Visit Lanckorona, Poland – a Charming Day Trip from Krakow

Lanckorona, Poland, is one of those small, charming towns that feel like a fairy tale. Located only one hour away from Krakow, it is a perfect place for a day trip if you want to slow down and relax in the beautiful surroundings. There are not that many attractions in Lanckorona, but the overall atmosphere of the place makes you want to stay there longer and simply enjoy it.

Visiting Lanckorona has been on my list for years, but every time I was in Krakow, I kept postponing this side trip. When I finally made it there (with my friend’s help and encouragement), I was enchanted. If you are looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Krakow, Lanckorona (together with the nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska) is a perfect solution.

Lanckorona is located less than 40 km south of Krakow. You can reach it in under an hour, depending on traffic.

In the mid-14th century, King Casimir III the Great often visited the area for hunting, and that’s how Lanckorona was eventually founded. In the 1360s, the place received town rights (with privileges as great as those of nearby Krakow), and the king built his castle here. The place was not only a leisure destination but also a strategic one, protecting the road to Krakow, as it lay at the border with the Duchy of Oświęcim. 

Over the years, and with shifts in Polish politics and history, Lanckorona’s importance gradually faded. In the second half of the 18th century, two battles of the Bar Confederation (Polish nobles) took place just outside of Lanckorona. In 1934, the town lost its town rights, and Lanckorona is now a sleepy village that attracts visitors with its slow vibe. 

The best and easiest way to reach Lanckorona is by car. You can drive here from Krakow in less than an hour, and once you are done with your visit, you can continue your sightseeing in the area. There are a few parking spots in Lanckorona within walking distance of all the attractions; however, they can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so it’s best to start your day early. When we drove there, we arrived in Lanckorona at 9 in the morning on a Saturday in the summer, and we were the first car in the parking lot; when we left a few hours later, the place was packed. 

You can also take the bus from Krakow to Lanckorona. Still, there are only a few direct connections (currently 6 on weekdays and 3 on weekends). They depart from the main bus station in Krakow, and the trip takes a bit over an hour. You can check the connections here. 

There’s also a train station nearby, with a misleading name, “Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lanckorona”, but I don’t really recommend taking a train for your trip. You would still need to walk 5 km, mostly uphill, to reach Lanckorona. 

Lanckorona is pretty small, and you don’t need much time to explore the place. I must admit I expected something grander, more like Kazimierz Dolny, but I wasn’t disappointed. The picturesque architecture and charming look definitely live up to expectations. 

The heart of Lanckorona is its Market Square, surrounded by 19th-century wooden houses. They all look more or less similar, as they were built after the fire destroyed a large part of the town in the 1890s. They are a perfect example of the architecture of that period. What makes the houses unique is their deep overhanging roofs. Local law used to say property ended at the roofline, so inhabitants built roofs as far out as possible. While you can find the most impressive houses on the Market Square, I recommend wandering into the backstreets, too, where you’ll also find real architectural gems, including stunning wooden villas. 

In one of the buildings on the Market Square (that miraculously survived the fire), you can visit the regional museum. It’s not very big, but it gives you insight into the old habits and life in Lanckorona. It also has a section on the castle and what it used to look like. 

As for the castle, you can’t really see it from the village, but the ruins are hidden on the hill above Lanckorona. Follow the path behind the church, and in a few minutes you will reach it. The castle was an important political and strategic center, home to the local noble families of Lanckoronski and Zebrzydowski, and played a crucial role in the region from its construction in the 14th century until the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century. Unfortunately, little of the castle remains today, but you can imagine what a grand place with a perfect location it used to be.

After sightseeing, you can relax and enjoy Lanckorona’s charming spots. There are some great cafes with delicious cakes, where spending some time is a pure pleasure. The place is also known for its festivals (especially the winter one, dedicated to angels) and farmers’ and flea markets. You can also buy some really beautiful souvenirs here, especially ceramics. 

From Lanckorona, it’s only a quick 10-km drive (or a 5-km walk) to nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, with its UNESCO-listed monastery, which is worth visiting even if you are not a religious person. A bit further away, you can stop in a beautiful castle in Sucha Beskidzka, the spa town of Rabka Zdrój, or Wadowice, a nice town where Pope John Paul II was born. The Lesser Poland region is packed with attractions and amazing landscapes, so you don’t have to travel far to find something interesting.