Wadowice – a Town Where Pope John Paul II Was Born

Wadowice is a small town in southern Poland. It seems similar to others, but unique. What is Wadowice associated with? With Pope John Paul II, with cream puffs, with amazing stories and answered prayers. The attractions of Wadowice are actually mainly places and things connected with Karol Wojtyla, because it was in Wadowice that John Paul II was born, and that is why this place is special to the faithful.

In this post I’m taking you to Wadowice, where (of course) we’ll eat a traditional papal cake (kremówka in Polish), visit the family home of John Paul II and look around the town, which attracts hundreds (and in high season maybe thousands) of tourists every day. For, as John Paul II said during a memorable pilgrimage in 1999: “Here, in this town, in Wadowice, everything began.”

Museum Family Home of the Holy Father John Paul II in Wadowice

The John Paul II Family House is located in the heart of Wadowice, on ulica Kościelna (Church Street) right next to the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is where the attractions of Wadowice begin, and in fact, you should start your sightseeing from this place, so that you can go for cream puffs right afterwards.

Let me start with an important thing – I am not a particularly religious person, so I did not expect that a visit to the John Paul II House would make such an impression on me. And it’s not about the number of exhibits, which can indeed surprise, but about the emotions that accompany such a visit. Above all for this reason, in my opinion, it is worth visiting the Family Home of Karol Wojtyla.

That’s why a visit to the John Paul II House is not only about going through all the rooms, stories – it’s mostly about emotions, faith and goodness. Going to the Room where the requests of the faithful are hung I felt this especially. They are the ones that show that each of us dreams, has similar desires, thoughts or hopes for a better tomorrow: health, love, closeness. And although several years have passed since the death of the Polish-Pope, in this house we feel that it is not important whether we go to church or what we believe in. What matters is how we are for ourselves and for others.

Note: It is advisable to book admission in advance using the website or by phone. You should pick up your ticket half an hour before entering the museum. On Tuesdays admission is free, but reservations also apply. Also, photos inside can be taken, but I’m not sure if they can be published on the blog, so I’ll stick with this one.

The Famous Papal Cake from Wadowice

If John Paul II hadn’t mentioned that “after high school graduation ceremony we used to go for “kremówka” (cream puffs)…”, the cream cakes wouldn’t be so popular. Today, papal cream cakes can be bought at every corner, and it’s hard to decide which pastry shop makes them tastier. That’s why the next attractions in Wadowice are simply creams!

Note: for me, two cream puffs is the absolute maximum, but I won’t tell that to anyone from Wadowice, because for them it’s just the beginning.

Wadowice: Where to Eat Papal Cake?

You can ask at the museum or at the home of John Paul II, but no one will tell you where to go for cream cake. There are at least two reasons – they are delicious at every place, on top of that at a similar (and most often the same) price. Wadowice is full of Papal Cakes, I would say that this town revolves around them.

I had my first cream puff at the Galicia cafe, where I paid 10 zloty for a set of a cake and coffee. The price was promotional, the cream puff was fresh, and the coffee was delicious. On the other hand, I took takeaways at two other places on the market: at a small pastry shop from Wadowice (they have a papal cake in their logo) – they pack everything in paper/cardboard containers, and at Markiz– there they serve the largest cream puffs (at the same price as other smaller ones on the market).

Attractions in Wadowice: the Municipal Museum in Wadowice

While visiting Wadowice, you can also visit the Town Museum. It is not a particularly crowded place, especially in the off-season, but you can visit it on your own and learn interesting things about Wadowice – not only about the life of Karol Wojtyla. You’ll see monuments, interesting places and attractions of the town on old postcards, what the center of Wadowice used to look like, or see how children were educated in Wadowice and the surrounding area.

Other Wadowice’s Attractions

In addition to the House of John Paul II, the City Museum and cream puffs in Wadowice, the faithful always go to the most famous basilica. The Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special place in Malopolska, mainly because of Karol Wojtyla. Interestingly, the sundial (on the side of the Pope’s house) symbolically marks the date of John Paul II’s death.

In Wadowice you will also find the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites and the shrine of St. Joseph. In addition, you can visit the Miniature Park, but this is more suitable for families children. I have not been there, so I won’t recommend it.

Interesting fact! In our apartment there was a game of Monopoly Wadowice edition – if you bring back souvenirs from your travels, this one can be quite original.

Where to Sleep in Wadowice?

There are several hotels and other accommodations to choose from in Wadowice, such as apartments for rent. We slept just off the market square in a small, cozy apartment where they accept pets (including cats), which we found through Airbnb. My dad slept at the Badura Hotel (tasty breakfasts) and the B&B Hotel (a nice new facility), but from what I checked in high season it’s better to book accommodations in advance. That’s when the hotels have full occupancy, as do the other top facilities in the area.

Where to Eat in Wadowice?

In Wadowice there are at least a few tasty places: from traditional dinners to pizzerias or kebabs to sushi. We had dinner at Oliva Restaurant and they have tasty dishes not only for carnivores, but also vegetarians (the best potato pancakes with mushroom sauce!). Besides, popular is Pizzeria Piazza Italia, where it is quite expensive, but it has good reviews. Those who have tried it once say it’s worth it.

Wadowice – Can You Get There by Train or Bus?

There is a train and bus station in Wadowice. From Wadowice you can get not only on the route Wadowice-Krakow, but also to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska or to the recently popular Lanckorona, and even to Bielsko-Biała. I used it myself and recommend it.

As for getting around the town, you won’t need a map, the one on your phone should be enough. The town is relatively small, and the trails and streets are marked, as are tourist attractions and places of interest – there are plenty of signs in Wadowice.

Is It Worth Coming to Wadowice?

Some say it’s worth coming for the various devotional items – and indeed, devotional stores can be found in Wadowice at every turn. Others that it’s worth it for the cream puffs and papal stories. I am in the latter group. A trip to Wadowice is first and foremost an opportunity to discover how Karol Wojtyla lived. Nevertheless, in the area around Wadowice there are more attractions and places worth seeing such as monuments, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska or depending on your taste you can go to the previously mentioned Lanckorona.

I am curious if you have already been to Wadowice. If you have any suggestions – let me know.