The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been open to the public for many years. The mining museum, located near Krakow, is an underground attraction worth visiting if you have time during your visit to Poland. Find out why it is worth visiting this place!
How to get from Krakow to the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
There are several ways to get from Krakow to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. You can take a bus or train to the town of Bochnia, where the entrance to the mine is located. It takes about 45 minutes by car from Krakow and about 20 minutes by train or bus. Alternatively, you can take the train from Krakow to Wieliczka station. From there it is a 15-minute walk to the mine entrance. The train ride takes about 30 minutes and costs a dozen PLN per person.
An organised Krakow salt mines trip is also a good option. This way you don’t have to deal with organisational matters on your own, because specialists will take care of it. You’ll get transport from Krakow, as well as support from a guide who will tell you about the treasures to be found in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. You can book such a tour in advance – whether for a smaller or a larger group, or even for a single person.
When is the Wieliczka Salt Mine open?
The mine is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are available at the entrance and cost around 20 PLN per person. You can also buy a combo ticket, which includes entry to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Wieliczka Castle and the Bochnia Salt Mine Museum (about 60 PLN). Just remember that these prices are subject to change, e.g. depending on the number of people and the season. In addition, the mine may be closed on certain days. Therefore, before you leave, check carefully whether you will definitely be able to visit this unique attraction.
Why is it worth visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Poland. The mines are located near Krakow and have been used since the 13th century to produce salt. They were closed but reopened as a museum after a few years.
The mine consists of more than 2,000 km of tunnels, many of which are accessible to tourists. The salt mine is used as a museum and contains various exhibitions on different aspects of mining life. It is also home to a unique sculpture garden with over 300 statues made from salt crystals.
Attractions of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Salt Mine Museum
The museum is located in the heart of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of salt mining in Poland. The museum is over 20,000 square metres of exhibition space, which is divided into several halls and chambers. The museum presents the history of salt mining in Wieliczka, as well as its modern applications.
Crystal Garden
The Crystal Garden is located at the end of the underground tunnel. It contains a collection of salt sculptures that have been created by artists and amateurs over many years. The Hall of Giants contains large salt sculptures depicting miners working in the mine, while the Hall of Creativity contains more than 300 sculptures.
Underground lake
Visitors can walk from one hall to another through a series of tunnels and galleries. There is also the underground lake Pochlice, which can be accessed via a shaft leading about 400 metres down. The lake has been filled with water since 2002 and is open all year round.
