Things to do in Wadowice

Explore Krakow from the Vistula River — the Queen of Polish Rivers — on a sightseeing cruise. Sail past landmarks such as Kościuszko Mound, Wawel Castle, Church on the Rock, and the Monastery of the Norbertan Sisters while hearing about the city's legends from your guide. The heated deck and comfortable leather sofas of the modern boat will make you feel at home even on cold days. On warmer days, you're invited to the observation deck to enjoy the beautiful views while spending time outdoors. Listen to the history of Krakow from the boat's modern overhead sound system in Polish and English. Take in all the major the sights of the city, such as Skałka Church, Royal Wawel Castle, the former House of Pope John Paul II, Norbertine Monastery, Kościuszko Mound, Cricoteka, and The 6 Bridges.

Immerse yourself in the history of Catholicism on this full-day tour of Poland's most important religious sites. Meet your guide at your hotel in Krakow and hop in the car that will take you straight to the city of Wadowice. Here, visit the family home of Pope John Paul II, which has now been converted into a museum, and learn about the early life of the Polish Pope. Next, head to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a pilgrimage town where you can visit the Bernardine Monastery and its complex of 42 chapels and churches. Follow in the footsteps of important figures like John Paul II, the Austrian Emperor, and member of the Royal Family, who have all visited this site over the years. On the way back to Krakow, stop at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki. Pay your respects to the holy relics of Saint Faustyna Kowalska, and admire the architecture of the modern basilica.

Start your tour with pick-up from your hotel, hostel or apartment. After a 40-minute drive, arrive at the main square of Wadowice. Before you visit the Museum of John Paul II, see the front of the parish church of Karol Wojtyla, where little Karol was baptized, and the high school he attended. Visit the museum for around 90 minutes, before a coffee break to taste the famous papal cream cakes known as kremowka. On your arrival to Lagiewniki, begin your sightseeing of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary and JP2 complex, together with the chapel of miraculous painting of Merciful Jesus. Throughout your visit, rely on guidance and assistance by one of the nuns who serves in the Divine Mercy Monastery. Before heading back to Krakow, have lunch in one of the local restaurants.

Follow the footsteps of Pope John Paul II and visit the nearest places to his heart in Krakow and its surroundings. The excursion contains three main points: • The Family House of Karol Wojtyła in Wadowice Visit the first home of future Pope, the place where everything began. See where he was born and spent his childhood on a audio-guided tour with a professional guide. Explore the museum, which is about 1,200 square meters on four floors and see sights such as animations, multimedia shows, and authentic things belonging to Karol Wojtyla and his family. After visiting the museum, spend some free time on the Market Square in Wadowice. Try tasting the fondant - the Pope's favorite sweet snack in his favorite confectionery. • Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, basilica, and monastery on the John Paul II trail. See the now UNESCO World Heritage sight which was particularly close to the heart of John Paul II, combining the cult of Jesus Christ Suffering and Our Lady.  • Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki, Kraków Visit the sacred complex associated with the life and activity of the Sister Faustyna Kowalska. A place of pilgrimage connected with the presence of the image of Merciful Jesus and the grave of Sister Faustyna Kowalska.  

This 9-hour tour will start with a pick-up from your hotel, hostel or apartment. After a 40 minute drive, you will arrive at the main square of Wadowice. Before you visit the Museum of John Paul II, you will see the front of the parish church of Karol Wojtyla, where little Karol was baptized and the high school he attended. A visit to the museum will take around 90 minutes after which you will have a coffee break and taste the famous papal cream cakes known as kremowka. On your arrival to Czestochowa, you will begin your sightseeing of the Jasna Gora complex together with the chapel of miraculous painting of Black Madonna. Throughout your visit, you will be guided and assisted by one of the Pauline monks who serve in the Jasna Gora Monastery. Before heading back to Krakow, have lunch in one of a local restaurants.

