Bochnia Salt Mine

Bochnia is the older and calmer of Kraków's two great salt mines, and it shares UNESCO World Heritage status with its more famous neighbour at Wieliczka. Salt has been mined here since the thirteenth century, and the mine produced a large share of the income of the Polish crown in the Middle Ages. Mining continued until the late twentieth century, and today the old workings, which stretch down for hundreds of metres in a labyrinth of chambers, galleries and shafts, are open to visitors as a museum. The route descends by a historic shaft to the first levels of the mine, where you walk through high chambers lined with timber supports and glittering salt walls, passing carved sculptures, a salt chapel dedicated to Saint Kinga, and the tools and machinery of the mining trade. The experience is more hands-on than at Wieliczka. A short underground train carries you through a tunnel to a distant part of the mine, and in one chamber you can take a boat across an underground salt lake. Because Bochnia receives far fewer visitors, the atmosphere is calmer and the guide has more time for questions.

The tour usually lasts about two to three hours underground. It begins with a ride down in a mining lift or on the staircase, followed by a guided walk through the chambers, a short journey on the underground train and, depending on the route and the season, a boat ride. Tours are led in several languages, but English departures can be less frequent than at Wieliczka, so the easiest way to fit one in is on a guided trip from Kraków, as in the linked excursion, which handles the transport and the timing.

The temperature underground is cool and steady all year, so bring a layer even in summer, and wear shoes with grip, because the floors can be damp. The route involves stairs and some uneven sections, so it is not ideal for people with limited mobility, although some parts can be adapted. Photography is usually allowed, but check the rules for tripods. There is little to eat underground, so have a meal before or afterwards in the town of Bochnia.

Why choose Bochnia over Wieliczka? The honest answer is that many visitors do not have to choose. Wieliczka is larger, grander and more famous, with the spectacular Chapel of Saint Kinga and lavish carvings, and for a first visit it is usually the better single choice. Bochnia is the better pick if you are returning to the region, if you are travelling in a busy season and want a quieter underground experience, or if you like the idea of a train ride and a boat trip beneath the earth.

It is also well suited to families with older children who like adventure.