Last updated: 3 September 2023
Did you know that Poland is home to the largest working salt mine in the world which has been in constant operation for the past 700 years AND is included on UNESCO World Heritage list? Located just 15 km from Krakow’s historic Old Town, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Poland with an estimated 9000 visitors a day during the peak season and a drops slightly to 6000 during the winter months.
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A Brief History
The Wieliczka Salt Mine has been in constant operation for over 700 years and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Poland. The mine shafts were created in the Middle Ages after the discovery of salt deposits in the area, deposits which first formed over 13 million years ago.
The ongoing construction and further development of the salt mine over the hundreds of years that followed resulted in the creation of new mine shafts, mammoth underground chambers, and the creation of the world-famous St Kinga’s Chapel.
The entire mine reaches an incredible depth of 327 m (1072 ft) and is over 287 km (178 miles) long. To put this into context, The Tourist Route you take when visiting the mine can take up to 3 hours to explore just 1% of the total size. Impressive!
In 1978, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was added into the original UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Did you know that the original list only had 12 sites listed and two of them were in Poland? The other was Krakow Old Town.
Buying Wieliczka Salt Mine Tickets
If you’re planning a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine then you will need to join a tour, solo visits are not an option, and once you visit the mine it will quickly become apparent why independent solo exploration is not an option (hint: the salt mine is absolutely enormous). Below is a photo of the ticket prices displayed on a notice board in the parking lot.
There are multiple options available for buying Wieliczka salt mine tickets, the first and easiest option is through online. And if you choose not to purchase online then you’ll need to buy your entry tickets upon arrival at the ticket office which is pretty easy to spot because it has the bollards out the front and a large number of people lined up so take your place at the back of the line.
The most popular tour is The Tourist Route, a 2km walk through the 3 levels of the mine.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tickets
You will need to purchase a 10 zl photo & video permit to take photos during your tour. Keep in mind that this is 10 PLN per camera and not per person. If you’re interested in purchasing your tickets online or finding out a little more about the other tours available then click here.
The Tourist Route
The Tourist Route of the Wieliczka Salt Mine is comprised of 3 levels and explores 20 salt-carved chambers along a 2km walking path. The descent to each of the levels are by wooden stairs but the ascent back to ground level at the end of the tour is via express lift.
- Level 1: The Danilowicz Level. 380 stairs. 64 m (210 ft) below ground
- Level 2: Upper and Lower levels which range from 91 m to 101 m (298 ft to 331 ft)
- Level 3: The Izabela Chamber. 135 m(442 ft) below ground
The temperature throughout the mine sits between 14° to 16°c all year round so something warm should be worn but it depends on what you consider cold. I would’ve been fine with a hoodie instead of the winter coat I wore.
Things to See at the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Here’s what to expect to see during a visit during your visit along The Tourist Route in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
St Kinga’s Chapel
The St Kinga’s Chapel is located 101 metres underground and is quite simply the grandest chamber in the entire salt mine.
When we walked into the chapel and stood at the top of the stairs looking down and over the entire chamber, it was difficult to comprehend that everything we could see was created from salt. From the giant crystallized chandeliers to the religious reliefs carved into the walls, and the wonderfully ornate floors, this is considered the most prized chamber and it’s very easy to see why.
Sculptures
During your tour of the mine, you will be see various sculptures on display which will capture your imagine when you realise that they are carved out of salt! Some of the sculptures date back hundreds of years whilst others are relatively newer but by no means any less impressive. They all must have taken an extraordinary amount of time to carve from a block of salt.
Nicolas Copernicus Statue
In one of the first chambers you will visit on The Tourist Route will contain a salt statue of the renowned Polish astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. The statue was designed and created by Wladyslaw Hapek in 1973. At the base of the statue are two dates; 1473 (Copernicus birth year) and 1973 (year of creation)
Salt Dwarfs
As you turn one corner, you might be surprised to see a series of salt dwarf statues. I suppose that it shouldn’t be a surprise to see dwarfs or gnomes working away in a mine but it certainly caught me off guard.
Salt Mine Horses
Did you know that horses used to live in the salt mine? Yes, that’s right! At one point in history, horses were in high demand in the salt mine because they powered huge pulley systems designed to carry the mined salt to the surface. The horses lived a good life in the mines, sometimes better than the miners as they were given the best food and care to ensure their longevity.
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The Essentials
- Location: Danilowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka
- Opening Hours: Generally 08:00-18:00 however it does vary on day and tour
- Ticket Prices: Vary depending on tour
- Parking: Onsite dedication parking.
- More information: Wieliczka Salt Mine Website
Final Thoughts
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is well worth visiting because its history and importance is tightly woven into the fabric of this region of Poland. Be prepared for crowds but don’t let that deter you from visiting a remarkable place in Poland’s history.
I visited the mine a little more than a week ago – the group had 39 people in it, but I never felt overwhelmed by the numbers, simply because the tour guide now uses a microphone which links to a receiver and ear-piece given to each member of the group on arrival. This means that the guide\’s comments and instructions are audible to everyone and the group does not need to be closely packed. This really is a phenomenal experience and well worth the money and the effort. I previously visited in 1986 when there were virtually no tourists and no light shows, etc. in the chambers.
That is SUCH a huge improvement and desperately needed. I’m really pleased to hear they’ve made that change and also that you enjoyed it so much.
It’s nice to read an honest account. I’ve heard about this particular site before and thought it sounded pretty cool, but it really doesn’t seem so awesome now. A bit mind boggling how deep the mine goes, but all of those people underground… not a fan. 🙂
Thanks Rob, a little bit of honesty helps everyone makes better decisions. The mine is definitely remarkable, hard to believe that it’s all man-made. It’s quite something to see but the crowds will take a bit of effort…