In the Footsteps of John Paul II from Krakow
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Krakow, Poland
- 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get an up-close look at the life of John Paul II on this 5-hour tour to Wadowice, the former pope’s childhood home, from Krakow. Journey through the Beskidy Mountains, visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, and explore the pope's family home as your expert guide provides illuminating background information. Your tour concludes with transportation back to Krakow.
- Pope John Paul II tour to Wadowice from Krakow
- Visit Wadowice, the pope's childhood home
- Stop at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki
- Travel with included transportation
What's Included
- Transport service (air-conditioned vehicle)
- Entrance ticket to The Museum Family Home of the Holy Father John Paul II in Wadowice
- Tour of the museum in Wadowice (audioguide)
- Guide-driver
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
PICKUP SERVICE Our pickup service is available from selected hotels in Krakow. Depending on the location of the hotel, the pickup service will be between 15–30 minutes before the tour departure time. RETURN DETAILS Original departure point.
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
Begin your tour in central Krakow, where your guide will pick you up from your hotel. Settle into your air-conditioned coach and head through the Beskidy Mountains to Wadowice, where Pope John Paul II grew up. See where he was born and baptized, and other places of significance before he became the archbishop of Krakow and, later, the pope.
Next, make a stop at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, located south of Krakow's historic Old Town. The sanctuary has become a popular place of pilgrimage to witness to the relics of St. Faustyna Kowalska, who John Paul II canonized as the first saint of the Third Millennium. Explore the beautiful modern basilica consecrated by the pope in 2002, as your guide provides historical commentary and anecdotes.
Afterward, head to the Archdiocese Museum. See the home of John Paul II, known then as Karol Wojtyla, where he lived while working as a theology lecturer.
Finally, visit John Paul’s last residence before departing for the Vatican, the Archbishop's Palace. There, take a look at the famed papal window, where large crowds stood in prayer and lit candles during his final days.
Your 5-hour tour will conclude with drop-off back in central Krakow.
Next, make a stop at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, located south of Krakow's historic Old Town. The sanctuary has become a popular place of pilgrimage to witness to the relics of St. Faustyna Kowalska, who John Paul II canonized as the first saint of the Third Millennium. Explore the beautiful modern basilica consecrated by the pope in 2002, as your guide provides historical commentary and anecdotes.
Afterward, head to the Archdiocese Museum. See the home of John Paul II, known then as Karol Wojtyla, where he lived while working as a theology lecturer.
Finally, visit John Paul’s last residence before departing for the Vatican, the Archbishop's Palace. There, take a look at the famed papal window, where large crowds stood in prayer and lit candles during his final days.
Your 5-hour tour will conclude with drop-off back in central Krakow.
1
Family Home of John Paul II
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Santuario
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Sanktuarium Swietego Jana Pawla II
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Barbara_G
This was a fantastic tour. I would highly recommend the tour. My husband and I were the only two people. Our driver was very attentive. He took us directly to each site and made sure we knew the special points of interest. He did not rush us. He was willing to wait as long at each site as we wanted.
Reviews
4.5
based on 49 reviews
Barbara_G, Oct 2025
This was a fantastic tour. I would highly recommend the tour. My husband and I were the only two people. Our driver was very attentive. He took us directly to each site and made sure we knew the special points of interest. He did not rush us. He was willing to wait as long at each site as we wanted.
Dominick_P, Jul 2025
We were the only one on the tour. Our guide was Maciek and was great. He was very helpful and gave us great info and insight. He brought us to the right places like the best Cream Cake in Wadowice. Great guide and great tour.
David_K, Sep 2023
The church next to the flat. The home. The monastery. The visit to the papal apartment in the monastery. All of it!
franny1015, Oct 2022
The tour guide never showed up despite us being at our pick- up location 45 minutes early and waiting for over an hour after the tour began in hopes that they would arrive. requested to be reimbursed.
Escape11077874591, May 2019
Andrew was a very good and attentive guide but was flexible in allowing us time to look around on our own. He was very knowledgeable. We made an extra side trip to the Divine Mercy sanctuary which was great and much appreciated.
Jaunesse_B, Dec 2018
An experience to cherish for a lifetime. Coming all the way to Poland to visit the places of John Paul II, we couldn't find a better tour than this. Also, the tour leader, Andrew was very well informed about each place we visited and also very helpful and patient. I highly recommend this tour especially those who keep Karol close to their hearts.
Laura_W, Jul 2018
We had a great day on the first two stops Wadowice and to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy. The tour guide was nice and very informative. The problem came when he got to the Palace and told us the tour was over. I said No, we are supposed to go to the Museum too and he said Not on this tour. I'm not sure if he works for multiple tour companies and just got confused, but I had to show him my paperwork and force him to take us. He relented and did take us to the Archdiocese Museum, but under duress. I don't like to pay this much money and then have to tell the guides where to take me. Other than that, it was a great day.
Dan P, Mar 2018
It was a wonderful day, and not surprisingly, learned a lot about PJPII.
Our guide went out of his way to make sure we had the entire experience even walking us around the small town afterwards to make sure we understood what life was like then and now. Our guide was fantastic. Our day was fantastic. It was everything we'd hoped it would be, and more.
