It’s an unusual but well-matched combination: a day full of adrenaline at Poland’s largest amusement park and a day of calm in the country’s smallest national park, where limestone cliffs, caves and castle atmospheres dominate. This plan works especially well on weekdays — fewer crowds at Energylandia and quiet trails in Ojcow give photographers room to work and families a more comfortable visit.
Thanks to short distances (Krakow → Ojcow National Park about 25–40 minutes, to Energylandia in Zator about 50–70 minutes by car) you can plan a two-day trip with an overnight stay without wasting time on long drives. In practice I suggest dedicating the first day to Ojcow and landscape photography and the second day to fun at Energylandia — or the other way around if you prefer to start with adrenaline and relax the next day in silence.
Day 1 — morning in Ojcow: arrive early, walk through the Prądnik Valley, visit Pieskowa Skała, see the Maczuga Herkulesa (Hercules’ Club), and the viewpoints near Dark Cave; afternoon: a light walk or a session at the Castle in Pieskowa Skała, dinner and overnight nearby (for example Western Camp Resort or a good guesthouse).
Day 2 — Energylandia: arrive at park opening (check opening hours for the season), plan attractions according to preferences (family zone, extreme rides, Water Park). On weekdays lines are usually shorter, so you can see more. In the evening return to Krakow or stay overnight near Zator.
Alternative suggestion: visit Energylandia on the first day in the afternoon and stay overnight near Zator so you can head to Ojcow early the next morning — the early golden light there is exceptional for photography.
Start: Pieskowa Skała and the Castle. This is a convenient place to park and begin the route. Castle terraces offer beautiful views and the Renaissance architecture provides great detailed compositions.
Maczuga Herkulesa. The park’s icon and a must for landscape photography. The best shots include the castle or a fragment of the valley in the frame — approach so you preserve the landscape context.
Kraków Gate and the gorge. The natural rock gate is a theatrical element of the walk; compositions with the leading path and the rock “frame” give depth to photos.
Viewpoint near Dark Cave (Rękawica / Pięciopalcówka). From here you have excellent panoramas of the Prądnik Valley, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
The Spring of Love and the chapel on the water in Ojców. Smaller but very charming spots for detail shots and accents of local folklore.
If time allows — the ruins of Ojców Castle and the area around Łokietek Cave as additional historical and mysterious settings.
The golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset) gives the most beautiful light on the limestone cliffs and the castle. Early morning also has the advantage of few people and soft light that emphasizes rock texture.
Midday is useful for architectural details and high-contrast shots, but I’d avoid open, sunlit planes without shadows. On cloudy days you get low-contrast, moody shots and great detail in vegetation.
In the evening, if you can stay longer, try long-exposure shots on quiet trails or night compositions at the castle (check lighting conditions and access beforehand).
A tripod is essential for golden-hour and long-exposure shots. A lightweight tripod also helps with panoramas and framing rock formations.
A universal kit: wide-angle 16–35 mm (landscapes, architecture), standard zoom 24–70 mm (all-purpose), tele 70–200 mm (details, perspective compression). A circular polarizer helps reduce reflections and deepen skies.
Settings: outdoors you’ll often work with low ISO (100–200), aperture around f/8–f/11 for sharpness from foreground to background, and adjust shutter speed according to light (use a tripod when needed). Shooting RAW gives plenty of flexibility for editing rock contrast and colors.
Spare batteries and memory cards are a must — a dead battery or a full card can ruin a planned shoot.
For mobile photographers: bring a small Gorillapod-style tripod, use apps to plan golden hours, and carry a power bank.
Driving from Krakow to Ojcow National Park usually takes around 25–40 minutes by car depending on your starting point in the city. From Ojcow to Zator (Energylandia) the drive is roughly an hour.
Parking: there are paid parking lots at Pieskowa Skała and in Ojcow; prices and rules can vary by season, so check current info before your trip.
Energylandia: the park operates seasonally and has variable opening hours — check current hours and ticket prices before you travel. On weekdays it's easier to encounter shorter queues and a more pleasant experience.
Caves (e.g., Dark Cave, Łokietek Cave) may be available under limited conditions and some require tickets or guided tours — plan this in advance if you want to go inside.
Near Energylandia you’ll find resorts and accommodations that cater to families; for example Western Camp Resort offers a Wild West-themed stay and sometimes sells park tickets on site.
Around Ojcow there are small inns and restaurants serving regional dishes — if you care about a good meal, look for places with solid reviews and attentive service, because after a day of shooting you’ll want a relaxing dinner.
In Krakow consider staying in the city center — it allows a quick morning drive to Ojcow or evening walks around the Market Square. When choosing restaurants in Krakow, pick well-rated places with a strong culinary reputation.
Not planning your time. People often underestimate travel times. Add 30–60 minutes buffer for direct drives, parking and a short meal.
Arriving at Energylandia on a weekend without planning attractions or tickets — this leads to long queues. The problem is smaller on weekdays.
Unprepared equipment: one of the photographer’s most common failures is a dead battery or full memory card. Pack spare batteries and at least one extra card.
Poor choice of clothing and footwear. Some trails in Ojcow are rocky — choose comfortable, stable shoes, especially if you plan a session in the morning or after rain.
Is it worth coming for just one day? Yes, it’s possible — but combining Energylandia and Ojcow across two days gives you a better pace and more photographic opportunities.
Is Ojcow National Park free to enter? Entry to the national park area is generally free, but some facilities (caves, museums, castles) may require entrance fees.
Is Energylandia open year-round? The park operates seasonally with varying opening hours and special events — check the current calendar before you go.
Do I need a guide? If you want to learn history and local legends, a guide can add value; however, routes to the main points are well marked and easy to follow on your own.
Ojcow National Park is the smallest national park in Poland, but it has an impressive variety of karst forms, caves and castles — this allows you to create very different photo series without long walks.
Maczuga Herkulesa has an interesting story: a cross on its top commemorates the first recorded ascent to the rock in the 20th century — such historical details work well as narrative elements in a photo report.
In the off-season some attractions (e.g., cave interiors) may be closed, but this is often compensated by quiet trails and the lack of crowds at popular viewpoints.
If you’re looking for a compromise between great fun and a calm, inspiring photographic location — combining Energylandia with Ojcow National Park is a great option. Travel midweek when possible, plan mornings for photos and leave time for small surprises along the way.
If this article was helpful, please share it on social media or send it to friends. If you’d like to explore with personal guidance and local stories, consider booking a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz from ZwiedzanieKrakowa is available for tailored tours and local insights. Wishing you great photos and a wonderful trip!
