The Cloth Hall is more than a row of souvenir stalls in the middle of the Main Market Square — it is a living history of trade and architecture, a place that for centuries has been at the centre of city life and today combines tradition with a museum function. On the upper floor you’ll find the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art of the National Museum, where paintings, sculptures and period interiors show the changes in Polish art of that era.
A walk through the Cloth Hall is a good opportunity to notice architectural details: the attic with mascarons, renaissance and later alterations, and the layers of history that explain why this building is so recognizable. On the ground floor there is a market hall with stalls — the atmosphere of this part of the Market Square is distinctive and freely accessible, so many people combine quick shopping with a visit to the upstairs gallery.
The Cloth Hall is also a great orientation point in the city centre — on leaving it you can easily reach neighbouring attractions, restaurants and cafés.
Entrance to the ground floor of the Cloth Hall — the market hall and most trade stalls — is open to everyone and free. This includes walking through the market hall and shopping at stalls that are open.
Admission to the upper museum galleries (the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art and other permanent exhibitions of the National Museum housed in the Cloth Hall) requires tickets. There are several ticket categories: full-price, reduced, family and special rates for young visitors. Remember that discounts usually require showing a document confirming entitlement (for example a student card or an identity document for youth aged 7–26).
Museums may also offer additional paid services such as renting an audio guide, joining a guided tour led by a museum guide employed by the institution, or purchases in the museum shop.
Permanent exhibitions in the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art in the Cloth Hall follow a price list with a few main items: full ticket, reduced ticket, family ticket and a symbolic fee for youth in a defined age range. Ticket prices for the Cloth Hall’s main gallery are usually noticeably higher than for smaller branches of the National Museum, which reflects the nature of the collections and the location.
Typical fees often used are: full ticket for the Cloth Hall gallery, reduced ticket, family ticket covering up to 4 people (with a requirement that at least one child be under a specified age), and for youth aged roughly 7–26 a very low symbolic fee. The exact categories and discount amounts can change, so it’s worth checking before your visit as seasonal promotions or price updates may occur.
Remember that to use discounts you must carry a document confirming your entitlement (student or pupil card, identity document). Family tickets have limits on the number of people and children’s ages — check the ticket office regulations.
The Cloth Hall (a branch of the National Museum in Krakow) is usually open Tuesday to Sunday during morning and afternoon hours; the museum is often closed on Mondays. Last visitors are typically admitted about 20 minutes before closing, and the ticket office and museum shop generally stay open until the branch closes — keep that in mind when planning quick visits.
If you are organizing a group or planning a guided visit it’s recommended to contact the museum in advance, because group reservations may be subject to different hours and entry rules. For questions about reservations, exhibition availability or accessibility, call or write to the Cloth Hall branch (the ticket office and the museum switchboard provide phone numbers and an e‑mail address).
When planning, also check for possible changes to opening hours on holidays or during special events — museums sometimes modify opening times because of temporary exhibitions, renovations or official ceremonies.
State museums and cultural institutions often set regular free admission days for permanent displays. For the National Museum in Krakow, one regularly scheduled free day for permanent exhibitions is Tuesday. This is a great opportunity to see the collection and save on tickets, but be prepared for higher visitor numbers and possible queues at the ticket desk.
If you plan to visit the Cloth Hall on a free‑entry day, arrive as early as possible and consider starting with the less visited rooms, leaving the busiest galleries for later. Keep in mind that on free days online reservation of tickets is often not available — entry passes are usually issued on site and can run out quickly.
Another way to save is to use a family ticket or youth discounts (if you qualify). Sometimes museums offer season passes or special promotions — check current announcements on the museum’s website before your trip.
Check opening hours on the day of your visit — even regular schedules can change because of temporary exhibitions or events. Bring a document proving age or status (student or pupil card) if you plan to use discounts.
Wear comfortable shoes — the Cloth Hall and nearby streets are cobbled, and visiting the gallery may take longer than you expect. If you plan to shop, leave some space in your bag for souvenirs; also keep in mind baggage restrictions — large bags may need to be left in a cloakroom in bigger museum facilities.
To enjoy a quieter visit, come just after the museum opens or in the late afternoon outside free‑entry days. If you want to take photos, check the photography rules — in many museums non‑flash photography for private use is allowed, but temporary exhibitions may have additional restrictions.
The Main Market Square and its surroundings offer many good places to eat for different budgets. If you’re looking for an exceptional meal in a historic setting, Wierzynek is a classic — elegant interiors and a menu based on tradition, although prices can be higher. Szara Gęś (Szara Gęś Le Privé) is another highly rated option in the heart of the Square with a more modern culinary approach.
For coffee and light bites try atmospheric cafés around the Old Town — several well‑known cafés praised for their ambience and local pastries are nearby. If you prefer less touristy places, walk a few streets away and look for spots recommended by locals, where you’ll often find good lunches and homestyle cooking.
Reserve tables for evening hours, especially on weekends and holidays — the best places can be booked well in advance.
Assuming that everything in the Cloth Hall is paid. The ground floor with the market stalls is free — a ticket is needed for the upper galleries. Check exactly what an offered entry covers so you don’t overpay.
Arriving without checking opening hours. Museums can be closed on Mondays or have altered hours on holidays, so check details shortly before you go.
Buying tickets through unknown resellers at inflated prices. The safest option is to buy tickets via the museum’s official channels or on site — avoid offers from unreliable third‑party sites.
Is there one ticket that covers all National Museum exhibitions? - Generally tickets apply to a specific branch or exhibition. Check whether a ticket covers only the Cloth Hall or also other museum branches.
When is the free day? - State museums may have a regular free admission day; when planning a visit check current practices. One common arrangement is that Tuesday is the free day for the National Museum’s permanent exhibitions.
Do young people always pay a symbolic 1 PLN? - In many branches of the National Museum youth aged roughly 7–26 pay a very small fee after showing an ID or student card; rules may vary so bring identification.
Can I take photos in the gallery? - Photography rules depend on the exhibition regulations; in most cases non‑flash photos for private use are allowed, but some temporary exhibitions may impose restrictions.
The Cloth Hall conceals layers of history beneath the Market Square surface — archaeological excavations have uncovered fragments of earlier buildings and streets under the square, which helps explain the site’s long role as a centre of trade and urban life.
Remember that some exhibitions and initiatives in the Cloth Hall are prepared by museum staff and guides employed by the institution — if you want deeper context about the exhibits, ask at the ticket office about official guided tours led by a museum guide. It’s a reliable way to learn about the collection with curatorial background and research‑based explanations.
A small logistical tip: the ticket office and museum shop operate until the branch closes, which makes buying souvenirs easier even if your visit is short.
If you plan to see the Cloth Hall and visit other Old Town highlights on the same day, schedule the morning for a relaxed gallery visit and use the afternoon for a Market Square walk and a coffee or lunch break. Expect higher crowds and possible entry queues on free‑admission days.
If you’d like to explore with a guide, arrange a customised itinerary or need help planning a route around Krakow — please contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Full contact details are available on the guide’s website; a private guided visit can reveal curiosities you won’t find in standard descriptions.
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