The Cloth Hall on the Main Market Square has a long tradition of trade — from medieval stalls selling cloth, through Renaissance reconstructions, to the gallery and shopping-passage role it has today. On the upper floor you'll find the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (a branch of the National Museum), while for centuries the arcades and interiors have housed shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts and local products. This text will help you move through the Cloth Hall like a local: what to buy, where to look for the best-quality keepsake and how to avoid common tourist traps.
In the arcades and inside the Cloth Hall you'll encounter small souvenir shops, stalls with local produce, craft workshops and entrances to important cultural institutions. Upstairs there is a gallery with a collection of 19th-century Polish paintings, temporary exhibitions and a terrace/café with views over the Square. The Cloth Hall passage also contains the entrance to the Rynek Underground — worth adding to your itinerary if material history and archaeology interest you. Shops in the Cloth Hall sell everything from magnets, pins and postcards, through jewellery and amber, to ceramics, handicrafts and reproductions of artworks.
Amber — a classic choice when visiting Poland. Buy from reputable stalls or branded shops and ask for proof of authenticity for larger purchases.
Handicrafts and ceramics — painted plates, jewelry boxes, felted items or embroidered goods make pretty and original souvenirs. Look for items signed by the maker or with a shop address so you can make a complaint later if needed.
Prints and reproductions — a good cultural memento. If you want a reproduction of a famous painting, check the quality of the paper and the print.
Magnets, pins, mugs — practical, inexpensive gifts, but watch out for very poor workmanship; it’s better to buy a few nicer small items than a whole set of tacky goods.
Regional products (honey, sweets) — take a small sample in your suitcase and pay attention to packaging and use-by date; if items are sold by weight, ask to have samples packed hermetically.
Avoid buying expensive “antiques” without documentation or a clear provenance — the souvenir market is not an antiques museum and many items may be reproductions or modern objects made to look old.
The Cloth Hall hosts a range of stalls and small long-standing shops — some family-run businesses have been present on the Square for generations. Examples of names often found in local directories: Ziomek (stalls in the arcades, e.g. locations 12–13), Art-Kram (Cloth Hall 15), Wapex (company shop at Main Market Square 1/3), Stefańscy (souvenir stalls).
Practical tip: if you want to compare price and quality, walk past several stalls — next to each other you can often find similar assortments at very different prices and finishing standards. When buying amber or more expensive jewellery, ask for a receipt, the original packaging and a certificate of authenticity if available.
If you’re interested in original handcrafted work, look for stalls marked as “handicraft” or with the maker’s name — this increases the chance of finding an original piece rather than mass-produced items.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art is located on the upper floor of the Cloth Hall and is a branch of the National Museum in Krakow. The museum galleries have different opening hours than the shops in the arcades — check the museum ticket office for current hours before you go.
Typically in high season the museum is open Tuesday–Sunday with afternoon hours, and the ticket desk closes some time before the exhibition closes. Ticket prices vary: normal, reduced, family and group tickets, as well as combined tickets that include access to terraces or the café. If you plan to visit both the gallery and the Rynek Underground, allow time for both attractions — each usually takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours.
Crowds and pickpockets — the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall are among Krakow’s most visited spots; keep documents and money in zipped pockets or the interior of a bag and be cautious in crowded places.
Buying amber just because it looks nice — for larger purchases ask for a certificate, compare prices and quality across a few shops, and if you buy a set (e.g. earrings + pendant) check that all parts are made of the same material.
Not checking museum opening hours — many museums have closed days or shorter hours on Mondays. Book in advance if you want a guided group visit or to enter early in the day.
Buying without a receipt — if you plan to return an item, make a complaint or claim VAT refund (for non-EU residents), always request a receipt or invoice.
If you live outside the European Union and plan larger purchases, ask in the shop whether they offer a tax-free procedure. Not all small stalls in the Cloth Hall process VAT refunds, so check before you pay.
Keep your receipt/invoice and ask the shop for the document needed for VAT refund. The procedure usually requires showing documents at the airport when leaving the EU, so leave enough time for formalities before departure. If a seller does not offer tax-free, it does not necessarily mean prices are bad — it may be a small local point of sale that does not use refund systems.
Inside the Cloth Hall there is a historic café (this part of the Square once hosted elegant coffeehouses) — a good place for a short break and to enjoy the view of the Market. Nearby you’ll also find well-rated restaurants and cafés serving traditional Polish and international cuisine. If you want something special, look for places with good reviews and reserve a table for the evening — the Square gets crowded and the best spots fill up fast.
Tip: to combine shopping and dining, choose late morning or early afternoon — it’s usually less crowded than peak tourist hours.
An iron knife hangs in the Cloth Hall passage, linked to old Magdeburg law and local legend — a small detail tourists often miss but with its own story.
In the 19th century the Cloth Hall was transformed not only into a shopping arcade but also into a public gallery — the upper floor became one of the first public collections that eventually formed the basis of the National Museum in Krakow. This is why commerce and art history meet in one place.
Are the shops in the Cloth Hall open every day? - Most shops in the arcades are open daily, but hours can vary seasonally; galleries and museums have separate, often more limited opening hours and days off.
Can I pay by card? - Many stalls and shops accept card payments, but smaller points may prefer cash — it’s good to carry some cash for small purchases.
Is it better to buy souvenirs in the Cloth Hall or in smaller shops outside the Square? - The Cloth Hall is convenient and offers a wide selection, but off the Square you can often find original artist workshops, better prices and more handcrafted items.
Plan your time — if you want to visit the Gallery, the Rynek Underground and do relaxed shopping, reserve at least half a day.
Check the weather and wear suitable shoes — the Market is a large stone surface, more comfortable to walk in sturdy shoes.
If you want a gift or souvenir for a special occasion (anniversary, wedding), ask the seller about gift wrapping and issuing an invoice or receipt.
If this guide was helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends planning a trip to Krakow. If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall and its surroundings with expert commentary, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and the offer are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site. Wishing you successful shopping, many beautiful souvenirs and unforgettable walks around Krakow’s Market!
