Top Krakow Art & Culture - page 35

See the large complex of housing estates designed and developed by the communist authorities in 1950s. Learn about the tragedy and all the unbelivable inconveniences of our everyday life under the communist regime. This is one of the most interesting city tours that allows you to visit a unique district of Krakow – Nowa Huta that was established in 1949 by the communists. Poland was ruled by the Soviet communist regime for over fourty years since the end of the WWII until 1989. Our guide will introduce you to the history of that district. You will see the former Lenin Steelworks with its administrative centre and the first residential estates established by the communists in the closest vicinity of the plant. Following the history you will reach the Central Square and Rose Avenue where there is the Stylowa Cafe – the only one from the communist period. A short coffee break in a socialist realist interior is also included in price.

Enjoy a winter day, Polish-style, on this private tour to Zakopane. This mountain resort town is famous for skiing, regional specialities (including smoked cheese), and a rich highlander culture, where old-fashioned wintertime traditions still thrive. Here you'll enjoy a traditional Polish meal, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, and forested scenery. This excursion is only available in the winter, provided there is enough snow.

Take a look at the royal city from the deck of a modern catamaran, embarking on a short panoramic cruise on the Vistula River. A heated deck and comfortable leather sofas will make you feel at home even on cold days. On warmer days, we invite you to the upper platform to enjoy the beautiful views while spending time outdoors. Then, follow the footsteps of Jewish cultural monuments in Krakow in a comfortable, eco-friendly golf cart. See authentic monuments in the Kazimierz district and the ghetto that existed during the war in the Podgórze district, and learn more about it. Finally, with an experienced guide enter the Schindler's Factory Museum - one of the most popular museums in Krakow. Although it is related to the name of a German entrepreneur who saved many Jews by employing them in his elmalia factory, the main topic of visiting the museum is the fate of Krakow and its inhabitants during the Nazi occupation.

The cobbled streets in Krakow’s medieval Old Town and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz mean that there are lots of areas that bus tours can’t access, however, this electric car tour is an excellent solution. Enjoy an eco-friendly mode of transport that allows you to tick off lots of key sites in a day, including the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church, Wawel Castle, Tempel Synagogue, and the Heroes of the Ghetto Square.

Our drivers/guides have at least 5 year experience in services for international clients, tourists and all our vans are not older than 5 years.

An ideal proposition for visiting Krakow for a short time, who still want to see as much as possible. On a par with the monuments of the Old Town and Wawel, the infamous Nazi extermination camp in Oświęcim and the salt mine in Wieliczka in Krakow are part of the "must-see" canon and attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Take a one-day guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and admire the underground wonders of nature and the work of human hands in Wieliczka. Save time for further sightseeing of Krakow or a blissful rest as you see fit.

The site is also very well known as Jasna Gora – where the sanctuary together with Pauline Monastery is located. There is the famous, miraculous icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa together with a special book kept in the monastery of Jasna Gora, where many miracles that have occurred before the Miraculous Icon had been listed. During your visit in the sanctuary you will see the main Basilica, the chapel where the Holy Icon of Our Lady is placed, the Way of the Cross of Jasna Gora, the treasury and the 600th Anniversary of Jasna Gora Museum. You will also have time for prayer and/or for lunch at ‘the pilgrim-house’. The Sanctuary of Jasna Gora was among the favourite destinations of John Paul II. Every year it is visited by a few millions of pilgrims and tourists from Poland, Europe and from all over the world – be one of them.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Wieliczka Salt Mines, where you can explore the magic of the underground city: underground saline lakes and salty chapels. The underground escapade changes to a trip into the past where you will see preserved historical machines, tools, salt sculptures and artworks. Wieliczka was the only mining facility that had been continuously active for 700 years - resulting in a huge underground kingdom with 240 kilometres of galleries and 2,350 chambers, reaching the depth of 327 metres - a massive feat of human effort and ingenuity. The microclimate of the Salt chambers and crystal-clear fresh air make breathing easier and aids lung problems so a visit in the Salt Mine is the perfect way to keep our body healthy.

