Lesser Poland

For the voivodship, see Lesser Poland Voivodship.

The wooden churches of Southern Little Poland are a UNESCO World Heritage collection of traditional style Catholic churches in the Malopolskie region of Poland, close to the border with Slovakia and the Polish resort town of Zakopane.

The Church of the Archangel Michael, Debno.

Regions

• Holy Cross Mountains
• Lesser Poland Voivodship
• Lublin Voivodship
• Subcarpathia
• Jura Mountains — Some parts like Ojcowski National Park, Dolinki Krakowskie, Olkusz and Wolbrom region
• Zagłębie Dąbrowskie — Although it's located in Silesian Voivodeship, it belongs to Western Lesser Poland.

Cities

• Kraków — the "cultural capital" of Poland, and its historical capital during its formative years in the Middle Ages, capital of Lesser Poland Voivodeship
• Czestochowa — The most important Polish sanctuary
• Kielce — capital of Świętokrzyskie (Holly Cross) Voivodeship
• Lublin — capital of Lublin Voivodship, city has well-preserved old town with typical Polish and unusual Renaissance architecture, the socalled Lublin Renaissance
• Oświęcim
• Przemyśl
• Rzeszow — capital of Subcarpathian Voivodeship
• Zakopane
• Będzin — City of Jewish heritage
• Olkusz
• Dąbrowa Górnicza
• Czeladź

Other destinations

• Auschwitz —- from 1942 to 1945, this concentration camp became the centre of the Holocaust on the European Jews.
• Babia Góra National Park — national park in Malopolskie in the Beskid Mountains
• Bieszczady National Park — national park in the Bieszczady Mountains
• Gorce National Park — national park in Malopolskie in the Beskid Mountains
• Kalwaria Zebrzydowska — monastery in the Beskids from 1600 with baroque Stations of the Cross
• Magura National Park — national park in Malopolskie in the Beskid Mountains
• Ojcowski National Park — national park in Malopolskie in the Polish Jura with bizarre rocks
• Pieniński National Park — national park in the Carpathian Mountains with the break-through of the Dunajec River through the Pieniny Mountains
• Świętokrzyski National Park — national park in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains
• Tatrzański National Park — national park in the Tatra Mountains around the Rysy Mountain, with bears, wolves and other animals
• Wieliczka Salt Mine — 4.5 km of the nearly 400 km of this interesting salt mine can be visited
• Pogoria Lakes — Four beautiful artificial lakes spread between Dąbrowa Górnicza and Siewierz region.

Get in

By air

There are two major airports in the Lesser Poland: Kraków's John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice [1] and Rzeszów's Rzeszów-Jasionka [2]. Good connection to the region is also guarantee by Katowice's Katowice International Airport [3]

Centralwings [4] connects the United Kingdom, Ireland, and several other locations with Katowice and the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Athens, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, and Lille with Kraków. Wizzair [5] connects much of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and other locations, including Sweden, Norway, and Bulgaria with the airport in Katowice.

See

• Kraków
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Former German nazi camp 2km outside city of Oświęcim, 65 km from Krakow. 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 from the main bus station, or trains approx every two hours from the adjacent railway station (10.50zl each way). Many hotels and travel agents in Krakow, as well as the Galicja Museum in Kazimierz, can direct you to hassle-free coach tours to the former camp for about 100 zl per head. Entrance to the Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Bochnia - historic salt mine, older than Wieliczka's one. 40 km from Kraków. Must see. SK-BUS minibuses from Krakow Main Railway Station (Dworzec Główny), or train (way: Tarnów, or Nowy Sącz/Krynica).
• Tarnow
• Nowy Sacz - beautiful old city with a fine main market square.
• 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 in Lessr Poland: Krynica, Muszyna, Busko Zdroj, and Piwniczna.

• Medieval wooden churches of southern Lesser Poland — rare exemplars of medieval wooden architecture. One of the most beautiful is in Dębno at Lake Czorsztyn.

Do

• Polish Trails - ecotourism in Poland is an ecotourism company that offers personalised trips in Lesser Poland. The company promotes responsible tourism and invite you to experience Poland off the beaten track [6]
• Experience Haunted places in Lesser Poland, there're plenty of haunted and creepy places in mentioned region.

