The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is the heart of the Main Market Square — a historic market hall that appears in thousands of photos and social media posts. On the first floor you’ll find the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (part of the National Museum in Krakow), while the ground floor hosts rows of souvenir and craft stalls. This charming ‘two-in-one’ location draws both independent visitors and large tour groups to the same spot — especially on weekends and during the summer season.
Crowds are also amplified by special events (Cloth Hall Day, Night of Museums, large concerts and Market Square events) and days when museums offer free admission. For the Cloth Hall gallery the situation is more complicated because the exhibition has a limited number of places per time slot, so without a plan you can easily face long waits.
Book a group visit in advance - the National Museum in Krakow accepts reservations for the Cloth Hall gallery at least 5 days before the planned visit and up to 3 months ahead. Group and educational bookings are handled by the Museum’s Information and Reservation Center (email: rezerwacja@mnk.pl or via the museum reservation form). This is the most reliable way to secure an entry time and avoid standing in queues.
Buy tickets online - tickets for exhibitions and events can be purchased through the museum’s ticketing system. Having e-tickets reduces the risk that the group will get stuck at the ticket office. Keep in mind that an e-ticket does not always completely eliminate the queue at the entrance, but it significantly shortens waiting time.
Avoid free-admission days if you want fewer crowds - at the National Museum in Krakow the free day for permanent exhibitions is Tuesday. Free days attract many visitors, so aim for other weekdays if you prefer a quieter visit.
Adjust group size - large groups are better split into smaller subgroups and booked for separate time slots. Smaller groups move more smoothly through the rooms and the guide can better ensure participants’ comfort.
Sample weekend plan to minimize queues: arrive at the Market Square between 9:00 and 9:30 (coffee and a brief briefing), enter the gallery on the first available slot at 10:00, tour from 10:00 to 11:15, coffee break or a walk through the Cloth Hall ground floor and arcades from 11:15 to 12:00, then further activities (for example lunch in a nearby restaurant) after 12:00.
If you booked through the museum - arrive 10–15 minutes before the reserved time. Groups that are late for the agreed time may have their visiting time shortened; the museum usually expects punctuality and reserves the right to wait only a limited time.
If you plan team-building activities after the Cloth Hall visit, schedule them to avoid returning to the Market Square during peak hours (12:00–14:00 on weekends). Choose nearby lunch spots with table reservations — for groups, restaurants such as Szara, Wierzynek or the Camelot cafe work well.
Arrive right after opening - for the gallery this is often the best moment: crowds haven’t settled yet and rooms are less busy.
Use a group reservation and online tickets - booking minimizes the risk of long lines at the ticket office; remember to have printed or saved confirmations of your reservation.
Split the group - if you have more than 15–20 people, consider dividing into 2–3 smaller subgroups with different entry times. This works especially well for team events where part of the group can go for a short walk or coffee while the rest visits the gallery.
Consult the museum about group hours - some branches offer special hours for organized groups (for example earlier entries on certain days). Ask when booking if early admission outside standard opening hours is possible.
Remember museum rules - the last visitors are usually admitted about 20 minutes before closing. If you have a late slot, don’t expect a full two-hour visit.
The Cloth Hall is both a market hall on the ground floor and a museum on the first floor. The ground level with souvenirs is accessible without a ticket, while the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art on the first floor requires a ticket and may have limited entries.
There are cloakrooms and toilets in the building, but on busy days queues for the cloakroom can form as well. Plan short breaks and designate a meeting point for the group after the visit.
For visitors with limited mobility - the Cloth Hall provides accessibility features, but tell the museum about any special needs when booking to ensure smooth access and, if needed, a lift.
Not reserving for a large group - result: long waits and stressful schedule changes. Solution: book at least 5 days in advance, confirm details and the exact number of participants.
Planning for free-admission days or event days - result: unpredictable crowds. Solution: check Krakow’s event calendar and avoid days like Night of Museums or Cloth Hall celebrations if quiet is a priority.
Having too many people per one guide - result: difficulty communicating and managing the group. Solution: for larger team-building events, split the group and hire an assistant or an extra chaperone.
Do we have to reserve in advance? Yes - for the Cloth Hall gallery the National Museum accepts group reservations at least 5 days before the visit; it’s wise to book earlier in the tourist season.
How many people count as a 'group' for the museum? Rules and group discounts vary depending on the offer (educational, school, organized groups). When booking, state the number of participants and any educational needs. For museum lessons or educational activities there are additional rules and fees.
What happens if we cancel at the last minute? The museum reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee. In practice, cancellations later than 1 day before the visit may incur fees (for example around 150 PLN) — check the terms when booking.
Does an electronic ticket guarantee no queues? An online ticket shortens time at the ticket office but does not always eliminate waiting at the entrance. The most reliable solution is booking a specific time slot and arriving punctually.
Walk through lesser-known corners of the Market Square - visit the Cloth Hall arcades, the Rogatywka area and the alleys toward Grodzka Street; these are often less crowded than the central square.
Short team workshops in a nearby cafe or event room - instead of keeping the whole group in a queue, some people can do team activities: a Krakow quiz, a ceramics workshop or a tasting of local snacks.
Nearby, less-crowded museums - if you want art but a calmer atmosphere, consider smaller branches of the Museum of Krakow or private galleries in Kazimierz and the Old Town.
Restaurant Szara - a Market Square classic, good for group lunches with Polish dishes. Book a table in advance.
Restaurant Wierzynek - a historic spot ideal for formal meetings; remember to reserve and expect higher prices.
Cafe Camelot - an intimate cafe with atmosphere, a good place for a short coffee break and a pre-visit briefing.
Massolit Books & Café - for groups who like books and a relaxed vibe; small snacks and good coffee.
The Cloth Hall ground floor is a traditional market you can visit without a ticket - if your group wants to do quick souvenir shopping, you don’t need to enter the gallery or stand in the ticket line.
Tuesdays can be free at the National Museum for permanent exhibitions - tempting, but they also draw crowds. If you value space and quiet, pick another day.
The museum often admits last visitors about 20 minutes before closing - depending on the time of day you may end up with a shorter visit than planned, so it’s best to choose early time slots.
Book the visit at least 5 days in advance via rezerwacja@mnk.pl or the museum reservation form.
Buy e-tickets for participants or confirm the group reservation and check cancellation terms.
Split large groups into smaller subgroups and plan meeting points.
Arrive 10–15 minutes before your reserved time; have a printed or screenshot confirmation of the reservation.
Reserve lunch or a coffee break at a nearby restaurant to avoid returning to the Market Square during peak hours.
If you’re organizing a team-building event in Krakow, proper planning is the key to an enjoyable experience. Reservations, splitting the group and choosing the right time of day will help you avoid queues and give participants a comfortable visit.
If you’d like someone to handle the visit organization and take care of all formalities, I recommend the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. On the guide’s page you can find contact details and offers tailored to team-building groups.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll make it easier for others to plan a great visit to the heart of Krakow.
