Visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a rock salt mine located in the town of Wieliczka, not far from Krakow. Since the 13th century up until 1772, it was part of the Krakow saltworks along with the
Bochnia Salt Mine. In 1976, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was included in the National Register of Monuments. Two years later, in 1978, it was included in the original UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is open every day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Salt Mine has several sightseeing routes to offer:
The tourist route – this is probably the most popular sightseeing routes among visitors. Getting through this route 3,5-kilometers long route lasts approximately 2-3 hours. It begins in the Paderewski Shaft and finishes in the Regis Shaft. The average temperature on this routle is 17-18 Celsius degrees. On this route, visitors can admire gorgeous chambers carved in salt, including the most incredible one – st. Kinga’s Chapel, as well as stunning underground lakes, majestic carpentry constructions and unique salt sculptures. The maximum depth that tourists can reach on this route is 135 meters. It is possible to take photos and shoot videos on this route.
The „Solilandia” route – this kid-friendly route is a perfect choice for youngest visitors. Travelling through „Solilandia” and discovering the fairytale mysteries of the underground world is lots of fun for children and their parents. While exploring the „Solilandia” route, kids will have a chance to meet a mysterious dwarf named Skarbnik, solve mysterious riddles and a quiz andhave lots of fun with friendly dwarfs known as „Soliludki” The maximum depth possible to reach on this route is 135 meters. On this route, it is possible to to take photos and shoot videos.
If you’re planning a visit in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you should remember to take some comfortable shoes and warm clothes with you, because the average temperature under the ground is 17-18 Celsius degrees.
If you have some larger luggage, you must leave it in the baggage room.
Before the sightseeing begins, it is possible to use the toilet, which is located right next to the Danilowicz Shaft.
During the sightseeing of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you can find several places, where you can take a short break to get some rest and have something to eat. There are also several gastronomic points in the area of the mine, such as the „Posolone” Bistro with a large choice of saladsm burgers and drinks, and a restaurant in the Grand Sal Hotel, where you can have a delicious meal before, or after sightseeing.
People under the age of 13 and those, who are completely incapacitated can only visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine under the supervision of people, who have full legal capacity. The caretakers are fully responsible for their proteges and the damages made by them.
Visitors can only move around areas that are available for sightseeng and based on conditions described in the Sightseeing Statute.
At the area of the Wieliczka Salt Mine it is forbidden to:
- bring any luggage, with the exception of hand luggage
- bring or carry pets, with the exception of guide dogs for visually impaired people
- leave their luggage without supervision
- carry any weapon and ammunition as well as pyrotechnics, explosive/flammable materials and other objects, that would cause a threst to the life, health and safety of other visitors
- drink alcohol and smoke tobaccos/electronic cigarettes outside of places that are designates for such purposes.
You should also remember, that when entering the area of the salt mine, visitors and their luggage might be inspected, and that might include showing the contents of their luggage.