Krakow Adventure and Nature Activities

Krakow is a medieval city with a wide range of activities combining adventure and nature. During your stay you won't have time to waste, as you will find plenty of things to see and do in Krakow. From joining a rafting experience on the Dunajec River to relaxing in the botanical garden where nature comes alive. Among the various options, you can also enjoy exciting outdoor tours and breathtaking panoramas from the Kościuszko Mound, among other things.

Sailing on the Vistula River is a must-do adventure during your visit to Kraków in 2 days or more. You will discover the city's skyline from a different perspective, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings.

This experience will allow you to cross the entire city from the Vistula River, which is considered the most important river in Poland . You will be able to see the most emblematic historical, cultural and religious destinations of Krakow, located on both sides of the river. And all this while listening to an audio guide.

Some of the sights you will see on this Vistula River cruise include:

• Krakow Castle, an imposing construction on Wawel Hill that served as a royal residence and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Kazimierz district, better known as Krakow's iconic Jewish quarter.
• Bernatka Bridge, decorated with dozens of picturesque padlocks, placed by couples as a symbol of their love.
• The House of Polish Pope John Paul II, now a major museum.

Useful information

• Price: from €20 per person.
• Duration: usually 1 hour.

In the metropolitan area of this Polish city you will find the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a natural underground space of great beauty that will surprise you. I suggest you enjoy a different kind of adventure to this emblematic destination.

It is an underground world of salt that will amaze you. You will find galleries, brine lakes, traces of mineral extraction and even a chapel of Saint Kinga, among other things. You will be immersed in Polish history and have the opportunity to take photos of the Wieliczka Salt Mines if you wish.

This type of tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow usually starts with a pick-up from your hotel or meeting point in the city. You will then travel about 20 minutes by car to the mines, taking in the beautiful Polish countryside along the way. Upon arrival you will be connected with a guide who will accompany you to explore this 3 km long labyrinth of tunnels.

Useful information

• Price: from €88 per person. Includes guide and return transfer.
• Duration: this tour to the Salt Mines from Krakow takes about 6 hours.

If you are keen on adventures on wheels, I recommend a cycling tour of Krakow. You'll see the city from a different perspective and enjoy the surrounding nature. This is an ideal plan during the summer, i.e. if you are in Kraków between May and August, because the weather is warm and pleasant.

You can take the cycling route along the Vistula, observing the calm waters of this important river and the boats that sail on it. You can also visit the ancient Tyniec Monastery on the banks of the river (12 kilometres from the city centre).

You can also pass through the Old Town, the Market Square, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, Wawel Castle, among others. The route will depend on whether you join a Krakow bike tour or rent a bike and cycle at your own pace.

Useful information

• Price: from €83 per person.
• Duration: If you take a guided tour, it could take around 3 hours. However, if you are on your own, it will depend on how long you have hired the rental for.

The Polish city has an area dedicated to the animal kingdom, the Krakow Zoo. There, you will see various species of exotic animals in a natural environment and you will be able to observe them, interact with some of them and learn interesting facts about them.

In this zoo you will have the opportunity to see more than 1500 animals belonging to at least 260 species. Some of them include lemurs, snow leopards, baby pandas, Indian elephants, dwarf hippopotamuses, Humboldt penguins and more. Remember that in summer in Krakow, the animals are usually more active than during the cold months when they are hibernating.

As a tip for travelling to Krakow and doing this activity, bear in mind that the enclosure is on the outskirts of the city. Therefore, it would be a good idea to buy tickets for the zoo with a private transfer from your hotel.

Useful information

• Price: The price of the zoo ticket with transfer starts at 21€ per person.
• Opening hours: If you visit Krakow in winter or autumn, the zoo is open from 9:00 to 16:00. In spring and summer the zoo is open until 19:00.

A rafting experience is another must if you are in Krakow and love water sports. You will experience an adrenaline-fuelled adventure on the choppy waters of the Dunajec River, a tributary of the Vistula River located in the outskirts of Kraków.

Once on the banks of the Dunajec, you will board a raft and, accompanied by an expert, take part in a thrilling descent down the river while you gaze at the Pieniny Mountains.

After this moment of direct connection with nature, you can return to the bustling but fun Polish city to continue with your activities. A good option is to combine the experience with a guided tour of the city centre or a sightseeing tour on the Krakow Sightseeing Bus.

