The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) sits at the heart of the Main Market Square and is one of the places that immediately “says” Kraków. For visitors with limited time — including groups of young people — it’s an excellent starting point: the iconic arcade views, souvenir stalls and easy access to nearby sights such as St. Mary’s Basilica, the old town hall tower and cafés overlooking the square. A walk around the Cloth Hall can be paired with short activities that younger visitors enjoy — photos, tasting a traditional obwarzanek, a quick visit to the Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) or a coffee break with a view.
Starting at the Cloth Hall, plan your pace: 1–2 hours for the Market Square and its surroundings plus a meal break. That way you can reserve the second day for Kazimierz and Podgórze, neighbourhoods with a completely different atmosphere.
Later sections include a detailed two-day plan and concrete suggestions for where to eat with youth — from cheap snacks to casual restaurants with broader menus.
Morning: begin at the Main Market Square. Admire the Cloth Hall from the outside, walk through the arcades and take photos by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. If the group wants a short, intense historical experience, visit the Rynek Underground — the multimedia exhibition shows former foundations and everyday life of the medieval city.
Lunch/afternoon: for young people the best choices are quick, tasty and reasonably priced options: - classic zapiekanki at Plac Nowy near the ‘Okrąglak’ (fast, local and always popular), - fresh obwarzanki sold from street carts — a quick and cheap on-the-go snack, - burger places and pizzerias near the Market Square that offer menus teens enjoy (look for spots with extras like vegan options or hand-cut fries).
Afternoon: stroll the Planty (the park encircling the Old Town), climb the Town Hall Tower or make a short visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (listen for the hejnał). If the group prefers interactive experiences, choose a multimedia exhibition or a museum with exhibits aimed at younger visitors.
Evening: if the group members are adults or supervised by adults, pause for a light stop in one of the pleasant cafés near the Cloth Hall (the rooftop café at Sukiennice offers a nice view). For younger visitors choose an ice-cream, crepe or dessert café.
Morning: head to Kazimierz — the former Jewish district now filled with atmospheric cafés, murals and alternative shops. Kazimierz blends history with a relaxed, youth-friendly vibe: walk along Szeroka Street, stop by the synagogues and spend time around Plac Nowy.
Lunch: Plac Nowy is perfect for young crowds — zapiekanki, food trucks and small eateries serving quick, tasty dishes. For groups wanting something more ‘local’ try small bars offering Polish dishes in a modern style (seasonal menus and affordable prices).
Afternoon: wander the streets of Kazimierz, visit the Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Ojca Bernatka) and check out street art. If the weather’s good, walk the boulevards along the Vistula or take a short tram ride to Podgórze for a different view of the city.
Dinner: choose a place with a relaxed atmosphere and a wide selection — ideal to finish the day with youth. Look for restaurants with group-friendly menus (shareable plates, burgers, pizzas and vegan choices).
Zapiekanki at Plac Nowy — a classic that always works: quick, filling and relatively cheap. Perfect as a mobile meal between attractions.
Obwarzanki from street carts — ideal for a fast snack on the go; always fresh and an authentic Kraków taste.
Bar mleczny (milk bar) — a traditional, budget-friendly option for groups who want to try home-style Polish dishes at low prices. It’s also an interesting cultural experience for younger guests.
Burger joints and pizzerias around the Market Square and Kazimierz — great when the group has varied preferences (meat, vegetarian, gluten-free). Larger venues usually handle quick, affordable orders for bigger groups.
Cafés with desserts and ice cream — for a break between sightseeing (artisan ice cream, cakes, non-alcoholic drinks). A good place to recharge before more walking.
For a quick, budget meal: zapiekanki at Plac Nowy; downtown you’ll also find pizzerias and snack bars that can serve larger groups fast.
For a tasty, traditional lunch: restaurants by the Market Square offer classic Polish dishes — choose a place with good reviews and let them know in advance if you have a larger group.
For vegans and vegetarians: Kraków has a growing number of plant-based places — vegan burger joints and cafés with extensive plant menus are a good fit for young travellers with those preferences.
For dessert and relaxation: cafés in Kazimierz and around the Market Square, artisan ice-cream shops and places serving crepes and waffles.
Walk where you can — the Old Town and Kazimierz are best explored on foot. Distances between main attractions are short, which helps you move quickly from one point to another.
Buy tickets in advance? For the most popular attractions (for example Wawel interiors or the Rynek Underground) it’s worth buying tickets ahead, especially in high season. Also check whether there are free-entry days or special promotions for certain museums.
Payments: most restaurants and cafés accept cards, but for food trucks and obwarzanek carts it’s wise to have small change on hand.
Time for youth: plan short breaks every 60–90 minutes — a quick snack, ice cream or a brief stop by the river helps more than long history lectures.
Safety: Kraków is generally safe, but like any tourist city keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded spots such as the Market Square and on public transport.
How long to plan for the Cloth Hall and Market Square? - For a teen group, 1.5–2 hours is usually enough; if you include the Rynek Underground, plan about 3 hours including a meal break.
Will young people find good food? - Yes. Kraków offers a wide choice: zapiekanki, burgers, pizzerias, milk bars, ice cream and cafés. Many places have menus suited to younger tastes and smaller budgets.
Do I need to reserve a table for a larger group? - For groups of more than 6–8 people it’s a good idea to call ahead, especially if you plan to eat in a popular restaurant in the evening.
Is Kraków friendly to vegans/vegetarians? - Yes, more and more places offer plant-based options. Check menus online beforehand or ask on arrival.
How to save time on meals? - Choose a ‘fast food’ style place (zapiekanka, burger, pizzeria) or set a meeting point and let the young people buy snacks on their own — that usually speeds things up.
Set a clear daily plan with meeting times (for example: “meet at the Mickiewicz Monument at 2:00 PM”) — this reduces getting lost and helps manage meal breaks efficiently.
Give young people a choice: prepare a short list of 2–3 eating spots and let them pick — involvement usually leads to better behaviour and higher satisfaction.
Remember the day’s energy flow: morning sightseeing, lunch, afternoon activities and evening rest. Too much walking without breaks will tire even the most enthusiastic group quickly.
Stay flexible — if the group falls for a particular spot (a café, craft shop or a mural), allow an extra 15–30 minutes. Those spontaneous moments often become the best memories of a trip.
