The Cloth Hall takes on a different, almost cinematic character when winter wraps it up — fresh snow, steam rising from hot drinks and smaller crowds make a walk between the stalls and a visit to the gallery feel intimate. In winter it’s also easier to feel the contrast between the cold of the Market outside and the warmth of museums and cafés on the upper floor.
For art lovers: the first floor of the Cloth Hall houses the 19th-Century Polish Art Gallery, part of the National Museum in Kraków — a perfect option when it’s freezing outside. Many visitors combine a quick walk around the stalls with a visit to the gallery or a descent to the Main Market Square Underground Museum to rest, warm up and learn the city’s story from a different perspective.
The gallery in the Cloth Hall usually follows a regular schedule: museums are often closed on Mondays, and open Tuesday through Sunday during standard hours — always check the current opening times before your visit.
Regular and reduced-price tickets can be bought online or at the ticket desk. A ticket to the Gallery often includes access to the Cloth Hall terrace — useful if you want to look down on the Market, but remember the terrace is windy and noticeably colder than the museum interiors in winter.
If you plan to combine the Cloth Hall with the Main Market Square Underground Museum, check that branch’s hours and booking rules — the underground exhibition is a warm alternative to walking in the frost. Consider combined tickets or booking ahead on weekends and during the Christmas market season.
There’s a small café on the Cloth Hall’s upper floor with a terrace that frames part of the Market view. It’s a great spot for a hot coffee and a view of St. Mary’s Basilica from a warm interior. Keep in mind the terrace itself is uncovered and can be very windy on freezing days.
If you’re dreaming of a photo from the terrace, plan a quick outing — wear warm gloves and a hat and avoid lingering outside for long. Back inside you can warm up with a cup of cocoa or a slice of local cake.
If you want a full meal or a longer break with a view, reserve a table in one of the well-rated places around the Market — venues near the Cloth Hall are popular, especially on weekends.
The Main Market Square is paved with historic cobbles — on frosty days they can become iced and very slippery. Even a short crossing from the Cloth Hall to the opposite side of the Square demands care, especially in low temperatures and gusty wind.
Always wear shoes with good grip. Lightweight traction devices for shoes (spike-style overshoes) are recommended — they slip on quickly before you step onto the Square and can be removed indoors. Avoid smooth soles and high heels.
Weather in Kraków can change quickly; meteorological services and local weather sites issue warnings about ice. If strong frost or black ice is forecast, plan your route so you have quick access to warm interiors (museums, cafés, underground attractions).
To warm up right after a walk around the Market, go into the Cloth Hall Gallery or the Main Market Square Underground Museum — both are places where you can rest on a bench while continuing to explore in warmth.
Inside the Cloth Hall you’ll find a small café often called Cafe Szał — a quick way to get a hot drink with a view. Around the Market there are also several highly rated places: Wierzynek (the famous historic restaurant), Noworolski (a café with historical character) and many well-reviewed restaurants on and near the Square — it’s advisable to reserve tables in winter, especially during the Christmas market.
If you prefer less-touristy options, a short walk a few dozen metres from the Market leads to atmospheric cafés and bistros with good reviews — great for a longer, quieter sit-down with a warm soup or a daily special.
Main Market Square Underground Museum — descending under the Cloth Hall is a fantastic alternative when it’s very cold above; the underground spaces are heated and offer an engaging journey through Kraków’s early history.
Wawel and nearby museums are within easy reach and complement a visit to the Market nicely. If you plan a full day in the centre, consider booking museum entries or joining a guided tour — many museum branches offer guided visits in Polish and other languages.
A walk along the Planty can be a calm way to end the day — but in severe frost choose a route that leads you indoors rather than stopping outdoors for long.
Dress in layers: thermal underwear or a thin synthetic base layer, a fleece or sweater and a warm, windproof coat. Layers make it easy to adapt quickly between cold outside air and heated museum and café interiors.
Don’t forget good gloves (ideally two pairs: a thin pair for phone use and a thicker pair for the cold), a hat and a thin neck buff. Warm, insulated shoes with grippy soles are essential — waterproof models are a good choice.
Handy extras: a thermos with tea, nasal drops, protective face cream (wind and frost dry the skin), and a powerbank for your phone. If you plan longer walks on icy cobbles, carry lightweight shoe traction devices.
Thinking “I’ll just nip out for a moment” — many people underestimate the cold and lose comfort or even health after staying outside for tens of minutes. Plan short outdoor stretches and allow time to warm up.
Wearing smooth or delicate shoes on cobbles — this is a quick route to a fall. Leave elegant, slippery soles at home if you plan to walk the Market in winter.
Ignoring notices about closures or changed hours — museums may have different schedules in certain seasons or be closed on specific days; always check the museum’s page before you leave.
The Cloth Hall is more than stalls and a terrace — since the 19th century its first floor has housed one of Poland’s oldest permanent museum exhibitions, showing 19th-century Polish art.
Under the Cloth Hall there’s access to the Main Market Square Underground — a surprisingly warm and dry place on a frosty day where you can spend an hour or two exploring excavations and multimedia reconstructions.
The Cloth Hall terrace offers a unique viewpoint, but in strong winds from the open square the Market can feel much colder than the surrounding streets, so rooftop photos are often best planned as a short episode.
Are the Cloth Hall and galleries open in winter? - Yes, the gallery and market halls operate year-round; museums often have standard open and closed days (many are closed on Mondays) — always check current hours online before you go.
Is access to the terrace paid? - In many cases terrace access is included with the Gallery ticket, but policies can change; confirm when buying your ticket.
Is it worth visiting the Market during the Christmas market? - Yes, the atmosphere is special, but be prepared for large crowds, lower temperatures and standing outdoors for longer periods. If you dislike crowds, choose days outside the peak market period.
Morning: a short walk around the Market, exterior photos, quick orientation (entrance to the Cloth Hall, ticket office for the Underground).
Midday: visit the Cloth Hall Gallery or descend to the Main Market Square Underground Museum — both options provide warm, content-rich alternatives to the freezing air.
Afternoon/evening: coffee and cake in a café with a view (or a recommended restaurant for a hearty meal), a walk along the Planty or a short visit to Wawel if time and weather allow. Finish by dressing warmly for the journey home and checking local public transport timetables.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it could save someone from a winter cold or a ruined sightseeing plan.
If you’d like to explore the Cloth Hall and nearby sights with a guide, consider a private tour with guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact information are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. A guided visit can make your tour comfortable, informative and tailored to the weather conditions.
