Wieliczka is not only the famous St. Kinga’s Chapel and salt sculptures — it’s a place where history speaks on several levels. In a small group (2–6 people) a visit is more flexible: you can spend extra time on WWII-related parts and ask the guide more questions. An intimate format also makes it possible to arrange non-standard entrance times or to tailor the route to a specific theme, for example occupation traces, memorial sites and stories about forced labor in the mine.
Visiting in a small group is also more comfortable: it’s easier to hear the guide underground, crowds don’t get in the way, and the pace can be adjusted to the group — important when touring with seniors or children. For people interested in wartime history a small group offers a chance for a deeper, more personal experience.
Traces of the war in Wieliczka appear on two levels: above ground (the town, monuments, local archives, testimonies) and underground (mine documentation and selected museum memory spaces).
Above ground, look for local plaques, monuments and memorial sites connected with occupation events — executions, deportations and Home Army activity in the Wieliczka area. The town also hosts talks and lectures about 1939–1945 from time to time, and local memory institutions preserve witness accounts.
Underground, the Museum and mine displays also touch on 20th-century topics. In documents and guides’ narratives you can find facts such as German plans to adapt some chambers for wartime production and the establishment of a labor camp on the mine site in 1944. Not all of these locations are part of the standard Tourist Route — some information is available at the Cracow Saltworks Museum (Muzeum Żup Krakowskich) or during specialist guided tours.
The standard Tourist Route leads through the most valuable chambers and monuments of the mine and takes about 2–3 hours. Underground temperatures are usually 16–18°C, the visit begins with a descent of about 380 wooden steps and the return to the surface is by elevator. On the route you will see, among other things, St. Kinga’s Chapel, several brine lakes and numerous salt sculptures.
If you are especially interested in wartime topics, agree the scope of the tour with your guide in advance. Some objects and historical stories are not included on the standard tourist trail and may require a visit to the Cracow Saltworks Museum or a special educational program. For a small group such a program can be arranged — it’s best to do this a few days ahead.
1) Book a date in advance - in the high season the mine’s dates fill quickly; for an intimate, thematic visit it’s best to reserve at least a few days before your planned date.
2) Choose the type of visit - you can buy online tickets for the standard Tourist Route or book a private tour focused on wartime themes. A small group is a great opportunity to ask the guide for extra explanations and anecdotes.
3) Transport - from Kraków city center you can reach Wieliczka by train (Kraków Główny → Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia) or by bus line 304; the journey takes about 20–30 minutes. If you come by car, use official parking near the Daniłowicz Shaft or the parking by the graduation tower.
4) Physical preparation - bring comfortable shoes, a light layer of clothing (the mine is cooler), water and some cash for souvenirs. Also check rules about bringing backpacks and museum photography policies.
5) Day plan - allow 2–3 hours for the Salt Mine plus time for the Cracow Saltworks Museum and a short walk around Wieliczka Market Square. For a small group this is a comfortable pace.
08:45 - Departure from Kraków (train or car).
09:15 - Arrival in Wieliczka, short walk to the Daniłowicz Shaft, quick coffee or snack.
09:30–12:00 - Visit the Tourist Route in the Salt Mine (2–3 hours).
12:15–13:15 - Lunch at Bistro Posolone by the Daniłowicz Shaft or at one of the local cafés on Wieliczka Market Square.
13:30–14:30 - Visit the Cracow Saltworks Museum (Muzeum Żup Krakowskich) for additional historical context and exhibitions related to the mine’s 20th-century role.
14:45 - Walk around Wieliczka Market Square, visit a memorial site, brief discussion of occupation events and the January 1945 liberation.
15:30 - Return to Kraków.
Are there visible wartime traces in the mine? - Some exhibits and stories concern the mine’s 20th-century history, including the occupation period; however not all wartime sites are open on the standard route and some information must be obtained at the museum or from a guide.
Can a small group book a WWII-focused guided tour? - Yes. Small groups have an advantage — it’s easier to agree the theme and pace. Be sure to mention this when making the reservation.
How many steps are there? - On the Tourist Route visitors descend about 380 steps; return to the surface is by elevator.
Is the visit suitable for children and seniors? - The route requires mobility to handle stairs; for very young children or people with limited mobility consult the organizer beforehand.
Can I take photos? - Photography is allowed in most places, but there can be restrictions (for example in museum exhibits or during special events) — ask the guide on site.
Not booking in advance - especially in season this is the most common mistake; tickets and tour slots sell out quickly.
Wearing uncomfortable shoes - there are stairs and varied surfaces in the mine; flat-soled shoes work better than high heels.
Not dressing appropriately - it’s cooler underground, so bring a light jacket or sweater.
Assuming all wartime places are accessible - some areas are protected or not included in the standard route; plan thematic visits with a guide ahead of time.
Skipping the Cracow Saltworks Museum - it’s often where documents and displays best explain the mine’s wartime context.
Bistro Posolone - the official bistro by the Daniłowicz Shaft; convenient and on-site, a good choice for a small group right after the tour.
Wieliczka Market Square - around the square you’ll find several cafés and eateries serving home-style meals and snacks; it’s worth trying regional dishes and Lesser Poland flavors.
If you want something more “Kraków-style” after returning to the city, plan an evening meal in one of Kraków’s center restaurants — a good chance to recap the day’s impressions.
During the war there were plans to adapt some mine chambers for wartime industry — this shows the scale at which the underground was considered in the occupier’s strategy.
The mine has centuries of history and a network of tunnels stretching for hundreds of kilometers; this means its role changed over the ages, including in the 20th century.
In January 1945 the town and its surroundings experienced dramatic moments during the retreat of German forces and the advance of Soviet troops; local records mention losses and arrests that are discussed during regional lectures.
Check opening hours and access rules for the Tourist Routes - the mine has fixed schedules, but private guided visits must be agreed separately.
If you want to focus on wartime themes, tell the guide when booking — they can prepare additional materials and anecdotes.
Pace your day calmly - in a small group it’s easier to keep a comfortable rhythm and leave time for conversation, photos and questions.
If you plan an intimate, carefully themed visit to Wieliczka — including a program focused on World War II traces — consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz (also known as Margaret Kasprowicz). With experience in guided tours and local knowledge, Małgorzata can adapt the route for small groups, add historical context and ensure a comfortable visit. Contact details are available via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — please reach out directly to arrange the program and date.
If you found this article useful, share it with friends or on social media — someone else may be planning a similar small trip to Wieliczka! Thank you and enjoy a fascinating, safe visit.
