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 Attractions Near Krakow

Krakow is a city you will surely never get bored with... unless you will. In that case, you don't necessarily have to pack your bags and go home – the region is packed with attractions, most of them quite near Cracow. Within about an hour's drive from Krakow you will find several diverse places worth visiting, among them the Wieliczka Mine, the Auschwitz Death Camp, the Abbey in Tyniec and the Ojcow National Park. Below you will find a list of the most interesting attractions near Krakow.

Wieliczka Mine

Full of underground salt wonders, including magnificent chapels and scenic lakes, the Wieliczka Mine is the perfect destination for those who have just a day to spare in Krakow and want to be sure they see something to remember. Walking in the 3 kilometers of underground corridors that are available for the visitors is truly an unforgettable experience. Wieliczka is just 12 kilometers away from the center of Krakow, and is easily reachable by train, bus and car.

Tyniec Abbey

The thousand-year-old monastery in the until-recently separate town of Tyniec is picturesquely located on a cliff on the bank of the Vistula river – and no wonder the town and the convent were an inspiration for many poets and writers. Now, Tyniec is a part of Krakow and can be conveniently reached with municipal buses, bicycles of by boat. The Tyniec Abbey is about 12 kilometers from the Krakow Old Town.

Ojcow National Park

Poland's smallest National Park is also one of the most beautiful, and contains quite a few geological marvels as well as two of the Eagle-Nest Castles. The Ojcow National Park is about 25 kilometers from Krakow.

Auschwitz

The Nazi Death Camp in Auschwitz operated for just four years, between 1941 and 1945, and during that time about one million Jews, Poles, Soviets and Gypsies were murdered in its gas chambers. The tour of Auschwitz is truly a memorable experience. Oswiecim (Polish for Auschwitz) is about 50 kilometers from Krakow.

Wadowice

The small town of Wadowice is the birthplace of pope John Paul II. Apart from seeing his home (now turned into a museum),  a tour of Wadowice should include the schools he attended and other places where he spent his youth, you can eat the famous Wadowice cream-cake (kremowka). Wadowice are about 50 kilometers from Krakow, quite near another near-Krakow attraction, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

The mannerist calvary complex of 42 chapels, picturesquely situated on a hill to mimic the actual location in Jerusalem is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Poland, a close second to the leader, Czestochowa. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is 35 kilometers from Krakow, in the direction of Wadowice.

Eagle-Nest Castles

A trail of several castles built in the medieval times to protect the Polish border, at that time located desperately near Krakow spreads between the then-capital and Czestochowa. Although only the castle of Pieskowa Skala isn't ruined, many of the others are also worth visiting.

Czestochowa

The Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa contains the miraculous painting of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (Matka Boska Czestochowska), bringing 4 million pilgrims every year to the city. It was especially beloved by pope John Paul II, who visited this near-Krakow town six times during his pontificate. Visiting Czestochowa means a longer trip from Krakow, as the town is about 140 kilometers away from Cracow.

Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains, Poland's highest, are just 100 kilometers away from Krakow, and offer breathtaking views, arguably comparable to the Alps. A certain must-see is the town of Zakopane with its unique, wooden architecture. Click here to book a Zakopane Tour.