During the tour to the Salt Mine in Bochnia, you will have an oportunity to visit slightly less popular historic mine than Wieliczka, although equally interesting and absolutely worth seeing. Some of the sites you will see / experience: - most beautiful and impressive excavation sites located underground on level IV August (176 m) and VI Sienkiewicz (223 m) - Examples of the underground chambers with the unique shapes and genealogical layout - Wazyn Chamber – the largest chamber located 250 below earth, used contemporarily for inhalation and leisure stays - Crude chapels with splendid statues and paintings Exposition of mining tools and equipment that was used ages ago World’s only Underground Multimedia Exhibition – a time travel from the Middle Ages to present day - Train ride 200 m below ground level - Time for shopping in the Bochnia Salt Mine’s underground souvenir store

The exclusive tour only in the Christmas period! This special time brings magic in Velichka. Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most beautifully decorated places in Velichka. You will feel spellbound with the charming atmosphere, which you can feel only this time of the year! What is the story of the Christmas tree? Who was the first to decorate it in the world? What magical things can happen during the Christmas period? Have you heard about Christmas spells? You will hear miraculous Christmas legends about Velichka. You will visit a beautifully lit and atmospheric Christmas tree. What makes it so popular? What local products must taste at Christmas? Fill your heart with the joy and experience magic of Velichka.

After a comfortable journey to Auschwitz – which takes over an hour – during which you will see a documentary film depicting the history of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and the first days after it was liberated, you will reach your destination. After a short break, you will begin the tour of a place that became a symbol of the Holocaust and Nazi crimes committed against Poles, Romani, and others. The tour comprises both parts of the former concentration camp – Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Approx. 1½ hours will be dedicated to tour Auschwitz I and the same amount of time will be spent on getting to know Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Wieliczka Salt Mine was opened in the 13th century as one of the world oldest salt mines. It reaches almost 327 meters below the ground and has over 287 kilometres. You will walk through 20 chambers taking increadible journey for over 2 hours.This underground world has earned a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Discover one of Krakow’s most popular attractions, Wawel Cathedral, on this educational and insightful guided tour. As you explore, learn about this history-rich site and admire the Sigismund Bell, the Royal Tombs, and the Cathedral Museum. Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2-hour: Wawel Hill & Cathedral The duration of this tour is 2 hours, you will explore Wawel Hill and Wawel Cathedral (tickets are included). 3-hour: Wawel Hill, Cathedral & Castle The duration of this tour is 3 hours, you will explore Wawel Hill, Wawel Cathedral (regular tickets included) and Wawel Castle State Rooms (skip-the-line tickets included). The tour begins at the meeting point near Wawel Castle where you’ll receive a warm greeting from your guide. Enjoy the opportunity to explore this fascinating castle from the outside and marvel at some of its most important features such as the defensive walls, Wawel dragon, the castle courtyard, and more.

The main reason to build Nowa Huta city was a huge steel mill constructed in the eastern part of Krakow - better known in an area as "Kombinat". Today you can visit the official buildings of the former Steel Mill Administration and see the interiors of the management offices and underground bomb shelter. These buildings, called the "Communist Palaces of Polish Socialist Realism", are a very good example of Polish architecture of the 1950s. It is an absolute treat for lovers of the history of those times as well as those who like to visit unobvious places. Join your tour guides and visit the partially abandoned buildings of the former communist era.

Explore the intricate details of Wawel Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece containing the tombs of Polish kings and national heroes. Delve into the stories behind the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements that decorate this historic treasure. Stroll through Krakow's Old Town, immerse yourself in its medieval charm and discover the heart of the city at the bustling Main Square. The tour includes a visit to the famous St. Mary's Basilica located on the Main Square, where the stunning altar of Veit Stoss captivates with its intricate woodcarving and artistic craftsmanship. The tour will end at the Underground Market Square Museum, which is located on the site of former archaeological excavations under the Main Square. Immerse yourself in exhibits that reveal hidden layers of Krakow's history. From medieval market stalls to archaeological wonders, the museum provides a fascinating insight into the city's evolution over the centuries.

Book a roundtrip transport from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum with assistance. Purchase admission tickets separately.

Explore one of the most interesting and newer districts of Krakow - Nowa Huta with a local guide. Capture the communist spirit of this district first on a vintage car tour such as Fiat, Lada, Uaz (or other depending on the size of the group) that will allow you to take in the grandeur of the socialist builders. Learn how this area was planned as a utopian city. We also recommend extending this experience with a drive to Nowa Huta from the Old Town to see the difference in the urban landscape. Get an interesting lesson on the history of Nowa Huta and see typical examples of socialist realist architecture as you explore them. Visit the Church of the Lord's Ark built by locals against the will of the regime. Visit the building of the former administration of the steelworks, often called the palace, and go down to the underground Cold War shelter built as part of the preparations for World War III, which is reminded of by the monument with a tank on a pedestal...