10 ideas for a one-day trip outside Krakow

Looking for an idea for a trip outside the city? Preferably not too far away, so you don't spend a lot of time in the car? Check if you've been here before:

1. Błędów Desert

It is the largest area of drifting sands in Poland! According to legend, it was created by the devil himself, who wanted to bury the silver mines near Olkusz with sand. However, while flying, the devil accidentally hit the church tower with his sack, and the sand spilled out... The fact is that the desert used to be much bigger! It's worth seeing it at any time of the year.

Błędów Desert - How to Get There, Viewpoints, Attractions

Błędów Desert - the largest inland area of flying sand and dunes in Poland. Surrounded by forest, the Błędów Desert covers an area of approximately 33 km² (less than 10 km long and 4 km wide). ...

2. Dulowska Forest and Tenczyn Castle in Rudno

This is a wonderful forest area, perfect for a family bike trip or a walk - even with a stroller. A safe, asphalt trail stretches through the entire forest. The highlight is the ruins of Tenczyn Castle on a hill in Rudno.

Easy

directions_walk child_friendly directions_bike

Puszcza Dulowska - by bike and with a baby stroller

straighten 15.9km

timer 4h 12min

north_east 92m

south_east 86m

3. Myślenice Zarabie, Chełm Mountain, and Kudłacze Shelter

These are the mountains closest to Krakow! This is where the Beskid Wyspowy mountain range begins, and Zarabie in Myślenice is a fantastic recreational area with rocky beaches along the Raba River, two playgrounds, barbecue facilities, many hiking trails, and a chairlift to Chełm Mountain, from which we can reach the Kudłacze Shelter - the shelter closest to Krakow.

Zarabie (recration area) and Chełm Summit - Myślenice

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4. Gródek Park and Arboretum in Jaworzno

This is a place that is definitely worth adding to the "must-see" list. Or rather, not just to see, but to spend time here. By the reservoir, we have a large picnic meadow with gazebos and benches. In the vicinity of the quarry, there are kilometers of forest walking trails and educational paths - including the most scenic trail up the quarry hill.

Park Gródek and Arboretum in Jaworzno - Polish Maldives

Park Gródek, officially known as Arboretum in Jaworzno, is often called the "Polish Maldives" or the "Silesian Croatia" by tourists. It is located in a picturesque former dolomite quarry, about 8 km from the city center of Jaworzno. ...

5. Tarnów for a day

Tarnów's market square is rightly called the "Little Krakow." Tarnów has a charming old town, and fragments of the old city walls have also been preserved. In their place, there is now a city promenade. About 15 minutes from the market square, there is the charming Strzelecki Park with a large, new playground for children. You can find a description of Tarnów's attractions in the article Tarnów.

6. Ojców National Park

This is a gem of the local region, the smallest national park in Poland, but undoubtedly charming! And so close to Krakow. A comfortable, asphalt pedestrian and cycling path runs through the middle of the park: perfect for a walk with a stroller, bike, or scooter. And a green educational hiking trail will lead us to the top of the rocks, from which we can enjoy a view of the entire valley!

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 Ojców? ...

7. Silesian Park in Chorzów and Elka Railway

Silesian Park in Chorzów is so large that a chairlift-gondola runs between its ends! There are kilometers of cycling paths and plenty of attractions: a zoo, the "Legendia" amusement park, and on the weekend of June 11-12, the opening of the largest planetarium in Poland is planned!

Chorzów - Silesian Park and Elka Chairlift

Silesian Park - the largest park in Poland and one of the largest in Europe! It offers kilometers of asphalt paths for cyclists, rollerbladers, and pedestrians. Within the park: a zoo, the amusement park "Legendia" ...

8. How about visiting a castle?

There are plenty of castles near Krakow - after all, the famous Eagle Nests Trail runs through this area: fortresses mainly built during the reign of King Casimir the Great to protect the borders and trade routes. From the towers of one castle, you can often see another - so there is plenty to choose from!

Castles and ruins near Krakow

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

9. Suburban Valleys

Limestone rocks hide many beautiful valleys, each with its unique charm. Some of the valleys can be explored with a stroller.

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. ...

10. How about a cave?

There are plenty of caves in the Krakow area, even in Krakow itself! The ones that are particularly worth seeing are: Wierzchowska Cave with the longest tourist route in Poland and Nietoperzowa Cave (many bats actually hibernate in this cave, so it's best to visit in late autumn or early spring). During winter, caves are closed to protect these extraordinary animals.

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 ...

PS.1. Remember that the mountains near Krakow are also not far away! And it doesn't have to be just the Tatra Mountains. You can reach the Beskid Mountains in less than an hour:

Mountain trails for family hikes near Krakow

Where to go from Krakow for a short mountain trip? Hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails south of the capital of Małopolska. ...

PS.2. Or maybe you feel like taking a trip by train? Here is a list of 10 interesting places you can reach from Krakow by train:

By train from Krakow - 10 ideas for a one-day trip!

Here is our list of one-day, train trips from Krakow to places interesting and attractive for the whole family! ...

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Author: Adelina
Publish Date: 2022-06-02
Last Updated: 2023-01-04