Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec

Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec

Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles134 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
54
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
1

Sunshine16519904171
28 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Walk down to river, 5 minutes. Man there will give you private boat trip 30 zlotys each for 30 minutes, boat takes 30 people but he will do an instant trip just for you without delay, he has no fixed schedule. He also hires put pedalos and open type very safe 2 person canoes canoes He takes you on the trip away from krakow to the spot you need to get the good view of Abbey from mid River. You cannot get a decent shot of the Abbey from the bank, and you cannot get a decent shot from the cruise boat that leaves krakow 10:30 on Fridays and comes to this pier as it does not go far enough past tyniec, also it takes 2 hours each way and then only gives you 1 hour including short walk to Abbey, enough to see the church but not to take coffee or take in the small museum. Most of the Abbey is closed to the public.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T C
Sheffield, UK158 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
We cycled from Krakow along the river on the cycle path. Took an hour at a very steady speed. Lovely peaceful place to visit with excellent views. Great lunch in the cafe by the entrance (down the steps).
Looks like the restaurants on the river would be open in summer months.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David B
Oak Park, IL68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Solo
I enjoyed the opportunity to not only visit the oldest monastery in Poland (nearly 1000 years), but to actually stay there for two nights. Having a guest house is something you might not expect at a monastery, but the Benedictines have provided this opportunity for visitors. On site as well is a terrific restaurant, cafe (closed for the season when I visited), museum and gift shop/ store selling books, food items, and products made by the Benedictines, including the excellent hand soap found in the rooms. There is even WiFi service available, and the views of the river from the wall are beautiful. The church is open to the public, so you can witness a prayer service while staying. I have to thank Marek for giving me a nice personal tour of the Abbey in English while here, and staff in reception was very helpful all around.

Some things to keep in mind are the rooms and entryways can be a bit cold in the winter, and I needed to really cover up at night. Also there is a strict code of silence while staying, as you might expect from a monastery. But overall, it was a unique experience and a highlight of my return visit to Poland.
Written February 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lloyd De Jongh
Warsaw, Poland308 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
I intend to go back, this was a truly magical experience. I had the privilege of hearing the chants sung by monks at the abbey during a mass, and was led on a tour by an enthusiastic guide who took the time to show us around and explain the history and purpose of the abbey. Both are fascinating stories.

The building is old and full of nooks and crannies, it has character and makes for great photographs. It was bitterly cold when I was there, so next time I go it will be during summer - but then it will most likely be crowded.

Stop at the restaurant for a meal, they were first class. It's a little crypt under ground with massive walls and the best Polish food by far. The shop where the monks sell goods they make is filled with a great selection, I still have soaps from this trip in my bathroom.

It's well worth the short drive from Krakow, and you can spend at least half a day there, though I intend to stay overnight and attend a mass again.

