Visiting the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine – Why is it Worth the Effort?

wieliczka salt mine

The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine is a tourist attraction popular among thousands of visitors from all over the world. For more than 700 years this place has inspired admiration and offered an opportunity to reflect on the power of nature. The fact that it’s mentioned on the UNESCO World Heritage List is an ultimate proof of its extraordinary quality. Let’s see why it’s a good idea to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Wieliczka Salt Mine – an underground treasure

The Salt Mine in Wieliczka looks rather plain on the outside. All you can see is a few mining shafts, and mine buildings – they look nice, all right, but no different from any other buildings from that period. But once you step onto the Tourist Route, you will instantly experience a sense of awe and admiration. You will repeatedly ask yourself how it’s even possible that such a landscape could be made of salt.

The visitors who choose the Tourist Route will see a number of underground chambers with a unique wall structure, corridors of varying width and underground saline lakes. It is also a unique opportunity to see the historical tools used by the miners. The route is 3.5 km long, includes ca. 800 steps and the time needed to cover the whole distance is about 2 hours.

When speaking of the attractions of the salt mine, it’s impossible to forget about St.  Kinga’s chapel, which is an outstanding gem and an awe-inspiring experience. This place is 12 metres high, 18 metres wide and 54 metres long. All of its elements, from the floor, through the altars, chandeliers to other ornaments, are made of salt. Visiting the chapel itself is an unforgettable experience, not to mention that it’s not the only attraction on this route. And now you probably realise why this place is a must-see.

How to get to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka?

Wieliczka is located a few kilometres to the south of Kraków, so there is usually no problem getting there from the city. It’s relatively easy to reach Wieliczka by car. Those who came to Kraków with their own vehicle will probably choose this option. But you can also use public transport. A few bus lines regularly run to Wieliczka. You can also use the services of private transport companies. There is also a train – this option is readily available to those of you who are staying near the Railway Station.

An alternative to all of the above solutions, which may sometimes be unavailable to the visitors because of the language barriers, is a day-trip offered by special transport companies, who organise not only the transfer from the hotel/apartment to the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine  and back, but also the tour along the Tourist Route in an English-speaking group. This will save you the trouble of looking for visiting hours. It’s a one-stop-shop if you want to book a convenient date for your trip, be sure you will get there fast and visit the mine accompanied by an English-speaking guide.