The Main Market Square is one of Kraków’s most beautiful — but also most exposed — open spaces. On hot days, walking around the Cloth Hall can be tiring, but in practice there are several simple ways to quickly find a pleasant spot to rest and shelter from the sun. This text will help you plan a short break so that sightseeing stays enjoyable rather than exhausting.
Shade here doesn’t always have to mean total bliss: often a bench in a park, an arcade by a historic building, or the interior of a cozy café with an entrance from a side street is enough. It’s useful to know where and when to look for these places, especially if you visit Kraków in summer with children, older people, or simply without the desire to endure the heat.
Below I describe tried-and-true options close to the Cloth Hall — from the simplest (benches in the Planty) to more “comfortable” solutions (cafés, museum interiors and churches).
The fastest move is to head to the Planty — the green “ring” that surrounds the Old Town. Trees create natural shade there, and paths and benches are placed close to the Market Square, so you won’t lose time on a long walk. The Planty are perfect for a short break with a drink from your thermos or a sandwich bought earlier.
The Cloth Hall has characteristic arcades that provide relief from the sun. These arcades are especially useful for short stops — you can sit there, look at souvenir stalls and catch your breath. Keep in mind there’s often foot traffic: arcades can be crowded, especially in the afternoon.
If you need a bit more peace, turn toward the Small Market (Mały Rynek) or slip into side streets (for example Grodzka Street). You’ll often find small squares and nooks with intimate benches and natural building shade. Sometimes a 3–5 minute walk is enough to escape the busiest noise and the worst of the heat.
Around the Market there are many well-reviewed cafés and restaurants with air-conditioned rooms or entrances from side streets, which often means more calm and less sun. Places like Cafe Camelot or the historic café Noworolski offer atmospheric interiors — if you care about comfort, choose a table inside or ask for a spot in a quieter room. These venues are popular, so consider a short reservation during peak hours.
The Cloth Hall and the surrounding frontages also have venues with terraces and upstairs cafés where you can watch the Market from a slight distance. Terraces offer views and a breeze, but remember that in full sun they can be hot — it’s best to choose those shaded by building façades or umbrellas. Entering from a side street usually means a quieter, cooler experience than coming in straight from the Market square.
If you’re looking for higher-end dining, well-rated restaurants and cafés tend to have better air-conditioning and service; some also offer quick lunch options — practical if you want to combine a break with a meal.
If you want to combine relaxation with culture, consider visiting the upper floors of the Cloth Hall — which house a branch of the National Museum with 19th-century Polish art. The gallery interiors are pleasantly cool, and you can often sit on the museum terrace that offers a nice breeze and views of the Market. Entering a museum is also a way to use a restroom and enjoy a moment of rest with chairs and tables.
The Market’s underground is another option — a modern, air-conditioned archaeological museum beneath the square. It’s not only a way to cool down but also an interesting history lesson — a visit usually takes about 40–60 minutes if you want a longer stop. Museum entrances often provide access to official museum educators and guides — if you want to learn more about the Cloth Hall, educational staff are on site.
Churches around the Market, especially St. Mary’s Basilica, offer cool interiors and a short respite from the sun. This is a good solution for a 10–20 minute rest, but remember to observe proper behavior and dress in sacred spaces.
Some less obvious options are the passages and arcades of the tenement houses along the Market’s frontages — they often hide small cafés and wine bars with atmosphere and cooler air. Many have entrances from side streets, so despite being close to the Market they are peaceful. Note that venues with side entrances are sometimes cheaper and less crowded than those facing the square.
Small tricks that work: always carry a bottle of water (there are vending points on the Market but they tend to be pricier), wear a light hat or scarf and use sunscreen. If you plan to sit on a bench, choose a spot with more greenery or next to a building — the walls heat up slower and provide pleasant shade. When planning photos, put the sun behind you — it’s more comfortable and photos usually turn out better.
If you travel with children: bring a sun parasol or a small battery-powered fan. These small items greatly improve comfort during short breaks.
Mistake one: sitting at the first table on the Market just for the view. Many places directly on the Market target tourists and charge higher prices compared to cafés with side entrances. Check the menu and prices before ordering, and if you value shade and comfort — ask whether you can move to a cooler interior room.
Mistake two: planning the whole sightseeing tour for the afternoon, when the sun is strongest. It’s best to sightsee in the morning and plan a midday break — then it’s easier to find shaded spots and you spend less time pushing through crowds. If possible, visit the Market before 11:00 or after 17:00.
Mistake three: not using official public spaces. The Planty, passages and small squares are free, reliable places to cool down. It’s worth getting to know them instead of fighting for a spot on the busiest part of the square.
Where is the best place to drink coffee in the shade? Most likely the interior of a well-rated café with a side-street entrance or an air-conditioned room in a restaurant. If you want local atmosphere, Cafe Camelot and the historic cafés nearby are known for pleasant interiors.
Is the Cloth Hall terrace available to visitors? Terraces and upper floors of the Cloth Hall are sometimes open in different forms — as part of the museum or as café seating. Check current access on the day of your visit, but upper levels often offer a pleasant view and a quieter place to rest.
Are churches a good place to cool down? Yes — church interiors by the Market are cooler, but remember the rules of conduct and that they are not always meant for long breaks. Entry is often free, although some larger churches charge for tower access or museum areas.
The Cloth Hall has been a center of trade and hospitality for centuries; historically there were plans to dedicate parts of the building to café terraces supported by arcades. This idea intrigues historians and architects — today parts of that tradition survive in the functioning of Market-front cafés and restaurants.
The Market’s underground holds finds and reconstructions from centuries past — visiting that space is both a way to cool down and a journey into history. For families with children, the underground museum often offers educational and interactive attractions that make a break more enjoyable.
Many cafés have side or back entrances — if you enter “from the back” you’ll usually find more free tables and a quieter atmosphere than at the entrance facing the Market. It’s an easy way to get a seat in a cooler interior without a long wait.
Bring a bottle of water and refill it at cafés or points along your route. Water is basic comfort, and prices in Market stalls can be higher.
Plan breaks every 60–90 minutes — a short pause in the shade increases enjoyment and prevents exhaustion.
Wear a light hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. A small battery fan or a scarf soaked in water can work wonders.
If you plan a longer stay in a café or restaurant — consider reserving a table. This is especially important in high season and in the evenings.
Check opening hours of museums and churches before you go — not all attractions are open all day and some have days off.
If this article helped you plan a break by the Cloth Hall, share it with friends or on social media — small tips can greatly improve a trip for others. A few wise rests in the shade will make the city stay with you longer.
If you want to explore Kraków more comfortably and without hurry, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. On zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you can find contact details and a description of services. Małgorzata can help plan your route, reserve museum tickets, book a table at recommended restaurants and take care of logistics and transport — all to make your visit to Kraków pleasant, safe and tailored to your group’s pace. Let her know what you need and she will prepare the ideal proposal for you.
Enjoy discovering Kraków — a few smart shaded breaks and the city will stay with you for a long time.
