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Wieliczka Salt Mine — St Kinga's Chapel with chandeliers and visitors undergroundPhoto: Cezary p · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
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Wieliczka Salt Mine

Museums ·Wieliczka ·Closed
4.554.2K
#9Museums in PolandMost reviewed in WieliczkaTravelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026
  • Visit: 90–180 min
  • Not step-free
  • Good on a rainy day
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About

Wieliczka Salt Mine in Wieliczka, 10 km south-east of Kraków, is one of the oldest salt mines in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More photos 11

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Wieliczka Salt Mine — Underground chamber with chandeliers and carved salt walls Renata3 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Wieliczka Salt Mine — Underground chamber with chandeliers and carved salt wallsWieliczka Salt Mine — Mine building and headframe above the entranceWieliczka Salt Mine — Salt wall carved with figures and architectural detailsWieliczka Salt Mine — Large carved salt relief depicting a historical sceneWieliczka Salt Mine — Wooden staircase descending through a deep mine shaftWieliczka Salt Mine — Salt sculptures arranged in an underground chamberWieliczka Salt Mine — Crucifix mounted beneath a painted chapel archWieliczka Salt Mine — Rough salt formations and a passage in the mineWieliczka Salt Mine — Pale salt chamber with a wooden ladder and supportsWieliczka Salt Mine — Historic mining cart on tracks in an illuminated chamberWieliczka Salt Mine — Narrow mine corridor lined with timber supports

Why go

  • The St. Kinga Chapel, with its interior details carved in salt, on the Tourist Route
  • The sound and light show on one brine lake, set to music by Frédéric Chopin
  • The Michałowice chamber, 35 metres high, took 20 years to excavate

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday08:00 – 18:00
Tuesday08:00 – 18:00
Wednesday08:00 – 18:00
Thursday08:00 – 18:00
Friday08:00 – 18:00
Saturday08:00 – 18:00
Sunday08:00 – 18:00

Your visit in 1–3 hours

1 h
  1. Take the Museum Route on the third level, about 50 minutes.
  2. Look at the horse mills, the salt crystals and the Maria Teresa and Saurau Chambers.
  3. Take the lift back to the surface.
90 min
  1. Take the Museum Route on the third level, about 50 minutes.
  2. Visit the museum on the history of the mine, founded in 1951.
  3. Take the lift back to the surface.
3 h
  1. Walk the Tourist Route through the first three levels, including St. Kinga Chapel.
  2. Visit the museum on the history of the mine, founded in 1951.
  3. Take the lift back to the surface.

Know before you go

  • Open daily, 08:00 to 18:00.
  • Visitors must climb about 800 stairs along the Tourist Route.
  • Visitors wear a uniform and helmet, and carry their own light and a CO2 mask.
  • Wall cracks are checked and air is monitored against methane explosions.
  • The Cracow Salt-Works Museum publishes a plan of the mine.
  • Some underground halls can be rented for parties.
  • St. Kinga Chapel and some chambers host private events, including weddings.

What's inside

  • Four chapels, among them St. Kinga Chapel. The oldest surviving underground chapel was consecrated in 1698.
  • An underground lake.
  • The salt formation is made of evaporite strata.
  • A salt sculpture of Copernicus, carved by Władysław Hapek in 1973 for the 500th anniversary of the astronomer's birth.
  • A salt works museum founded in 1951 by its long-serving director, Alfons Długosz.
  • The Wessel chamber at 135 m, where the microclimate suits rehabilitation stays for airway patients.
  • Main halls, dehumidified by new ventilation to protect the sculptures.
  • Underground halls for cultural events, concerts and exhibitions.

With kids

  • Small children may ride in a carrier or sling.
  • A changing table is available on the surface and near the underground restaurant.
  • An underground restaurant with high chairs is available.
  • Snacks and drinks can be bought during the sightseeing tour.

Tips for your visit

  • Allow two to three hours for the visit.
  • The route covers about 3 km and 20 chambers at depths of 64 to 135 metres.
  • Luggage can be stored near the Daniłowicz Shaft.
  • Toilets are available above ground and during the tour.

Tours and audio guides

Tourist Route
Guided in several languages by specialist guides; allow two to three hours.
Museum Route
Lies entirely on the third level.
Miners' Route
Guided walk of 2 km through mostly unimproved galleries with little light.
Without a guide
Some routes can be visited without a guide.
Video tour
A video tour of the mine is available online.

Interesting facts7

1/7

  1. The mine is nicknamed the Mine of Mysteries.

    About the Salt Mines - Individual tourist - The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine

  2. Only 2% of the salt labyrinth is open to visitors.

    About the Salt Mines - Individual tourist - The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine
  3. 327 metres

    The mine has nine levels, and its deepest point lies 327 metres down.

    Kopalnia Soli „Wieliczka” - Wikipedia

  4. Seeping water is pumped up and boiled down to salt, which helps keep the galleries from collapsing.

    Salzbergwerk Wieliczka - Wikipedia
  5. 1984

    Scenes of the 1984 film Sexmission were shot underground in the mine.

    Salzbergwerk Wieliczka - Wikipedia
  6. 2007

    In a 2007 public vote, the mine was named one of the country's seven wonders and received the most votes.

    Kopalnia Soli „Wieliczka” - Wikipedia
  7. 1995

    In 1995 the Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra recorded an album in the mine's chapel.

    Wieliczka Salt Mine - Wikipedia

Shorts

Accessibility

  • Step-free route Part of the route is adapted for wheelchair users.
  • Lift A lift returns visitors to the surface. It holds 36 people and takes about 30 seconds.
  • Toilets

Sources: Wieliczka Salt Mine - Wikipedia · The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine · About the Salt Mines - Individual tourist - The… · Map and access · Salzbergwerk Wieliczka - Wikipedia · Mines de sel de Wieliczka - Wikipedia · Kopalnia Soli „Wieliczka” - Wikipedia · Wieliczka Salt Mine: description (its own site) · checked 17 Oct 2026

Where
Jana Mikołaja Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How long does a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine take?

A visit takes about two to three hours. The shorter Museum Route on the third level takes about 50 minutes.

What are the opening hours of the Wieliczka Salt Mine?

Open daily, 08:00 to 18:00.

How do I get to the Wieliczka Salt Mine from Kraków?

The mine lies about 10 km south-east of Kraków city centre, by the A4 motorway exit at the Kraków Wieliczka junction, and coaches and cars can reach it by road. The address is Jana Mikołaja Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka, and the phone number is +48 12 278 78 78.

Are children welcome at the Wieliczka Salt Mine?

Small children may ride in a carrier or sling. The underground restaurant has high chairs, and a changing table is on the surface and near the restaurant.

Is the Wieliczka Salt Mine accessible for wheelchair users?

Part of the route is adapted for wheelchair users, and a lift returns visitors to the surface.

Can I visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine without a guide?

Some routes can be visited without a guide. Guided tours are offered in several languages with specialist guides.

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