The Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace — a branch of the National Museum in Krakow (MNK) — stands on one of the city’s oldest streets (Kanonicza 17) and houses a collection of sculpture and painting that often surprises even regular visitors. It’s a great spot if you want to add a touch of intimate art to a group visit to the Old Town without running into large crowds, but there are rules you should know before booking.
Sometimes the best plan is to combine a short indoor visit (for example to the Ciołek Palace) with an active outdoor route — that way the group “gets a moment of art” and then relaxes in one of the top local venues or wanders less crowded streets.
Address and contact: Kanonicza 17 — switchboard +48 12 433 59 20. Opening hours: the museum is closed on Mondays; on Tuesdays the permanent exhibitions are often free (worth checking before your visit), and on other days the branch is usually open either 10:00–16:00 or 10:00–18:00 depending on the day and season.
Tickets and group reservations: organized groups normally book visits via the MNK Information and Reservation Centre — rezerwacja@mnk.pl or by phone at the number indicated by the museum (the reservation centre handles inquiries on working days). Special temporary exhibitions have their own ticketing rules (part of sales is often available online), so it’s best to confirm conditions ahead of time.
Group size limit: MNK regulations note that the Ciołek Palace accepts groups of up to 25 people. Exceeding the declared number may result in the museum refusing to serve the group — this is a key fact for organizers.
The museum offers museum lessons and educational games for school and organized groups — usually paid activities led by MNK educators with a per-participant fee or a minimum group fee. When booking, ask about availability in a foreign language and the possibility of issuing an invoice (billing procedures at cultural institutions can be specific).
If you plan a school visit or a museum lesson, it’s good to agree in advance the maximum time for the group’s entry and the last admission time (museums often admit last groups 60–90 minutes before closing).
Themed walk around the Old Town off the Market Square: instead of busy central streets, suggest a route through less obvious corners — Kanonicza Street, Podzamcze, Grodzka Street — places with legends and stories that work great for groups of 10–25 people.
Micro food-history route: combine short stories about places with stops in highly-rated cafés and restaurants (for example the romantic Cafe Camelot, the elegant Szara Gęś, the historic Pod Aniołami or the refined Bottiglieria 1881 for groups seeking a gastronomic experience). This way the group doesn’t need to enter a museum but still learns about the city through its tastes and spaces.
Outdoor themed tours (photography, architecture, street art): simple photo tasks, mini quizzes or searching for architectural details keep the pace and engage participants without going inside. This is an excellent option for corporate team-building and families.
Start: meeting by Kanonicza 17 — a short story about the Ciołek Palace and visible architectural details (10–15 min). Walk: Kanonicza — Grodzka — the royal route to Wawel (stories about bishops’ residences and former printshops). Coffee break at Cafe Camelot (30–40 min).
Second part: cross the river via Grunwaldzki Bridge or enjoy the green boulevards if the group needs open space; alternatively visit Kazimierz with short tales about its Jewish heritage and the best culinary spots. Finish: a pre-booked restaurant (for example Szara Gęś or Pod Aniołami) — with a dedicated group menu or a quick set menu to keep the schedule.
Cafe Camelot — a cosy café in the heart of the Old Town, perfect for a coffee break with homemade cake; it also offers intimate interiors and a romantic garden.
Szara Gęś (Szara Gęś in the Kitchen) — an elegant spot in a market-square tenement house, well regarded for modern Polish cuisine; good for group lunches.
Pod Aniołami — a traditional restaurant in a historic cellar, often recommended for those wanting to try classic Polish dishes in a historical setting.
Bottiglieria 1881 — for groups looking for an exceptional gastronomic experience (a top-tier restaurant in the city).
Not confirming group limits before arrival — this can lead to refusal of entry or the need to split the group. Always confirm the maximum number for the specific branch (Ciołek Palace: 25 people).
Failing to reserve the restaurant in advance — in the tourist season central venues may be booked weeks ahead. Book group seating early and ask about group or set menus to shorten service time.
Underestimating transfer time — narrow streets, renovations and crowds can extend planned walks. Add a buffer of 15–20 minutes between points and have a plan B in case of delays.
How do I book a group at MNK Ciołek? Write to rezerwacja@mnk.pl or contact the MNK Information and Reservation Centre — ideally several weeks in advance. In your email include the date, approximate number of people and preferred language of guiding (if you want educational activities).
Is entry free on Tuesday? On Tuesdays the museum often offers free admission to permanent exhibitions; however, details and exceptions should be confirmed with the museum before planning a visit, especially for organized groups.
What to do if the group is larger than the limit? Divide the group into smaller subgroups and plan a rotation: part visits the interiors while the rest walks and visits selected cafés/viewpoints. You can also use the outdoor alternatives described above.
Enter the Palace in a short, intimate formula: 30–40 minutes is enough to see the most interesting parts — ideal for groups who want a taste of art without a long museum stay.
Instead of trying to see “everything”, choose 2–3 themes (for example medieval sculpture, icons, palace interiors) and tell the story focused on them — participants will remember this better than a long, detailed tour.
If you plan a corporate integration, add a short outdoor workshop element: a mini-quiz, photo contest or team task. It engages people and is a lot of fun without needing to go inside cultural institutions.
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If you want a personalized route for your group — a short, intimate visit to the Ciołek Palace combined with a culinary route or an alternative tour without museums — I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and contact are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com; we’ll gladly prepare a programme tailored to your group’s size and interests.
