Nowa Huta Steel Mill Administration Buildings and Shelters with local NGO
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Krakow, Poland
- 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Architecture buffs won’t want to miss out on a trip to Nowa Huta and the Lenin Steelworks, a classic example of 1950s Polish architecture that can only be visited as part of an organized tour. Join a local guide to tour the majestic entrance hall, the theater, the radio control room—and even the underground tunnels and bomb shelters.
- Discover a classic example of Socialist Realist architecture: Nowa Huta
- Learn about Poland’s communist past as you tour the Lenin Steelworks
- See underground bomb shelters, a worker’s theater, and much, much more
- Listen to historic tapes from the steelworks’ radio station
What's Included
- Local guide
- Professional guide
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Ujastek 1, 31-752 Kraków, Poland
End point
- Ujastek 1, 31-752 Kraków, Poland
Oposite site of the street
Itinerary
1
Nowa Huta
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 34 reviews
Pedro_S, Dec 2025
Highly recommended!!! This was awesome, and anyone interested in soviet or socialist history will enjoy. I think our guide’s name was Mateusz, an he was a great guy, very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your linę review!
Richard_B, Sep 2025
Guide was excellent, knew his stuff and was enthusiastic about the subject without being overbearing. Even gave me a lift in his Lada.
Louisa_E, Aug 2025
Absolutely loved this. So informative, really engaging guide and amazing to get to walk around these buildings pretty much as they were left. Definitely one of the best tours I've been on.
Joanna_H, Aug 2025
What a fantastic tour this was. Such a knowledgeable and friendly guide. This is one of the best things we have done whilst in Krakow. The tour was really extensive. The guide was obviously very passionate about this subject and it was very evident in the information he provided. Such a beautiful building. Just a shame more people do not visit. This is a must do whilst in Krakow
Tim_R, Aug 2025
It is unique and remarkable to be able to see this former Administrative Building of the Nowa Huta Steel Factory, built in specific architectural style of the 1950s, and almost untouched as of today. The building has been 'abandoned' for over 10 years, and is starting to show it's age - but that makes it all the more interesting. Hopefully the State and the owners (an absentee global steel giant company - who's name I don't recall) will spend the money required to save this building and restore it to useful purpose (including visitor tours).
The guide was excellent - and had so much detailed knowledge. If there was one criticism it was that everything 'bad' associated with the building or the company was attributed to 'communism'. For example, the stylistic and quality differences between the Administrative building and the 'Workers' building. But without doing a comparison with similar plants in the 'West', this seems like a false comparison. In fact, in the 'capitalist' west the differences might be even starker!
Steven_D, Jul 2025
private tour in a building that shows how communism was organized in eastern europe, great guide with passion for history
Theodoros_G, Apr 2025
Very interesting visit. Mateus, our guide was excellent. Tirelessly he explained the story of this plant and its significance since he has family ties to it and knows it's story well. Visited both S and Z administration buildings. Many old artifacts preserved in rooms that have been the scenery of movies. I would rate in the top 3 places to visit in Krakow. Ask for Mateus, he is a great guy and guide.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very very much for your kind words!
Robert_C, Mar 2025
This is a great tour for anybody interested in the history of Poland during Communist times. Our tour guide did a great job explaining the reasons for the architectural designs within the buildings and also the way of life and how it varied over the decades in Nowa Huta.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you very very much
Helen_M, Feb 2024
We have done this tour twice (in Feb 2023 and 2024) and both times it was the highlight of our holiday. It is a truly unique experience that I could not recommend enough. The guides are really knowledgeable and passionate about the buildings and the history of communism and Nowa Huta. You feel like an urban explorer wandering around the abandoned managers building, and the underground shelter is one of the most fascinating places I have ever visited. Absolutely superb, if we're ever back in Krakow we'll definitely book for a third time!
Gunnar_K, Feb 2024
I loved the trip and the guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. Going through the tunnels and bunker was very interesting.
Frederique_C, Aug 2023
A thorough tour of an abandoned building with access to many offices and meeting rooms and a very interesting bunker. It's a big long (1h45), and be reminded that this building has served until the 2000's so the items are from various periods ranging from the 50's to the 2000's. Many objects on display but it's not necessarily the way they were in that building, since the NGO has gathered them and organized a sort of exhibition.
From $29.88
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Nowa Huta Steel Mill Administration Buildings and Shelters with local NGO
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