I hear this question a lot from visitors to the Main Market Square. Short answer: both solutions make sense, but the best result is a hybrid — a small paper plan plus your phone for tickets, the audio guide and maps.
The phone is great for booking tickets online, checking current opening hours, using the museum audio guide and navigating the area. Still, bring a powerbank and offline copies of important information (screenshots of tickets, offline maps), because crowds and weak signals can sometimes get in the way.
A paper plan gives independence from battery life and quick orientation — a simple scheme of the suggested order of visits, a reminder of closing times or museum rules (for example, the need to leave large backpacks at the cloakroom) saves time and reduces stress. A small A4 card with hours, ticket prices and a mini map is a great investment for visitors who value calm.
My recommendation: print or write a short checklist and map, but keep your tickets, audio guide and the museum contact in your phone — that way you gain flexibility and peace of mind.
The Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art in the Cloth Hall usually operates Tuesday–Sunday; Mondays are often a day when the exhibition is closed. Check opening days before you go, because some museum branches have different closed days.
Entrance to the ground floor of the Cloth Hall, where the market stalls and cafés are located, is open to everyone and free; tickets are required for the gallery on the first floor. Tuesdays are often free‑entry days for permanent exhibitions — a great budget option, but also a reason for larger crowds.
Approximate ticket prices (as of 2025): full ticket about 35 PLN, reduced about 25 PLN, family ticket about 70 PLN, and special youth rates (ages 7–26) are sometimes symbolic (for example 1 PLN). Prices and rules may change, so check them before your visit.
The museum offers audio guides in several languages and guided tours; renting an audio guide is convenient if you prefer to go at your own pace, while guided tours are worth booking in advance (the museum has a set fee for guided visits).
Install a payment / e‑ticket app in advance or use the museum website to buy entry tickets — buying online saves time and minimizes queues, especially during the tourist season.
Download the audio guide or the museum app before entering and check available languages. If you don’t want to rent the museum’s audio guide, you can keep short notes or recordings with key information about the works.
Take screenshots of tickets and reservation confirmations — this protects you in case of internet problems or a dead battery. Store them in a dedicated folder for quick access.
Bring a powerbank — it’s a classic for a reason. Especially if you plan to use maps, your camera and an audio guide all day.
Turn on data‑saving mode or download an offline map (for example in Google Maps) — the Main Market Square can be crowded and mobile reception may be unstable.
Quick orientation without switching on your phone — a small plan with the order of places, opening hours and suggested visit times helps avoid nervously jumping between exhibits.
No battery or signal problems — a paper plan always works, even if your phone dies.
Easy to share with companions or leave at a meeting point as a quick cheat sheet. You can add handwritten notes that make it easier to remember favorite exhibits.
Start: arrive at the Market Square just after the gallery opens — mornings are usually the quietest time. Check in advance whether a given exhibition has assigned entrance times.
1. Market Hall (ground floor) — a short walk among stalls, souvenirs, and a coffee at Café Noworolski for a quick pick‑me‑up. Don’t plan to spend too long here if you also want to see the gallery.
2. Entrance to the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art (first floor) — allow 60–90 minutes, choosing the most important rooms. If you’re short on time, pick 2–3 rooms instead of trying to rush through the whole gallery.
3. Cloth Hall terrace — if the weather is good and the terrace is open, step out for a moment for views of the Market and St. Mary’s Basilica. Access to the terrace is often included in the gallery ticket price.
4. Next steps: the Rynek Underground or a walk to Wawel — plan these as the next stage of your day, especially if you have timed tickets for Wawel sites.
Not checking opening hours — remember many museum branches are closed on Mondays. Verify the hours before you leave.
Coming on Tuesday hoping for empty rooms — Tuesday can be a free‑entry day for permanent exhibitions and galleries are often crowded. If you value quiet, choose another weekday and an early morning slot.
Failing to reserve timed‑entry exhibitions — some shows require entry at a set time; not reserving may mean long waits or no access.
Ignoring the cloakroom — large backpacks and suitcases often need to be left in the cloakroom; plan to visit without them for comfort and to follow museum rules.
Relying only on your phone without offline copies — take screenshots of tickets, maps and important information.
Café Noworolski – a classic located in the Cloth Hall, often chosen by visitors for a coffee and a short rest.
Wierzynek Restaurant – a historic and highly regarded option for a more formal meal. Booking a table is advisable, especially in the evening.
Szara (Szara Gęś) – a popular place at the Market Square serving Polish cuisine with good reviews; book a table at weekends.
If you prefer something quicker and more intimate, try the small cafés and bistros in the side streets around the Market — they usually have shorter waits and a cozier atmosphere.
The Cloth Hall has a long trading tradition — cloth was traded here already in the Middle Ages, which is where the name comes from. Walking the first floor feels like entering a gallery of 19th‑century Polish painting.
Tuesdays sometimes bring free entry to permanent exhibitions — a great budget opportunity, but be ready for crowds. If you want to avoid queues and noise, choose a weekday other than Tuesday and aim for morning hours.
The museum often provides audio guides in several languages and guided tours with an official museum guide — a good option if you want deeper context about the collections.
Do I have to buy a ticket in advance? - If you’re coming in the tourist season or on a weekend, I recommend buying online; it reduces queue time and the risk of no available places.
Is the ground floor of the Cloth Hall paid? - No, the market hall on the ground floor is open and free; tickets apply to the gallery on the upper floor.
Are there audio guides? - Yes, the museum usually offers audio guides in multiple languages; they are a good option for independent visitors.
Is the terrace included in the ticket? - Many sources indicate the terrace is often included in the gallery ticket price, but check on the day of your visit as rules can change.
Are there discounts for youth? - Yes, the museum has special youth rates (for example a symbolic fee for those aged 7–26), but verify current rules before purchase.
When planning your visit to the Cloth Hall, think of the day’s rhythm: morning for the gallery, a light lunch by the Market and further explorations (Rynek Underground, Wawel) in the afternoon. This plan reduces rushing and lets you really feel the place.
If you’d like to tour with a local guide and need a guide on site, you are welcome to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and her offer are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. She will gladly help plan a route tailored to your interests and pace.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — help others plan a stress‑free and stylish visit to the Cloth Hall.
