The Main Market Square during Christmas feels like a small festival — a Christmas tree, lights and the market attract crowds. The Sukiennice, which house the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, sit right in the middle of that hustle and bustle, so queues at the entrance and the ticket desk can be much longer than outside the season. Fortunately, a few simple rules and some knowledge of how the museum is organised can significantly shorten waiting time and let you visit comfortably. Keep in mind basic facts: standard opening hours, the option to buy tickets online, availability of audio guides and the rules for admitting last visitors — these are elements you can use when planning a December visit.
The National Museum in Krakow runs the Sukiennice on regular opening-hour patterns — they are usually open Tuesday to Sunday roughly from 10:00 to 18:00, and last visitors are admitted a few dozen minutes before closing. In practice this means that entering just after opening or shortly before closing are two time windows when crowds tend to be smallest. Days with free admission (for example Tuesdays) and days with extended or shortened hours (holidays, New Year’s Eve) can significantly change visitor flow — so it’s worth checking current information on the museum’s site before your visit.
Buying a ticket online is the fastest way to skip the queue at the ticket office. The National Museum offers online ticket sales — this saves time and guarantees you access to the galleries without standing in a long line at the desk, especially on weekends and during the Christmas market. There may still be a ticket control at the entrance, but the process is usually faster than queuing at the on-site ticket desk.
If you plan to visit during a busy period (for example a December weekend), buy your ticket in advance and save or print the confirmation. Also check whether there are limits on visitor numbers or whether group reservations are required — some types of visits (for example guided groups) may need earlier booking through the museum reservation centre. With an online ticket you can also plan the rest of your day more easily — a stroll through the market, lunch and a calm visit without nervous waiting.
The safest time for a quiet visit is right after the museum opens. In December many visitors only come to the Market to see the stalls — some people skip the museum’s first hour, so the Sukiennice interiors can be less crowded then. If you’re planning a trip to Krakow, aim for the first half of the day.
Another good time is late afternoon, beginning about the time the museum admits its last visitors. In practice this means entering around 16:00–17:00 on days when the museum is open until 18:00. By then some tourists move on to dinner or back to the market, and the rooms can be less busy. Avoid weekend afternoons and days promoted by the city as “special events” — those are when the Market and the Sukiennice are the most crowded.
Tuesdays at many branches of the National Museum are often free-entry days for permanent exhibitions. That’s great for your budget but terrible if you want to avoid queues — visitor numbers can rise many times over. If peace and quiet matter, pick another day of the week.
During the market season also avoid weekends and days with extra attractions on the Market (concerts, parades, official openings). Public holidays in Poland can also draw larger crowds — check the holiday calendar and the museum schedule before your planned visit.
The Main Market Square is a large area with many access points and very intense pedestrian traffic around the Sukiennice. If you want to skip the crowd concentrated in front of the main facade, approach from Grodzka Street, Floriańska Street or from the side alleys adjoining the Square — sometimes an entrance from a less-used section of the square will be faster than staying in the central queue.
Remember that some visitors stop at the market stalls and gather there, creating big clusters. A shorter route to the entrance may run via side streets rather than through the busiest part of the market. Also, if you come with luggage or in a group, avoid peak hours because some passages are narrow.
The museum offers guided tours led by official guides and the option to rent an audio guide in several languages. Official guided tours are a good choice if you want context for the collection and to avoid queuing for tickets — many guided groups enter at set times and a group reservation makes organising the visit easier. Tour prices are set by the museum and it’s worth checking them before booking.
An audio guide is a compromise between self-guided visiting and a guided tour. It’s cheaper, available in several languages and allows you to pause at chosen works without sticking with a group. In the holiday season renting an audio guide often shortens the time spent at the ticket desk because you only need a paid ticket and to pick up the device.
The Sukiennice have a cloakroom and a museum shop; in season the cloakroom can be busy, so if you want to avoid a queue consider light outerwear and a small backpack. Remember that museums have rules about photography and carrying large items — check the regulations before leaving your hotel.
A ticket typically includes access to the Sukiennice terrace, which offers a nice view of the Market. The terrace can be a popular spot, but on colder days it’s often less crowded than the exhibition rooms. Note the information about the last admission — the museum lets visitors in a set number of minutes before closing, so don’t plan to arrive “just in time” without checking the exact schedule.
