The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is one of the most famous spots in Kraków — colourful stalls and covered arcades provide shelter from sun and rain, and from the first floor you get a view over the Market Square that many children enjoy. A visit here can be short and pleasant — half an hour is enough to walk around the stalls, and if you plan to visit the gallery or the cellars, expect a longer stay. For parents it’s important that the ground-floor shopping area is open to everyone and offers many opportunities for a quick rest or a nappy change.
If you want to avoid crowds and have more room to manoeuvre a stroller, come in the morning right after the stalls open or in the late morning. Afternoons, lunchtime and times when events are held in the Square are the busiest. It’s also a good idea to check the opening hours of the museum part of the Cloth Hall and any possible closed days — many museum branches are closed on Mondays.
In practice: a day planned with short breaks, a backup plan to sit in a café and a flexible pace is the recipe for a successful walk with a child. If you have a timed ticket for the gallery, arrive earlier so you can get there calmly and store any bags if needed.
The refurbished Cloth Hall includes solutions that make access easier — there is an elevator to the first floor, and passages between rooms are free of steps, which significantly helps when moving with a stroller. The ground floor (arcades with stalls) has free access — you can push a stroller between booths and sit at a café table if you wish. Museum staff are usually happy to help when entering the museum area and can assist with using the lift or other facilities if needed.
In practice this means you can safely plan to enter most of the Cloth Hall spaces with a stroller, but — as always in historic places — the help of a companion or staff member can be useful, especially at doors or in narrow passages. If you plan to use the cloakroom or need to change the child, ask the staff to point out the most convenient place — the museum provides solutions for visitors requiring special assistance.
The Main Market Square is beautiful but paved — some stretches of pavement and parts of the square can be uneven. A light, well-sprung stroller (or a model with larger wheels) makes moving on cobblestones much easier. If you can choose between a stroller and a baby carrier/wrap, a carrier can be more convenient in very crowded moments or narrow passages.
Avoid the busiest hours — crowds make manoeuvring difficult, slow you down and tire the child. On hot days it’s better to go early in the morning or choose shaded spots — the Cloth Hall arcades and nearby cafés give a moment to rest. Remember that events and assemblies often take place on the Square — check the city calendar before leaving to avoid temporary closures or blocked areas.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art on the first floor of the Cloth Hall is a popular branch of the National Museum — entrance requires a ticket and the last visitors are admitted at a set time before closing. Buying tickets online, when the museum offers this option, is a good practice — it shortens waiting time and helps avoid queues.
There is an elevator and wide passages on the first floor, but if in doubt ask at the ticket desk about the most convenient route with a stroller — the museum staff know the best solutions for families with children. If you have a large stroller, consider taking only a small bag with essentials so you can move more freely through the exhibition rooms.
Around the Cloth Hall and on the Market Square you will find many cafés and restaurants — some are family-friendly and provide space for a stroller, a changing mat or high chairs. Choose local, well-rated places that have enough room and experience hosting guests with little children. If you plan a longer stop, call ahead to reserve a table and make sure there’s space for a stroller.
A handy tip — carry a small foldable changing mat and extra wet wipes. Even if a venue does not have a professional changing table, you can quickly and discreetly change the baby. If you need an accessible toilet, ask at the information point or at the museum desk for the nearest facilities adapted for visitors with reduced mobility.
Assuming you can get everywhere with a large stroller — in practice a lighter model or one you can quickly fold is more practical for narrow passages.
Not reserving anything on the spot — during the season cafés get crowded and exhibition rooms have limited space, which can ruin the plan. A simple reservation and buying tickets in advance solves most problems.
Not asking for help — museum and café staff are usually family-friendly and will gladly help bring in a stroller or point out the most convenient entrance.
The Cloth Hall is not only stalls and paintings — conservation work and renovations sometimes change traffic organisation on the square or within the building. In recent years there have been works related to historic elements, so before your visit check municipal notices to avoid temporary fencing or obstacles.
Also during special events (markets, concerts, city festivals) the Square can be partially closed or organised so that some stalls are moved. Check the city calendar and notices before you go.
Can I bring a stroller onto the Cloth Hall terrace? Many spaces in the Cloth Hall are accessible thanks to an elevator and the absence of thresholds, but whether you can access the terrace or some specific zones should be confirmed at the ticket desk or information point on site.
Is it free to walk through the stalls? Yes — walking the arcades and strolling between stalls is free. Exhibitions on the first floor and in the cellars are ticketed.
What if the stroller doesn’t fit? Ask staff for help or use a carrier — often the quickest solution in narrow passages.
If you liked this practical guide, share it with friends or on social media. If you want to explore Kraków comfortably, without stress and with a plan tailored to your family’s needs, I warmly recommend the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and booking information are available on the site.
Wishing you peaceful walks, delicious coffee and many smiles on the Market Square!