I've really grown to love the character of Poland and the Polish people, this monastery is a highlight of any visit to the area.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thomas Ozbun
Vicenza, Italy982 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Solo
I had been three times to the abbey, all with different means of transportation. Once by bus, once by bicycle and once on foot. The latter two options should be opted if you have time as it is a nice way to see the area. I decided to rent a bicycle and head to the nearby Abbey of Tyniec located at about 13km from Krakow city center. After crossing the Debniki bridge I got on the bike path running along the Vistula's banks and left the city. Biking along the countryside I had nice views across the river towards the Las Wolski woods where the Camaldolese monastery could be seen on the hilltop. Around 40 minutes later I eventually reached the Abbey of Tyniec. The abbey itself was founded during the 11th century, however, throughout the centuries it was destroyed several times, first my the Mongols in the 12th century then by the Swedish during the 17th century and eventually by the Russians in the 18th century. It was thus consequently reconstructed so it now mainly consists of different styles intermixed. The church itself is mostly Baroque, particularly in the interior, but Gothic traces can also be found particularly in the outer defensive walls and in the cloister. Before heading in, I decided, to head around the abbey; I left the bike on a patch of grass and walked through some bushes until I reached the bank of the Vistula river. From there I could clearly see the fortress-like structure of the Abbey built on top of solid white rock. After enjoying the sun and view I got back on the bike and rode uphill to the Abbey's entrance. I left the bike against a wall and walked inside. I first entered the church with its Baroque altar built by the Italian sculptor Francesco Placidi. Then I came outside once again and headed to the small shop owned by the monks, who by the way produce beer and even some wine. I bought a dark beer and cider which I then later savored at home. The view from the Abbey was really nice, with the Vistula flowing right below and fields all around.
Written January 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pausanius8
Brussels, Belgium138 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Family
There are a number of things to do and reasons to visit:
- People walk or bike to the Abbey, for the nice view, shop and great little restaurant with the terrace
- Possibly in combination with attending mass or any of the religious services.
- Note that a few times a day a guide will tour interested people through the cloister and church - check inside the guesthouse for information. There is also a nice small museum.
- In the gate you will find a small restaurant, so you can come for lunch and dinner. A sister, on the other side, will sell fresh tomatoes, cheesecakes etc.
- There is boat stop and kayak rental etc close by.
- And of course there is a guesthouse, consistent with the Benedictine mission of hospitality and to receive visitors. If you stay here you can have lunch and/or dinner (besides breakfast of course) in the guesthouse as well.
We stayed three nights in the guesthouse, with our young children. Although silence and respect is requested of course, don't worry that your kids have to be mini-monks. And the monks themselves, by the way, are quite contemporary. When you visit the bookshop (forgot to mention that one! also has icons made by the monks, on wood recycled from the monastery) you will see a large photo of the community of monks.There are many, and most are very young! One is actually one a cell phone. The current abbott was elected by the brothers and is also quite young. We were told he is somewhat of a TV personality. The monks use internet to share their life (ora et labora) online. They sing beautifully too! Try the Vespers at 17:00 for great Gregorian chants.
Krakow is 20-25 minutes by car, depending on where you go. Same for the salt mine. The divine mercy sanctuary is easy to get too as well.
You can make nice evening walks from the monastery. Also, take the car for 10 minutes to the other side of the river and admire the monastery on the rock from there.
The rooms are what you should expect: simple single beds, no TV, some good literature and a nice cross on the wall. The monks know what really matters. I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nathalie F
Singapore, Singapore370 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Solo
I checked in here for 150 zloties a night, and breakfast is provided.

If you would like, they provide lunch (20 zl) and supper (26 zl) upon request.

I participated in the Divine Office prayers and the conventual masses - all held in Polish but Catholics all over the world should be able to keep up (the order of the mass doesn’t change).

The views here are amazing and you really get the quiet you need to do some reflection and search for what you’re searching for.

The bus (service number 112) from ICE Kongress (that’s the stop name!) goes to Tyniec and once you get off the stop, you’ll have to take a short 7 minute walk to the Abbey.

There’s a museum and a gift shop there as well. They sell sacramentals and all sorts of freshly baked goodies yum yum.
Written June 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter D
Colchester, UK61 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Family
We visited on a Sunday - taking in mass with the monks, a tour with a guide and museum entry.

Fabulous views from the ramparts and an interesting insight into Polish history at the oldest still-functioning monastery in the country.

One option is to get the river cruiseboat from Kraków town centre and stop off here for an hour before returning.

Worth coming direct though and getting on a tour which takes you into parts of the monastery (English language available if booked ahead).

Coffee shop is great and there is also a Benedictine shop (though these are really white-labelled products produced elsewhere).

Restaurant in the main gate cellar had good reviews for lunch but we did not stop to try it out.

Museum had English and Polish signage on exhibits and the multimedia screens offered several languages and a lot of interesting background information.

Written August 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Krakowiswonderful
Nashville, IN30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2014
If for nothing else, other than a spectacular picture, the Abbey, in Tyniec, is worth it. It was founded in the 11th century. Pope John Paul II came here, before he was a Pope and afterwards, for retreat. The Benedictines sang, "You are Peter, the Rock", on his final visit, in 2002.
Written January 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DiscreetBox
Bangor, UK35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2013 • Family
Quick visit but a stunning place. Full of culture of religion, so calm and peaceful. Visited the shop which had lovely gifts, the surrounding area is also a must see, very picturesque and quaint. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
Written January 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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