Visiting the salt mines - Krakow? Worth the trip?

[yoyou]

I am visited Krakow in October half term with 2dc, ages 10 and 14. We were going to book the salt mines tour but the more I read I'm not so sure! Do think people think it is worth it? My 10 year old moans if we walk too far!

I was there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It takes about half a day by the time you get there and do the tour.

If you are looking for other things to do there is a waxworks museum in Krakow that is famous for being bad. We really enjoyed it - laughed a lot at some of them.

We went in the summer with my 5 and 10 year old and we all really enjoyed it. They moaned before but once in there it’s so interesting, I think it’s worth it. Beware it’s 800 steps down and once you are down there you are in, can’t just leave.

Definitely worth it - it's very impressive. It is quite a bit of walking, but mostly broken up into small chunks, so it's not too bad. 800 steps down over all, but a lift back up! Nice cafe at the bottom of the mine as well, with reasonably priced traditional food.

We loved it. Definitely worth seeing.

Yes definitely, I was surprisingly tempted to lick the walls! (I didn't)

I went and really liked it. I’m not a big walker and generally I’m very claustrophobic but the mines were very interesting and spacious.

I really didn’t rate it - actually found it so boring and hated the fact you were forced to follow a guide around and couldn’t speed up

We loved it and thought it was one of the highlights of the trip.

It is a lot of steps but my 4yo managed it without complaint so a 10 yo should be fine.

My partner and I did this in May 2025 and we loved it and I definitely think it's worth doing - even with children. We did a combined Auschwitz and Salt Mines tour which was a VERY long day but worth it.

My kids 13 & 16 went there this summer with their dad, according to DS13 it is good and you should go

I loved it and I’d go back again.

Didnt rate it at all. Pinball museum was great though!

We all loved it.

We all loved it. With a 10 year old and 13 year old. Pinball museum fab too as someone else mentioned.. think there was a paradox type museum which kids also enjoyed in the town centre. Was a great mini break. Enjoy

Just don’t read the book I’ve just finished while your there - called The Salt King by Natasha Pulley. Cracking book!

Loved it. Definitely recommend 👌

I'm going to go against the grain and say I found it to be really tedious and boring. The tour was far too long and we could've been round in half the time. Once you've seen one salty cave you've seen them all really, the big hall bit was very impressive but I'm not sure if a ten year old would be that bothered. There are many more fun things to do in Krakow!

Would recommend

I hated it. It was boring and I felt trapped.

YES!

Yes!

My ds 25 did. He said it’s very salty 😂😂
We really enjoyed it op, the carvings are spectacular.

Thanks all! Conflicting impressions of the mines! Are there any other must sees for this age group? We're not going to Auschwitz.

There is a theme park not too far away - energylandia.