Krakow: The Schindler’s Factory & Ghetto & The Salt Mine in Wieliczka

This full-day excursion combines two of the most significant and widely visited locations near Kraków: the moving wartime history preserved at Schindler’s Factory and the breathtaking underground world of the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine.

The day is split into two distinct experiences, with a licensed museum guide leading the way at each venue and a professional driver handling all transportation logistics.

Tour Highlights

• Discover the modern, immersive wartime exhibition inside Schindler’s Factory

• See authentic landmarks of the former Jewish Ghetto in the Podgórze district

• Journey 10 km outside Kraków to explore the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine

• Witness the spectacular St. Kinga’s Church, completely carved from salt

• Benefit from the insights of licensed museum guides at both locations

Part 1: Oskar Schindler’s Museum & The Podgórze Ghetto

The tragic events that took place in Kraków during the Second World War were brought to global attention by Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List. This segment of the tour focuses on that poignant history.

• Schindler’s Factory Museum: Enter the modern, atypical exhibition that details the story of Oskar Schindler, the German entrepreneur who risked everything to save over a thousand Jewish workers from the Nazi regime.

• The Streets of Podgórze: Explore the neighborhood that served as the wartime ghetto, where the streets still keep evidence of those terrible events. Key sites include:

  • A preserved section of the undestroyed ghetto wall

  • Houses where thousands of displaced Jewish residents were forced to live

  • The historic “Under the Eagle” Pharmacy

  • The Ghetto Heroes Square, featuring a moving monument of 68 empty chairs

Part 2: Wieliczka Salt Mine Field Trip

Following the city tour, you will travel with your driver 10 km outside of Kraków to Wieliczka, a small town home to one of the largest and oldest ancient salt mines in Europe, spanning over 700 years of history.

• Scale of the Mine: The mine reaches a total depth of 340 metres, with an intricate network of corridors and tunnels extending over 245 kilometres.

• The Tourist Route: Guided by a licensed mine expert, you will walk a 3 km trail through more than 20 grand halls.

• St. Kinga’s Church: The absolute highlight of the underground route. This unique cathedral is dedicated to the patroness of miners and is completely carved from salt—including the intricate chandeliers, wall carvings, and sculptures of saints.

• Microclimate & Sanatorium: The mine features a unique, health-beneficial microclimate. At a depth of 135 metres, it even hosts an active subterranean sanatorium.

• UNESCO Heritage: Due to its immense cultural and geological value, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is proudly featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Logistics & Guide Info

• On-Site Guides: Licensed museum guides lead the tours inside both Schindler’s Factory and the Wieliczka Salt Mine to explain the nuances of the exhibitions.

• Transportation: A professional driver provides escort and transport between Kraków, the sights, and the salt mine.