The Cloth Hall stands in the very heart of the Main Market Square and is one of the oldest trading centres in Europe — trade here dates back to the 13th century.
This is a place where history meets everyday life: on the ground floor you’ll find stalls with souvenirs and handicrafts, on the upper floor the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, and next to the entrance there is the modern Rynek Underground to explore.
Surprisingly for many visitors — in the passage to the Cloth Hall (on the side of the Adam Mickiewicz monument) an iron knife is hung as a reminder of old, strict municipal laws.
This plan is designed for about 3–4 hours of sightseeing, starting at the Main Railway Station (if you arrive by train) or anywhere with good tram access.
1. Start: Main Railway Station - take a quick tram to stops by the Planty (for example Teatr Bagatela / Main Post Office) and enjoy a short walk toward the Main Market Square.
2. Market and Cloth Hall: first walk through the market hall, browse amber and handicraft stalls, then visit the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art upstairs (if you are interested in 19th-century painting).
3. Rynek Underground: right next to the Cloth Hall you’ll find the entrance to an interactive archaeological museum - book ahead if you want a deeper look into medieval trade in Krakow.
4. Coffee/lunch break: pick one of the cafés on the Market Square or nearby restaurants (suggestions below).
5. Optional: take a short tram ride further (for example to Kazimierz) or return to the Station - the plan comfortably fits into half a day with time to rest and take photos.
Market hall: stroll between the stalls, pay attention to amber products, handmade jewellery and embroidered goods - compare prices and don’t buy at the first stall you see.
Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (upstairs): here you can see works by Matejko, Chełmoński and representatives of Young Poland - plan 40–60 minutes if you enjoy art.
Loggia / viewing terrace: from the top of the Cloth Hall you get a nice panorama of the Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica - a less crowded spot for a short break.
Rynek Underground: an interactive exhibition with archaeological finds, original paving and reconstructions of a medieval market — a great complement to your surface-level walk.
Krakow’s tram network connects the Main Railway Station with the centre well — you can reach the Market by getting off at stops by the Planty (for example Teatr Bagatela, Main Post Office, Main Railway Station) and then walking a short distance to the Square.
Tickets: buy a ticket before boarding (from a machine or via an app), then validate it inside the tram — failure to validate may result in a fine.
Travel time: it takes about 20–30 minutes to walk from the Main Railway Station to the Market on foot; the tram is faster but often stops at the edge of the Planty — wear comfortable shoes for the last stretch.
Cafés and quick bites: Noworolski (inside the Cloth Hall) — a historic café; Cafe Camelot (St. Thomas Street) — a cosy place for coffee and cake; Charlotte or Mleczarnia around the Old Town area.
Market Square restaurants: Wierzynek — a historic restaurant with a long tradition; Szara Gęś w Sukience for regional flavours in an attractive interior.
If you prefer something more local and less touristy, look in the side streets around the Market Square — you’ll often find small bistros with good food at reasonable prices.
Arriving at midday in high season - between 11:00 and 16:00 the Market is at its busiest; if you want to explore the Cloth Hall calmly, choose morning or late afternoon.
Buying souvenirs from the first seller you meet - prices can vary, so compare a few stalls and negotiate for larger purchases.
Not having a ticket or failing to validate it on the tram - this is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid, but it happens often. Have a ticket and validate it right away.
Opening hours: the market hall in the Cloth Hall is open most of the day; galleries and the Rynek Underground have separate opening hours - check in advance if you plan to enter a museum.
Toilets: public toilets in the centre are sometimes paid; many cafés offer WC to customers — plan a short coffee break if you need convenience.
Accessibility: parts of the Cloth Hall and the Rynek Underground are accessible, but it’s best to check accessibility information in advance if you have limited mobility.
Safety: the Market is generally safe, but watch your wallets in crowds and keep an eye on your bags — pickpockets operate where there are many people.
The Cloth Hall has undergone many remodels: what you see today mixes Gothic, Renaissance and neo-Gothic elements — each detail has its own story.
The terrace with the loggia is a spot not everyone knows about — it lets you look at the Square from a different perspective and is often much less crowded than street level.
Under the Cloth Hall there is original paving and remnants of old commercial buildings — the Rynek Underground shows how the city looked under the feet of merchants centuries ago.
If you want to spend half a day in Krakow comfortably and without hurry — the Cloth Hall is an ideal place, and the tram makes getting there and back easy.
If you liked this plan and would like a guided tour with a local private guide, you are welcome to use the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details for the guide are visible on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website.
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