We took the bus from the main post office in Krakow, it was very inexpensive and took about half an hour, maybe a bit longer.We gathered in a group of about 20 and started the tour dead-on 5pm. We descended the 380 steps down into the mine. Our tour guide was an accomplished English speaker and was very funny and informative. He asked us politely not to touch or lick the statues but said we could lick the walls if we’d like! The mines didn’t seam too busy and the whole tour lasted about 2 hours. The carvings that the miners had done were fantastic and the stories that our guide told us brought them alive. I hadn’t known much about this region of Poland, my knowledge sadly extended to the terrible happenings in WW2. Whilst this would too figure in our trip, I was so happy to learn something more about the region. If I had to choose a favourite part, difficult as it is, I would have to say it was Kingas chapel and in particular the wall carving of The Last Supper – superb! We were told that there are a few weddings a year that take place in the chapel, very unique location! We opted not to go on to visit the museum, we were told this would add on another hour to the tour. I would highly recommend a visit here if you are staying in Krakow, it cost 60 Zloty each plus 10 Zloty to take photos. We got the 7.30pm mini bus back to Krakow which we caught right outside the mines.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

You can only enter the actual salt mine with a tour group, so look at the board just on the inside left of the entrance to see when the tours start. It is very much worth paying for the English tour which cost 60 Zloty each and lasted about an hour and a half, but would have lasted longer if we had looked round the museum at the end.

At the begininng we had to spend about 10 minutes going down wooden staircase of steps, down to approx 125 metres so I wouldn't recommend it if you are elderly or unstable on your feet. It was really warm outside (mid 80's) when we went so it was lovely to go down into temperatures of approx 15 degrees. It sounds cold, but I had a skirt and short sleeved V-necked top on and was fine, so if it is warm outside, don't bring a jacket especially for the salt mine.

The lift back up to the top was an experience - it's like a miner's lift except smaller!

The salt is a grey salt (you can also get pink salt and white salt but this particular mine was grey salt.) You can lick the walls which has to be done! The best way to describe it is that it's like being Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, except everything is salt, not chocolate! There is a chapel underground, which you get to through various tunnels which has been carved out of the salt,- the floor looks like floor tiles, but it is all salt, as are the engraved 'pictures' in the walls of the new testament 'Jesus and the 12 apostles' and there is a parapet and high domed ceiling with chandeliers - it has to be seen to be believed, as well as statues, and an underground restaurant and toilets. The huge area that we saw only represents approx 1% of the size of the total mine which shows how vast it was. It was all carved out by 3 men who never worked together, but consecutively and took approx 75 years in total to create.

Definitely recommend the experience as it's like nothing you will have seen before.

I have been to a wide array of mines in my time. From coal in Wales to copper in Canada, so I think I am qualified to comment on this mine! Its an OK tour - the guide we had spoke English but with a very strong Polish accent, and I found it very difficult to understand at the best of times. To get to the bottom of the mine it takes nearly 300 steps - then a 2KM walk once at the bottom. Not for the faint hearted - infact an elderly gentleman was being escorted out complaining of heart problems half way into the tour! Be warned about the lift back up. Its a tiny metal cage - 8 people packed in - if you dont like confined spaces this is not for you. By the end of the tour every one was ready to leave the confines of the underground tunnels!

Yes - if you have not been down anything like this before its worth a visit - or maybe if its a rainy day something to do inside. But the sun was shinning in Poland and there is far more interesting things to do in this beautiful country.

An inexpensive bus ride from Krakow, then about a 20 minute walk. Worth it to avoid the high cost of the taxis! We could not find the mini-busses due to building work at the station!The actual mine is expensive by Polish standards, 50Zl per adult, I think. I also bought a photo pass, but my camera could not do it justice, so save your cash and buy the guide book! Regular guided tours in Polish, Englsh and German are available, although there may be a bit of a wait. The tour is fantastic, and worth every Zloty, and it was all very impressive. Hard to desribe, but worth the effort, and I was glad I made the effort.