Places to Visit near Krakow

The Polish city of Krakow is one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe: its fairy-tale charm, delicious food and wonderful buildings have made it an ideal place to travel, but Krakow's surroundings also offer all kinds of adventures and experiences. Here are a few of my favourites to inspire you to 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, 1.1 million of whom were murdered. The prisoners were mostly Jews from all over Europe.

Although visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps from Krakow may not be a pleasant experience, I consider it an extremely 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 as the Russian troops advanced on their way to liberate Poland, 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 travellers at all times.

You should know that the Auschwitz facility includes a lot of sensitive material, more powerful than what you will find in any other museum about the war and the Holocaust. I recommend reading the rules for visiting Auschwitz from Krakow posted on their website before the visit and note that the museum itself does not recommend this visit for children under the age of 14.

• 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 underground museum showcases different historical stages and mining techniques developed in Europe. These mines have been explored since the 13th century; the mines are around 327 metres deep, with 300 kilometres of galleries filled with 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 return trip from Krakow to the salt mines and back; a meeting point is usually arranged and you need to 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, which is made entirely of salt, including the design of the floor, the chandeliers and the entire altar area.

• Price: 50 €.
• Duration of tour: 4 hours.

Booking a tour of the Polish capital is a favourite activity for travellers visiting Kraków. Popular as the Polish city that put up the most resistance to the Nazi regime, its beautiful buildings were completely devastated by bombing in 1939. After the fall of the regime, the city was rebuilt in an incredible way, sticking as closely as possible to the original designs and materials.

You'll find several alternatives for visiting Warsaw from Krakow, the most popular of which include high-speed train transfer and bus transfer. You can book a guided tour that will give you a detailed insight into the intricate history of this fantastic city.

What's included in this experience

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 centre's most impressive historical sites. 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 town of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains National Park is located just two hours drive from the centre 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 Krakow's favourite destinations for locals and you'll find many excursions and tours in different languages to explore the area.

What's included in this experience

The most interesting part of visiting the Tatra National Park is the many excursions available, which can change depending on the time of year. If you visit Krakow in summer you can enjoy the beautiful 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 tour: 10 hours.

Located in the Pradnik Valley just 37 minutes drive from Kraków is the nation's smallest national park. For city dwellers, Ojcow is one of their favourite 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 booking 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 pick up from your hotel.

In addition to the transport you will receive an assisted tour of the 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 a guided tour to Wadowice and Czestochowa, two small towns in the south of Poland that are nowadays 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 20th century.
• Czestochowa is home to the Jasna Góra monastery and is the main pilgrimage centre and spiritual capital of Poland due to a miraculous painting of the Black Madonna.

What is included in this experience

This tour includes pick up and drop off at the hotel 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 visits there will be time to rest and have lunch.

• Price: 150 €.
• Duration of the tour: 10 hours.

Does the idea of combining nature and sacred sites appeal to you? Both are within your reach if you book a tour of Pieskowa Skala Castle and Czestochowa, the heart of Polish Catholicism and one of the region's holy sites.

You'll also explore the Eagle's Nest Route, where you'll see more than 20 well-preserved medieval castles that are the country's living history. 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 but under-explored alternative in Kraków is to do some ecotourism in Pieniny National Park.

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

What is included in this experience

All excursions generally include transfer from your hotel or a central location in Krakow to your final destination in the Park, as well as a guide in your language or an English-speaking guide. Also included is the safety equipment necessary for the activities involved in the excursion.

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

Wroclaw is the name by which the Polish city of Wroclaw is known. Located just over three hours by train from Krakow, it's a much less popular destination but one I'd recommend visiting on a tour of Poland. Due to the proximity you have several transport options to get to Wroclaw from Krakow and back to your hotel in Krakow all in one day.

What is included in this experience

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

The most interesting aspect of a visit to Wroclaw is the beauty of its old town. It is an area that is very easy to walk around, so you'll be well prepared to explore it on foot. It is full of vibrantly coloured buildings, towers and churches. The aerial views of the old buildings built around the Oder River are truly breathtaking.

• Price: 100€.
• Duration of the tour: I recommend 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 out of your itinerary to see the colourful architecture of Zalipie, where the facades of houses and buildings have been painted with colourful patterns allegorical to Polish folk art. This destination offers spectacular photography so don't forget to pack your camera!

What's included in this experience

The organised tours include transport to and from the colourful town 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 in the village you will have free time to explore the village at your leisure before the return journey.

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