Visit Krakow

  • Sightseeing In Kraków
  • Restaurants In Kraków
  • Hotels In Kraków
  • Nightlife In Kraków

Day Trips from Kraków

The region of Małopolskie (lesser Poland) of which Kraków is the capital is one of Poland’s most worthy of exploration. From Kraków, tour companies have developed a really eclectic menu of day long excursions that will take you from the high Tatra peaks, to the slow-flowing rivers of this exceptionally beautiful corner of Europe

Zakopane - Poland's Outdoor Activity Capital

Zakopane is hailed as the Outdoor Activity Capital of Poland, and in the snowy months, the ice-capped mountain peaks enclose this traditional mountain town of wooden churches and crooning bars, making it a great place to get away from the city buzz for a day. The price of a typical tour to Zakopane is 200-250 PLN, depending what’s included. It is possible to reach the city of Zakopane to the south in just under two hours, and tours run daily throughout the year from Kraków.

Even further to the south, right on the cusp of the Slovakian Tatras, the magnificent 14th century Castle at Niedzica, looms over the Dunajec River below. One of Kraków’s popular day trips is rafting down the river, starting upstream on the Dunajec and gliding past the romantic hillsides that feather slowly towards the south, and the confluence with the Vistula River that leads the way back to Krakow. Expect to pay around 230-250 PLN for a rafting tour on the Dunajec, a price that should include all entrance fees, transportation, and a guide.

Continuing the ‘day trip with a castle’ theme, frequent excursions to the startlingly close Ojców national park depart from Krakow daily. Here, not only can visitors see the amazing limestone rock protrusions that make the topography of the area so interesting, but the Pieskowa Skała Castle that’s nestled neatly in the same valley is one of the finest examples of early Renaissance fortifications in Poland. Trips to Ojców and back will usually cost around 100-150 PLN, but make sure the ticket includes entry to all attractions.

While Krakow is often hailed as the birthplace of the highly venerated Polish Pope John Paul II, his actual birthplace is the small town of Wadowice to the south west. Tour companies in the city now offer the so called ‘Pope Tour’, which takes you to Wadowice itself, and to a number of different sites relevant to John Paul’s life. Along the route there’s also a few other sites of interest, in particular the small town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. ‘Pope Tours’ should cost around 100-170 PLN.

Another popular day trip takes visitors to nearby Niepołomice Castle, another gothic structure with Renaissance façades that has retained it magnificent appearance since the medieval ages. The castle itself sits just on the borders of one of Poland’s primeval forests, a habitat largely unique throughout Europe (and indeed, the world), where the last few herds of European bison can still be spotted. All in, with transportation and entrance fees the Niepołomice Castle tour should cost no more than 200 PLN.

Tours can sell out quickly, particularly during high season, so I always prefer to book well in advance with a company like Get Your Guide. This is especially true if I’m travelling to the country with a particular activity in mind. The ratings usually give an accurate indication of what to expect.

If you wait until you arrive in Kraków, it’s always good idea to shop around a little. There are loads of different companies that have offices either in, or just out of the Old Town centre, and you’ll probably come across several as you just wander through the city. Meeting places and times can differ slightly, and prices are very competitive, especially during the summer.

Lakes in and around Kraków

The region of Malopolskie is as landlocked as they get. Krakow is the city at its heart, and there’s nothing that says beach about it at all. While Poland does have a magnificent coastline, it is thirteen hours away (at least) from Kraków and one monster of a train ride north; clearly, beaches are not on the menu here. Well, think again!

A favourite among the stag and hen parties in the sweltering high-summer is the beach party excursions that depart from central Kraków, and without a beach in sight, it’s difficult to fathom where they’re heading. But, Malopolskie is lake country, and in the crevices and valleys cut by the limestone contours of the pre-Tatra hills, there are plenty to choose from; some even with bona fide beaches!

The most popular is undoubtedly Kryspinow. Referred to by many a wilfully deluded Cracovian affectionately as Kryspinow Beach, this super-clean, super-large lake is home to Kraków’s most convincing of man-made beaches. Complete with Cuban theme bar and windsurfing facilities, Kryspinow gets the lion’s share of lake going locals and tourists in the summer. Consequently, it can get quite busy, so it may be worth avoiding the controlled section, where most people go to enjoy the best sand, but pay an entrance fee for the privilege. Being around just 10km from Kraków’s centre, the lake is super close, and accessible by the busses that run in the city limits.

Rożnowskie Lake is further from the city, and less orientated to the lazy traveller. Here the real joy is the hiking and biking paths that weave their way round the grassy banks of the fish filled water. What’s really striking initially is how natural Rożnowskie looks, nestled in a valley around an hour and a half to the south east of Krakow, near the small town of Nowy Sącz. It’s actually an artificial lake used to power nearby renewable sources, and wasn’t even there until the 1940s!

Check Krakow Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Sat 01 Apr 2023

Check-out date

Sun 02 Apr 2023
Booking.com

Within Kraków’s city limits and reachable by tram or bus, the old quarry of Zakrzowek is a really interesting example of what happens when the diggers dig too deep. Created accidentally when the limestone quarrymen hit underground springs below the surface, the water here is fresh and really, really cold. You’ll notice prohibitive fences around the edge that have been dismantled almost entirely by locals who resent the attempt to prevent swimmers there. But, with a number of accidents occurring as a result of the sheer cliff faces that drop down into the water below, if you want to swim it’s a good idea to heed the warnings and go with the qualified scuba divers that are allowed to practice at Zakrzowek.

