Visit the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow: tickets, prices, schedules

To visit Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow, follow our guide. Discover a fascinating geological, religious and industrial labyrinth.

Poland has been able to gradually reborn its ashes. If suffering is an integral part of her history, she was able to rebuild, become proud and strong. His scars made him more beautiful, noble and endearing. To date, Poland is modernizing and turning to the future, while remaining particularly accessible and warm. Travelers from all over the world are gradually looking at their confidential and colourful cities, cuisine, wild national parks and exceptional historical and cultural heritage. Not far from the city of Krakow, an architectural pearl bathed in art and finesse, is a whole new treasure. These are the salt mines of Wieliczka. Enter into the heart of almost three hundred kilometers of underground galleries, erected on nine levels, where wonders and hardness cleave.

Ready to visit Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow?

History of Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow

Let’s go back hundreds of years. We're in the 13th century. About ten kilometers from Krakow, the Polish discover these famous white gold mines. A natural resource as precious as unsuspected. Quickly, they dig two extraction wells, then dozens more. A few years later, they built the salt castle. Result? This labyrinth dives three hundred and twenty-seven meters deep and extends over hundreds of kilometers underground.

Over time, the salt mines of Wieliczka in Krakow also become the scene of all innovations in terms of salt extraction: from wells to horses, to machines and explosives. The production is constantly changing: from salt salt to salt blocks, to salt obtained by evaporation. It was only in 1996 that production ceased definitively. The gargantuesque dimensions of mines leave room for all artistic ambitions. Hats, ornamented mazes, sanatorium and works of art gradually decorate this natural ancestor. These constructions are sometimes even entirely in salt crystals!

These salt mines are beautiful and well the fruit of the hard work of miners and craftsmen, over tens of generations. So much so that in 1966, even as the extraction continues, this jewel becomes a museum. He's even classified. UNESCO World Heritage 12 years later.

If you decide to visit the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow, you will reach the million annual Bahi visitors.

What to see and do to Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow?

If you do not enter the center of the Earth, go down eight hundred stairs and discover the underground depths of the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow. According to legend, you will even be able to do great good to your health! The atmosphere rich in trace elements, calcium, magnesium and potassium would have serious healing virtues. But what exactly are you going to discover?

The tourist route (three hours)

To visit most of the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow, the tourist route is ideal. Take the start near the Daniliwics well. Spend in particular by the incredible Chapel Sainte-Cunégonde (Sainte-Kinga) , masterpiece of mines. Then discover the multitude of rooms carved in salt, underground lakes waving under the Chopin air, dizzying carpenters, spectacular ceiling heights. Take steps entirely carved in white gold and finish your adventure in the underground saline museum.

This course extends on three kilometres and allows you to descend to a hundred and five meters underground. Apart from taking a full eye, learn a lot about the technical and secret history of the mine.

Mining trip (three hours)

To visit the salt mines from Wieliczka to Krakow with a tip of adrenaline and physical effort, choose this route.

Start at the Regis well, the oldest. The mining route then leads you to discover the intense work of minors. Special protection and helmet required to descend into these darkness. Play the game, the master drill is watching you. In the light of your lamp, whip them galleries only the miners of the time were able to crowd.

The basics of this profession are difficult to acquire and you will see it. Measuring methane, searching and transporting salt, drawing its way on a map, exploring secret rooms, following traditions and mining ceremonies Here's what's waiting for you.

The pilgrimage route (two and a half hours)

Visiting the salt mines from Wieliczka to Krakow is an unheard experience for believers. The white gold mine is full of religious buildings and sacred sketches. Faith helped miners to move forward and endure hard working hours. The pilgrimage route leads you to meet these places of worship:

• La Chapelle Saint Jean and its surprising wooden interior, inviting many pilgrims to prayer;
• La Chapelle Saint-Antoine and its breathtaking sculptures, marrying the forms of salt dissolved by moisture;
• The Holy Cross and its itinerant decorations;
• La Chapelle Saint Jean Paul II, dedicated to the Polish Pope of the same name;
• La Chapelle Sainte-Cunégondethe most majestic: fifty-four meters long, eighteen meters wide and twelve meters high. But above all buried a hundred meters underground! A religious building entirely designed in salt, from ground to ceiling, passing through candlesticks, altar and bas-reliefs. No, you don't dream, there's a true copy of the Last Supper of Leonard da Vinci... in salt! This chapel also named Sainte-Kinga, pays tribute to the patronage of miners of salt, the same name.

Note : If you visit the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow on a Sunday or during a special event, you can still attend a Mass or a concert in Sainte-Cunégonde.

The graduation tower

This course is therapeutic and preventive. The air of the graduation tower bathes in brine and has the same virtues as the marine air. This route is therefore recommended for treatment and prevention of certain diseases Respiratory. Inhalations allow them to be cleaned and purified.

Unlike others, this route allows you to stay on the surface.

How to go to Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow?

The salt mines are located about 10 km from Krakow.

• By train : from Krakow, take the train and stop at Wieliczka Rynek (Wieliczka Place du Marché)
• By bus : climb on bus 304. Departure Kurniki Street, near the railway station. A bus every twenty minutes. Stop Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli
• By minibus : departure at Krakow Central Station. Get off at Wieliczka Rynek – Wieliczka Grand-Place
• By car : if you have a car, the salt mines of Wieliczka in Krakow have parking

Schedules and rates of Wieliczka salt mines

HORARI

It is possible to visit the salt mines of Wieliczka in Krakow all year round, except January 1, Easter Sunday, November 1 and December 25.

The tourist route and the pilgrimage route

• 7:30-9:30 in high season (due 1 April to 31 October)
• 8h00-17h00 in low season (due 2 November to 31 March)

The mining route

• 9:00-18:00 in high season (due 1 April to 31 October)
• 9h30-15h00 in low season (due 2 November to 31 March)

The graduation tower

• 7:30 - 7:30 p.m. 1 to 30 April)
• 8:00-21:00 1 May to 30 September)
• 9h00-19h00 1 to 31 October)
• 9h00-17h00 2 November to 31 March)

Note : visits to French only concern the tourist route. They take place all year round at 10:15, 11:15 and 15:15.

RATES

The rates of the Wieliczka salt mines in Krakow vary according to the tourist season. There are reduced rates and family rates. The entrance is free for children under four years of age.

At normal rate, for one person, count:

• 64 to 69 PLN (15/16 euros) with a Polish guide
• 89 to 94 PLN (21/22 euros) with a French guide
• Grading tour: 9 PLN

Note : that you must pay 10 additional PLN (2 euros) to be allowed to take photos and videos.