The Cloth Hall is not only the most recognisable part of Kraków’s Main Market Square — it’s a place with a history stretching back to the Middle Ages, a gallery of art and a still-functioning craftsmen’s market. Many visitors pass by, take an outside photo and move on, unaware that inside there are famous paintings, a loggia with a view over the square, a terrace and access to underground exhibitions about the city’s trading history.
If you plan to visit the Cloth Hall, it’s worth setting aside at least an hour for the gallery interiors and extra time for a stroll through the market stalls — this lets you see the monuments without rushing and feel the place’s atmosphere instead of treating it as a mere transit point. Entry to the ground-floor trading hall is free, but access to the upper exhibitions and the terrace requires a ticket.
In this article I describe the most common mistakes visitors make and simple ways to get much more from your visit — without stress or wasted time.
The Cloth Hall is a complex site — the ground floor with stalls operates on market terms, while the upper gallery and some exhibitions are museum branches with specific opening hours and visiting rules. A common mistake is assuming “open = always available” and arriving at an inconvenient time.
Tip: check the opening hours of the specific branch you want to visit (Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art, viewing terrace, Rynek Underground) before you go. In the high season it’s worth buying tickets online — this saves time and reduces the risk of long queues, especially at weekends and on days with free admission to permanent exhibitions.
Extra note: Tuesdays are sometimes free-entry days for permanent exhibitions at some museums. That’s a good financial opportunity, but it also attracts larger crowds — if you prefer a quieter visit, choose another day of the week.
Many guests spend a long time on the ground floor browsing stalls and buying souvenirs, then say “I’ve seen the Cloth Hall” and skip the upper floor. That’s a loss — the first floor houses important works of 19th‑century Polish art and a terrace with a unique view of the Market Square.
How to fix it: plan your visit so you allow at least 40–60 minutes for the gallery. If you’re interested in art or architecture, book 90 minutes. Also consider an audio guide or a short tour led by an official museum guide — they provide context that the display alone won’t. Official museum guides add many interesting details, and tours with them follow the institution’s rules.
Remember that the viewing terrace is often included in the ticket price — it’s a quick way to see the Market Square from a different perspective.
The Main Market Square attracts ticket sellers, guides offering services and “same‑day” deals. Some offers are overpriced or unauthorised.
What to do: buy tickets through the museum’s official channels or at the ticket office on site. If you see an attractive online offer, make sure it comes from the institution’s official page or a trusted ticketing system. For larger groups, contact the museum staff — you can often get information about available time slots or reserve a group visit.
If you want to save money, check for free entry days, but be prepared for crowds and the possibility that advance booking won’t be available for those dates.
Every museum has its own rules. In the Cloth Hall, amateur photography in the permanent exhibitions is usually allowed without additional lighting or tripods, but flash and tripods are not always permitted. Touching exhibits, leaning on barriers or sitting on historic elements is the quickest way to ruin the display for other visitors.
Practical advice: before you start taking photos, look for information about the rules. Pay attention to signs and staff instructions. Where photography is prohibited, respect the rule — that helps preserve exhibits for future generations. If you want a better image, consider buying a postcard or a reproduction at the museum shop.
If you plan to film with professional equipment, contact the museum in advance — permission and a fee may be required.
Kraków concentrates many attractions in a small area: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Rynek Underground, Wawel and numerous cafés. Many tourists try to “tick off” as much as possible and finish the day exhausted, having not really seen anything. The Cloth Hall pairs well with a visit to the Rynek Underground or a short walk to Wawel, but avoid imposing an overly tight schedule.
How to plan: decide what your priorities are. If museums matter most, give them more time and leave a break for a meal. If you’re in Kraków for a short time, choose two or three highlights and enjoy them calmly. Coffee breaks at cafés such as Cafe Camelot, Massolit Books & Cafe or Charlotte give you a breather and a chance to watch life on the Square.
For groups it’s worth booking group entries in advance — this simplifies organisation and minimises waiting.