Another lake that’s easily reachable with public transport, albeit with a few changes, is the smaller Przylasek Rusiecki. Another man made beach is the most popular spot, and locals come here to barbeque kielbasa in the summer nights. The water is nice too, so don’t forget the swimming gear.

In a town so ostensibly divided from water, the proliferation of lakes in and around Krakow has given rise to something of a lakeside culture in the summer. While not the awesome, mountain shrouded alpine expanses of Switzerland or Austria, the lakes of Kraków are pleasant places to kick back and relax in a city that really knows how it’s done.

Two of the most popular day trips from Krakow are visiting the sombre remains of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and the remarkable underground Wieliczka Saltmines – see our in-depth guides to both. Our guide to Things To Do In Kraków includes a number of excellent day trips, and our Two-Day Kraków Itinerary, Three-Day Kraków Itinerary and Four-Day Kraków Itinerary pages also include the easiest-to-reach excursions.

Kraków also makes a great base for visiting other Polish cities, some of which can be reached within a day.

 

Things To Do In Krakow

Start Planning Your Kraków Trip Now!

:: Find available Kraków hotels on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.

:: Wondering where to stay in Krakow before you book your hotel? See our comprehensive guide to the city's most convenient areas for visitors.

:: Find the cheapest flight to Kraków with 12go - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.

:: Book an airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.

:: Find out how to get your phone set up with a SIM card in Kraków.

:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Kraków.

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Get a KrakowCard 1-, 2- or 3-day pass that gives entry to almost 40 of the Kraków's fantastic attractions and unlimited use of the city's bus and tram network.

:: Need inspiration? Check our Kraków Itineraries for two-day, three-day, and four-day trips, as well as our Things To Do In Kraków guide for ideas of where to do and what to do.

Kraków And COVID-19

  • Can I Travel To Poland? April 2023
  • Flights to Kraków April 2023
  • How To Help The People Of Ukraine And Poland

Kraków Itineraries

  • First Time In Kraków
  • Things To Do In Kraków
  • Kraków Two Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Three Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Four Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Food Tours
  • Kraków Drink Tours
  • Kraków Walking Tours
  • Kraków River Cruises

Kraków Day Trips

  • Day Trips from Kraków
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau – Krakow Day Trip
  • How To Get To Auschwitz-Birkenau From Kraków
  • Wieliczka Saltmines – Krakow Day Trip
  • How To Get To Wieliczka Saltmines From Kraków
  • Zakopane – Poland’s Outdoor Activity Capital
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Kraków

Kraków Hotels

  • Where To Stay In Kraków
  • Recommended Krakow Hotels
  • Luxury Hotels In Kraków
  • Mid-Range Hotels In Kraków
  • Budget Hotels In Kraków
  • Romantic Hotels In Kraków
  • Boutique Hotels In Kraków
  • Family Hotels In Kraków
  • Business Hotels In Kraków
  • Chain Hotels In Kraków

Kraków Airport

  • Kraków Airport Guide
  • Getting From Kraków City Centre To Kraków Airport
  • Getting From Kraków Airport To Kraków City Centre

Kraków Essentials

  • Kraków Basics
  • Packing List For Kraków 2023
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Kraków?
  • Where To Get A SIM Card In Kraków
  • KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass
  • Shopping In Kraków
  • Why You Need Travel Insurance For Poland
  • Guide To Staying Safe In Kraków
  • How To Deal With An Emergency In Kraków

Explore Kraków

  • How To Get To Kraków
  • How To Travel From The UK To Kraków
  • Getting Around in Kraków
  • Kraków Food and Drink
  • Jewish Kraków
  • Galeria Krakowska
  • Kraków Climate – The Best Time To Go To Kraków
  • Polish Currency – a practical guide for your trip to Kraków
  • Kraków Piano Recitals
  • Kraków Public Holidays
  • Christmas In Kraków
  • New Year’s In Kraków
  • Kraków Sports

Kraków Maps

  • Kraków Map
  • Map Of Recommended Hotels In Kraków
  • Map Of Museums Included With the KrakowCard
  • Kraków Shopping Map
  • Kraków Nightlife Map

Beyond Kraków

  • How To Travel From Kraków To Other Polish Cities
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Neighbouring Countries

Visit Warsaw

  • Visit Warsaw
  • Things To Do In Warsaw
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Warsaw

Visit Gdańsk

  • Visit Gdańsk
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Gdańsk

Krakow Essentials

  • Kraków Basics
  • Packing List For Kraków 2023
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Kraków?
  • Where To Get A SIM Card In Kraków
  • KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass
  • Shopping In Kraków
  • Why You Need Travel Insurance For Poland
  • Guide To Staying Safe In Kraków
  • How To Deal With An Emergency In Kraków

Krakow Airport Guide

  • Kraków Airport Guide
  • Getting From Kraków City Centre To Kraków Airport
  • Getting From Kraków Airport To Kraków City Centre

Krakow Trip Planning

  • First Time In Kraków
  • Things To Do In Kraków
  • Kraków Two Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Three Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Four Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Food Tours
  • Kraków Drink Tours
  • Kraków Walking Tours
  • Kraków River Cruises

© 2013–2023 visitkrakow.com. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy