The Cloth Hall is the heart of the Main Market Square and a great landmark — but for a student or exchange student the key questions are: where to sit, grab something quick and cheap to eat, charge your phone or rest quietly for a few minutes. Below you’ll find a practical, friendly guide to 10 nearby spots worth knowing when you need a break. All suggestions are tested for comfort, accessibility and a low budget — ideal for Erasmus students and students.
After reading this text you'll know what to pick, when it's best to go and how to avoid the most common tourist traps. You can treat the list like a sample break plan: a short espresso, a quick walk in the green and a bit of art upstairs in the Cloth Hall.
On the upper floor of the Cloth Hall you’ll find the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art and next to it a loggia and terrace overlooking the Market Square. This is a great spot to sit for a while with a coffee and watch city life from above — there’s less noise than on the square itself, and the view of St. Mary’s Basilica is impressive.
Plan about 30–60 minutes here: the gallery itself is worth seeing, and the loggia offers a pleasant, unexpected contrast after walking the crowded square. If you need quiet, aim for early morning or late afternoon.
Walking through the arcades and the stalls is a quick, interesting break: you can browse handicrafts, buy an inexpensive souvenir or grab something sweet. Stalls offer amber, jewelry and small artistic items — spend 15–30 minutes looking around.
To avoid crowds at the booths, go in the morning or late afternoon. Remember prices vary — compare a few stalls before buying.
If you want classic Kraków atmosphere, Café Noworolski (entrance from the Cloth Hall level) is a symbolic place for a coffee with history in the background. It’s a slightly pricier option but very atmospheric and worth visiting at least once.
For a more student-friendly budget, look for small cafés and places just off the Square — side streets often have good coffee at friendly prices. I recommend walking 2–3 blocks away from the Square if you want a quieter break.
Don’t want to spend money? Benches under the Cloth Hall arcades and near the Market Square fountain are the simplest option: easy to sit, eat a sandwich or check your phone. The arcades also shelter from sun and rain.
With this option, be mindful of crowds and keep an eye on your belongings — the square can be busy, especially during tourist season.
A few steps from the Cloth Hall are the Planty — a park encircling the Old Town with quiet paths and benches. It’s an ideal place for 20–40 minutes of relaxation between classes: shade, grass and much less noise than the Square.
Planty are perfect for short Erasmus group meetups — easy to sit down, spread a map or eat lunch outdoors.
The Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) is not only a cultural attraction but also a cool, atmospheric indoor space where you can rest and learn about medieval market life in Kraków. Visiting there is a good way to take a break and add some historical context to your day.
The entrance is on the Market Square and a visit can be planned for 30–60 minutes; tickets cost money, so if your budget is tight consider shorter visits to freely accessible areas instead.
If you have a bit more time (20–40 minutes) and want to get away from buildings, head to the Vistula Boulevards (Bulwary Wiślane). It’s a popular spot with students — many benches, lawns and a relaxed vibe, often with food trucks and cyclists. A walk along the river is a great extension of a break after visiting the Cloth Hall.
The boulevards are especially pleasant on warm days; in the evening they feel more relaxed than the busy Square.
A few minutes on foot from the Cloth Hall is Szczepański Square and the surrounding streets — here you’ll find smaller, well-rated cafés and bakeries that often offer friendly prices and a comfortable place for a short pause. This is a good choice when you want calm without straying far from the Old Town.
Look for places with local recommendations and a short menu — smaller venues rarely mark up prices as much as central cafés, so coffee and a pastry often come cheaper.
For many students a classic, cheap option is Plac Nowy in Kazimierz (a short walk from the Square). You’ll find well-known zapiekanki (long open-faced toast pizzas) and other street food that satisfy hunger cheaply and without a long wait. It’s a great on-the-go option between classes.
If you want something traditional and budget-friendly — zapiekanka plus tea is a student classic in Kraków.
The best breaks are often those found in small passages and side alleys around the Square — a few steps can lead you to a cozy spot less frequented than the main thoroughfares. Try diverting your route by a couple of streets to discover such enclaves.
Have a map? Try heading along Floriańska Street toward the smaller side branches or toward St. Adalbert’s Church (św. Wojciech) — you can often find 10–20 minutes of quiet there.
The most common mistake tourists and students make is planning a break only on the Market Square during peak hours — then it’s hard to find peace or a table in a café. It’s better to schedule a short break in the morning (8:00–10:00) or late afternoon (after 17:00).
If you want to save money: look for cafés 2–3 blocks from the Square, choose places with local reviews and use the Planty and the boulevards as free rest areas. Watch your personal items — crowded spots have higher risk of petty theft.
If you need to charge your phone, carry a small power bank — public sockets are rare, and asking for a plug in a busy café can be difficult.
Always check opening hours of galleries and museums — some exhibitions are closed on Mondays or have reduced hours.
Where to store luggage for a short time? It’s best to leave large suitcases at luggage storage at train stations or nearby drop-off points; in the Market Square area it’s better to move with a backpack worn in front.
Are there student discounts? Yes — many museums and galleries offer student discounts with a valid ID, so always ask at the ticket desk.
Where is the toilet? There are paid public toilets in the center, and toilets in cafés and galleries (sometimes only for customers).
Can you smoke by the Cloth Hall? Smoking outdoors is possible, but avoid very crowded spots and be aware of indoor bans inside museums and cultural venues.
Café Noworolski — a historic option by the Cloth Hall, perfect for a special café moment in Kraków.
Small cafés on the side streets around the Market Square — choose places with good local reviews and a short menu to save time and money.
Plac Nowy — quick street food (zapiekanki) for budget-conscious and convenience-seeking students.
If you prefer something more intimate, look for places recommended in local "best cafés near Main Square" round-ups — small venues often offer the best value for money.
The Cloth Hall has combined commercial and cultural functions for centuries — the upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, which makes the Hall not only a shopping spot but also a place with works by well-known Polish painters.
Surprising tip: the upper loggia gives a Market Square perspective you won’t see from street level — a frequently underappreciated option for those seeking a moment of calm.
Finally: if you liked this article, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others find moments of calm in central Kraków. If you’d like to explore with a guide, feel free to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