The Cloth Hall is a traditional place to buy souvenirs and handicrafts. The biggest mistake is buying the first small item you see without comparing offers — prices can vary significantly between stalls.
How to shop smart: compare several stalls, ask about materials and origin. If you want something genuinely regional or handmade, ask the seller about the production process. Beware of mass‑produced items; if you care about authentic craftsmanship, look for authenticity certificates or stalls that clearly present the maker.
Also be cautious with card payments — not all stalls accept cashless payments.
The Market Square and the Cloth Hall are places where tourists, residents and cultural events meet. Loud conversations, leaving luggage spread out or sitting in passages obstruct movement and spoil the experience for others. Nearby sacred places have dress and silence rules.
Good-manner rules: be aware of the space — don’t block passages or entrances; lower your voice in galleries and near monuments; respect information panels and staff. If you come with a larger group, inform the museum staff in advance to avoid misunderstandings.
In high season keep a close eye on personal belongings — crowds make pickpocketing easier.
Tickets for the gallery at the Cloth Hall come in several types: full‑price, reduced, family and special rates for youth. The museum frequently offers audio guides and the option to visit with an official guide. When visitor numbers are high, a guide can make the visit more rewarding.
Accessibility: the Cloth Hall and its branches strive to be friendly to visitors with limited mobility, but specific conditions and routes may vary. If you need special facilities, contact the museum staff before your visit.
Audio guides are a good option if you want to tour at your own pace; renting one usually involves a small fee.
After visiting, it’s nice to eat or have coffee at trusted places near the Market Square. Long‑established restaurants with good reputations include Wierzynek and Pod Aniołami — they serve classic Polish dishes and offer a special atmosphere. For lighter meals or coffee try Szara Gęś, Cafe Camelot, Massolit Books & Cafe or Charlotte.
If you prefer a more local atmosphere, walk a few streets toward Kazimierz, where you’ll find cosy cafés and restaurants with a more neighbourhood feel. In high season reserve tables in advance, especially for weekends and evenings.
For people with dietary restrictions — many places nearby offer vegetarian and vegan options, but it’s always worth asking the waiter for details.
For centuries the Cloth Hall was the centre of urban trade — it’s one of Europe’s longest‑running ‘shopping centres’. Inside you can often find details and heraldic inscriptions that tell stories about old merchants and their customs.
On the upper floor you can see impressive paintings by Polish masters of the 19th century — an unusual combination of a market space and an art gallery. From the Cloth Hall terrace you get a changed perspective on the Market Square, especially in the evening when lighting highlights the façades.
In the Rynek Underground there are authentic fragments of medieval paving and remains of former buildings — a great complement to a Cloth Hall visit if you’re interested in a longer, archaeological story of the city.
Do I have to buy a ticket to enter the Cloth Hall? Entry to the ground‑floor trading hall is free, but access to the upper exhibitions and the terrace requires a ticket. Check current prices and ticket types before your visit.
Are there guides at the Cloth Hall? Yes — there are official guides employed by the museum and the option to visit with a museum guide by prior arrangement. This is a good way to learn exhibition context and hear anecdotes you wouldn’t get from self‑guided visits.
How much time should I allow for a visit? A quick visit to the upper exhibition takes 40–60 minutes; visitors especially interested in art may spend 90–120 minutes. Add time for browsing the stalls and a coffee break.
Are there discounts? Museums offer reduced, family and special youth rates. Tuesdays are sometimes free‑admission days for permanent exhibitions — remember there may be limited spaces and special rules for such days.
Most important: plan ahead, respect the museum rules and give yourself time to discover the Cloth Hall not only as a shopping place but as part of Kraków’s cultural and historical picture. Small changes — buying a ticket in advance, arriving just after opening, choosing an audio guide — can greatly improve your visit.
If you’d like a guided tour by someone who knows the Market’s stories, consider booking an official museum guide or a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — let more people discover the Cloth Hall without the usual tourist traps.
Good luck with your visit and see you on the Market Square!
