Kraków, the onetime royal capital of Poland, is packed with plenty of things to see and do – and it’s also an amazing jumping-off spot for a variety of day trips.
Once you’ve meandered through Kraków’s Main Market Square and seen the Royal Castle and Kazimierz, here’s a round-up of day trips – from the merely jaw-dropping to the truly life-changing – to take as you continue to explore.
Bear Witness at Auschwitz-Birkenau
A trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum won’t be suitable for all visitors and is not recommended for children under 14. However, this poignant location captures the horrors of the Holocaust and the depravities humankind can inflict. More than a million people, including Jews, Poles, and Roma, were murdered here during the war. A visit affords the chance to bear witness to this tragedy and affirm that nothing like it must ever happen again. Consequently, the tour unfolds in two parts. The main camp, Auschwitz I, includes exhibitions explaining what transpired; the larger camp at Birkenau (Auschwitz II) is where most of the killings took place.
Getting there: The Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial is located in Oświęcim, about 50km (31 miles) west of Kraków. Both buses and trains make the trip, but buses tend to be more convenient as they drop you closer to the main entrance of the site.
Be Amazed by the Elaborate Artistry of Wieliczka Salt Mine
We truly recommend a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one that’s unlike any salt mine you might be picturing. The UNESCO-protected Wieliczka Salt Mine is a stunning example of underground artistry. Miners have created elaborate chambers, chapels, and altarpieces from salt crystals, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and grand scale. The highlight is a vast chamber housing the beautifully decorated Chapel of St. Kinga, which took over 30 years to complete.
Getting there: Both trains and buses frequently depart from Kraków’s main train and bus stations to the suburb of Wieliczka, approximately 14km (9 miles) away, taking around 30 minutes. Look for bus number 304, which departs near the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall. If traveling by train, take the train from Kraków’s main rail station (Dworzec Główny) to the Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia train station.
Enjoy the Mountain Air and Architecture of Zakopane
Kraków lies just beyond the foothills of the mighty Tatra Mountains, the highest peaks of the Carpathian chain. As the primary base for exploring the mountains from the Polish side, Zakopane is a vibrant resort full of hikers in summer and skiers in winter. Moreover, Zakopane is renowned for its magnificent timber villas dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to the pretty alpine lake at Morskie Oko and later visit the impressive Museum of Zakopane Style.
Getting there: The bus is the best transport option to reach Zakopane, providing a direct service at least every half-hour during the day, with a trip duration of about two hours.
Try Pope John Paul II’s Favorite Dessert in His Hometown
Devotees of former pope and Polish hero John Paul II may wish to visit his birthplace in Wadowice. The house where future pontiff Karol Wojtyła was born has been restored and is open for guided tours. Wadowice is a charming, cobblestoned town perfect for a short exploration. Don’t miss trying kremówka, the pope’s favorite dessert – a legendary layered cream cake found at various cafes, including the highly recommended Kawiarna Mieszczańska.
Getting there: Wadowice is easily reachable from Kraków by bus or train, with buses being the faster option, taking just over an hour for the 52km (32-mile) trip.
See Castles and Caves at Ojców National Park
Ojców National Park, Poland’s smallest national park, is abundant with both natural and man-made attractions. Though it covers just 21.5 sq km (8.3 sq miles), the park features romantic castles, caves, unique rock formations, and diverse flora and fauna, providing a refreshing contrast to Kraków’s busy streets. Notable sites include the 14th-century Pieskowa Skała Castle and the area’s longest cave, Wierzchowska Górna Cave.
Getting there: A minibus service links Kraków with Ojców, with buses departing from the north side of Kraków. Expect the journey to last around 40 minutes.
