Lesser Poland

Lesser Poland (Małopolska) combines impressive cultural sites with a wide range of ways to explore the region. These include Kraków Old Town, historic salt mines, routes featuring buildings and UNESCO monuments, and experiences in the Dunajec Gorge. When planning a trip, you can first decide whether cultural sites, cycling or winter sports should be the main focus. These priorities provide a concrete starting point for finding a suitable location and accommodation.

Cultural Sites and Historic Routes

Kraków Old Town retains its medieval urban layout. This formed the basis for its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The Małopolska UNESCO Route also highlights the region’s cultural heritage: this driving route, over 300 kilometres long, showcases monuments in Lesser Poland that are inscribed on the UNESCO list. You can include the route in your plans if you would like to explore several cultural sites by car.

The Wooden Architecture Route in Małopolska offers a different way to explore architectural history. It is over 1,500 kilometres long and includes 255 buildings and building complexes. These figures convey the route’s vast extent and the variety of its sites, so it is worth selecting specific places to visit when planning your trip. In Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the Marian-Passion Sanctuary comprises a church, a monastery, a complex of chapels and a landscape park. In Niedzica, Dunajec Castle now serves as a museum. Its museum section displays the so-called Salamon Chambers, furnished with objects from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

Salt Mines and Outdoor Experiences

The Bochnia Salt Mine is Poland’s oldest rock salt mine and one of Europe’s oldest industrial sites. Along with its history, experiences there include an underground boat ride in a brine-filled chamber. At the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Miners’ Route introduces visitors to tasks including measuring methane levels. Visitors learn about methods of salt extraction and transport. Both mines therefore offer concrete points of interest for a trip that includes industrial history and hands-on activities.

The Dunajec Gorge can also be crossed in different ways: on foot, by bicycle or on a raft guided by a raftsman. Which option you choose depends on how you would like to experience the gorge. Cyclists may also be interested in VeloMałopolska, a network of eight cycling routes intended to reach every region of Małopolska. The network is connected to the railway, giving cyclists an alternative transport option. The gorge and the cycling network offer different ways to incorporate activity into your travel plans.

Winter Sports and Culinary Traditions

Those planning winter sports will find over 150 kilometres of ski runs and nearly 60 ski stations and centres in Małopolska. You can make this the main focus of a trip or combine it with culture and other experiences. Lesser Poland’s culinary traditions are also part of the region’s character, shaped by local and international influences.

VisitMalopolska.pl, the tourism portal of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Voivodeship, offers further guidance on tourist attractions.

Other Subregions

For further planning, you can also explore individual subregions: Nowy Sącz, Bochnia, Tarnów, Brzesko, Oświęcim, Chrzanów, Nowy Targ, Myślenice, Limanowa, Gorlice, Sucha, Wadowice, Kraków, Wieliczka, Dąbrowa, Miechów, Olkusz, Proszowice, Tatra and Sromowce Wyżne.