Yes — and it’s not complicated. In one day you can visit the Market Underground under the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and then go to the Stanisław Lem Experiment Garden, where interactive installations delight both children and adults.
Logistically this is a good match: the Market Underground is in the heart of the Old Town (entrance through the Cloth Hall on the side facing St. Mary’s Basilica), and the Experiment Garden is at al. Pokoju 68 near Park Lotników Polskich — easy to reach by tram or taxi.
Below you’ll find all the most important practical information, tips for planning your visit, what’s worth seeing and how to avoid common mistakes.
The Experiment Garden is an outdoor science park spread over several hectares, full of interactive stations that demonstrate principles of physics, optics, acoustics and mechanics. The installations are designed so visitors can experiment and observe for themselves.
In season the park offers themed zones (including a playground for the youngest children, a planetarium with shows, sensory areas and dedicated educational stations). In recent seasons new installations have appeared, for example a safe telescope for observing sunspots and an interactive “launcher” demonstrating pressure differences.
Practical details: address al. Pokoju 68; contact and reservations are handled through the museum’s information line. Seasonality: the Garden operates mainly in the spring–summer–autumn season; opening dates and hours vary by month, so check the current schedule before you go.
Ticket prices are moderate (regular, reduced and family tickets are available; some attractions such as the gyroscope, sled track or planetarium shows are charged extra). For a first visit plan at least 1.5–2 hours, and if you’re with children and want to try everything — allow a full day.
The Market Underground is an archaeological park shown several meters below the surface of the Main Market Square. After descending you travel back in time: exposed foundations, fragments of old streets, remains of buildings and archaeological finds reveal medieval trade and city life.
The entrance is located in the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the side facing St. Mary’s Basilica. The route combines archaeological material with multimedia reconstructions and reconstructions of craft workshops, as well as short films and interactive points for younger visitors.
A visit usually takes 1–2 hours. The museum is organized as a fixed route; sometimes themed tours and workshops are offered, so if you want to join one check dates or reserve in advance.
When planning remember that timed tickets are used — it’s best to book online or use the visitor service point, especially in high season and on weekends.
Individual tickets for the Experiment Garden can be bought at the on-site ticket office, but groups and workshop participants generally need prior reservation. The price list includes regular, reduced, children’s and family tickets as well as fees for extra attractions.
For the Market Underground it’s generally better to arrive with a reservation — the museum uses timed tickets and a reservation system, particularly during busy tourist periods. Tuesdays sometimes have special rules (for example discounted or free-entry days) — check in advance.
If you plan to visit both attractions in one day, buy tickets with time slots that leave you enough margin so you don’t have to rush between sites. Online booking guarantees entry at the selected time and saves waiting in queues.
Morning: start at the Main Market Square — visit the Market Underground (approx. 1–2 hours). After exiting, take a short walk around the square and enjoy a coffee at one of the Market cafés.
Midday: lunch near the Old Town or in Kazimierz (I recommend booking well-rated places in advance on weekends), then take a tram toward al. Pokoju.
Afternoon: the Experiment Garden — plan to spend a few hours there, enjoying installations, the planetarium and children’s zones. On sunny days bring a hat and water — many exhibits are outdoors.
Evening: return to the center — if you have energy left, Kazimierz has great dinner and drinks options to end the day.
Around the Market and in Kazimierz you’ll find many well-reviewed places. Near the Old Town consider family-friendly cafés and restaurants serving Polish and international cuisine, as well as spots recommended for local flavors.
Kazimierz is full of atmospheric cafés and restaurants — a perfect place to finish the day. For accommodation the Old Town and Kazimierz are most convenient because of proximity to attractions, transport and evening life; families or visitors seeking quiet may prefer the area near Park Lotników or Dębniki.
Always choose places with up-to-date high ratings and reserve a table on weekends — popular venues can be full, especially in high season.
Assuming everything is available “right away” — in high season queues and sold-out slots for the Market Underground are common. Solution: book ahead or choose early morning hours.
Visiting the Experiment Garden in the rain without a plan B — some installations work best in good weather. If it’s raining, check whether indoor shows or the planetarium are running, or plan an alternative (for example a museum in the center).
Underestimating time — both attractions need at least several dozen minutes each. Plan realistically so you don’t rush and lose the pleasure of exploring.
Bringing large luggage to the Market Underground — small bags or pockets are more convenient; you’ll avoid storage problems or spatial restrictions.
Where to buy tickets for the Underground and the Garden? — Market Underground tickets are best booked via the museum’s reservation system; the Experiment Garden sells individual tickets at the ticket office, while groups and workshops require reservations.
How much time for each attraction? — Market Underground: 1–2 hours; Experiment Garden: at least 1.5–2 hours, more if you enjoy experimenting.
Are both attractions suitable for children? — Yes. The Garden has many installations for the youngest; the Market Underground also offers child-friendly elements (e.g. a mechanical theatre), but guardians should watch young children because of the exhibition space.
Are there family and reduced tickets? — Yes, both institutions offer reduced and family tickets. Check exact discount rules before purchase.
The Market Underground hides layers of history — once downstairs you can literally stand on fragments of streets from centuries ago and see foundations of buildings that no longer exist on the surface.
The Experiment Garden is named after Stanisław Lem for a reason — it combines science with imagination and invites hands-on discovery, which fits the spirit of popularizing curiosity associated with the writer’s name.
On sunny days some exhibits in the Garden work only under the right light — the time of day can affect the quality of the experience.
Check opening hours for both places and buy tickets in advance where possible.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and (in summer) a hat.
If you’re with small children, plan breaks and playful moments between attractions.
Reserve a table for lunch or dinner if you plan to visit popular restaurants in the Old Town or Kazimierz.
If you found this guide useful — share it with friends or on social media. It helps others plan a better trip to Kraków.
If you want to visit Kraków without stress and learn stories and good local food tips from a local guide, consider booking services with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Her contact is visible on the guide’s page. With a guide’s help the Market Underground and the Experiment Garden visits can gain extra historical context and practical tips.