Useful information

• Price: from 150 ¤ (approx.).
• Duration: approx. 7 hours.

I propose you to experience a different adventure during your stay: escape from the hustle and bustle of the streets and take a hike through the stunning natural and historical areas surrounding the city. You'll enjoy the biodiversity and the beautiful scenery.

There are several tours and excursions from Krakow that you can do on your own or with a guide. Some of them are as follows:

Excursion to Ojców National Park

This excursion to Ojców National Park from Krakow will allow you to enjoy Polish nature. You can explore more than 400 caves, watch birds in their natural habitat, go climbing and hike on low-impact hiking tra ils.

• Price: from 150€ per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.

Excursion to Plaszów Concentration Camp

A good option if you are interested in the subject of the Jewish Holocaust is a trip to the Plaszów Concentration Camp (only 15 minutes drive from the city centre). Upon arrival, you will see the impressive open-air quarries, used to recreate the concentration camp in the film Schindler's List, and the former SS (Nazi paramilitary organisation) building, among other things.

• Price: approximately €35 per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Kayaking on the Vistula River is a popular activity for water sports enthusiasts. If this is your case, don't hesitate to incorporate this adventure into your itinerary. You'll get a unique perspective of the city and its main attractions while paddling at your own pace.

On the banks of the Vistula you'll board a single or double kayak, as you wish . Once you start paddling, you'll be able to see the Wawel Hill, the Manggha Museum, the Church on the Rockel in Kazimierz and the Jewish quarter of Krakow, among others.

Not only will you enjoy the surroundings and the experience, but you'll also have the opportunity to take some amazing pictures. Afterwards, you can get closer to the places seen from the kayak, for example, by taking a guided tour to the Wawel Castle in Krakow, which stands on the hill of the same name.

Useful information

• Price: the average price for a kayak rental on the Vistula River is €7 per person.
• Duration: this kayaking experience usually lasts a minimum of 30 minutes.

If you want to connect with nature and the city' s historical past, you will love a walk in Planty Park. You can walk along beautiful paths, have a picnic while breathing in the fresh air and taking beautiful pictures.

Along this route of more than 4 kilometres around the Old Town of Krakow you will see the Florian Gate, which served as the entrance to the city, as well as some statues of Polish historical figures and remains of the city wall that protected Krakow. You'll also pass along a small boulevard on the banks of the Vistula River, with views of Wawel Castle.

Walking along the green paths around the Old Town is ideal if you're in Kraków with children, as they can run around and enjoy nature and the great outdoors. It is definitely a must-see destination that perfectly complements a tour of Krakow's Old Town, taking advantage of the fact that it is located in this area of the city.

Useful information

• Admission to Planty Park is free.
• Opening hours: Planty Park is open 24 hours a day.

The Cracow Botanical Garden is the perfect place if you are interested in the world of plants. You can explore this little green lung during your stay and discover a great diversity of nature while enjoying a peaceful and fresh environment.

When you arrive at the garden you will see long walking paths, beautiful ponds and the following highlights:

• The arboretum: with over 1000 species of shrubs and trees.
• The Victoria Orangery: where aquatic species are grown.
• The Anniversary Orangery: with an important collection of some 50 palms, cycads, carnivorous plants and others such as olive trees.

Any time of the year is the best time to travel to Krakow and visit this natural area. It is located in the city centre about 10 minutes walk from the Krakow Market Square and is part of the Krakow sightseeing bus route.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €3 per person.
• Opening hours: From April until October in Krakow, the Botanical Garden is open from 9:00 to 19:00. If you are in Krakow in November and until March, the opening hours are from 9:00 to 16:00.

The Kosciuszko Mo und is an amazing place if you want to discover some of Poland's historical heritage, enjoy nature and get a breathtaking view of the whole of Krakow. You will explore this mound and climb to the top through a series of nature trails.

When you arrive at the Kościuszko Mound you will find a museum at the bottom, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, an important Polish military leader. You will also get a bird's eye view of Kraków and its surroundings. Take advantage of the incredible scenery to take some pictures.

Also, with tickets to the Kościuszko Mound you will have access to the trails surrounding the mound, dotted with native vegetation and wildlife.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee to the Kościuszko Mound is approximately 5€ per person.
• Opening hours: if you are in Krakow in autumn or winter, access is usually from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. In spring and summer, the Kościuszko Mound is open from 6:00 to 20:00.