All the Salt mines are located in Poland and more specifically, in the city of Wieliczka which belongs to the Krakow area. From the XNUMXth century they could be visited for the first time and from here, it has become one of the main places in Poland. More than half a million visitors are registered per year.
Salt mines are also known as "The underground cathedral of salt". They have a depth of more than 327 meters and about 300 kilometers in length. Nowadays they are one of the tourist places par excellence, offering various routes and numerous secrets, which we are going to discover right now about this World Heritage Site.
How to get to the salt mines
From the center of Krakow, we will find the salt mines about 10 kilometers away. To do this, you can take several routes such as the train, the bus or choose a tour that for about 35 euros, it will include the guide, the entrance to the mines and also the transport.
- By train: If you have chosen to do the trip on your own, nothing like the commuter train. In this case, you will take it from Krakow station to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia station.
- Bus: It is another of the cheaper means of transport, but yes, it will have more stops. For this reason, your trip may be delayed more than necessary. You will take line 304 from the Galería Krakowska shopping center and the arrival will be in Wieliczka Kosciól.
Different tours of the salt mines
Once you are in the place, you have to know that there are different routes. So that in this way you do not miss a single corner of the mines. They will also adapt to your needs.
Tourist itinerary
One of the most requested tours is this. It is about visiting some 20 chambers that have been dug out of salt. At the same time you can see how the lakes are also part of them. Finally, you will enjoy the salt sculptures. Is about historical figures who are spit on rock of salt. About three kilometers is what you are going to enjoy and for this, you will also have to go down a series of steps, which are well worth it. This tour begins at the Danilowicza well and you will visit one of the most famous chambers which is that of Santa Kinga. The tools and machines that have been used in this place will not be lost either.
Mining Itinerary
For those who want to experience everything related to a mine in the first person, this will be their best tour. They will be dressed with the necessary clothing to begin the expedition. First you will go down to one of the older wells which bears by name, the Regis well. In this case, it will be the expedition guide who will assign a task to the participants. It can be exploring a chamber or transporting salt, among many others. Without a doubt, it is quite an adventure of the most entertaining. It also has a duration similar to the previous one, of three hours.
Pilgrim itinerary
In this case, we reach the pilgrim route. In it you will be able to discover both the chapels and the sculptures that are carved in the salt. It will end in the Chapel of Santa Kinga to be able to enjoy all the architecture that is in this place. It will surprise you!. You can also enjoy the chapel of San Juan, although in this case it is covered with wood. It is necessary to highlight a new chapel that is dedicated to John Paul II. In this case, the route will be two and a half hours.
Graduation tower
Another meeting point is the Graduation Tower. In this case, we are not talking about the underworld, but we will come to the surface. It is an area to walk freely and you can discover its great health benefits. In this area you can inhale the call brine spray, which is perfect for treating respiratory diseases. In this way, you will clean the airways in the most natural way. Of course, it is not advisable to spend more than half an hour in this place. The tower is more than 26 meters high, so in addition to being therapeutic for the body, it can be for the eyes, thanks to the panoramic view that it leaves us.
Secrets of the salt mine
For the bravest and most adventurous, there is the route of the secrets of the salt mine. It is one of the most complicated sections, since it is a more difficult access and you have to have great physical strength. You will be able to navigate through the narrowest crevices, but always under the supervision of an expert. You will also know the true depths of the world.
Rates and schedules
For the individual visit, you will have to pay 84 PLN. The reduced rate with the student card, children from four years or older, will be 64 PLN. You can also enjoy a family rate that includes 4 people for 232 PLN. It has to be said that, about 84 PLN is about 20 euros. Rates increase a little more if we talk about the month of April-May and July or August.
As for schedules the salt mine It is open from April 1 to October 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m. While from November 2 to March 21, you can enjoy this environment from 8:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.
Where to stay
You have two fundamental parts to finding accommodation: On the surface or in the depths of the mine. It just depends on what works best for you and your family.
- Surface accommodation: Here you can find the luxury hotel called Grand Sal, which has four stars. On the other hand, there is a pension called, «Mlyn Solny». It is a more familiar environment but also very elegant.
- Accommodation in the depths: On the one hand, there is the slowacki camera It has 48 beds and a games area for the little ones. But on the other, you will find the so-called, stable chamber. As its name indicates, they were stables now converted into a resting place, where there are about 28 places.
Facts to consider
- It is always better enter a place like this with warm clothes. Although you visit it in the summer, inside the salt mines the temperature is around 14º.
- If you want to immortalize the moment with nice photos, you have to pay 10 PLN more about the price of your ticket. You can pay it both at the box office and once your tour has started.
- You cannot enter with animals as there is no area where they can stay.
- The salt mines are perfect for family visits. You just have to choose the right itinerary for it. Children under 4 years old are free. In addition, along the route, you will find changing tables or chairs for greater comfort.
- Within the tourist itinerary there is also an area that it can be visited by people with reduced mobility. For this, they have forklifts.
- You also have bathrooms inside the mine. You will find one of them once more than half an hour has passed and the next one, after about 90 minutes from the start of the route.
Finally, it must be remembered that this place has more than 2.400 chambers that are linked by various galleries, with a length of 245 km. In addition, they carry different levels ranging from 64 meters deep to 327 meters. Therefore, it is always advisable to follow and respect the rules as well as the guides so that there are no problems.