Did you know the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is not only the souvenir stalls on the ground floor, but also an important museum and the gateway to the underground world of medieval Kraków? This famous building catches your eye from every corner of the Main Market Square, but its “interior” contains several levels of attractions worth knowing about before you step inside. This is especially useful if you want to see more than just souvenir stalls.
Today the Cloth Hall serves several functions: a historic market hall, home to the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (a branch of the National Museum in Kraków), and the entrance to the Underground Market exhibition. Each of these elements has its own visiting rules and often separate tickets.
Before you go through the arcade: three quick reminders — the museum on the upper floor is usually open Tuesday–Sunday (museums often closed on Mondays), Tuesday sometimes offers free admission to permanent exhibitions, and the underground is a separate exhibition with a different ticket and route.
The Cloth Hall began as a trading hall in the 13th century — its name comes from the trade in cloth. Over the centuries the building changed appearance: Gothic origins, Renaissance rebuilding after a fire, and a major 19th-century renovation that gave it many of today’s decorative and representative features.
In 1879 the upper part of the Cloth Hall became the first seat of the National Museum in Kraków — today that space houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art. At the end of the 20th and start of the 21st century, the Cloth Hall gained a new function as the entrance to a modern archaeological and historical exhibition — the Underground Market, opened to the public in 2010.
If you like architectural details, look for the attica with mascarons and the arcaded loggia — these are features often connected with the building’s most important transformations.
Ground floor (arcades and stalls) – the most accessible part of the Cloth Hall: stalls with handicrafts, jewelry, wooden products and souvenirs. Walking the ground floor is free and is often mistakenly taken by tourists as “the whole Cloth Hall”.
Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (first floor) – the National Museum’s permanent exhibition with works from the Enlightenment up to early Symbolism; four main thematic rooms present Polish romanticism, realism and impressionism among other movements.
Underground Market – an interactive museum beneath the Main Market Square with reconstructions of medieval buildings, archaeological finds and multimedia presentations. The entrance to the underground is located within the Cloth Hall, but the route leads under the whole Market Square and is a separate attraction.
Terraces and cafés – the Cloth Hall includes the historic Noworolski café in the arcades and a seasonal terrace/café with views over the Square. Access to the terrace is sometimes linked to a separate ticket or fee, especially during high season.
The gallery upstairs is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday, with morning and afternoon hours; Mondays are most often closed for permanent exhibitions. Tuesday can be a free admission day for permanent National Museum exhibitions — it’s worth checking when planning your visit.
Tickets: walking the ground floor with the stalls is free. Admission tickets are required for the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art and for the Underground Market (often sold separately). Prices change with season and promotions, so it pays to check current prices online or buy tickets in advance.
Accessibility: the National Museum at the Cloth Hall offers solutions for visitors with disabilities (lift, accessible toilets), but some historic spaces and parts of the underground may have mobility limitations. If you need detailed information, contact the museum staff before your visit.
Useful tips: ticket desks usually close about 30 minutes before the end of visiting hours; an audio guide may be available for an extra fee; group tours frequently require advance booking.
Assuming that entering the Cloth Hall means admission to the upstairs museum – the ground floor is free, but the upstairs exhibitions and the underground require tickets and have separate opening hours.
Arriving at peak times without booking — in season (spring–summer, holidays) queues at ticket desks and terraces can be long; it’s best to come early or buy tickets online if possible.
Not checking closing days – remember many museum branches in Kraków are closed on Mondays; plan your route so you don’t arrive at a closed door.
Treating the Cloth Hall only as a “souvenir market” – if you’re interested in art or archaeology, reserve another hour or two for the upstairs gallery and the underground exhibition.
The best time for photos and a quiet visit is early mid-morning on weekdays or late afternoon — the light on the Square can be very flattering and crowds are smaller.
If you want to avoid lines at the terrace with a view, check whether entry is limited to timed tickets — sometimes it’s worth reserving a slot.
When buying souvenirs compare prices — similar handicrafts can vary a lot between stalls. If you plan to buy something more expensive (for example, handmade jewelry), ask the seller about the origin and return policy.
Cameras and tripods: museum photography rules apply; in some rooms photos may be prohibited or allowed only without flash. Ask at the ticket desk if you plan to take many photos.
If you need a quick coffee in historic surroundings, Café Noworolski in the Cloth Hall arcades is a classic — good coffee and the atmosphere of old Kraków.
For a full meal consider well-known places around the Square: Wierzynek (historic and elegant), Szara Gęś (modern Polish cuisine) and several cafés and patisseries along the Market. It’s a good idea to reserve evening tables, especially on weekends.
If you’re looking for accommodation nearby, pick properties with good reviews — the centre is convenient but evenings can be noisy, so check whether a hotel or apartment offers good soundproofing.
Many guides skip the fact that for centuries the Cloth Hall was a trading place not only for local cloth but also for goods from afar — spices, silks and salt from Wieliczka were sold here.
On the Cloth Hall’s attica you’ll find numerous mascaron sculptures — small details that delight architecture lovers.
Cultural events and local celebrations around the Cloth Hall have been held for years — sometimes on those days certain areas become free or include extra attractions.
Can I enter the Cloth Hall for free? - Yes: walking the ground floor with the stalls is free. Museum exhibitions upstairs and underground require tickets.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - In high season I recommend booking earlier or coming during less busy hours. Organized groups often have booking rules starting from 10:00.
Are there toilets and a lift in the Cloth Hall? - Yes, the building has facilities including accessible toilets and a lift; if you need special assistance, contact the museum staff.
How much time do I need to visit? - Ground floor is 15–30 minutes of browsing, the upstairs gallery 45–90 minutes, and the Underground Market 60–90 minutes; to see everything without rushing, allow 2–3 hours.
Watch out for pickpockets in crowded parts of the Square — keep your bag or jacket close and don’t leave belongings unattended.
In museums please observe quiet and respect for exhibits — do not touch labeled objects and follow staff instructions.
If you want to use a flash or a tripod, ask about the rules; in many rooms flash and tripods are prohibited.
The Cloth Hall combines trade, art and history — treat it as a starting point for deeper exploration of Kraków, not just a stop for souvenirs. Planning your visit with opening hours, tickets and the best time of day in mind will help you enjoy the place in peace and get more from the experience.
If you’re planning a visit to Kraków and would like to make the most of your time at the Cloth Hall (and combine it with Wawel, the Underground Market, museums, restaurant or accommodation reservations), you’re invited to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata can help plan your route, reserve tickets and tables, arrange transport logistics and guide you through museums and Kraków’s most interesting places.
If you found this guide helpful — share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can arrive better prepared for a Cloth Hall visit.
