Not many cities can boast such diverse landscapes as Krakow! Just a short distance from the city, we have interesting trails (even mountain ones!), as well as numerous caves, castles, and... mines!

The Jura Region near Krakow

There are kilometers of trails and paths among limestone rocks - perfect for little hikers, as they are much easier than mountain trails. The gem of these areas is the smallest but charming Ojcowski National Park, located just 15 km from Krakow. Its main trail - Pradnik Valley - is an asphalt path accessible and comfortable for strollers and bicycles. It is surrounded by high rocky walls, and during the walk, we will come across two caves and the ruins of Ojcow Castle (one of the "Eagle Nests"). There is also an Ojcow trout farm along the trail, where we can eat smoked, fresh fish.

Ojcowski National Park

Ojcowski National Park

This is the smallest national park in Poland! But as the old saying goes, "small is beautiful" - so what will we see in Ojc贸w? ...

Castle in Ojc贸w - gate and visible pillars supporting the drawbridge
Castle in Ojc贸w - gate and visible pillars supporting the drawbridge

The Most Beautiful Jura Valleys near Krakow

Although Pradnik Valley is one of the most beautiful, it is also the most popular and crowded during summer weekends. It might be worth going for a walk to less popular but equally charming valleys near Krakow. Many of them can also be explored with a stroller!

The Most Beautiful Valleys near Krakow

The Most Beautiful Valleys near Krakow

The valleys near Krakow - which one is the most beautiful? The white, limestone rocks surrounding Krakow hide many extraordinary trails and paths. ...

Kobylanska Valley - Path to the Chapel
Kobylanska Valley - Path to the Chapel

Caves near Krakow

The youngest tourists will surely be fascinated by the underground corridors of caves and rocky grottoes, and there are plenty of them here! Many can even be found in the center of Krakow (such as Dragon's Den and Twardowski's Cave). Most of them are accessible for guided tours, but there are also some that are completely "open." The largest and one of the most interesting caves near Krakow is Wierzchowska Cave - it has the longest tourist route among all caves in Poland!

Caves in Krakow and the Krakow Area

Caves in Krakow and the Krakow Area

Labyrinths of rocky corridors, which we cautiously navigate with a flashlight in hand... The Krakow area is rich in caves, grottoes ...

Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave

Castles near Krakow

We love to visit castles! They often become the goal of a family hike - it is much easier to conquer a trail when we have a specific destination in mind. The surroundings of a castle are usually an interesting place for a family rest, with a beautiful panorama (as they were mostly built on hills). There are quite a few castles near Krakow, as the oldest and most beautiful trail connecting 14 fortresses runs from Krakow to Czestochowa - the "Trail of the Eagle Nests." It is a medieval defensive system that was established during the reign of King Casimir the Great to protect the borders of the Kingdom of Poland and trade routes. In the article below, you will find descriptions of castles and ruins located near Krakow:

Castles and ruins near Krakow

Castles and ruins near Krakow

Table of ContentsCastles near KrakowKorzkiewRudnoRabsztyn Rabsztyn Castle near OlkuszCastle in OjcowPieskowa SkalaZ ...

Korzkiew Castle
Korzkiew Castle

Salt Mines

There are also two salt mines near Krakow that are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Each of them is unique! The most popular and world-famous one is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It houses the largest salt chambers, including the famous "St. Kinga's Chapel."

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine quickly became not only a place of salt extraction but also a tourist attraction. The first tourists appeared here in the Middle Ages! Did you know that the Wieliczka Salt Mine has been listed as one of the first 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites? ...

Less known (and the oldest in Poland!) is the Bochnia Salt Mine. It may not be as spectacular, but its visit is more intimate and offers interesting attractions, such as a ride on an underground train or a boat trip.

Bochnia Salt Mine

Bochnia Salt Mine

Bochnia Salt Mine is the oldest and deepest salt mine in Poland. Depending on the age of young tourists, you can choose suitable tour routes: multimedia, nature, or family tours. ...

Bochnia Salt Mine
Bochnia Salt Mine

Forests near Krakow

Living in the city, we crave green walks, especially seeking refuge in the shade of trees on hot days. There are quite a few forests near Krakow, and it is easy to escape the city for a peaceful forest walk. Check out where you can find comfortable forest paths near Krakow, suitable for strollers and bicycles:

Forests in Krakow and forests around Krakow

Forests in Krakow and forests around Krakow

Tired of your local park? Even the most elaborate and modern playground doesn't excite you anymore? ...

Forest in M艂ynka: asphalt road
Forest in M艂ynka: asphalt road

Bicycle Routes near Krakow

Do you enjoy family bike trips? Are you looking for safe routes away from streets and cars? You will find many kilometers of paths suitable for a family ride in the forests near Krakow, and one of the most popular bike routes from Krakow is the one leading along the Vistula boulevards to Tyniec. Below you will find tested routes and bike trails:

Family Bike Routes near Krakow

Family Bike Routes near Krakow

Are you tired of cycling on paths in urban parks? It's time to go on a family bike trip outside the city! Here are a few of our favorite and tested bike routes. ...

Puszcza Dulowska - route from M艂ynka
Puszcza Dulowska - route from M艂ynka

Nearest Mountains near Krakow

Just a short drive outside Krakow, you can find mountain trails. The nearest trails to Krakow (and the nearest mountain hut!) with good accessibility are in My艣lenickie Zarabie: with a pebble beach by the river, G贸ra Che艂m with a chairlift, and the Kud艂acze mountain hut.

Zarabie (recration area) and Che艂m Summit - My艣lenice

Zarabie (recration area) and Che艂m Summit - My艣lenice

...

PTTK Shelter on Kud艂acze Meadow

PTTK Shelter on Kud艂acze Meadow

PTTK Shelter on Kud艂acze Meadow - so close to Krakow that you can come here for an afternoon family walk. ...

PTTK Kud艂acze Mountain Hut
PTTK Kud艂acze Mountain Hut

...and a Real Desert!

The B艂臋d贸w Desert is the largest inland area of shifting sands and dunes in Poland! In the article below, you will find many useful pieces of information - how to get to the B艂臋d贸w Desert and where to park? Where are the viewpoints and many more:

B艂臋d贸w Desert - How to Get There, Viewpoints, Attractions

B艂臋d贸w Desert - How to Get There, Viewpoints, Attractions

B艂臋d贸w Desert - the largest inland area of flying sand and dunes in Poland. Surrounded by forest, the B艂臋d贸w Desert covers an area of approximately 33 km虏 (less than 10 km long and 4 km wide). ...

B艂臋d贸w Desert
B艂臋d贸w Desert
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