Wieliczka Salt Mine – visit to the mine outside Krakow

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Wieliczka Salt Mine just outside Kraków is one of Poland's most fascinating sights. Beneath the ground, a huge system of passages, halls and chapels awaits, where statues and decorations have been carved directly from the salt. We visited the mine during a motorhome trip through Poland – and were fascinated by both its size and everything that hides far below the surface.

The Wieliczka salt mine in Poland

Salt has been mined in the Wieliczka mine since the Middle Ages, and over the centuries, an enormous underground system has developed with passages, shafts and large chambers.

We visited Wieliczka during a campervan trip through Poland and were able to join a guided tour deep underground. There were many steps and a lot of waiting, but above all a fascinating visit among salt sculptures, underground halls and chapels.

A salt mine with a long history

Salt has been mined in Wieliczka since the 13th century, although people were extracting salt from salt springs in the area long before that. Over the centuries, salt was an important trade item and the mine gained great economic importance for Poland.

Mining continued until 1996. Today, Wieliczka is primarily a historical monument and a major tourist attraction, but the enormous underground environment still tells the story of generations of miners and their work.

Wieliczka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The salt mine was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1978, when the very first World Heritage List was presented. It is therefore one of the exclusive group of sites that have been World Heritage sites since their inception.

The World Heritage Site was later expanded and now also includes the Bochnia Salt Mine and the Wieliczka Saltworks. The mines are special both for their long history and for the underground chambers, chapels and works of art created over the centuries.

A guided tour far underground

The visit began with a steep walk down. After about 380 steps we found ourselves on the first level, about 64 meters below ground. Then the tour continued through passages and chambers further and further down the mine.

The usual tourist route goes as deep as 135 meters underground. Although the tour takes a couple of hours, you only get to see a small part of the enormous mining system. It gives a pretty good idea of how unimaginably large Wieliczka actually is.

See chambers and sculptures made of salt

Perhaps the most fascinating thing is that Wieliczka is so much more than dark mine shafts. Beneath the ground, large chambers open up and here you will find statues, reliefs and other decorations created from salt.

Over the centuries, miners have shaped the underground world, leaving behind environments that make a visit feel like a mix of mine, museum and art exhibition. At the same time, you get an insight into how the salt was mined and transported to the surface.

Visit St. Kinga's Chapel

The most spectacular place in Wieliczka is St. King's Chapel, Chapel of St. King. The large underground chapel lies more than 100 meters below ground and is decorated with sculptures and reliefs made of salt.

Here you will find large chandeliers and a salt version of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. The chapel is not only a tourist attraction but is still used for religious ceremonies and other events.

How long does a visit to Wieliczka take?

The tour itself on the tourist route takes about two to three hours, but it is wise to allow more time for the entire visit, especially during periods when many tourists come to the mine.

When we were here, there was a lot of queuing – first for the tickets, then to get in and finally to get out of the mine again. The wait for the elevators back to ground level was a less charming end to an otherwise very exciting visit.

End of the day – restaurant visit in Krakow

For our part, the day ended with a restaurant visit in Krakow. The visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine took longer than expected and afterwards we were very hungry. Fittingly, we ended up at a restaurant where we were given an incredible amount of food.

After sumptuous starters, huge plates of meat, sausages, duck (and a schnitzel the size of a pizza) as well as beer, wine, soft drinks and ice cream, the bill still came to a very affordable price. A great way to end the day!

How to get to Wieliczka from Krakow

Wieliczka is located about 15 kilometers southeast of central Krakow and is therefore easy to visit as a half- or full-day excursion. You can get there by train, bus, taxi or your own car, among other means.

There are also organized excursions from Krakow that include transport and guidance. If you have your own car or are traveling by camper, it is of course easy to combine the salt mine with other experiences in and around Krakow.

More to see and do in Krakow and Poland

After your visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, there is of course more to see and discover around Krakow and Poland. Here you will find tips and reports:

• Things to do in Krakow
• Zakopane
• Baranow Sandomierski Castle
• Kozlowka Castle