Our most recommended things to do in Wadowice

Krakow: Black Madonna of Częstochowa & Home of John Paul II

1. Krakow: Black Madonna of Częstochowa & Home of John Paul II

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.

Krakow: Sightseeing Cruise on the Vistula River

2. Krakow: Sightseeing Cruise on the Vistula River

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.

From Krakow: Wadowice & Sanctuary of Divine Mercy Tour

3. From Krakow: Wadowice & Sanctuary of Divine Mercy Tour

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.

Krakow: Pope John Paul II: Guided Tour - Home & Sanctuary

4. Krakow: Pope John Paul II: Guided Tour - Home & Sanctuary

Discover the journey 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. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in Krakow. Relax in the comfortable air-conditioned car or minivan on the drive to Wadowice. Head to the Family House of Karol Wojtyla which is where John Paul II was raised. Tour the museum with the help of your audio guide. Have some time to explore the central square of the city and see the church where the future pope was baptized. Travel to the Roman Catholic center dedicated to the life and work of Pope John Paul II in Krakow. Uncover how John Paul II promoted spirituality, culture, and traditions, scientific advancement, and educational activities. Hear about how he granted assistance to those in need. See a relic from John Paul II in the form of an ampule with blood in the chapel. Continue to the sacred Divine Mercy Sanctuary complex that is connected with the life of Saint Sister Faustina who is laid to rest there. Return to your accommodation in Krakow.

From Krakow: Full-Day Wadowice & Czestochowa Tour

5. From Krakow: Full-Day Wadowice & Czestochowa Tour

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.

From Krakow: John Paul II Full Day Tour - Private Transport

6. From Krakow: John Paul II Full Day Tour - Private Transport

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.

The Footsteps of John Paul II & Divine Mercy Private Tour

7. The Footsteps of John Paul II & Divine Mercy Private Tour

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.  

Private Trip to Wadowice: Home Town of John Paul II

8. Private Trip to Wadowice: Home Town of John Paul II

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.

From Krakow: In the Footsteps of John Paul II Guided Tour

9. From Krakow: In the Footsteps of John Paul II Guided Tour

Discover the places where faith, trust in God and love for neighbor were born in the young man Karol Wojtyla. Explore the three most meaningful places beloved by John Paul II. In Wadowice, the Pope's hometown, 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. Admire Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with its splendid Monastery and Church, which JPII asked us to visit “during his life and after his death”. Visit Krakow's Łagiewniki, connected with the cult of the Divine Mercy, the grave of St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II. 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.

Tour to Wadowice: Hometown of Pope Saint John Paul II

10. Tour to Wadowice: Hometown of Pope Saint John Paul II

Wadowice is the hometown of the Polish Pope John Paul II. Wadowice is a city in southern Poland, 50km southwest of Kraków. Now you can visit the family house of the Polish Pope which has been turned into a museum. Explore the family home of John Paull II and go back in time and see how the Polish pope lived. In the family house you will learn more about his family and close friends.  Taste the famous Wadowice cake called "kremówka". See the beautiful basilica in Wadowice and also go for a walk to the beautiful main square of Wadowice.  On the way back to Krakow you will see sanctuary of John Paul II in Krakow and also the sanctuary of Sister Faustyna and The Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, before being dropped off again at your accommodation.

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What people are saying about Wadowice

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 333 reviews

A beautiful evening sailing down the Vistula river in krakow. It was a brilliant way to put down the evening. Taking in the sights of krakow. The sailer was very informative. It was a comical experience to say the least. The door froze over in the minus (-) degree temperature. You had to go through the snow to hop into the boat which was an adventure to say the least. There seemed to be no fixed place for the boat to park up. Plus the sailer had to manoeuvre numerous turns to get in the back door as that door wasn’t froze over. It was just the 2 of us. So it was lovely to have a boat to ourselves.

Brilliant time spent relaxing on our first evening with gorgeous views of the city at night

Me and my wife did this cruise last year and would highly recommend it.

We really enjoyed it at guide was very nice and informed

Nice quite boat ride with information from the skipper.