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Wieliczka Salt Mine: Half-Day Guided Tour with Optional Transport from Krakow
4.3
1,715 Ratings
Kraków
Explore the fascinating Wieliczka Salt Mine on a half-day guided tour from Krakow. Marvel at the stunning salt sculptures and learn about the history of mining techniques. Optional transport available.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Krakow - Our meeting point is at Pawia 18b St.\nHere our driver will meet you for the transfer to Wieliczka.\nThe transfer will take approximately 45 minutes.\n- Wieliczka Salt Mine - Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most precious and fascinating Polish monuments. The first tourist trail in Wieliczka was established as early as the beginning of the 19th century. A couple of centuries later the salt mine was designated as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1978). \n\nThe underground path leads through numerous drifts, galleries, and chambers, where traces of mining activity have been preserved, as well as examples of art, and theme compositions relating to the history of the mine and its legends. Wieliczka is the world’s largest mining heritage museum… Moreover, the microclimate of the mine has a beneficial impact on visitors who suffer from asthma and allergies.\n\nThe tour starts with a descent of 64 meters by stairs. You are then led through a number of chambers and shown underground lakes, shrines, and salt monuments. The trip finishes at the level of 135 meters below the surface and the return to the surface is by lift.\n- Stare Miasto - After the tour, your driver will be waiting in the place where you left the car. Time to get back to Krakow city center.
What's Included
- Expert local guide
- Optional pickup and drop-off service
- All fees and taxes covered
- Entrance to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine
Additional Information
Embark on a half-day guided exploration to the famed Wieliczka Salt Mine close to Krakow, where you can marvel at the stunning salt artistry crafted from ‘white gold’.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is globally recognized as the most extensive mining heritage museum, housing a unique assortment of mining artifacts that trace the evolution of mining processes from medieval times to the present day. Additionally, the mine’s microclimate renders therapeutic benefits to visitors afflicted with allergies and asthma.
This journey includes a direct transport service from Krakow as well as an entrance pass for the Wieliczka Salt Mine Museum.
- TOUR DURATION AND SCHEDULE: Typical tour duration in the Mine is around 2-3 hours. Check the specific start time of your tour and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- TICKET INFORMATION: Ensure you have your tickets or booking confirmation ready, either printed or on a mobile device.
- LANGUAGE OF THE TOUR: Verify the language of the guided tour to ensure it matches your preference.
- HEALTH AND SAFETY: Be aware that the tour involves walking and descending a significant number of stairs (around 800 steps). The tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobia or severe respiratory or heart conditions.
- DRESS CODE: Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves a lot of walking. Dress in layers; the temperature inside the mine is around 14-16°C (57-61°F) year-round.
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Check the policy on photography; usually, non-flash photography is allowed, but a fee might be required for camera use.
- FACILITIES: Restrooms are available before the tour begins and at certain points within the mine. There are often opportunities to purchase souvenirs and refreshments.
- RESTRICTIONS: Large bags and backpacks are typically not allowed inside the mine; lockers are available for storage.
- ADDITIONAL TIPS: Bring a bottle of water, especially if visiting during warmer months. Listen to the guide’s instructions and stay with the group at all times.
Location
Pawia 18b
Pawia
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(1715 Ratings)
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Simon_c
May 31, 2024
Excellent experience. Great guide. - Excellent experience. Caroline was a very good guide. She brought a lot of knowledge to her commentary. And went at a good pace for everyone.
It's a long walk, many steps...but really worth it.
Review provided by Viator
H4122lwcolinw
May 11, 2024
Awersome your - Excellent your very interesting but a lot of walking both down stairs and along corridors.
However the experience was well worth the effort
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martin
May 9, 2024
Surprisingly great - it was another world. - This was a pleasant surprise as it was a great tour, well presented by a very knowledgeable guide and just kept giving one astonishing moment after another. It's hard to put into perspective just how amazing some of the sights were. The carvings, the chapels, the statues, and the work that went into them over so many centuries is truly incredible.
The tour takes a good three hours or so and there are a fair few steps particularly at the beginning but it's not a hard walk and it is generally warm enough to leave a jumper at home.
All in all, very well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jmd215
May 9, 2024
A good day - A very good tour, however groups are far too big & you need to make sure you are near the guide to hear everything. Headphones & ear phones would be beneficial for a tour like this due to size of groups and the amount of noise & people there are. Despite this we enjoyed our visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rlfdinky
May 9, 2024
An essential visit to Krakow - An essential visit to make in Krakow. The mine is exceptional in size and length of visit. You have to be in good shape because there are a lot of stairs (to go down) and corridors to go through (especially for the knees) but you go back up in the elevator. A totally different experience from coal mines both in the size of the corridors and rooms (sometimes without support wood) and dry air because of the salt. The chapels and statues are exceptional. In terms of explanations... it's a shame not to have more explanations on the evolution of extraction methods and the living conditions of miners (better explained in St Etienne in France for example). A tendency of the guide to rekindle anecdotes to relax… which ends up being tiring. We can indeed have a form of claustrophobia...but with each explanation it is useful to understand why and how this part was created. But in any case an impressive visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johanna_k
Mar 18, 2024
unique place to visit - Nice place to visit, we were 100 meters below ground level. Lot of steps and long walk, but was worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Andrewclough1
Feb 9, 2024
Surrounded by salt! - Breathtaking caverns cathedral churches carvings, all as far underground as the Eiffel Tower is tall. Katrina was a brilliant, knowledgable guide who brought the experience to life. A must do when visiting Kracow!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest49161247950
Apr 13, 2024
Highly recommend but a little rushed - Kept well informed of pick up times, excellent and knowledgeable guide. Fascinating mines with great history and much to admire. Some of the carvings were jaw dropping in their beauty and intricacy. A little rushed and could have done with a 20 minute break at the coffee shop not 10 mins bearing in mind the amount of walking you have to do.
Besides this issue would highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_n
May 12, 2024
Great trip to the salt mines, but not without flaws - The salt mine itself is a fantastic experience to see. The guide was good at telling the background stories.
However: To be honest, I think the trip + guided tour was somewhat overpriced. We were a group of 5 and paid 381 $ for it. I think 250 $ would be more suitable. Also, There appeared to be a sort of stress among the guides that led to some confusion and contradictory information. There was a little girl in the group, who had to go to the toilet. The first guide, who clearly was on a tight schedule, said that there was a toilet down in the mines. The guide down in the mines said that the little girl should have used the toilet before walking down to the mines. Fortunately, the guide found a way to solve it. Also: Before walking the many steps downwards, the first guide told us to be aware of where we where, so that we could find our own way to the bus, when returning home. However, when the tour finished and we took the lift up to the ground floor. The exit was at at a whole different place. We couldn't recognize it and many visitors in the group had difficulties finding the way back to the bus and of course, this caused some delay.
Review provided by Viator
Jamesps8495ps
Mar 23, 2024
Interesting but not too interesting - Interesting place, but definitely a tourist destination that felt like a roadside attraction rather than a piece of history. The chapels in the mine are extremely interesting, but otherwise it felt extremely commercial. I would only recommend if you have the time and money to spend. Krakow and surrounding areas have better to offer. The bus ride was fine, but there are cheaper ways to get to the mine.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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