Top Things to do in Lesser Poland Province
Countries
9 Things to Do in Lesser Poland Province That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lesser Poland Province, Poland including Wieliczka Salt Mine, Main Market Square, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Oskar Schindler's Factory, Lost Souls Alley, Historic Old Town, Stained Glass Museum (Muzeum Witrazu), Pieniny Mountains National Park, Krakow Pinball Museum.
Restaurants in Lesser Poland Province
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By eoireitum - scotland
I really did not get what other travellers got when visiting this mine, you go down loads of stairs and through endless tunnels while visiting various chambers.
Some of the carvings were good but there is also a few Styrofoam figures which are pretty poor. The Cathedral is impressive and i would say that was the highlight of a very ling tour.
Beware of the very small lift to the top in which nine people are crammed very tightly.
2. Main Market Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Huge 10-acre square, the largest in any of Europe's medieval cities, features the 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall and the splendid 14th-century Gothic Basilica of the Virgin Mary.
Reviewed By Richard B - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The main market square is a point of convergence for all the roads from almost every direction.
A beautiful square with pretty historical buildings. This is archetypical Krakow. A wealth of history and life in days gone by. Today a hive of activity for restaurants, bars and the market stalls.
3. Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Established by the Nazis in 1940, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. Although the exact number of victims is unknown, many Jews, Poles and gypsies died here. The museum consists of two parts: Auschwitz I, the first and oldest camp (the number of prisoners fluctuated around 15,000, sometimes rising above 20,000) and Auschwitz II, Birkenau (which held more than 90,000 prisoners in 1944). The greater part of the apparatus of mass extermination was built in Birkenau and the majority of the victims were murdered there.
Reviewed By prashan3253 - London, United Kingdom
We flew all the way form Sri Lanka recently to Auschwitz death/extermination camp in Krakow, Poland. It's chilling what the Nazi Germans did to the Jews and the crimes against humanity...the systematic dehumanisation & industrialised process...the killing of 6 Million innocent Jews during WW2.
The Holocaust started with the genocide of 2 million Jews in mass shootings by the Nazi Germans. To relieve the psychological impact of killing on the Nazi guards, Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, Reinhard Heydrich, Adolf Eichmann & Heinrich Muller resorted to "Zyklon B" (a highly poisonous insecticide used to kill rats). The Jews were deported from all over Europe in sealed freight trains to extermination camps where, if they survived the journey, they were killed in gas chambers. This was also thought to be a humane way of killing (not to the victims, but to the perpetrators)
The entire visit makes you question "why?" why all the hate, why the lack of compassion, why would a race do this to another race...why??
Anyone who advocates, preachers or practices racism of any kind, should visit Auschwitz (or watch the Auschwitz dvd) and realise that from small beginnings, the Holocaust emerged and lead to the deaths of 6 million people whose only "crime" was to be Jewish.
Heartbreaking, but necessary to go and visit. Makes you even more grateful for the gift of life. Let's live in peace with one another. Don't ever let history repeat itself.
4. Oskar Schindler's Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Housed in the former administrative building of Oskar Schindler factory, Emalia, is a museum that tells the story of Schindler and the Jewish prisoners of Plaszow who were the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's hit movie, "Schindler's List."
Reviewed By lumpar - London, United Kingdom
This is a great museum for the history of Krakow. It showcases the struggles of the polish people. Also shows how they overcame the atrocities of the Nazi's, Exceptionally cheap to get it and well worth a visit.
5. Lost Souls Alley
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Explore the dark face of the city. Take the challenge and let yourself feel the fear, which has never been so real. Visit rooms haunted by lost souls, and be sure that you will remember forever things which are hidden at the cursed floor at Florianska 6. LOST SOULS ALLEY - Poland's first interactive museum devoted to the basic instinct of fear. Entire floor, which is inspired by horror movies.
Reviewed By Rebecca V
I’m not one for being afraid, or even liking horror movies that much.
However....
This had me screaming like a baby and shaking like a leaf!!! I was experiencing real terror!!! I literally ran out of the last room nearly in tears,scratched myself and trampled my friend in the process! (Survival of the fittest! Haha!)
It’s set is brilliantly executed held behind a seedy lap dance club. You feel nervous just walking up the stairs!!!
