The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is more than an ornament of the Main Market Square — it is a place with many layers of history: from a medieval cloth market, through Renaissance rebuilding, to its representative role as a cultural venue. Since the 13th century it has been a trade centre, and in the 19th century the first permanent branch of the National Museum in Krakow was established on the upper floor, making the Cloth Hall an important symbol of Polish culture and art.
Today the upper rooms house the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art, one of the most important collections of Polish painting and sculpture. On the ground floor you can still feel the bustle of a market — stalls with souvenirs and local crafts — and the visit is complemented by a terrace and a café where you can rest while overlooking the heart of the city. This mix of architecture, history, art and daily life gives a multi-layered experience when visiting the Cloth Hall.
If you want to understand the wider context — why Krakow grew into an important commercial and artistic centre — it’s worth visiting the Cloth Hall with a guide. Stories about fires, reconstructions, museum collections and local legends come alive and gain meaning with a knowledgeable narrator.
On the first floor is the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art — an exhibition arranged across several themed rooms presenting, among others, painting from the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and early Symbolism. You’ll find works by famous artists such as Jan Matejko, Józef Chełmoński, Piotr Michałowski and Henryk Siemiradzki.
On the ground floor there are traditional stalls with souvenirs, handicrafts and local products. Don’t miss the historic Noworolski café inside the Cloth Hall — a long‑standing spot where you can rest without leaving the building.
Be sure to visit the viewing terrace — in season it’s a lovely place to look out over the Main Market Square from a different perspective. Underneath the Cloth Hall there is also the entrance to the Market Underground, where archaeological layers of the city tell the story of earlier settlements and urban transformations.
A guided tour adds real value for visitors who want context about the works, the building’s fate and the anecdotes and legends connected to the Main Market Square. A guide weaves architectural, historical and artistic information into a compelling narrative and points out connections between nearby sites.
Official guided tours of the National Museum’s displays (the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art in the Cloth Hall) can be booked through the museum — they organise group entries and guided tours in Polish and foreign languages, including English. That way you can be sure the person leading the tour knows the collection and museum rules.
If you prefer a route tailored to your interests (for example, only painting, the market’s history, architecture or personal stories connected to the place), consider booking a private tour — the guide can adapt the pace and scope, take questions and suggest additional places to visit afterwards.
The Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art operates as a branch of the National Museum in Krakow and has set opening hours; the museum also offers guided tours for groups and individual visitors. Check current hours and booking rules on the museum website before your visit.
The museum provides visitor aids such as audio guides and informational materials in foreign languages. Tuesdays are often the day of free entry to permanent exhibitions, but museums sometimes change days and conditions for free admission, so confirm details before travelling.
When you reserve a tour through the museum, you can expect guides trained to work with collection materials and museum conservation rules. This is a safe choice, especially for school groups, corporate visits or anyone wanting to benefit from curatorial knowledge.
If you want a more intimate experience — with stories, anecdotes and practical tips adapted to your group — Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private guided tours of the Cloth Hall and combined routes (for example Wawel + Market). Tours can be given in Polish or English depending on the group’s needs.
Booking a private tour lets you choose start and end points, pace, focus on particular exhibits and extra elements such as a coffee break or access to the terrace. Contact and booking details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — it’s best to write or call to confirm availability and request a personalised quote.
A private tour with Małgorzata works especially well for small groups of family or friends, visitors on a tight schedule, or those who want an English‑language tour with emphasis on art history and local context.
Before you come, check current opening hours and any restrictions, such as days the museum is closed or conservation work in selected rooms. In summer the Cloth Hall can be very busy — we recommend arriving early in the morning or booking a tour outside peak hours.
If you only have time for a short walk around the Market: go up to the Cloth Hall terrace, visit the ground floor craft stalls and consider a brief gallery visit (even 45–60 minutes gives a good overview of the most important works). If you’re interested in 19th‑century art, plan at least 1.5–2 hours.
Wear comfortable shoes — part of the visit involves walking on the cobbles of the Market Square, and inside the museum you’ll be moving between exhibition rooms. Check the rules for photography — amateur photography without extra lighting is usually allowed in many museums, but not always. When in doubt, ask staff or your guide.
The Cloth Hall houses its own café — Noworolski — inside the building, so you can rest without leaving the Market. Around the square you’ll also find highly regarded places: Szara (and Szara Gęś) for seasonal and regional dishes, the historic Wierzynek for a traditional dining experience, and cosy cafés such as Cafe Camelot or Massolit nearby.
If you prefer local and well‑reviewed spots, check reviews and reserve a table at weekends — the best places often fill up. A short break on the Cloth Hall terrace with a view of the Market is a pleasant way to finish your visit.
Keep in mind that prices in eateries located directly on the Market Square tend to be higher; if you’re looking for more intimate or budget‑friendly options, a few minutes’ walk into the side streets often leads to excellent alternatives.
Assuming the Cloth Hall is only a souvenir market — remember there’s an important art gallery on the first floor. Passing by the ground‑floor stalls without going upstairs means missing a key part of the city’s history and collection.
Not checking museum opening hours before arriving — many museums have closure days or different hours in certain seasons. Arriving late on a day with limited access may mean you can’t enter.
Entering the gallery without a plan — if your time is limited, tell your guide or ask at the ticket desk which rooms are most important. That way you’ll see the highlights even with restricted time.
During one of the major modernisations of the Cloth Hall (the restoration known as the “New Cloth Hall”), large works were moved to storage and temporary exhibition spaces while extensive structural and systems work was carried out — it was one of the larger conservation investments in Europe at the time.
For centuries the Cloth Hall was a place of international trade — not only textiles but goods from distant regions, like spices and silks, making Krakow an important commercial hub on medieval Europe’s map.
Beneath the Market Square lie layers of earlier settlements — that’s the idea behind the underground routes that display archaeological discoveries and complement the story of the city’s development over the centuries.
How much time should I allow for a visit? — To see the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art calmly, plan at least 1–1.5 hours; with a guided tour, 45–90 minutes is usually enough to cover the main highlights.
Do I need a reservation to enter? — Generally you can buy a ticket at the desk, but for groups and organised guided tours it’s best to reserve in advance through the National Museum or your tour organiser.
Are there guided tours in English? — Yes, the museum and official organisers offer tours in English; availability depends on dates, so book ahead to secure your spot.
The Cloth Hall rewards visitors who see it in the context of the Old Town: combine your visit with a short walk around the Market, a visit to St. Mary’s Basilica or a trip to Wawel, and a guide’s narration will make the details and connections between places clear.
If you want to go beyond a surface visit, consider booking a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — tours can be tailored to your interests and language (Polish or English). Booking details and contact information are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. If you found this guide helpful, share it with friends planning a trip to Krakow. Enjoy your visit!
