A May holiday is the perfect moment to mix urban shots of Kraków with the underground magic of Wieliczka. In one (intense) or two days you can create contrasting images — from medieval streets and the boulevards along the Vistula to salt chambers and sculptures in the mine. It’s a great option for a group of photographers and friends: everyone will find their favorite type of shot, and the logistics between the city and Wieliczka are simple and quick. Locations are photogenic throughout the day but change with the light — plan your frames for the time of day you want.
This article gives a practical route plan, the best viewpoints, technical photo tips, ideas for coffee breaks and ways to avoid common mistakes during a photographic May holiday.
Morning start in the Old Town: sunrise on the Planty park belt or by St. Mary’s Church — soft light, empty streets and atmospheric shots of townhouses.
Breakfast / coffee: Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) or another small café in the center — a short pause and a few interior detail shots.
Walk to Wawel: the courtyard, the walls and perspectives from the riverside boulevards; the golden hour over the Vistula is a great time for panoramas.
Kazimierz and Plac Nowy: street photography, murals, atmospheric courtyards, and Mleczarnia as a break spot.
Afternoon trip to Wieliczka: take the Koleje Małopolskie train from Kraków Main Station to Wieliczka Rynek‑Kopalnia — about 20–30 minutes travel time.
Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine: choose the Tourist Route or Museum Route — plan 2–3 hours; remember warmer clothing, comfortable shoes and the rules for photography underground.
Return to Kraków in the evening: dinner in Kazimierz or near the Market Square — time for night photos and relaxation.
Day 1: Old Town, Wawel, Planty, cafés and sunset over the Vistula. Evening in Kazimierz — night photography and culinary testing.
Day 2: Morning frames from Krakus Mound or the boulevards, midday departure to Wieliczka, tour of the mine and a one‑hour walk above ground — Żupny Castle and the Gardens.
This schedule gives more time to experiment with settings, do portrait sessions in golden light and rest between shots.
Wawel — the courtyard and the Vistula bank: golden hour provides soft, ‘royal’ light; bring a wide‑angle lens and a tele for sculptural details.
Main Market Square and St. Mary’s Church: dynamic shots with people, pigeons and the Cloth Hall panorama; mornings are least crowded.
Kanonicza and Senacka Streets: medieval atmosphere, stone details and doors — ideal for portraits and architectural shots.
Kazimierz (Szeroka, Plac Nowy, courtyards): atmospheric cafés, murals and low‑angle compositions. Mleczarnia is a good pause spot and great for lifestyle photos.
Vistula Boulevards: water reflections, bridges and views of Wawel; an ND filter helps create smooth water surfaces.
Zakrzówek: turquoise water and rocky formations — stunning frames, but be careful near edges and respect access restrictions in some areas.
Podgórze and Podgórze Market Square: fewer crowds, a different city perspective and excellent shots from the bridges.
St. Kinga’s Chapel: the mine’s iconic spot, richly carved salt details and monumental lighting — shoot wide frames and sculptural close‑ups.
Saurau Chamber and other large chambers: lots of space and high vaults — a wide‑angle lens and good stabilization work best.
Salt sculptures and chandeliers: details have unique texture — try low ISO and wide apertures when light allows, unless you need higher ISO in darker spots.
Corridors and salt stairs: repeating graphic elements create strong compositions when using symmetry and leading lines.
Remember that underground lighting is specific — experiment with white balance and shoot in RAW.
Gear: a wide angle (24 mm or wider), a standard zoom (24–70 mm) and a fast lens for portraits; bring a tele if you want close details. For smartphones, use RAW/HDR mode and carry a powerbank.
Tripod: in the mine a tripod can be cumbersome in narrow passages and sometimes requires permission — carry a lightweight travel tripod and ask at the ticket office about rules.
Settings: underground use wide apertures and higher ISO (watch noise); outdoors keep ISO low, use f/8–f/11 for architecture, and use long exposures on the boulevards with an ND filter.
Battery and memory: cool conditions (Wieliczka about +14–18°C) drain batteries faster — bring spare batteries and an empty memory card.
Phone as backup: smartphone photos are great on the move and in tight spaces; use night mode for city night shots.
Getting to Wieliczka: the Koleje Małopolskie train from Kraków Main Station to Wieliczka Rynek‑Kopalnia takes around 20–30 minutes and is the quickest, most convenient option. Bus line 304 also runs from the area near the Main Railway Station.