Worth the experience, and you’ll definitely need a drink and laugh about it afterwards! (It is after all a game!)
**Definitely not for young children or those who get nervous easily. ( half our group
Dropped out they were so scared!)also wear comfortable clothes and shoes, you need to be able to run!!!!!**
Well done lost souls alley. You got me!!!
6. Historic Old Town
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
The 13th century merchants' town is home to Europe's largest market square and offers numerous historical houses, palaces and churches with magnificent interiors, 14th century fortifications, ancient synagogues, Jagiellonian University and the Gothic Cathedral where the kings of Poland were buried.
Reviewed By Heebeejeebee - Intergalactic Cruise
I’m sitting in the market square having a beer and thinking life doesn’t get any better than this.
Krakow is a beautiful city steeped in history and is one of the friendliest places I’ve been in a while.
From bustling markets to gourmet restaurants, there’s not much that it doesn’t offer.
People are friendly and relaxed and prices are very reasonable for food and drink.
I’m loving it here and can’t wait to come back.
7. Stained Glass Museum (Muzeum Witrazu)
Overall Ratings
5 based on 338 reviews
Guided tours in English: Tuesday - Saturday every hour from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. (last English tour 5:00 pm). In the Stained Glass Museum, exhibition spaces intertwine with the old stained glass workshop, functioning since 1902. The visitors can observe the process of stained glass creation, in the warm atmosphere of the historic workshop, directly above the heads of artists and craftsmen. For this reason visits can only be made by joining a guided tour. Ticket prices per person including a guide: adults 36 PLN, student 29 PLN, family (2+2) 116 PLN Individual visitors can also book workshops with master craftsmen and make their own stained glass souvenir. There are three workshops options: 2 hrs, 3 hrs or2 days long, at the price 180 PLN, 250 PLN or 800 PLN per person respectively. The price in each case includes: - guided tour of the museum and workshop - coffee break - creation of stained glass object under the artist's guidance - your own stained glass object to take home.
Reviewed By Zsuzsi B
We visited the museum in our last day in Krakow. After seeing the beautiful architecture of the city we were very curious what we will experience there. Our guide, Gabriela told us really interesting facts about making stained glass, showed us many examples and materials. It was really fascinating, we were really glad that we visited, it was a really great experience and we learnt a lot there and we could actually seen the artist doing their art while we were there. It is only an hour but it is really worth it. We will look differently at stained glasses at churches and building than before.
Thank you!
8. Pieniny Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By Domrcpl - Minnesota
We took a raft down the river that runs through the Pieniny Mountain National Park. And I am so glad we did. Some of the rafts may look rickety but they all seemed to do okay and no one was overly concerned about it. For the most part the river is calm with just a few spots where it is just bit rough but certainly nothing to be worried about. The colorfully dressed boatmen may not speak English but they are certainly eager to point out interesting formations and wildlife along the way. The best part is the views that you get of the gorges and magnificent rock faces all along the way. It is a relaxing way to spend part of the day. If there is one disappointment, it was the lack of vibrancy in the terminus of the river trip. One gets off the boat (I forget the name of the town) but there did not seem to be much for tourists to see or buy. Even the restaurants could use an upgrade. But the memory of the views along the river is what stays with you and you can't help but think this is god's country.
9. Krakow Pinball Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 296 reviews
Interactive exhibition of over 60 pinball machines and 15 arcade games (like Pacman, Galaga, Donkey Kong etc.) You can enjoy all of them and play as they are all on FREE PLAY mode. We also have a lounge area with bar serving over 20 kinds of local beers as well as soft drinks WE LOVE PINBALL
Reviewed By prab932018 - Bristol, United Kingdom
Definitely worth a visit if pinball machines are something that you're into, they have machined back from the 60's through to the 90's. Loved playing on these, massive selection of games as well. Also have a bar where you can get drinks, coffees. I would say that make sure you have plenty of time before you go, as me and my friend were only there for around 1.5 hours and this was not enough time to use all the machines, althought the staff member at the desk informed us that we would be allowed back in if we needed to leave and come back ( just show wrist band that they give you upon entry) we did not have time to go back, so did work out slightly expensive. But that was our fault!
TAGS
