Wadowice

Tours

Immerse yourself in an extraordinary experience as you discover Krakow from the river's perspective. Our modern catamaran, comprising two decks, offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. The open deck provides ample space to capture stunning photos and enjoy a refreshing breeze on hot days. Meanwhile, the enclosed deck boasts heating, a bar, and restroom facilities, ensuring a cozy and convenient experience throughout your journey. With a maximum group size of 12 people, our tours ensure an intimate and personalized experience. You'll have plenty of space to relax and enjoy the sights at your own pace, making your cruise with Cracowboat truly unforgettable. As you sail, immerse yourself in the city's history and landmarks with our audio guide, available in English. Learn fascinating facts and stories about the sights you pass, enhancing your journey along the Vistula. Departing from our dock, you'll quickly understand why the Vistula plays such a vital role in Krakow's life. Gliding across the shimmering surface of the river, relaxed and carefree, you'll pass majestic bridges connecting both parts of the city. You'll cruise by Wawel, with its majestic towers in the background, and the beautiful Kazimierz, pulsating with cultural life. Our catamaran isn't just a comfortable way to travel but also an excellent opportunity to uncover Krakow's secrets. Our experienced guide will share fascinating stories and anecdotes about the places you pass by. Time spent on board our ship is also a perfect chance to relax and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. You'll enjoy the fresh air and views that you won't see from the land. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Krakow from a completely new perspective. Join us for a one-hour cruise along the Vistula with Cracowboat and discover why our catamaran is the best way to explore the city!

Discover the figure of John Paul II who was the head of the catholic church from 1978 until his death in 2005. Find out more about his life at his family home and the John Paul II Center in Krakow. Stop at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary which was dedicated to St. Faustina Kowalska. Your tour will begin with pickup directly from your selected hotel or apartment in Krakow (or the nearest location if vehicle access is prohibited or difficult). The day before the tour, you will receive the exact pickup time from the agreed location. The first and main point of the trip will be the Karol Wojtyla Family Home in Wadowice, where the future pope was raised. You can visit the museum using an audio guide. You will learn the story of John Paul II from his birth to the time when he became pope and finally was raised to the altars. You will discover how John Paul II promoted spirituality, culture and traditions, scientific progress and educational activities. You will listen to how he helped those in need. You will learn the most important facts and you will learn many stories that you did not know before. After the tour, take some time to explore the city's central square and see the church where the future Pope was baptized, or go for a coffee with a cake called "kremowka" - the Pope's favorite delicacy from his youth when he was growing up in his hometown of Wadowice. The second point of the trip will be the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. There you will see the Church Complex where John Paul II and subsequent Popes such as Pope Benedict and Francis celebrated Masses and met with the faithful, including during World Youth Day in Krakow. There is also a cell where Saint Sister Faustyna Kowalska lived and worked. The Sister is know thanks of numerous stories related to the revelations of Jesus to her. Once there, you will see a reconstruction of the room and listen to an audioguide telling the story of her life. The next on the tour plan will be the John Paul II Center, where in the main church there is the pope's original robe from the day he was shot by Mehmet Ali Ağca in a planned attempt on him life. The Center also houses the relics of the Holy Father. There will be some free time here for self sightseeing, reflection and prayer. After completing the entire trip, the driver will take you back to Krakow

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 audio 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.

During our trip, we'll provide continuous transportation so you can fully enjoy each of the planned destinations. Your guide will be present throughout to ensure not only your safety but also to provide you with a thorough understanding and experience of each place we visit. Unofficially, the guided tour begins as soon as you get into the car, because our charming and zany guide will talk about the history of Krakow, Christianity in Poland, Krakow’s churches, and their connections, dependencies, and conflicts with pagan religion and culture, and many, many more. One thing is certain: you won’t have to worry about deafening silence during the drive or the entire tour (except for moments when silence is required). We'll start with a visit to the Observation Tower, where you'll be able to admire the picturesque views of the surrounding area. As you ascend to the top, I assure you'll be mesmerized by the panorama stretching out before you. Next, we'll head to the Museum of Saint Sister Faustina. Here, you'll have the opportunity to delve into the history and life of this extraordinary figure and learn about her legacy in both religious and social contexts. Your guide will share fascinating stories and insights into her impact on the world. Finally, we'll visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. This place holds special significance for many pilgrims and believers. Here, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of peace and reflection, discovering the meaning of Divine Mercy in everyday life. You can enhance the tour with a visit to the nearby Sanctuary of Blessed John Paul II (the most popular option) or stick with the shorter version. The total duration of the tour may vary depending on the pickup location, traffic conditions, and whether and how much time you spend on prayer/confession. The standard version usually lasts 3-4 hours, while the extended version typically lasts 4-6 hours.

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. Before heading back to Krakow, the will be an opportunity to have lunch in one of the local restaurants.

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.

Wadowice is a small town located about 50 km from Krakow. Here exactly 100 years ago future Pope of the Roman catholic Church, Karol Wojtyła, who assumed the name of John Paul II was born and baptized. Tour incudes visiting the family home of Karol Wojtyła, now a museum documenting his life, activities and Pope’s relations with Wadowice. You will see the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of May, where the Pope was baptized. Later you will go to the John Paul II center located in Krakow dedicated to his life and work.

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.

A tour from Krakow to Wadowice offers a deep dive into the early life and legacy of Pope John Paul II. Starting in Krakow, the tour includes visits to two significant religious sites. First, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki, a major pilgrimage site linked to Saint Faustina Kowalska and the Divine Mercy devotion. The basilica, consecrated by John Paul II in 2002, is central to this devotion, which he promoted globally. Visitors can explore the basilica, Saint Faustina’s tomb, and enjoy panoramic views of Krakow, reflecting on the spiritual connection the pope had with Divine Mercy. Next is the John Paul II Center, a modern complex dedicated to the pope's life and work. The center features the Church of the Blessed John Paul II, with relics such as a vial of his blood. A museum offers a multimedia look at his life, from his youth in Poland to his global impact. In Wadowice, visitors explore the pope's family home, now a museum showcasing his early years, and the Basilica of the Presentation, where he was baptized. This church provides insights into the religious environment that shaped his life. This tour offers a concise, yet meaningful exploration of the life of Pope John Paul II, from his humble beginnings to his global influence.

Your tour begins with a visit to Łagiewniki, which is connected with the cult of the Divine Mercy, the grave of St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II. Here you can find the Divine Mercy Sanctuary and the “Have No Fear!” John Paul II Center, a center in Kraków dedicated to the life and work of Pope John Paul II, which also houses his relic, a glass capsule of his blood. On the way to Wadowice, "the place where it all began", you will visit the Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. In Wadowice, the pope's hometown, you will see the places dearest to Karol Wojtyła during his childhood and adolescence, including the parish church where he was baptized and the house where he was born, which is now a museum. Finally, visit the Archbishop's Palace which was Wojtyła's last residence before leaving for the Vatican in 1978. There one can see the famous "papal window", where John Paul II used to show up to chat and chant with the youth of Kraków during all his visits and where thousands of people lit candles and prayed during his last days.