Tickets and reservations: in high season (May holiday) queues and sold‑out slots at the mine are common — book tickets online in advance and arrive on time. For larger groups, reserve early.
Visit time in Wieliczka: plan 2–3 hours for the tourist route (including descent, tour and return). Allow extra time above ground for Żupny Castle and the Gardens.
Temperature and stairs: the mine’s constant temperature is roughly +14–18°C; expect about 700–800 stairs round trip on the route, so comfortable shoes are essential.
Luggage and storage: large luggage can be left in the cloakroom near the entrance; small bags are allowed on the tour (check size limits at the ticket office).
Rules: generally, photography on the Museum and Tourist Route is allowed without flash — this is standard, but rules can vary for commercial sessions.
Tripods and commercial shoots: using a tripod or organizing professional sessions often requires permission and/or an additional permit — ask at the ticket office before you start the tour. Sometimes permission can be purchased or the staff will explain the procedure.
Respect other visitors: the mine is a museum and a busy attraction — don’t block passages and avoid continuous lighting if it disturbs groups.
Protect your gear: humidity and salt particles can affect equipment — wipe and dry your gear after leaving the mine.
Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) — a cozy café perfect for breakfast and interior shots, a great way to start a photo day.
Mleczarnia (Kazimierz, ul. Beera Meiselsa / Plac Nowy) — charming patio and retro vibe; a pleasant place to rest after walking around Kazimierz.
Hamsa Hummus & Happiness (ul. Szeroka / Miodowa) — great for a shared meal; the colorful dishes look excellent in photos.
Also try local pierogi, good bread and regional pastries — many places around the Market Square and in Kazimierz offer tasty and photogenic dishes.
Not booking Wieliczka in season — solution: buy tickets online in advance and pick a specific time.
Dead batteries and no spare memory — solution: bring spare batteries, a powerbank and an extra memory card.
Wearing unsuitable shoes for the mine and slippery route sections — solution: comfortable closed shoes with good grip.
Using flash in St. Kinga’s Chapel or near sculptures — solution: shoot without flash, raise ISO or use a faster lens.
Trying to set up a large tripod in narrow corridors — solution: use a lightweight travel tripod and ask for permission beforehand.
Can I bring a tripod to the Wieliczka Salt Mine? - Usually photography without flash is allowed; a tripod or professional session may require permission — check at the ticket office before entering.
How much time is needed to visit the mine? - Plan at least 2 hours for the Tourist Route; with above‑ground attractions it can take 3–4 hours.
How to get from Kraków to Wieliczka? - The fastest way is the Koleje Małopolskie train from Kraków Main Station to Wieliczka Rynek‑Kopalnia (about 20–30 minutes); bus line 304 is another option.
Will there be big crowds in May? - Yes, the May holiday is one of the busiest periods — book tickets and start early.
Is it cold in the mine? - The underground temperature is steady at around +14–18°C — bring a light jacket.
Some chambers in Wieliczka reach heights of several dozen meters — the best photos capture scale by choosing the right perspective.
On the Vistula boulevards you can find unexpected reflections and perspectives on Wawel that look completely different at sunrise and sunset.
In Kazimierz many of the most 'Instagrammable' corners are not only beautiful backgrounds but places with interesting history — a short snapshot combined with a bit of context adds value to the image.
If you’re planning a photographic May holiday with friends, this route combining Kraków and Wieliczka offers huge framing possibilities — from street reportage to magical underground photos.
Share your photos: if this article helped, share it with friends or post your shots on social media with our hashtag.
If you prefer touring with atmosphere, a dose of stories and more comfort, consider a guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she can tailor the route to your group’s photographic needs. Contact details and offerings are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. Have a great May holiday and many successful frames!
Book Wieliczka tickets in advance for your chosen time slot.
Bring a light jacket for the mine and comfortable footwear.
Pack spare batteries, a powerbank and extra memory cards.
Download offline city map and check train/bus timetables the day before.
Respect museum rules and other visitors when photographing.
If you travel with a mixed group of experienced and casual photographers, set a few meeting times and meeting points so everyone can explore at their own pace.
For portrait sessions pick golden hour at Wawel or quiet courtyards in Kazimierz — ask for brief pauses during the mine tour to capture closeups without blocking the group.
Consider portable LED panels only if they are unobtrusive and permitted — always ask for permission in advance for extra lighting.
