The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is one of Kraków’s most recognisable places: a historic market hall standing in the middle of the Main Market Square, rich in history and architectural detail. A walk around the building already brings strong impressions — Gothic arcades, Renaissance attics and a view of St. Mary’s Basilica are attractions available to everyone without spending a zloty. For that reason the Cloth Hall is an excellent first introduction to the city, also when you want to keep costs low. In this article I’ll suggest what to see for free, when it’s worth buying a ticket, and how to save as much as possible without giving up the experience.
We’ll start with the simplest rule: the most beautiful things are often visible for free from the square in front of the Cloth Hall. If you are interested in the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art located on the upper floor, it’s worth learning about available discounts and days when admission is cheaper or free. I’ll also suggest how to combine your visit with inexpensive food, a short coffee break with history, and buying a reasonable souvenir.
A walk around the Main Market Square and viewing the Cloth Hall from the outside is classic and free. Take time to notice façade details, photograph the arcades and turn your gaze to the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica to see the contrast between two Kraków icons.
On the ground floor of the Cloth Hall there is a market hall with stalls offering souvenirs, handicrafts and jewellery. Wandering between the booths you can feel the atmosphere, look at traditional products and chat with sellers without needing to buy anything. For many travellers that is a perfectly satisfying Cloth Hall experience.
The external view pairs well with a free walk around the nearby area: the Planty, Grodzka Street toward Wawel and a short stroll past the Adam Mickiewicz monument are lovely and cost-free extensions of your visit. In the evening the Square is particularly picturesque — the illuminated Cloth Hall and the famous panorama are a great option for budget sightseeing.
On the upper floor of the Cloth Hall there is a branch of the National Museum with a collection of 19th‑century Polish painting. Admission to the exhibition is paid, but the museum offers several ways to save — it’s useful to know them when planning your visit.
The most important practical tip for budget visitors: the National Museum regularly offers days and concessions that significantly reduce the cost of admission. Many people use discounts for young people and students, and in some age categories admission may be a symbolic amount. Always carry a document that entitles you to a discount (for example a student ID).
When buying a ticket, check the option to purchase online. A ticket bought through the museum’s website often lets you avoid queues and saves time — and time is part of your budget (less stress, more places visited the same day).
The Cloth Hall has a viewing terrace available to gallery visitors and the terrace is usually included in the museum ticket. If a panorama of the Square from above is a priority, ask at the ticket desk or check the museum website whether the terrace is open and if access is included with the exhibition ticket.
The museum also offers audio guides (in several languages) and guided tours. An audio guide is often an affordable way to make the visit more engaging, and group tours can be economical if you travel with family or a small group of friends. Official tours conducted by museum staff are a reliable option if you want contextual information without searching for an external guide. Plan your budget taking these extras into account.
Museum price lists can change, so always check current information shortly before you go. In practice, however, there are some steady rules that allow savings: discounts for young people and students, family tickets and days with free admission.
If you travel with young people or students, keep documents confirming entitlement to concessions. In some institutions young people within certain age ranges can enter for a symbolic fee or even 1 PLN — this is an important bonus for travelling youth and families.
If you plan to visit several museums, check whether there are passes or city museum cards — sometimes buying one pass is cheaper than several single tickets. On the other hand, for a short stay it can be better to choose only the most important exhibitions so you don’t overspend.
The busiest time around the Cloth Hall is late morning and afternoon. If you want to avoid crowds and calmly look at the stalls, choose early morning just after shops and restaurants open, or late afternoon when some tour groups have already left.
If you plan to enter the museum gallery, consider visiting on Tuesday — that is a day when many museums apply special admission rules. Tuesday mornings usually offer less crowding in exhibitions than weekends.
Also remember the season: summer is the peak tourist season, spring and autumn weekends can be busy, while winter gives the Square a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. For budget travellers, off‑season is a good choice — accommodation prices are lower and the visiting experience is more relaxed.
The Main Market Square is full of venues at a wide range of prices. If you want atmosphere and history, Café Noworolski in the Cloth Hall is a classic — beautiful interior and tradition. Keep in mind, though, that such places can be more expensive. On a limited budget it’s better to walk a short distance off the main square, where prices for coffee and meals can be noticeably lower.