LGBT visitors

Lesser Poland (except big cities) is very conservative region. Showing public affection in other places than popular tourist destinations is not recommendable. Kraków's a very LGBT friendly place. There's quite big gay scene. District of Kazimierz has quite big digest of LGBTQ friendly bars. There's organised one of the oldest pride marches (marsz równości) in Poland. Pride marches (marsz równości) are also organised in cities of Częstochowa, Rzeszów, Kielce, Lublin and Nowy Sącz. Gay scene in Lublin, Rzeszów and Kielce's rater small. Showing affection in big block of flats districts as f.ex. Nowa Huta is strongly not recommended, especially after dark.

Itineraries

One day trip tips from Cracow

• Version 1

Wieliczka, Bochnia, Nowy Wiśnicz, Lipnica Murowana

• Version 2

Skawina, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Lanckorona, Wadowice, Andrychów

• Version 3

Ojcowski National Park, Dolinki Krakowskie, Ojców, Pieskowa Skała castle

• Version 4

Alwernia, Tenczyn castle ruins, Korzkiew castle, Krzeszowice

• Version 5

Zakopane (Krupówki, Gubałówka, Krzeptówki sanctuary, Olcza sanctuary, Wielka Krokiew jumping hill, Kalatówki)

• Version 6

Krynica-Zdrój (promendade, Góra Parkowa, Jaworzyna Krynica), Tylicz (center, okopy), Rożnowskie lake

• Version 7

Oświęcim, Bieruń, Chełm Śląski, Lędziny, Mysłowice

• Version 8

Dębno castle, Tarnów, Ciężkowice

• Version 8

Myślenice, Dobczyce

• Version 9

Staniątki, Niepołomnice, Kazimierza Wielka, Działoszyce

• Version 10

Pacanów, Stopnica, Chotel Czerwony, Busko-Zdrój, Chmielnik, Wiślica

• Version 11

Pińczów, Jędrzejów, Włoszczowa, Koniecpol, Szczekociny

• Version 12

Wolbrom, Jangrot, Dłubnia valley, Żarnowiec

• Version 13

Wolbrom, Bydlin, Pilica, Ogrodzieniec, Błędowska Desert, Hutki-Kanki, Niegowonice

• Version 14

Miechów Region (Miechów, Racławice, Książ Wielki, Charsznica, nature reserves)

• Version 15

Olkusz, Bukowno, Bolesław, Sławków, Klucze (Błędowska desert), Laski village

• Version 16

Chrzanów, Trzebinia, Libiąż, Zator

• Version 17

Jaworzno (nature places, Pagóry Jaworznickie, Sosina lake, Koparki, Geosfera, memorial places, district of Jeleń)

• Version 18

Mysłowice, Tychy, Pszczyna, Czechowice-Dziedzice, Zator

• Version 19

Pogoria Lakes (Dziewiąty, Marianki, Piekło, Ząbkowice, Ujejsce), Wojkowice Kościelne, Przeczyce lake, Siewierz

• Version 20

Dąbrowa Górnicza (districts of: Bankowa, Konstanty, Gołonóg, Dziewiąty, Łęknice, Piekło and Strzemieszyce), Sosnowiec (Leśna Park)

• Version 21

Będzin, Wojkowice, Czeladź

• Version 22

Łapczyca (village and Pustelnika Cave) and Bochnia (Salt mine and city center)

• Version 23

Łapczyca (village and Pustelnika Cave) and Niepołomice (town center, castle, Staniątki Abbey)

• Version 24

Nowe Brzesko, Koszyce, Raba and Vistula rivers estuary in Uście Solne.

