongly recommend that you book the classic tour, called the tourist one. I did not visit the mining tour, partly because I did not find it as interesting as the tourist one. Instead, I took the gradation tower tour: my dispassionate advice is to save two hours and about 20 minutes of time, as I did not find it interesting. Admission costs about 30 euros.
- During the summer months and holidays, I recommend booking well in advance, as tickets may easily sell out.
- You cannot visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines on your own. One must, in fact, lean on a guided tour, which is included in the entrance fee. When you make your reservation on the site, in fact, you have to choose the exact time of the visit and the desired language. Expect a temperature around 17 degrees Celsius: a sweatshirt is more than enough. I recommend using closed, comfortable shoes!
- The classic sightseeing tour consists of a tour of about two and a half hours. You descend about 135 meters, walking 3.5 kilometers. Going down about 135 meters means walking about 800 steps: a non-athletic, but sporty enough physical condition not to suffer from claustrophobia and a walk is required. To ascend the 135 meters there is an elevator. There is the possibility of using toilets about halfway up the tour: at the same time it is possible to buy some snacks.
- The Wieliczka tour is very well done. I found the guide very knowledgeable and tells definitely interesting anecdotes. Keep in mind that from the time you greet the guide it will be about 15 minutes of walking before you reach the elevator: most likely when you leave the guide you will think the tour is now over, but instead you will have to walk some more.
- The start of the Wieliczka tour does not match the end of the tour. This is the location of the start of the tour, while here it ends. The two locations are about 10 minutes walking distance from each other.
- Is it worth visiting Wieliczka? Absolutely! In my opinion widely on the list of what to visit in Krakow in three days!
- How to get to the Wieliczka mines from Krakow? I chose the Bolt option on the outward journey, while on the return I did the bus + streetcar combo. We were four friends and, therefore, this solution was cheap. We did not, however, find any cabs in Wieliczka: it may, therefore, be an unsuccessful choice. The tour option is, in my opinion, the most convenient and quiet. If you are short on time, you might also consider doing the combination salt mines plus Auschwitz concentration camps, available here. In my opinion, however, the latter excursion is definitely long and strenuous.
- How long is the Wieliczka hike in total? Expect to spend about half a day in Wieliczka. The excursion, by itself, takes only two and a half hours. Calculating, however, transportation from Krakow to Wieliczka and back easily exceeds five hours.
- I have visited the Wieliczka Salt Mines twice. The first time, in 2010, I had not been impressed by the beauty of the place. Fortunately, in life one can change one’s opinion: in 2024 I greatly enjoyed the visit!