For a quick and economical meal, consider local street food and traditional 'milk bars' (bar mleczny). In Kraków milk bars and small bistros offer homestyle dishes at reasonable prices — a great way to taste Polish cuisine without spending much. Bringing a bottle of water and some snacks in your backpack is also a good idea during intensive sightseeing.
If you want something sweet or a good coffee without overpaying, cafés on the side streets around the Square and nearby bakeries often serve high quality at friendlier prices than the main tourist strip. Choose places recommended by locals — that’s often a guarantee of fair price and tasty food.
Stalls in the Cloth Hall offer many types of souvenirs: from magnets and postcards to handicrafts and amber jewellery. If you want to take something special home, choose verified materials and ask for a receipt. Make sure amber is authentic — reputable shops will gladly show certificates and explain origin.
Some souvenirs (for example handmade items) are worth comparing for price and quality. Sometimes moving a purchase a few streets away from the main tourist zone is enough to pay much less for a similar product. Haggling in fixed shops is not always appropriate, but at artisan stalls you can politely try to negotiate — it depends on the stall and the owner.
Avoid buying expensive electronics, branded goods or perfumes from street sellers. With a limited budget it’s better to choose local products that have character and will remind you of the place.
In the Cloth Hall, as in any museum, a few simple rules apply: respect exhibits, don’t touch where prohibited, and follow staff instructions. In many museums amateur photography is allowed but without additional lighting or tripods — check at the ticket desk.
If you want to join an official museum tour led by staff, book in advance, especially in season. tours organised by the museum ensure reliable commentary and are a good alternative to searching for external guides.
Watch out for queues at entrances and in corridors — leave extra time for the ticket desk, cloakroom and restroom. It’s useful to carry small change (bills and coins) because not all small stalls accept cards.
Believing that the entire Cloth Hall is paid. This is a common misunderstanding: the ground floor hall and stalls are publicly accessible, while access to the exhibitions on the upper floor is paid. Before you buy a ticket, decide whether you want to see the exhibition or whether a walk and the market atmosphere are enough.
Buying souvenirs in a hurry at the first stall. Compare several points, check quality and ask for a receipt. It’s also worth asking the artisans directly about handmade items — then you are sure of authenticity.
Not using discounts and free‑entry days. Many visitors don’t know about available concessions or free days and overpay. Check current information on the museum website or ask at the ticket desk before buying.
The Cloth Hall is not only trade and a museum — it’s also a place with a tradition of literary and café meetings. The café operating in the Cloth Hall has a rich, multi‑generational history and often attracts lovers of history and art.
Pay attention to the Cloth Hall terrace: while the Square’s panorama looks great from many points in the city, a vantage from above lets you notice the architectural composition and the rhythm of urban life. For amateur photographers it’s a lovely field to experiment with perspective.
The gallery’s interiors present the development of Polish 19th‑century art in chronological order — a good option if you like to understand historical and artistic context while seeing well‑known works presented in a compact exhibition.
Is access to the Cloth Hall free? - Yes, walking on the ground floor and between the stalls is publicly accessible and free. Admission to the museum exhibitions (upper floor) is paid.
Are there discounts for young people and students? - Yes, many museums offer concessions. Always carry a document proving entitlement to a discount.
Can I access the Cloth Hall terrace without a ticket? - The terrace is sometimes available as part of the gallery ticket; check conditions at the ticket desk or on the museum website before your visit.
Can I take photos in the museum? - Many branches allow amateur photography without additional lighting or tripods, but always check the rules at the entrance.
Plan your visit so you first see the free parts (a walk on the ground floor, the terrace if it’s included), and only then decide whether to buy a ticket for the exhibition. This will help you judge if the exhibition and terrace are worth the expense.
Check opening hours and prices online shortly before you go. With a limited budget use discounts, buy tickets online, visit outside peak season and watch for promotional passes.
Spend time on local, inexpensive food in milk bars or street food instead of going immediately to the most touristy places on the Square. That way you can taste local flavours and save money.
If this article helped you plan an inexpensive and successful visit to the Cloth Hall, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others discover Kraków without overspending.
If you want to visit the Cloth Hall and its surroundings with a guide who knows the city and can tailor the route to your budget, feel free to contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz — more information and contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck discovering Kraków — even with a small budget you can have a rich experience!
