Małopolska

Małopolska, known in English as Lesser Poland, is the sprawling region that brushes up against Kraków. Covering much of the southeast, it’s played an outsized role in Polish history, forming the core of the ancient Polish kingdom. These days, though, it’s mostly passed over by travellers who make a beeline for Kraków and then move on.

That’s a pity. The region is rich in natural beauty, with rolling hills and several national parks. Sandomierz, an ancient Gothic town on a bluff overlooking the Vistula River, is one of Poland’s prettiest places. A close runner-up is the popular weekend destination of Kazimierz Dolny. Zamość is a World Heritage site.

The region is also rich in cultural diversity. Częstochowa is a pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics. To the east, Lublin and Chełm were once home to large Jewish communities, and moving traces of their centuries-long existence and demise are important sights today.

Explore Małopolska

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Małopolska.

  • Monastery

    Paulite Monastery of Jasna Góra

    Poland’s spiritual capital began with the arrival of the Paulite order from Hungary in 1382, who named the 293m hill in the western part of the city …

  • Memorial

    Bełżec Memorial

    This subdued memorial and museum bears witness to the 600,000 Jews killed here in 1942 by the Nazis as part of their ‘Operation Reinhard’, the German plan…

  • Historic Site

    Majdanek

    Majdanek concentration camp, where tens of thousands of people, mainly Jews, were murdered by the Germans during WWII, lies on the outskirts of Lublin –…

  • Church

    Chapel of Our Lady

    The oldest part of the Paulite Monastery of Jasna Góra contains the revered Black Madonna. The picture is unveiled to soaring music and prayer at 6am and…

  • Square

    Rynek Wielki

    The Great Market Sq is the heart of Zamość's attractive Old Town. This impressive Italianate Renaissance square (exactly 100m by 100m) is dominated by the…

  • Museum

    Kraków Bishops' Palace

    Kielce was the property of the Kraków bishops from the 12th century through to 1789. This palace was built (from 1637 onwards) as one of their seats and…

  • Museum

    Arsenal Museum

    This museum of military hardware and the city's fortifications is housed in three separate areas along the city's western bastions. Start at the facility…

  • Memorial

    Sobibór Memorial

    For several decades, the Sobibór memorial was a simple collection of monuments and a tiny museum. It was moving in its simplicity, the paucity of visitors…

  • Monastery

    Benedictine Monastery of Holy Cross

    This hilltop monastery got its name from the segment of Jesus’ cross that was supposedly kept here. The abbey is at the top of Łysa Góra (595m). It has a…

  • Castle

    Pieskowa Skała Castle

    If you can only do one thing in Ojców National Park, visit this 14th-century castle, one of the best-preserved castles in the upland. The castle was…

  • Cemetery

    Old Jewish Cemetery

    The old Jewish cemetery, established in 1541, has 30-odd readable tombstones, including the oldest Jewish tombstone in Poland in its original location…

  • Church

    Cathedral Basilica

    Built between 1360 and 1382, this massive church has retained much of its Gothic exterior, apart from the baroque facade added in the 17th century. The…

  • Synagogue

    Synagogue

    The city’s fascinating synagogue was built around 1620 and served as the Jewish community’s main house of worship until WWII, when it was shuttered by the…

  • Museum

    Janowiec Museum

    Situated within the 16th-century Janowiec Castle, this museum has a few rooms given over to temporary exhibitions and contemporary art, as well as a…

  • Cemetery

    Jewish Cemetery

    Over the centuries, Kazimierz Dolny had a significant Jewish population, and in the decades leading up to WWII as much as half the population was Jewish…

  • Museum

    House of the Celej Family

    This 1635 townhouse built for the Celej family is a branch of the Vistula River Museum. The focus is on art and several rooms on the upper floor are…

  • Historic Building

    Town Hall

    The town hall was built between 1639 and 1651, and features were added and extended over the years: its curving stairway came in 1768. Zamoyski didn’t…

  • Church

    Holy Cross Church

    The Holy Cross Church in the Benedictine Monastery of Holy Cross was rebuilt several times over the years. The present-day church and its bright white…

  • Historic Building

    Grodzka Gate

    This gate leads from the castle area into the Old Town and was traditionally referred to as the 'Jewish' gate, since until WWII it also separated the main…

  • Museum

    Diocesan Museum

    The quintessential example of Sandomierz’ underrated assets, the medieval Długosz House (Dom Długosza) was built in 1476 for Poland’s first historian, Jan…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Małopolska.

  • Activities