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What Are The Best Day Trips From Krakow?

May 14, 2024

There are so many things to do in Krakow that you won’t get bored in this amazing destination for sure! However, you may want to see something more of Poland than just this city. Luckily, there are many interesting day trips from Krakow available.

From the historical destinations such as castles or Auschwitz concentration camp, to the places where you can go for a hike or relax- we’ve covered it all!

Here is a map of the ideas for a day trip from Krakow that you can find in this post:

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Barbed wire fences separate two rows of brick buildings along a gravel path under a cloudy sky—one of the historic sites often included in the best day trips from Krakow.

If you are a sensitive person, think twice before visiting the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. This is where Jews, Poles and many other nations were killed and tortured during World War II.

I believe it’s a place everyone should visit at least once (so far, I’ve been there three times). This concentration camp is located in Oswiecim which is about an hour drive from Krakow. I recommend taking a trip to Auschwitz, as it’s may be difficult to organize the entire tour by yourself.

The cost of joining a group tour is pretty similar to what you would pay if you go by yourself (about $30 per person).

More than a million people lost their lives in Auschwitz. But this concentration camp is not only the place of extermination.

It’s also a place where thousands of people were suffering from hunger, misery, and fear. Many of them were tortured. Some were subjected to medical experiments, especially pregnant women, twins, and dwarfs.

Auschwitz is a dark place where you can feel death, misery, and evil. Be ready to:

see tons of human hair that was shaved before the victims entered the gas chamber (later the hair was processed into soap)
hear horror stories about the victims’ lives
see hundreds of shoes, prostheses, and suitcases. You will see photos of prisoners, all looking the same: skinny, with pale faces, bald heads, and fear in their eyes.

Zakopane

Two small wooden cabins sit on a grassy clearing surrounded by trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky—an idyllic spot perfect for memorable Krakow day trips.

Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland and the main town of the Polish Tatra Mountains, is a place loved by tourists and locals.

It’s considered the heart of the Polish mountains. Not only is the town itself is lovely and picturesque, but there are also many hiking routes around.

Depending on how fit you are, you may take an all-day trek or simply use cable cars to see the majestic views from the top of the mountains. Those who prefer to relax may spend a full day in the thermal baths in Zakopane. Read more about Zakopane here.

Be sure to book your bus to Zakopane online, it will save you time!

Wieliczka or Bochnia Salt Mines

There are two salt mines near Krakow- in Wieliczka or Bochnia. Wieliczka is closer but more crowded. It’s one of the best places to visit near Krakow.

Don’t buy trips from sellers on Old Town on Kazimierz because you’ll overpay. Choose public transport, there is a bus that goes directly to the Salt Mine. Book your tickets online to skip the lines and pay less.

You can also choose an organized tour from Krakow to Wieliczka and back. See the recommended ones below:

Wroclaw

A row of colorful, historic buildings with decorative facades stands behind parked cars in a European city square under a clear blue sky—an inviting scene often discovered on the best day trips from Krakow.

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, Wroclaw is located in the Western part of the country.

It takes about 3 hours’ drive (or bus ride) to get there from Krakow. The city has a beautiful old town and it’s famous for the fun activity- dwarf hunting.

The statues of the little gnomes are spread all over Wroclaw, so it’s really fun to search for them (especially for kids!).

Read our Wroclaw articles:

Zalipie

A small white wooden house with a red-tiled roof and blue-framed windows, decorated with colorful floral patterns, stands beside a painted well in a grassy yard—a charming spot often featured on the best day trips from Krakow.

This unique village is considered one of the most colorful in the world.

The houses in Zalipie are hand-painted with folk, floral patterns. Not only is the entire village insta-worthy, but it’s also a destination where you can see the everyday life of the village people.

Since Zalipie is very rural, it may be quite tricky to get there yourself. The easiest way is to take a guided tour from Krakow to Zalipie.

Energylandia

The most famous and biggest amusement park in Poland is located just an hour’s drive from Krakow.

You can spend the full day there, having fun, riding the roller coasters and carousels. Be sure to book your tickets to Energylandia online (follow the link, there are also some transportation options available).

Czestochowa

People walk near a large bronze statue and a church with a tall bell tower, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky—a scene typical of top sites on a Poland pilgrimage.

The catholic capital of Poland, Czestochowa, is definitely a good destination for a day trip from Krakow for those who believe.

Join a tour, visit the famous Jasna Gora monastery, and pray to the miraculous painting of the Black Madonna.

Wadowice and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Statue of a robed figure with an outstretched arm stands in front of a large church with twin towers and a clock, surrounded by a fence and greenery.

These two places are among the most important pilgrimage sites in Poland.

Pope John Paul 2nd was born and raised in Wadowice, while Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a church complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Book your John Paul 2nd tour here.

Lancut Castle

A large, historic building in Rzeszow Poland, with two green-domed towers, a red-tiled roof, and manicured gardens under a blue sky—one of the top things to do in Rzeszow.

Located just 2 hours’ driving by the highway from Krakow, Lancut has one of the most beautiful castles I’ve ever seen.

Find car hire in Krakow to get a vehicle or take a direct train from Kraków to Lancut. The town is small and charming, so not only will you have a chance to see the amazing palace but also see the everyday life of Poles.

Lancut definitely is a place worth visiting for those who like traveling off the beaten path. If you are in the neighborhood, drop us a line! Our home is located quite close to Lancut, so maybe we will have a chance to meet up.

Moszna Castle

A large, castle-like building with multiple towers and a glass conservatory stands on a grassy lawn under a blue sky—an ideal spot for memorable day trips from Krakow.

It’s considered one of the most beautiful castles in Poland. Located around a 2,5h drive from Krakow, it looks like it was part of a fairytale.

Moszna is called the Polish Harry Potter castle. Take a look at the photo above and you will quickly understand why!

If you are interested in taking a day trip from Kraków to the Moszna castle, check out this tour.

Here are some other interesting day tours from Kraków:

Other Day Trips From Krakow

Although the distance to the destinations mentioned below is quite far, going there for a day from Krakow is doable!

Warsaw (4h drive)
Zamosc (3,5h drive) – Polish pearl of Renaissance and the UNESCO site
Lublin (4h drive) – also known as “The Jewish Oxford” with the beautiful Old Town
Rzeszow (1,5h drive) – the capital of Podkarpackie province
Łódź (4h drive) – located in central Poland, it’s the most hippie place in the country