Tourism in Polish caves has a very long tradition. As early as in the 17th century tourist trips were organized to Ojcow and Podole’s caves. Jaskinia Łokietka and Jaskinia Ciemna were shown as a curiosity to the Polish kings. This was why the former was called Jaskinia Królewska (Royal Cave). The first description of them was published in a small guidebook in a chapter titled Świat podziemny bliski (The Close Underground World) in 1691. Jaskinia Kryształowa in Krzywcze in Podole, the region which at that time belonged to Poland, while now it is a part of Ukraine, was so popular that despite wars going on there in the 80’s of the 17th century the stairs were build up to make access to its entrance easier.

Even more complicated preparations were made in 1787 in Jaskinia Ciemna before the visit of the last Polish king, Stanisław August Poniatowski. Comfortable paths and stairs with railings were built on the slope leading to the cave, and the silt at the bottom was paved with planks. The cave became lighted up brightly, and a special triumphal arch was erected inside it. A brass band added splendour to the visit, and the special exhibition of dripstones was on display in the neighbouring castle. From that time organized trips lead by trained guides have taken place in the caves of Ojców region. At that time torches or special lanterns were used to light up the caves. In the middle of the 19th century the first permanent gas illumination was installed in Jaskinia Wierzchowska Górna, while electric lighting appeared as first in Jaskinia Ciemna at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 20’s and 30’s of the 20th century the most popular Polish show cave was Jaskinia Kryształowa. It was made available to tourists with a great expenditure of money, and in 1933 a special guidebook to the cave, titled Przewodnik po jaskiniach w Krzywczu (The Guidebook to the Caves in Krzywcze) was published. Currently, although the number of known caves in Poland amounts to 3,600, only nine of them are show caves. One is situated in the Tatra Mountains (Jaskinia Mroźna), one in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (Jaskinia Raj), five on the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland (Smocza Jama in Cracow, Jaskinia Łokietka, Jaskinia Ciemna, Jaskinia Wierzchowska Górna, and Jaskinia Nietoperzowa), one in the Sudety Mountains (Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia) and one in Polish Lowlands (Jaskinia w Mechowie). Smocza Jama is the most often-visited cave, with 200-250 thousands of visitors annually. The next four (Jaskinia Łokietka, Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia, Jaskinia Raj, and Jaskinia Mroźna) have 100-200 thousands of visitors annually. The last four are less popular. Most of them are open to tourists from May to October (Jaskinia Nietoperzowa from March to November). There are small exhibitions of dripstones, and archaeological and paleontological findings from the caves in Nietoperzowa, Niedźwiedzia, Raj and Wierzchowska Górna.

Then monument of the dragon in front of Dragon's Den in Kraków

Jaskinia Ciemna Situated in the Ojcowski National Park, about 20 km north-west of the centre of Cracow. Mentioned in 1691, very important archaeological site, findings from Palaeolithic Age (dated on ca. 120,000 years). Entrance at the elevation of 410 m above sea level. Spacious chamber about 80 m long (up to 20 m wide) with a corridor. Length - 186 m.
Jaskinia Łokietka Situated in the Ojcowski National Park, about 20 km north-west of the centre of Cracow (entrance situated close to a motorway). Mentioned in 1691. Entrance at the elevation of 453 m above sea level. Two big chambers with corridors. Length - 320 m.
Jaskinia Mroźna Situated in the Western Tatra Mountains, in the Kościeliska Valley. Discovered in 1934, made available to tourists in 1959. Entrances at the elevation of ca. 1,100 m above sea level. Horizontal system of corridors and chambers, going straight through a mountain ridge; dripstones. Length - 530 m.
Jaskinia Nietoperzowa Situated in the upper Będkowska Valley, in the village of Jerzmanowice, about 18 km north-west of the centre of Cracow. Mentioned in 1841, rich Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Middle Age findings. Made available to tourists in 1994. A film scene of riding horses was shot inside the cave. Entrance at the elevation of 447 m above sea level. Spacious system of corridors and chambers. Length - 320 m.
Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia Situated in Kletno, in the massif of Śnieżnik mount (the Eastern Sudety Mountains), about 15 km south-east of the town of Kłodzko. Discovered during marble exploitation works in 1966. Entrances at the elevation of ca. 800 m above sea level. Three-level system of corridors and chambers with elaborate dripstones. Length - 2.23 km, only the upper level available to visitors.
Jaskinia Raj
Situated inside Malik hill, in the vicinity of the small town of Chęciny (the Świętokrzyskie Mountains), about 10 km south-west of the centre of Kielce). Discovered in 1964, made available to visitors in 1972, findings from Palaeolithic Age. Entrances at the elevation of ca. 250 m above sea level. Horizontal system of corridors and chambers with elaborate and diversified dripstones. Length - 240 m.
Smocza Jama in Cracow (Dragon's Den) Situated in the centre of Cracow, at the foot of Wawel hill under the Royal Castle towers. This is the reason why Smocza Jama is the most known cave in Poland. A very popular legend says that a fierce dragon (monument at the entrance) inhabited the cave. A clever shoemaker managed to kill the beast offering it a sheep filled with sulphur. Mentioned as early as 1190. In 1544 its entrance was pictured in form of a wood engraving. Entrance at the elevation of 205 m above sea level. Several spacious chambers. Entrance from the Royal Castle.
Jaskinia w Mechowie Situated in the village of Mechowo, about 9 km west of the resort Puck. Mentioned in 1829. Entrances at the elevation of ca. 60 m above sea level. Unique cave formed in Pleistocene sandstones, horizontal corridor with rock columns near the entrance. Length - 61 m.
Jaskinia Wierzchowska Górna Situated in the Kluczwody Valley, about 15 km north-west of the centre of Cracow. Mentioned in 1853, findings from Neolithic Age. Entrances at the elevation of 390 m above sea level. Horizontal system of corridors and chambers. Length - 975 m.
Additionally, a number of caves in Poland is made available to visitors, e.g. by building access paths and installing facilities (e.g. ladders, railings), but there are not lighted up and there is no entrance fee. In the Tatra Mountains there are five such caves (Mylna, Raptawicka, Obłazkowa, Smocza Jama in Kraków Gorge, and cave Dziura). The most known caves in the other regions are (among the others) Jaskinia Malinowska in the Beskidy Mountains and Jaskinia Radochowska in the Sudety Mountains.