Just thirteen kilometres from the bustling cafes and historic alleys of Krakow lies one of Poland's greatest treasures. The unassuming town of Wieliczka conceals an entrance to a fascinating underground world— a salt mine, which is far more than just a disused industrial site. It is a place where 700 years of human toil have been transformed into a stunning work of art, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Wieliczka is an underground town, a labyrinth of tunnels stretching hundreds of meters deep below the earth. But forget any notion of a dark and dusty shaft. It is a place of superlatives: the world's oldest operating salt mine, which also ranks among the most breathtaking galleries you can imagine.

Your adventure begins with a descent down wooden staircases into a shaft over one hundred meters deep. With each step, you find yourself deeper within the earth's belly until you finally reach the first level. The temperature here is a consistently pleasant 17-18°C, and the air is filled with a delicate, salty taste. The journey down is an experience in itself – around you hang salt stalactites, which the locals smilingly call "spaghetti," and roughly hewn statues of mythical figures protrude from the walls.

Salt mining began here in the 13th century, and over the centuries, miners have created an incredible labyrinth of nearly 300 kilometres of tunnels and 2,400 chambers. The most amazing of these now form the tourist route. You will find life-sized statues, reliefs depicting historical events, and even a faithful salt replica of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

All of this admiration, however, is overshadowed the moment you step into the heart of the entire mine: the Chapel of Saint Kinga. This massive underground church is the work of miners who carved it from a solid salt block over decades. Its grandeur is utterly breathtaking.

Magnificent reliefs depicting biblical scenes, altars, and countless statues—everything is made of rock salt. Even the massive chandeliers that illuminate the entire space with a magical light are made of salt crystals. However, the chapel is also renowned for its acoustics. The low vaulted ceilings and hexagonal floor made of salt panels create one of the finest music halls in the world. Concerts held in this chamber are an unforgettable experience.

The chapel is dedicated to a legend —the story of Hungarian Princess Kinga, who was said to have brought salt mining to Poland. How? When she accepted an engagement ring from Prince Bolesław of Kraków, she didn't toss it into a chest but instead threw it into the depths of a salt mine in what is now Romania. A few weeks later, now on Polish soil, she ordered miners to dig in a rather ordinary spot. And what did they find? Her ring, which had miraculously travelled underground, drawing with it immense salt deposits that have been mined in Wieliczka ever since.

 
Address:

Tourist Route (Daniłowicz Shaft) – Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka

Miners' Route (Regis Shaft) – plac Kościuszki 9, Wieliczka

 

Useful tips:

Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Don’t forget – without a reservation, you probably won’t get to see the mine.

For most of us, the Tourist Route will be the obvious choice. It’s a cross-section of the most breathtaking sights the mine has to offer. You can expect majestic underground chambers and chapels crafted in exquisite detail. However, if you have adventurous blood running through your veins, opt for the Miners' Route. Here, you'll become a real miner for a few hours. An expedition into the depths awaits you, where you'll complete various tasks and experience an authentic mining adventure.

You can only take a small hand luggage (max. 20x20x35 cm) into the mine with you. Larger backpacks, suitcases, or strollers can be stored for free in automatic lockers. However, their capacity and size are limited, and you cannot reserve a spot. If at all possible, leave larger items in your car or at the hotel.

The route is about 3.5 km long and will take roughly 2–3 hours. Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles are essential. Even in the heat of summer, bring a sweater or light jacket. The temperature underground is a pleasant but constant 17–18 °C. Layers will allow you to adjust easily.

Before heading underground, we recommend using the toilets right at the Daniłowicz Shaft. But don't worry, there are two more stops available along the route.

Taking amateur photos and videos is allowed and free of charge.

At the end of the tour, a culinary highlight awaits you at the Górniczy Tavern. You can sit down at massive wooden tables, just like miners after their shift, and soak up the unique atmosphere. The underground menu offers traditional Polish specialties such as pierogi (boiled dumplings made of unleavened dough filled with savoury or sweet fillings), żurek (a rye sour soup with smoked meat or sausage), or bigos (a dish made of sauerkraut, fresh cabbage and various types of meat).

 

A tip for lovers of unique experiences:

Close your eyes and imagine falling asleep in the heart of a magical salt kingdom, surrounded by thousand-year-old crystals. This dream becomes a reality right at the Wieliczka Salt Mine. You can look forward not only to an overnight stay deep underground but also to a tour of the Tourist Route and dinner in a unique subterranean setting.

 

How to get to Wieliczka?

If you want maximum comfort and prefer not to deal with timetables, opt for the premium service offered directly by the mine. With the "Ticket and Transfer" package, an English-speaking driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Krakow and take you right to the mine entrance. After your tour, he will be waiting for you again to drive you back. It's carefree, comfortable and stylish. An ideal choice if you're traveling in a larger group or simply want the beginning and end of your trip to be part of a luxury experience.

However, we have a tip for a much cheaper, yet still very comfortable option used by both locals and experienced travellers: the commuter train of the company Koleje Małopolskie. Board at any stop on the line from Krakow Lotnisko and get off at Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia. From the station, it's just a few minutes' brisk walk to the mine entrance.

And it's completely stress-free: you can conveniently buy your ticket directly on the train, either from a machine or from the conductor. You can even buy a return ticket on the train without having to worry about a specific departure time. After your tour, you simply hop on the first train heading back to Krakow.

 

Where to park the car?

"Tężnia" Car Park: Edwarda Dembowskiego 22, Wieliczka

"Daniłowicz" Car Park: Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka

 

 

Our final tip:

The Upper Market (Rynek Górny) in Wieliczka is a living chronicle that remembers the 14th century and the reign of King Casimir the Great.

Although the houses around it received a new facade in the 19th century, their foundations still adhere to the ancient medieval grid plan. Among them shines a neoclassical pearl – the Przychocki Palace, proudly standing on the site of the original town hall.

The entire space is given its unique atmosphere by a set of bronze statues of miners, who are just emerging from the darkness of the underground.