To make the most of your day, the recommended pick-up time is around 9:00 am. Spend around 2 hours in Wadowice, 1 hour in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and 1 hour in the Divine Mercy Sanctuary and John Paul II center in Krakow - Lagiewniki. Finally you will be dropped off at your hotel or apartment in central Krakow. The first stop of your tour is in Wadowice Town of John Paul II, situated in southern Poland, where John Paul II was born. Explore the John Paul II museum, established in the Pope's family home, with an interactive exhibition about his life from a toddler, through his studies, the Second World War, his period as a priest and the attempt against his life. On the journey back to Krakow, stop at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sancturay, the second most frequently visited pilgrimage sanctuary in Poland, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over a million visitors come to this holy place every year. Travel to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy and John Paul II center in Łagiewniki. Pay tribute to the relics of the Pope and St. Faustyna Kowalska, who was canonized by John Paul II and admire the impressive basilica consecrated by the Pope in 2002.

Pope John Paul II, one of the most significant men in Poland’s history, was born in the small, charming town of Wadowice. Enjoy a 5-hour trip to this modest place where he spent his childhood. This is a trip worth taking not only for those who loved John Paul II, but for anyone who would like to know more about the background of Karol Wojtyla. You’ll discover the story of an average, shy boy who became the head of the Vatican and led Catholics worldwide. During the tour, conducted by a professional guide, you’ll see the church where he was baptized, his family house, and a museum devoted to his life. You’ll also see many other places important both in his life and in the history of Poland during the difficult years of the Communist regime.

Wadowice is a small city situated 50 km from Krakow. Here Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II was born. The tour includes a visit to the Family Home of John Paul II, now a museum which provides exhibits of the future Pope's domestic life. The next place is Basilica of the Offering of the Blessed Virgin Mary- an ornate Church where Karol Wojtyła was baptized and confirmed.  Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, this pilgrimage town founded in 1601, is best known for the Bernardine (Grey Friar) Monastery and its complex of 42 Chapels and Churches. Oficially called the Cultural & Landscape Complex of Monastery and Pilgrimage Park of the Bernardine Fathers, this amazing place was added to the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1999. Be sure to visit the 17th century Baroque Church famous for its miraculous painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kalwaria (Polish for Calvary). Visit the basilica and monastery located in the city of Jasna Góra and discover the holy relic of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. Częstochowa is one of the most important centers of religious worship in Poland, it is regarded by many as Poland's spiritual capital and for hundreds of years, it has been a site of pilgrimage for Poles. High on the mountain top, the monastery holds the most famous shrine to the Virgin Mary in Poland and it is home to the Black Madonna painting - rumored to have been painted by St. Luke on a tabletop built by Jesus. The Black Madonna, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child, is believed to have miraculous powers by those who visit her.

Wadowice is a small city situated 50 kilometers from Krakow. Here Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II was born. The tour includes a visit to the Family Home of John Paul II, now a museum which provides exhibits of the future Pope's domestic life. The next place you will visit is the Basilica of the Offering of the Blessed Virgin Mary- an ornate Church where Karol Wojtyła was baptized and confirmed.  Finally head to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, a pilgrimage town founded in 1601 and best known for the Bernardine (Grey Friar) Monastery and its complex of 42 Chapels and Churches. Oficially called the Cultural & Landscape Complex of Monastery and Pilgrimage Park of the Bernardine Fathers, this amazing place was added to the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1999. Be sure to visit the 17th century Baroque Church famous for its miraculous painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kalwaria (Polish for Calvary).

Begin your tour with pickup at your hotel in Kraków, then travel in an air-conditioned van for approximately 1 hour to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope John Paul II. Upon arrival, have a short break before going to the parish church on Main Market Square where the future pope was baptized. Marvel at numerous chapels, holy paintings, and the famous baptismal font as you learn about the humble beginnings of one of the greatest Poles in history.  Then, make your way inside the Family Home of John Paul II and take a tour with an accredited guide available in various languages. Spend at least 1 hour and 20 minutes in the museum. Later, visit the secondary school that Karol Wojtyła, as the pope was then known, attended. Take a nice picture of the monument of the young pope. On the second half of the tour, head to the Jasna Góra Monastery in the town of Częstochowa, about 130 kilometers (around 80 miles) away from Kraków in southern Poland. Once there, explore a famous Polish shrine to Our Lady of Częstochowa, which constitutes one of Poland’s most visited pilgrimage sites.  Take a guided tour of the monastery with one of the Pauline monks who will show you the treasury filled with priceless gifts and accompany you to the chapel in the shrine. Finally, marvel at the miraculous painting of the Black Madonna and have a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Kraków.