The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) sits in the very heart of the Main Market Square and has one big advantage when it rains — its ground-floor arcades and the indoor market hall provide shelter, and on the first floor there’s a permanent branch of the National Museum where you can spend hours dry and comfortable. It’s an ideal place to avoid cancelling plans because of the weather: history, art and local trade are all practically under one roof.
Rain also gives you a chance to see the Cloth Hall differently: fewer people on the Square, a different quality of light and pretty reflections on the wet paving stones. Make the most of it — a calm walk under the arcades, a short coffee break and a museum visit can turn a grey day into a pleasant experience.
If you’re planning a museum day, the Cloth Hall lets you easily combine the first-floor exhibition with the Market Underground and sheltered walks, without long trips outdoors.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall is a traditional market: rows of stalls with souvenirs, handicrafts and leather goods. It’s a good place to browse local products, buy small gifts and look for pottery, jewelry or regional cosmetics.
Under the arcades it stays dry even during heavy rain, so it’s worth walking the full perimeter of the building to study the façade details, grotesques and niches. Keep in mind that some stalls focus on mass-market souvenirs while others offer carefully made handicrafts; if you care about quality, look for stalls with the maker’s signature or craft certificates.
On the ground floor you’ll also find the historic Noworolski Café — a place with long tradition where you can have a coffee without stepping out into the rain. It’s a convenient option for a pause between browsing stalls and entering the gallery.
The first floor of the Cloth Hall houses a branch of the National Museum with a collection of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture. High-ceilinged rooms, organized displays and informative labels make it possible to spend a very satisfying rainy day discovering important works and the artistic stories of Poland.
The gallery is usually open Tuesday–Sunday with set hours — check them before you go because the museum is sometimes closed on Mondays or for special events. On certain days there is free admission to the permanent exhibitions — a great opportunity, but remember it can bring larger crowds.
Visiting the gallery pairs well with a trip to the Cloth Hall terrace (when accessible) — views of the Market from the gallery windows offer an interesting city perspective, and benches and café seats on the first floor are a comfortable place for a short rest.
Beneath the Cloth Hall you’ll find the Market Underground — an archaeological museum space that reveals layers of medieval Krakow. It’s an excellent place for a rainy day: the exhibition is fully indoors and offers interactive displays, models and reconstructions of the old market.
The entrance to the Underground is usually close to the Cloth Hall — the visit helps you understand the city’s urban development and see fragments of historic routes hidden beneath the paving stones. Allow about an hour for the visit; in rain it’s a perfect way to stay away from puddles and wind.
Morning: arrive early at the Market, walk under the Cloth Hall arcades and pop into a few stalls — this is the best time to avoid crowds. If you like, start with a coffee at Noworolski or another nearby café.
Late morning: head up to the first-floor Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — spend 1.5–2 hours in the main rooms. On a rainy day this is the heart of the programme.
Afternoon: visit the Market Underground — the interactive exhibition complements your knowledge of the place and is a great alternative when it’s pouring. In the evening you can reserve a table at one of the well-rated restaurants by the Market to finish the day with local cuisine.
If you need a quick shelter from the rain and a good coffee, check the historic Noworolski Café on the Cloth Hall’s ground floor — it’s a convenient and atmospheric option without stepping outside.
For dinner or a longer break consider the restaurants and cafés around the Market with strong reputations — places such as Wierzynek offer a unique atmosphere and traditional cuisine; remember to reserve during the high season. If you prefer a more casual coffee, look for small cafés on the adjoining streets that often have cozy interiors and good service.
If you want something more local than the typical Market restaurants, take a short walk down the side streets of the Old Town or toward Kazimierz — there you’ll find cafés and bars with higher ratings and a broader selection of local flavors.
Before you enter the gallery, check current opening hours and admission rules — exhibitions have set days and times, and Monday is often a day off. Also remember that Tuesday can be a free-admission day for permanent exhibitions, which attracts more visitors.
Buy tickets online where possible — you’ll save time and avoid standing in a queue on a rainy day. If you plan to visit several museums, ask about combined tickets or special family offers.
If you plan to visit with limited mobility, the Cloth Hall provides access to the first floor via a museum lift — it’s worth consulting museum staff about special needs in advance.
Thinking the Cloth Hall is only souvenir stalls — you’ll miss the great 19th-century art collection and the Market Underground. Reserve time for the museum, not just quick shopping.
Arriving at peak times without reservations — if you want to see the gallery on a popular date or on a free-admission Tuesday, be prepared for longer queues. It’s best to arrive just after opening or to buy your ticket in advance.
Buying souvenirs from the first stall you see without comparing options — prices can vary significantly, so it’s worth looking around a few stands before deciding.
On the façade and in the Cloth Hall passageways you can spot details that tell stories of trade and punishment — one well-known curiosity is an iron hanging knife connected to old regulations and legends about punishing thieves.
The Cloth Hall has functioned as a trading centre since the Middle Ages, and in the 19th century the upper hall was adapted into a museum that still displays an important slice of Polish 19th-century art.
Archaeological layers of the old market were discovered beneath the Cloth Hall — the Market Underground tells an excellent story of how the city developed across the centuries.
Are the Cloth Hall attractions open in the rain? Yes — the ground floor and most museum attractions are under cover, making the Cloth Hall a very good option in bad weather.
Is it worth going to the gallery on the first floor? Definitely — if you’re interested in 19th-century Polish art, allow at least an hour, and more if you enjoy painting and sculpture.
Are Tuesdays free? In many cases the museum opens permanent exhibitions free on designated days — this happens from time to time, but it also means larger crowds, so plan accordingly.
Bring a lightweight poncho or a compact umbrella, comfortable shoes (the paving stones are slippery after rain) and a cover for your backpack if you carry paper items. An offline map or a museum app can help when mobile networks are congested.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan their visit to Krakow in poor weather.
If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall with a guide or plan a personalized route around Krakow, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I’ll gladly help you plan a dry, stress-free and content-rich day in the city.