Weekend in Cracow

• Day 1

Old town and Kazimierz

• Day 2

Western districts

• Day 3

Southern districts

• Day 4

Eastern parts

Weekend in Tarnów

• Day 1

City's highlights

• Day 2

Mościce district

• Day 3

Dębno castle, Nowy Wiśnicz castle

• Day 4

Ciężkowice and nearby villages

Holiday in Olkusz

• Day 1

City's highlights

• Day 2

Jangrot and Dłubnia river valley

• Day 3

Klucze, Chechło, Błędowska Desert, Laski

• Day 4

Wolbrom sightseeing, rest on one of the lakes

• Day 5

Bukowno, Bolesław and Sławków sightseeing

• Day 6 (final one)

Przeginia sanctuary

Miechow Region weekend

• Day 1

Miechów town highlights

• Day 2

Racławice and Książ Wielki, rest on ponds

• Day 3

Climbing on Biała Góra in Charsznica, railway tunnel

• Day 4 (final one)

Antolka inn

Holiday in Zakopane

(summer season)

• Day 1

Relax on Krupówki, Pęksowy Brzyzek cemetery, Villa Atma, Władysław Hasior gallery

• Day 2

Gubałówka funicular and Antałówka pools

• Day 3

Wielka Krokiew jumping hill, Ku Dziurze or Białego valley, Siklawica waterfall

• Day 4

Kasprowy Wierch cableway, Kalatówki and Hala Kondratowa, Jaszczurówka chapel, Olcza sanctuary

• Day 5

Kościeliska valley, Mroźna cave or Mylna and Raptawicka one (optionally), Hala Ornak, Krzeptówki sanctuary

• Day 6

Morskie Oko or Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich

(winter season)

• Day 1

Relax on Krupówki, Pęksowy Brzyzek cemetery, Villa Atma, Władysław Hasior gallery

• Day 2

Relax in Antałówka pools

• Day 3

Gubałówka funicular, Wielka Krokiew jumping hill, Olcza sanctuary

• Day 4

Kasprowy Wierch cableway, Kalatówki, Jaszczurówka chapel

• Day 5

Kościeliska valley, Krzeptówki sanctuary

• Day 6

Morskie Oko

Most of attractions're located in Tatrzański National Park

Holiday in Krynica-Zdrój

• Day 1

walking on promenade, Nikifor museum

• Day 2

Parkowa Mountain trail and/or funciular ride

• Day 3

Jaworzyna Krynicka cableway and or trail

• Day 4-5

Relax in Krynica, dance parties

• Day 6

Visiting Tylicz

Holiday in Kazimierz Dolny

• Day 1

Kazimierz sightseeing

• Day 2

gorges sightseeing

• Day 3

Janowiec castle sightseeing

• Day 4

Nałęczów sightseeing

• Day 5

Puławy and Czarnolas sightseeing

• Day 6

Kozłówka palace sightseeing

Weekend in Zamość

• Day 1/2

Zamość sightseeing

• Day 3

Roztoczański National Park

• Day 4

Szczebrzeszyn and Nielisz lake

Weekend in Busko-Zdrój

• Day 1

Relax in the spa town

• Day 2

Chotel Czerwony, Skorocice, Gacki, Zimne Wody reserve, Łagiewniki, Solec Zdrój

• Day 3

Pińczów, Stopnica, Wiślica, Nowy Korczyn, Chmielnik

• Day 4

Święty Krzyż and Holy Cross Mountains

Weekend in Sandomierz

• Day 1/2

Town sightseeing

• Day 3

Zawichost, Ćmielów and Pepper Mountains

• Day 4

Stalowa Wola, Tarnobrzeg and Mielec sightseeing

Holiday in Jura Mountains

• Day 1

Ogrodzieniec sightseeing

• Day 2

Vitising Ryczów, Żelazko, Dzwono-Sierbowice, Siamoszyce and Kostkowice

• Day 3

Visiting Pilica, Bydlin, Wolbrom, Jangrot and Dłubnia valley

• Day 4

Visiting Mirow, Bobolice, Żarki, Żarki-Letnisko, Czatachowa and Złoty Potok

• Day 5

Visiting Olkusz, Ojcowski National Park and Dolinki Krakowskie valleys

• Day 6

Visiting Olsztyn

• Day 7/8

Visiting Częstochowa

• Day 9

Visiting Upper Liswarta Forests Landscape Park, Blachownia, Panki, Danków and Ostrowy nad Okszą

