Kraków Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka

The Kraków Saltworks Museum in Wieliczka (Muzeum Żup Krakowskich) tells the story of the royal salt company that ran the mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia for centuries. It has two homes: the medieval Saltworks Castle in town and a large underground exhibition on level III of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. As of fall 2026 only the underground part is open, because the castle is closed for a major rebuild. Here is what you can actually see, and how.

The castle is closed until 2028

The Saltworks Castle at ul. Zamkowa 8, about 10 km southeast of central Kraków, and its courtyard have been closed since late October 2025. The museum says the work will last until the end of 2028. The final stage of a modernization that began in 2016 includes new elevators, an underground link between the wings and a new permanent exhibition called "Salt Jewel in the Crown," covering the salt business from the 13th century to the end of mining in 1996. The budget is over PLN 50 million, with more than PLN 30 million from EU funds. Exhibition space is set to grow from about 400 to around 1,470 m².

The underground museum route

The underground exhibition lies entirely on level III of the mine, about 135 m below ground. It is roughly 1.5 km long and takes 40–60 minutes. It is not a separate attraction: it continues straight on from the mine's Tourist Route. When the guided tour ends, follow the signs to the museum entrance.

Highlights include:

• the Maria Teresa Chamber, the largest in the mine,
• the roughly 28 m high Saurau Chamber,
• historic carts, tools and haulage equipment,
• mine maps, paintings and sculptures on mining themes.

The museum itself was founded in 1951, and the underground exhibition opened in 1966. Its collection holds about 20,000 objects — from geology and archaeology to cartography and art — and is known for one of the world's finest collections of salt cellars, normally shown in the castle.

Tickets and hours (as of October 2026)

There is no separate ticket: entry is included in the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tourist Route ticket. In October and November 2026, a tour with an English or German guide costs PLN 143 (adult) or PLN 121 (reduced); Polish-language tours cost PLN 103. Skipping the museum part does not reduce the price.

The Tourist Route operates 8:00 am–6:00 pm in October and 8:00 am–5:00 pm from November 2. The mine is closed on November 1 and December 24–25, 2026. Book online, especially for languages other than Polish and English.

Getting there

From Kraków Główny station, take the suburban train to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia, or city bus 304, and walk a few minutes to the Daniłowicz Shaft (ul. Daniłowicza 10), where the Tourist Route starts. The museum's visitor service office is at Park Kingi 6 (phone +48 12 278 58 49, info@muzeum.wieliczka.pl).

Is it worth it?

If you are touring the salt mine anyway, yes — the museum adds context that the main route only hints at, and the huge chambers are impressive. Just plan for the extra walking after a 2–3-hour tour. Once the castle reopens, it will be a separate reason to come back.