The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) has stood in the middle of the Main Market Square since medieval times, but few tourists know that at the end of the 19th century it housed the first seat of the National Museum in Krakow. This place combines trade, history and art across centuries - which makes it a perfect starting point for a true “art day” in Krakow. A short walk from there, just minutes away, is the Princes Czartoryski Museum complex - the Palace, the Arsenal and the recently opened Klasztorek - whose collection includes both masterpieces of European painting and unique historical mementos.
This text will help you plan a day so you can see the highlights, rest in good cafés and restaurants, avoid queues and small tourist traps, and learn a few things that often surprise visitors. Stay with us - this is a practical, friendly guide to art in Krakow.
On the ground floor of the Cloth Hall you’ll find stalls with handicrafts and souvenirs - colorful and lively, great if you’re looking for a gift “from Krakow.” But don’t limit your visit to the ground floor. Upstairs is the 19th-Century Polish Art Gallery - a collection dominated by monumental canvases of the Romantic and Realist eras, and works by well-known Polish artists that give excellent context for understanding 19th-century Polish history and aesthetics.
Underneath the Cloth Hall, don’t miss the Main Market Square Underground - a multimedia archaeological exhibition that takes visitors beneath the square, showing remains of centuries of buildings and layers of the city’s history. It’s an excellent complement if you want to understand how the Market looked and functioned in different periods.
The Princes Czartoryski Museum brings together national relics, European art masterpieces and rich ancient collections. The biggest attractions are world-famous works and galleries that tell the story of the collection from Princess Izabela Czartoryska to the present day. But also pay attention to less obvious sections: collections of applied arts, military items, numismatics and the prints cabinet.
The Arsenal houses an impressive gallery of ancient art - hundreds of objects from Mediterranean cultures to Egypt. The Klasztorek, which connects the Palace and the Arsenal, has been prepared to complete the exhibition’s narrative and present items that create “personal” galleries of figures and eras. Visiting the Czartoryski spaces is therefore not only about viewing individual masterpieces, but a journey through the histories that surround them.
Morning start - begin at the Cloth Hall around gallery opening time. A short stroll through the stalls, then head upstairs to the 19th-Century Polish Art Gallery. Allocate at least 60–90 minutes there.
Coffee and a light lunch - after your morning art dose, sit for coffee at one of the recommended cafés by the Market - the classic is Cafe Noworolski (in the Cloth Hall) or one of the cafés and restaurants lining the square. Plan 60–90 minutes for the break.
Afternoon at the Princes Czartoryski Museum - book your ticket in advance for a specific time — it’s usually best to choose an afternoon session, leaving 90–120 minutes for the Palace and an additional 45–60 minutes if you want to see the Arsenal and ancient collections.
Evening - if you still have energy, a walk around the Planty or a short visit to Wawel (outside or with an official guide if you want to enter the cathedral) will nicely close the day. Alternatively, a dinner at a well-rated restaurant on the Old Town.
Many museum branches in Krakow operate with combined tickets and/or timed-entry tickets - this especially applies to the Princes Czartoryski Museum. Booking online saves time and minimizes the risk of long queues.
Days and hours - typically National Museum branches (including the Cloth Hall and the Czartoryski Museum) are closed on Mondays and open on Tuesday–Sunday with morning and afternoon hours. Check opening times in advance - there can be maintenance closures or short-term announcements.
Entry rules - museums often prohibit bringing large luggage and suitcases - at the Czartoryski Palace you can usually leave only small backpacks. Some exhibits have photography restrictions; please keep quiet and be careful near display cases.
Coffee and dessert - Cafe Noworolski (in the Cloth Hall) is a classic, though it can be touristy - a perfect spot for a short break and Market watching. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, look for atmospheric cafés on the small streets off the Market, for example along Floriańska Street and Mikołajska Street.
Lunch and dinner - for an elevated Krakow experience consider Restaurant Szara or Restaurant Wierzynek - both have strong reputations and are recommended for an elegant meal near the Market. For tasty, traditional Polish food in a pleasant atmosphere try Pod Aniołami (Grodzka) or other spots highly rated by locals.
Accommodation - if you plan to stay near the center, Hotel Stary, Hotel Copernicus and PURO Kraków Stare Miasto are popular, well-rated choices that combine comfort with an excellent location.
The knife set in the “cross” of the Cloth Hall has its own legend - an old symbol of municipal rights that many local guides like to tell during tours. Look down while passing between the two sides of the Cloth Hall - you’ll find a plaque commemorating the city’s location under German law from 1257.
The Cloth Hall has served many functions through the centuries - from international trade to representative balls and ceremonies. Its upper floor was one of the first seats of museum institutions in Poland, so a walk through its rooms also has historical significance.
At the Czartoryski Museum, beyond the painting masterpieces, look for smaller, intimate exhibits: mementos of major cultural figures and objects that create “rooms” of memory, showing how private collections helped shape what we now consider national heritage.
Limiting yourself to the Cloth Hall ground floor. Many people treat the Cloth Hall only as a souvenir market and do not go upstairs to the gallery - but the upstairs collection is much more than a local curiosity. Plan 60–90 minutes for the exhibition.
Not reserving tickets in advance for the Princes Czartoryski Museum. Due to limited capacity and the collection’s popularity, buying tickets on the day can mean long waits or no availability. Buy a ticket online or reserve a time slot ahead of arrival.
Bringing large luggage. Museums rarely have places to store big suitcases - better to leave them at your hotel or use lockers at the station or in town.
Is it worth booking a guide? If you want to understand the historical and artistic context of the most important works, an official museum guide or an experienced private guide significantly enriches the visit. Official museum guides often run themed tours at set times.
How much time do I need to visit both places? A comfortable visit to the Cloth Hall (including the upstairs gallery) and the Princes Czartoryski Museum requires at least 4–6 hours total including a meal break. If you want to examine the Arsenal and the Klasztorek collections in detail, plan a full day.
Are there discounts or free days? Some branches offer free admission days for permanent exhibitions (for example, Tuesday in some National Museum branches) - check current information before visiting.
Remember comfortable shoes - walking around the Market and short walks between museums means a lot of cobbled streets. Bring a light coat or jacket - museum interiors can be cooler, especially in autumn and winter.
If you want a truly stress-free day, use the services of a local guide - Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com can advise a detailed plan, reserve tickets at the right times, help with restaurant and accommodation bookings, and lead tours through the museums and interesting corners of Krakow. Małgorzata knows the official museum guides and can plan a visit that combines the strengths of both places into one satisfying day.
If this article was helpful - share it with friends or on your social media. And if you have questions or want individual help planning your visit (tickets, route, reservations) - Małgorzata will be happy to assist!
