Kraków’s Main Market Square is more than a large historic paved plaza and a row of picturesque townhouses — it’s a stage of urban life, architecture and history. The Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, gas lamps, pigeons and café tables create an endless palette of motifs that can be composed in thousands of ways. A great shot is not only a nice background but also the right moment, perspective and light — so it’s worth knowing the best viewpoints and tricks that help bring out the most interesting aspects of the Square.
For visitors who want an "iconic" picture of the Market, composition matters — and often even more important is having fewer people in the frame. My recommendations therefore include spots where the panorama of the Square is most characteristic, plus practical information: entrances, restrictions, time of day and photographer etiquette in crowded places.
Below you’ll find a list of proven vantage points, concrete photographic tips and practical advice — from permits for a shoot to how not to disturb vendors and other visitors.
Climbing the tower of St. Mary’s Church is one of the most "Kraków" photographic experiences. From the tower you can capture the Square’s symmetry, the Cloth Hall façade and the rows of townhouses; if you happen to be there for the hejnał (the trumpet call) you get an extra, unique moment. Access is limited (group entries, regulated by the basilica staff), can be seasonal and is sometimes sold as fundraising tickets, so check opening hours and availability before your visit.
Technique: wide-angle frames work very well from the tower to show the layout of the square, but portrait crops focusing on stone details, rooflines and flanking façades are also excellent. In summer shoot in the morning or during the golden hour — the tower gives the best results in soft light. Remember restrictions: very young children are sometimes not admitted and in bad weather the tower may be closed. Respect other visitors’ time — entries are often organized in groups.
The Town Hall Tower (the only surviving fragment of the old town hall) houses a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, and its viewing terrace lets you look at the Square from a different angle than St. Mary’s Tower. From here it’s easier to capture the full width of the plaza and interesting details of the north-facing façades. The tower also offers museum exhibits, so a visit combines the view with historical context.
In practice: the tower is great for symmetrical compositions and photographing people in the Square with the Cloth Hall as a dominant element. If the sun is strong, try longer exposures a bit later to smooth visitor movement — or visit in the morning when crowds are smaller. When planning, remember the tower is part of the museum program and can have ticket or opening-hour limits.
The first floor of the Cloth Hall (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, a branch of the National Museum) has a terrace that opens directly onto the Market and St. Mary’s façade. It’s a fantastic option for those who want views a little lower than the towers — the shots feel close, architectural details are clearly visible, and the perspective has a more "human" scale.
Practicalities and tickets: the terrace is accessible as part of the gallery visit, so when planning photos keep the National Museum’s prices and opening hours in mind. It’s also a great place for an elegant session (wedding or portrait), but commercial shoots or large equipment may require prior permission from the museum.
If you dream of Market photos with a more "lifestyle" feel, choose a hotel terrace or a restaurant balcony — the best results come from elegant places like the Sky Bar at Hotel Stary or dining rooms and balconies in the front buildings (for example, the Wentzl restaurant). From hotel terraces you often see the Cloth Hall roofs, towers and Market life in one frame, and you can relax with a coffee or a glass of wine while shooting.
Rule of thumb: these places usually require a table reservation or being a guest of the hotel. From a terrace you can comfortably use longer focal lengths to compress perspective (telephoto), which nicely "beautifies" the background by bringing façades and roofs closer. I recommend booking a table about an hour before sunset to catch two light moments: the golden hour and the sky after dark.
You don’t always have to go high to take a great photo of the Market. Kanonicza Street, Floriańska Street and the side passages near the Cloth Hall offer framing that highlights Market details up close — cobblestone in the foreground, murals, architectural ornaments and light playing between façades. These are excellent spots for portraits with a historic backdrop.
Practical tip: when photographing narrow streets, work from a low perspective with a wide angle, or conversely isolate details with a longer lens. Mornings here are magical because light enters diagonally between façades. Be mindful of café tables and avoid blocking walkways.
Best light: sunrise (right after the city wakes) gives the cleanest frames with no crowds. The golden hour before sunset gives warm tones to façades, and a bit later — the blue hour — you can achieve a dramatic, "urban" mood with lit windows and street lamps.