• Day 10

Visiting Załęczański landscape Park, Wieluń and Osjaków

• Day 11

Relax in Lisniec or pools on Dekabrystów street

• Day 12 (final one)

Visiting Siewierz and Wojkowice Kościelne

(The best way's find two accommodations, one in Ogrodzieniec and another in Częstochowa)

Holiday in Pogoria Lakes

• Day 1/2

Relax on Pogoria III main beach (Dziewiąty), St. Joseph church

• Day 3

Zielona Park, Marianki district and walk on Pogoria IV

• Day 4

Cypel beaches and district of Łęknice

• Day 5

Beaches in Piekło on Pogoria III and IV, visiting Pogoria II

• Day 6

Beaches on Pogoria I lake

• Day 7

Wzgórze Gołonoskie sightseeing

• Day 8 (final one)

Będzin sightseeing

(The best way's to find an accommodation in districts of Zielona or Dziewiąty, eventualy in Gołonóg)

Holiday in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie

• Day 1-2

Będzin sightseeing (Castle hill complex, Gzichów palace, Mizrachi synagogue and Jewish heritage places, Golghota of East Sanctuary, Góra św. Doroty, Las Grodziecki, non-mainstream places (optionaly))

• Day 3

Sosnowiec sightseeig (Cathedral, Modrzejowska street, Eastern Orthodox church, Multireligious graveyard, Egzotarium, Lutheran church, Sielecki castle and park, Dietel Palace, Saint Joachim church complex)

• Day 4

Sosnowiec sightseeing continuation (Leśna Park, Balaton Lake, Ostrowy Górnicze, Maczki)

• Day 5

Czeladź sightseeing (city center, Piaski workers' colony, Saint Stansislaus church, Grabek park) or Jaworzno sightseeing (Żabnik valley, Góra Grodzisko, Geosfera and Sosina lake)

• Day 6

Dąbrowa Górnicza sightseeing (City center, Fabryka Pełna Życia, Culture Palace, basilica, Sobieski and 3 Maja streets, Sztygarka museum, Gołonoskie hill, Bem square)

• Day 7

Dąbrowa Górnicza (Pogoria III lake, Pogoria II and IV lake (Piekło district), Zielona Park)

• Day 8

Dąbrowa Górnicza (Pogoria I lake, Łosień, Łęka, Okradzionów, Strzemieszyce (basilica, Wywierzyska springs, Srocza Góra)

• Day 9

Błędowska Desert in Błędów, Niegowonice (Kromołowiec hill), Ogrodzieniec castle, Zawiercie (Bzów, Kromołów, Skarżyce), Poręba lake

• Day 10

Siewierz sightseeing, Przeczyce lake

• Day 11

Wojkowice Kościelne, Ujejsce, Chruszczobród, Sławków, Krzykawka

• Day 12 (final one)

Będzin Region (Rogoźnik lake, Dobieszowice, Góra Siewierska ) and Świerklaniec palace.

The best choice's to find three accommodation objects: in Będzin, Dąbrowa Górnicza (Gołonóg, Staszic or Reden) and Siewierz

Lesser Poland in one month

• Day 1/3

Krakow sightseeing

• Day 4

Wieliczka and Bochnia salt mines

• Day 5

Tarnów sightseeing

• Day 6

Rzeszów and Łańcut sightseeing

• Day 7

Jarosław and Przemyśl sightseeing

• Day 8/10

Zamość and Roztocze sightseeing

• Day 11

Lublin sightseeing

• Day 12/15

Kazimierz Dolny sightseeing, relax, optionally- Nałęczów or Puławy sightseeing

• Day 16

Stalowa Wola, Tarnobrzeg, Koprzywnica and Samborzec sightseeing

• Day 17/19

Sandomierz sightseeing and relax

• Day 20

Kielce sightseeing

• Day 21

Hiking and sightseeing in Chęciny

• Day 22

Jędrzejów and Miechów Region sightseeing (Książ Wielki and Miechów)

• Day 23

Ojcowski National Park, Korzkiew castle, Zielonik

• Day 24

Leaving from Kraków

Get out

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