Auschwitz-Birkenau Former German Nazi camp 2 km outside city of OÅwiÄcim, 65 km from Krakow. Getting there: Leave a whole day for this if you want to go. The Auschwitz camp and the much bigger Birkenau camp are a few kilometres apart. Frequent and inexpensive buses leave from the main bus station in Krakow, and trains leave approximately every two hours from the adjacent railway station. Most will let you out at the main OÅwiÄcim station, a short walk from the camp follow the signs to "Muzeum". Alternately, a frequent PKS bus drops off and picks up directly in front of the visitor center -- just check for destination "OÅwiÄcim Muzeum." You can buy a ticket from the bus driver. You can find bus schedules here: and trains here: . From Auschwitz, there is a free shuttle to Birkenau. Tours and guides: There is no need to pay for overpriced organised tours from Krakow, which are heavily advertised. Travel to Auschwitz using local trains or buses is easy and inexpensive, and entrance is free of charge. The only thing you need to pay for when you get there is a guide which is optional - **Update** From 1 April - 31 October 2012 access is only allowed to Auschwitz I with a guided tour during the peak hours from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., but you can visit without a guide outside of these hours. English language tours cost 40 PLN and run every hour between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tours may be joined at the site without prior reservation. Auschwitz II-Birkenau is open to unguided visitors all day -- they have official tours available in many languages for a modest fee. Check the schedule here: . If you do want an organized tour from Krakow which generally includes a bus there and a guide once there, they cost ~130 PLN per person. Many hotels and travel agents in Krakow, as well as the Galicja Museum in Kazimierz can direct you to reputable companies.
Wieliczka
(http://www.kopalnia-wieli...) is a town known for its ancient salt mines, now a museum. 17 km from Kraków. One of the original 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a definite must-see. Entrance to the mines 64PLN is rather expensive compared to other tourist attractions in Poland. Bus 304 3 PLN makes frequent trips to and from the mines. There are 4 Wieliczka stops; get off at Wieliczka Soli look for a giant "SALT MINES" sign. 40 minutes. There is also a train to Wieliczka that lets off a short and well-marked walk from the mine.Bochnia
â Historic salt mine, older than Wieliczka's one. 40 km from Kraków. Must see. SK-BUS minibuses from Krakow Main Railway Station Dworzec GÅówny, or train direction: Tarnów, Rzeszów, Stróże, Nowy SÄ cz/Krynica.Tarnów
â The second largest city in region with a beautiful main market.Nowy SÄ cz
â A beautiful old city with a fine main market square.Bielsko-BiaÅa
â 80 km southwest city with cosy old town and many beautiful buildings from Austro-Hunagrian times. Many buses from Krakow Bus Station RDA.Zakopane
â 100 km south in the Tatra Mountains is considered to be the Polish winter sport capital. Other winter sport centres near Krakow in the Beskids are Szczyrk, Å»ywiec, Zawoja, Korbielow, Bukowina Tatrzanska, Bialka Tatrzanska, Rabka, Szczawnica, Wisla, Koniakow and Ustron.CzÄstochowa
120 km northeast is the most important pilgrim's place in Central Europe.Wadowice
40 km southwest is the birthplace of Karol WojtyÅa, John Paul II.Beautiful Renaissance castles in Pieskowa Skala, Nowy Wisnicz, Niepolomice, Sucha Beskidzka and Niedzica.
The "Eagle Nest Castle Ruins" in the Jura in Ogrodzeniec, Olsztyn, Rudno, Mirow and Ojcow.
Monasteries near Krakow are in Tyniec and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
Spas near Krakow are in Krynica, Muszyna, Busko Zdroj, and Piwniczna.