After visiting it’s nice to eat at one of the well-regarded places near the Market. A few long-standing spots on Krakow’s culinary map are the historic Wierzynek restaurant, which offers a historical atmosphere and high service standards; Pod Nosem - a respected restaurant with good reviews; and intimate cafes like Cafe Camelot, perfect for a hot chocolate after a walk. In the holiday season pick places with strong reviews and reserve a table in advance because popular restaurants fill up fast.
If you prefer local flavours without queuing at market stalls, consider cafés and bars a little away from the Market — on Kanonicza Street, Grodzka Street or towards the Planty you’ll find smaller venues with a calmer atmosphere.
Although the Market attracts most visitors, in December look for alternatives: smaller Christmas markets also take place on various squares and in Kazimierz — if you plan to visit them you can spread your sightseeing and visit the Sukiennice outside the busiest hours.
If you book a hotel in the centre, ask the reception about the best times to visit popular attractions — staff often have practical tips on when queues are shortest. Another trick is to start with the less popular rooms and leave the most famous works for the end — that way you can avoid the biggest crowds in the most visited parts of the exhibition.
Not planning to buy tickets online — consequence: standing in a long line at the ticket desk. Solution: buy tickets ahead of time and have the confirmation with you.
Choosing a free Tuesday as your visiting day — consequence: much higher visitor numbers due to free entry. Solution: pick another weekday or arrive at opening time.
Not checking opening hours on holidays and special days — consequence: the museum may be closed or have shortened hours. Solution: always check current information on the museum website or call the information desk before you set out.
Arriving “just before closing” without checking last-admission rules — consequence: being denied entry. Solution: remember the last-admission policy and plan a time buffer.
Is it worth going to the Sukiennice in December? - Yes, the Sukiennice exhibition is one of Krakow’s most interesting, and the winter Market atmosphere adds charm. Just be prepared for larger numbers of visitors.
Can I buy a ticket on site? - Yes, but in the holiday season the queue can be long. Online tickets let you skip the ticket desk and enter faster.
Are Tuesdays free? - The National Museum has days with free admission to permanent exhibitions — a great opportunity but one that also brings larger crowds. If you want a quiet visit, choose another day.
Are guided tours available? - Yes, the museum organises guided tours and offers audio guides in several languages. Guided tours are led by official museum guides — it’s worth booking in advance.
Are the Sukiennice open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? - During the holidays the museum may be partially closed or have changed hours. Always check current information about closure days and opening hours on the museum website before your visit.
If the Sukiennice are too busy, consider visiting other branches of the National Museum or nearby museums and monuments that are usually less crowded. Krakow’s centre also has many small galleries and exhibitions offering interesting historical and artistic context, often with shorter queues.
You can also reschedule your visit to another day or choose a morning or late-afternoon slot. Alternatively, take a shorter walking route away from the Market — the Old Town and Kazimierz streets offer atmospheric shops, cafés and small Christmas markets where you can enjoy the festive mood without long queues.
When planning a Sukiennice visit during the Christmas season, remember good timing, buying an online ticket, considering a guided tour or audio guide and keeping a flexible schedule. With these simple steps you can turn potentially frustrating waiting into a pleasant, calm visit to a unique art collection.
If you’d like help planning an itinerary around Krakow or booking a guided tour with an official museum guide, feel free to contact me. On the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site you’ll find more practical tips and contact details for me, Małgorzata Kasprowicz. If this article helped you, share it with friends or on social media — let more people discover Krakow without unnecessary queues!
Remember to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes — Krakow’s Old Town in winter can be cold and surfaces may be slippery. Carry a portable battery for your phone if you rely on electronic tickets and maps.
If you travel by public transport, check tram and bus timetables in advance — lines serving the centre can be busy during special events. Consider walking between close sights; the Old Town is compact and most attractions are within a short stroll.
For the most reliable and current opening hours and ticketing rules consult the National Museum in Krakow’s official information channels before your visit.
If you need personalised planning, contact me through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — I can suggest routes, dining options and help with reservations.
