Wieliczka Salt Mine Day Trip from Krakow Poland

A day-trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the top things to do in Krakow Poland. The mine is an incredible UNESCO site of underground salt carvings.

“When you’re in Krakow, you must visit the salt mine,” my friend said. I was underwhelmed, to say the least. If this fun-loving Polish gal couldn’t come up with anything better to see than an old mine, how exciting could Poland be? Luckily she emailed me the website of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This is one mine you have to see to believe.

I’ve seen my share of mines over the years: salt, coal, and other dirty yet vital things we dig up from underground. But even though there is still salt extracted from the Wieliczka Salt Mine, its primary function these days is hosting hundreds of tourists each day.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site Salt Mine

In fact, the Wieliczka Salt Mine (Kopalnia Soli in Polish) is so unique it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1978.

“The historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only mining site in the world functioning continuously since the Middle Ages. Its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as minor and major shafts) are located on nine levels and extend for the total of about 300 kilometres: reaching the depth of 327 metres they illustrate all the stages of mining technology development over time.”

But its age and demonstration of mining technology are only a small part of what makes this mine so fascinating. There are close to 3000 chambers, and over the years many of these rooms have taken on new functions.

To explore the chambers, visitors to the mine must take a guided tour. They are available in a variety of languages, and English tours depart every 20-30 minutes.

Descending into the Salt Mine

You begin the 3 km tour (only 1% of the mine’s total 300 km length) by descending 378 stairs.  Luckily, there is an elevator to take you back to the surface at the end of the tour.

Salt Crusted Walkway

Carving the Salt

According to our tour guide, the miners were very religious and, because they spent most of their time underground, they began constructing small chapels out of wood.  In 1697, one of these chapels caught fire resulting in a ban on the use of flammable materials. The miners turned to the one thing they had readily available – salt. The tradition of salt carving began resulting in the incredible works of art you can admire today.

Nativity Scene in St. Kinga’s Chapel

The salt chapels are filled with religious icons and figures, such as the pope. There are carvings of biblical scenes from the nativity to the last supper. There is even a full-sized cathedral, complete with salt crystal chandeliers, which you can rent for your very own underground wedding.

St. Kinga’s Chapel was started in 1896 and finished in the 1920s.

Salt Crystal Chandelier

Virgin Mary Carved from Salt

Besides chapels and religious icons, the mine includes carvings of a range of historical figures from Copernicus to Goethe. There are illustrations of Polish legends and displays of how the mine looked and functioned during different stages of its past. There are also several chambers where you can admire the beautiful underground lake that takes on an aqua-green colour because of the salt.

From the 16th century, horses worked in the salt mine to power hauling devices.

This salt sculpture depicts an early miner burning out dangerous methane gas.

You can also spend time in the private rehabilitation and wellness centre and enjoy the curative properties of the salt. Or you can book the conference centre for your next business meeting.

At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a meal in the underground Miner’s Tavern and, of course, you can buy all of your salt related gifts in the salt mine gift shop.

Getting to Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an easy 40-minute public bus ride from central Krakow on line number 304 disembarking at the Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli stop. You can also take one of the many private bus tours lead from the city centre. Here are a selection of  tour options and skip the line tickets:

Wieliczka Salt Mine Ticket Prices

Ticket prices are 89-94 PLN for foreign language tours (about 21- 22 Euro) for adults. There is also a 10PLN charge to film or take photos while inside.

Read about our adventures in rural Poland at our first Polish Wedding.

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