Michael_E, Mar 2018
Only my wife and I and a mother with daughter on our tour. We were transported by car with Krzysztof as our driver/guide. He was a mind of information and from the moment we left Krakow he was giving us information. A very enjoyable day and we would highly recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in the life of John Paul II.
Patricia, Feb 2018
I returned to Krakow a second time within the same year just to take this tour again
(Enough said?)
Laurence B, Dec 2017
I cannot praise this tour too highly - it was hugely inspiring and uplifting.
Anthony S, Oct 2017
Well done for Pope St John Paul part,but no information upon visiting St Faustian shrine.
Elizabeth N, Jul 2017
Because of the bicycle event, Tour de Pologne, Viator's local contacts had to do some logistical reorganizing and they did it with elegance There were only two of us on this excursion and Joanna was an excellent guide. I was especially grateful to visit JPII's boyhood home and to visit the splendid museum there. I highly recommend this tour.
ADRIAN N, Jun 2017
fantastic and very informative for us catholics as well as for others to really want to know more about St Pope John Paul 2nd. A professional tour and informative one. Do try the cake at the place. We also did the St Faustina tour together. just fantastic.
Enrique C, Mar 2017
I was the only one on the tour and the experience was great. Frank was a wonderful guide and he drove me in his own car to Wadowice, John Paul II home town. We had a very interesting chat on the way and I learned a lot of things about Poland and its countryside. The museum at John Paul II birth house was really well put together and very interesting. A highly recommended tour.
DanielJ_P, Jul 2016
Christopher, our Tour Guide loves Poland and Polish History. He provided an informative chronology of Poland History. Our Guide at the St. John Paul II Museum was excellent. She demonstrated her love for JP II. Christopher provided a detailed explanation of the beautiful Divine Mercy Basilica. A Great Tour!
john s, Jul 2016
thoroughly enjoyed our guide was a lovely man went saturday last week was very informative would recommend this trip. our guide forgot his name nothing was too much trouble he gave us a lot of history onroute so please thank him he is a credit to you
Barbara S, Jun 2016
The tour was worth it to be taken out to Wadowice and see the museum they have where JPII's childhood home and birthplace is. The divine mercy shrine was also great to see! However our tour guide was kind of rude and didn't have insights into JPII's life or important sites inside Kraków.
YEEMINGE_L, Apr 2016
Kinga was a fantastic guide - very knowledgeable and passionate.
snowflakes16, Feb 2016
Great trip out of town to the sleepier Wadowice. Was a wonderful experience for a non-Catholic. I was filled with a new understanding and respect for the great man himself after the museum tour. Managed to even try the lovely papal cream cake while waiting for our museum tour to start. Our guide was friendly and chatty, giving us a deeper understanding of daily Polish life. Clean comfortable car for our small group of four.
Patricia, Nov 2015
I took this tour twice in 2015, and absolutely loved the experience.
For those of you who love this man, you have to go here. The town is called Wadowice, and you'll see the inside of the church where he was baptized plus the museum containing many things Karol Wojtyla, including many of his personal effects.
If you pay attention to the guide's words and intentions, you'll walk out of the museum absolutely inspired after an hour.
The gun used in the assassination attempt is on display. It was tastefully put under heavy glass in the floor near the exit.
I give this museum an A rating, because the design of the museum is phenomenal, right down to the sheer panels representing the Holy Spirit.
My guide and I skipped driving to the Sanctuary on the way back to Krakow, because that's where I was stuck in the elevator with tourists last February.
Sheila H, Sep 2015
Much less to do on tour than seem to be described, thought it was ful tour but finished at 2.00pm guide ecxcellent, but guide in museum very difficult to understand
Christopher F, Sep 2015
Wonderful trip taking us through the whole life of John Paul. Terrific guide and lots of photographs, memorabilia and information. It's a must-do!
chee.kuan.tang, Jun 2015
a very touching and uplifting experience being able to have an in depth understanding of this former pontiff. The guide patiently brought us through the 3 churches explaining the significance of each and every artefact. Most poignant of the 3 church is the one at Wadowice where we literally walk through Pope John Paul II life. A must go for visitors regardless of religion to see how humble life bring out great people.
Cuong N, Jun 2015
Highly recommend this! I was the only one in the tour and my guide is amazing! Not only does he know the history of Poland in details, but also has a great love for 1970s music in Poland - which is amazing by the way :)
Martin C, May 2015
This tour was amazing our tour guide chriistopher was very helpful and really knolagable and helpful
Mary H, Mar 2015
Excellent tour and guide was really great full on information and most helpful
JOHN S, May 2014
A very informative and enjoyable tour. The number of people on the tour wasn't too big so we enjoyed it alot better than other tours who had too many people on them. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Senaides D, Apr 2014
Well versed tour guide..friendly and informative..enjoyed every minute of our private tour..
Edward D, Mar 2014
An excellant tour with a very informative guide, Bruno. He could not have been more helpful and understanding. We had plenty of time at each site and answered all our questions. An excellant tour and very highly recommended
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