Yes — you can see the most important places and feel the city’s atmosphere in three days if you plan your sightseeing wisely. Focus on the Old Town (Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church), Wawel, and one characterful district — Kazimierz or Podgórze. Important: choose priorities and leave time for coffee breaks and walks along the Vistula River.
This guide contains a concrete plan for each day, practical information about tickets, opening hours to watch for, and specific advice for people using wheelchairs or with other mobility needs.
Day 1: Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall. If you have time, go up to the Cloth Hall terrace, visit the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, pop into St. Mary’s Church (check mass times and the hejnał trumpet call) and reserve the afternoon for the Market Underground — the museum shows the old square and everyday life in medieval Kraków.
Day 2: Wawel and a walk by the Vistula. Royal Castle, Cathedral, a stroll along the river boulevards and, in the evening, Kazimierz — synagogues, atmospheric cafés and Jewish heritage sites.
Day 3: Museums, the Planty and nearby areas. If you love art, spend a few hours in the Cloth Hall gallery (if you haven’t been yet) or other branches of the National Museum, then enjoy a relaxed walk through the Planty, coffee in one of the city’s well-rated cafés and an optional short visit to Schindler’s Factory or MOCAK if time and interest allow.
The Cloth Hall is more than just souvenir stalls on the Market Square: it also houses an art gallery (the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art) on the upper floor and a viewing terrace. Entrance information and ticket details are available at the branch’s ticket desk on the Square.
Opening days generally cover Tuesday to Sunday and Tuesday is often a free-admission day for permanent exhibitions — an attractive option, but expect larger crowds. The last visitors are usually admitted about 15–20 minutes before closing.
The Cloth Hall offers museum-level accessibility: staff provide information about facilities, and the venue has solutions to help visitors with reduced mobility move around the publicly accessible parts.
The Market Underground is an interactive museum that transports visitors to medieval Kraków — archaeological digs, reconstructed tenement houses and a well-prepared narrative make it one of the most immersive experiences in the city centre.
Typical time to visit the permanent exhibition is about 1–1.5 hours; plan at least 90 minutes if you want to read displays and use multimedia features.
The entrance to the Underground is on the Cloth Hall side (on the Market Square, opposite St. Mary’s Church). The museum has lifts and platforms to reach the underground level, accessible restrooms and the option to arrange a Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpreter with prior notice — check and report any needs to staff before your visit.
Buy tickets online where possible — you’ll avoid queues and secure your preferred entry time. Check branch pages for information about free admission days (for example, Tuesday is often free for permanent exhibitions) — it saves money but brings more visitors.
Verify opening hours the day before you visit — museums change hours seasonally (summer vs winter) and may have exceptions on holidays. Last admission is commonly 20 minutes before closing.
If you’re travelling with a person who has an official disability certificate, ask about available discounts and required formalities. Many venues have designated parking nearby (make sure you have the correct permits), induction loops at ticket desks and accessibility features along the route.
The Old Town has cobbled streets and many narrow passages — for wheelchair users some sections can be challenging. It’s best to stick to main routes (streets around the Market, the Planty and the river boulevards), which are relatively easier to navigate.
At museum ticket desks ask for the most convenient entrance for visitors with limited mobility — often there is a side entrance or a lift/platform that simplifies access to exhibitions (e.g., wheelchair platforms in some museum branches, accessible restrooms, induction loops).
If you travel by car, check locations of disabled parking spaces near the Market — there are spots around historic buildings but availability is limited, so plan in advance.
If you want to dine close to the Market and look for reliable quality, recommended, highly rated places include Restauracja Szara (well-known and awarded) and the historic Restauracja Wierzynek — both offer good menus and service, though Wierzynek is more formal and pricier. Reserving a table in the evening is a good idea.
For coffee and a relaxed pastry choose a café with good reviews and a comfortable interior — a pleasant way to rest between attractions. For quick, tasty meals you’ll also find many good bistros and cafés offering local and international dishes near the Market.
Comfortable central hotels that combine convenience with proximity to top attractions include Hotel Stary (highly rated, excellent location) and Radisson Blu — good options if you value comfort and amenities. For modern concepts, the PURO chain offers comfortable, well-rated properties in the centre. When booking, ask about rooms with accessibility features if needed.
Many visitors don’t realize that the Market Underground contains real archaeological excavations and the remains of former buildings — visiting can feel more like an archaeological experience than a typical museum, so allow extra time.
The Cloth Hall hides a terrace with a view over the Market that is often less crowded than you might expect — terrace access is often included with the gallery ticket, so check and reserve time for a panoramic view.
Tuesday as a free-admission day for many permanent exhibitions draws crowds — it’s a great money-saver, but if you prefer a quieter visit choose a weekday morning or a day other than a free-entry day.
Mistake: not checking museum opening days and hours (some branches are closed on Mondays). Fix: always check opening hours before you go, ideally the day before.
Mistake: planning too many attractions in one day. Fix: plan 1–2 main points per day and leave time for meals and rest.
Mistake: not reserving tables at Market-area restaurants for the evening. Fix: book ahead, especially on weekends and in high season.
Are the Market Underground exhibitions accessible for wheelchair users? Yes — the entrance and the exhibition route have been adapted; lifts/platforms for wheelchair access and an accessible restroom are available. It’s always a good idea to notify staff about specific needs before your visit.
Do the Cloth Hall and other museums offer discounts and free days? Many Kraków museums have free-admission days for permanent exhibitions (often Tuesday) and reduced-price tickets; check the policies of each branch and consider buying tickets online.
How much time should I allow for a visit to the Market and the Underground? Plan at least 2–3 hours: the Market itself, a visit to the Cloth Hall, the Underground museum (about 90 minutes) and a coffee break.
Wear comfortable shoes — cobbles and sidewalks in historic parts of the city can be uneven. If you use a wheelchair, bring a small mat or board for crossing higher thresholds and have a backup plan (contacts for local assistance or your hotel reception).
If this guide helped you, share it with friends or on social media — practical tips make travel easier for everyone.
If you’d like a personal, history-focused tour with attention to accessibility and individual needs, consider touring with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a private guide who can tailor the route, include accessibility solutions and, if required, help arrange sign-language support or other accommodations.
