If you live in Kraków or are currently visiting it, you might want to consider taking a day trip to a location close to this Polish city. There are numerous locations you can visit and this article will highlight 6 of the best day trips you should take.
You might be also interested in: Things to do in Krakow.
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6 Great Day Trip Ideas From Krakow
Below are the top day trips you should consider taking. You’ll also find some public transportation information which lists the best ways to get there.
Day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow
Kraków is about 43 miles away from where Auschwitz-Birkenau is located. This former concentration camp is now a memorial to those who died in the Holocaust. This solemn place will allow you to see the horrors that once occurred here and the appalling conditions the prisoners here had to live through.
There is a museum which has numerous exhibits where you can learn more about the people who suffered and died here. The exhibits in the museum include “Forbidden Art” which displays the artwork secretly created by its prisoners and “Women at KL Auschwitz” which shows the heroic deeds that the women prisoners here did to help defeat the evil Nazis.
Public Transportation
To get here from Kraków you can either take a bus or train. The Main Train Station in Kraków is where you need to go to catch a train and the trip will take about 1-2 hours. However, once you get to the train station here, you’ll either have to take a 30 minute walk to reach this place or you can take a bus from this location to help you get there faster.
You can alternatively go to the MDA Bus Station in Kraków which will take you to Auschwitz. The bus will stop about 10 minutes away from here.
Organized Tours
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tours:
If you want to see both Auschwitz and the Salt Mines but you don’t have enough days like us you can do (please beware that it will be a tiresome day and that the Salt Mines have many stairs):
Day trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow
This 700-year-old salt mine is a UNESCO site. It’s a popular place for visitors due to its unique atmosphere and location. To enter this salt mine you’ll have to walk down quite a few stairs which will take you underground into this stunning (but cold) salt mine. There are 2 routes available for you to walk through. The tourist route will take you through 20 chambers and to the Chapel of St. Kinga. This stunning underground chapel features intricately carved flooring and a dazzling chandelier.
This mine also has a health resort you can visit during the day. For a day trip, you can visit it to do a special exercise class that’s done underground in the salt mine. It’s believed that the air and location of this salt mine will work to help invigorate you.
Public Transportation
You have the option of either using a train or bus to get here. With the train, you can catch one at the Main Railway Station in Kraków which will then take you to the Rynek Kopalnia Train Station in Wieliczka. This is a much faster method compared to the bus. However, if you’d like to take the bus there are various bus stops along the way. You’ll have to check a local bus map to see what routes and stops you’ll have that day.
Organized Tours
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tours:
or you can combine your visit with Auschwitz. (please beware that it will be a tiresome day and that the Salt Mines have many stairs)
Day trip to the town of Wadowice (Birthplace of Pope John Paul II)
This town is where Pope John Paul II was born and raised until 1938. You can visit the flat on 7 Koscielna Street where he once lived. This flat is now a museum where you can learn more about Pope John Paul II’s life. You can also take a quick stroll down the street to the church where he once attended and served.
Public Transportation
It’s best to use a bus to transport yourself from Kraków to Wadowice. You can hop on a bus at the RDA Bus Station which will then take you to Bosacka Street. You’ll be dropped off here and it’s only a short walk from here to get to this historic town. The bus trip overall is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Organized Tour
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tour:
Day trip to Zakopane from Krakow
If you’re looking for a fun outdoor excursion, Zakopane is a great option. This mountain resort is located below the majestic Tatras Mountains. If you enjoy being active, there are plenty of places here where you can spend the day (season depending)doing activities like mountain climbing, hiking, skiing, and observing the unique wildlife that lives here.
Besides these outdoor activities, you can also see the unique architecture of Zakopane’s wooden villas. These villas are designed like nowhere else in the world which makes a visit here even more worthwhile.This town also offers a delicious smoked cheese called Oscypek you can try.
Public Transportation
A train or bus is the best way to get here. The train is longer though so you’ll have to take that into consideration. However, you’ll have about 3 different trains to choose from to get you here.
A bus is usually the best transportation method. You can get on one at the Main Bus Station in Kraków which will take you directly to Zakopane.
Organized Tour
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tour:
Day trip to Ojców National Park
This is another great place for a day excursion if you enjoy being outdoors. You can hike and bike down this national park’s many meandering trails. Ojców National Park also offers hidden caves and abandoned castles you can explore.
One cave you should check out is the King Lokietek Cave. This cave is where the legend of Władysław Łokietek takes place. This king ran off during war and is believed to have used this cave as his secret hideout during the 14th century. Besides this, there’s also the Ojców Castle. This castle is part of the “Eagle’s Nest”, which was once a large line of castles built near each other. Ojców Castle was once used to hide kings from war. Today, it is home to a museum.
Public Transportation
Taxis and buses are ideal to use to get here. A taxi is a little faster and will take about 45 minutes to get you to this national park.
Your other option is to geton a bus at the Unibus Rank on UL. The bus will then take you up to this park and drop you off near the Kazimierz Castle.
Organized Tour
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tour:
Day trip to Częstochowa and the Black Madonna
This city offers many ancient castles and churches you can visit, like the towering Ogrodzieniec Castle or the historic St. Barbara’s Church.
One of the most popular features of this city though is the magnificent Black Madonna painting located here. This painting was created by St. Luke after Mary appeared to him. There are many mysteries surrounding this painting, such as the two scars that run down the Black Madonna’s cheek. You can view the Black Madonna of Częstochowa in the Jasna Góra Monastery.
Public Transportation
The best public transportation methods to get to this city are buses and trains. You can get on the Polska Express bus which will take you directly to this city. Alternatively, you can use a train from the Kraków Glowny Station which will take you to the Częstochowa Osobowa Station in this city.
Organized Tour
If you want to avoid the hustle of the public transportation I recommend the following tour:
As you can see, there are many incredible day trips that you can take from Kraków. The 6 listed in this article are some of the top ones you should definitely consider traveling to. They offer something for everyone and will teach you about history and leave you in awe of the natural world.