Camera settings and gear: wide angle (16–35 mm) for panoramas and streets; 24–70 mm as a universal zoom; 70–200 mm telephoto for details and roof compression. A tripod is helpful for blue hour or long exposures, but in a crowded Market it’s hard to set up a large tripod — a small stable tripod or monopod is more practical, or use higher ISO if your camera handles it well. ND filters are useful for creative long daytime exposures, but remember safety and don’t block passages.
Drones: flights above the Old Town are often restricted or prohibited; geofencing and no-fly zones around historic sites and the nearby airport mean it’s wise to check current rules and manufacturer alerts before flying. Flying over crowds is prohibited and dangerous.
Commercial shoots and models: photo sessions with large equipment, lights or stylists often require permits from property owners or the city. The Market hosts vendors and heavy pedestrian traffic — commercial activity can interfere with local sellers and safety services, so it’s always best to obtain permission. Small amateur shoots with a personal camera are usually fine, but be discreet and polite to passersby.
Etiquette: don’t block stalls, don’t stand in the middle of thoroughfares, don’t provoke crowds. Respect services and religious events (for example, the hejnał or church ceremonies) — interiors of sacred places are places of worship and often have special photography rules.
Going out too late for the "golden moment" — most tourists think the same, so without a reserved terrace or an early start you’ll find crowds. Solution: plan 45–60 minutes earlier, reserve a terrace table or choose morning hours.
Forgetting regulations for professional sessions — hiring a photographer and setting up lights is often seen as commercial activity. Solution: consult the terrace owner/museum or city office if you plan a larger shoot.
Blocking pedestrian traffic and rude behavior — it affects the local community negatively and may lead to intervention. Solution: choose side locations for shots and work quickly or off-peak.
Can I use a tripod in the Market? - Small tripods and monopods are usually not a problem, but avoid setting up large tripods during peak hours so as not to obstruct movement. For commercial sessions, consult the space organizers.
Do I need a permit for wedding photos in the Market? - Amateur wedding photos don’t usually need special permits, but a professional wedding shoot with a crew and equipment may require permission from the property owner or the city. Many couples choose early-morning sessions to avoid formalities and crowds.
When are towers and terraces open? - Hours depend on the site: church towers and museums have separate opening times and entry limits; restaurant terraces follow the venue’s schedule. It’s best to check directly with the operator of each place before your trip.
The hejnał from St. Mary’s Tower ends abruptly — this is a deliberate historical tradition that recalls the legend of the trumpeter warning the city of an attacker. A frame captured just after the hejnał has a unique atmosphere and local "sound".
The Town Hall Tower slightly "leans" if you look closely — due to storms and the building’s history the tower has a small tilt, a detail appreciated by observers who love historical nuances in their photos.
The Cloth Hall terraces belong to the National Museum — when you use them you are almost shooting from inside a museum, which means terrace access is linked to gallery admission. It’s a great "two-in-one" option: art and a superb view.
Suggested half-day photo route: early morning at the Market (empty, quiet frames) - climb St. Mary’s or the Town Hall Tower (if available) - coffee break and photos from the Cloth Hall terrace - lunch or a reserved afternoon table at Wentzl / Hotel Stary for golden hour and sunset. This plan mixes the best perspectives with rest and the chance to work in different light.
If you plan a commercial or wedding shoot: start at dawn, reserve locations in advance, contact terrace and museum owners, have a plan B for weather and remember required permissions.
If you want to plan a comfortable photographic tour of the Market and its surroundings, a local guide who knows the best times, has contacts at museums and restaurants and can arrange reservations will save you time and help find perfect frames. On zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you can find information and contact details for the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — Małgorzata helps plan routes, reserve tickets and tables at top restaurants, organizes logistics (transport, accommodation) and guides through museums and little-known places worth discovering.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends or on social media. When you plan your photographic trip to Kraków remember that support from a guide can save time and help you capture ideal shots — especially if you want professional photos or are planning a larger session. Małgorzata will gladly advise and assist with reservations — contact details are on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
