Yes - both attractions can be visited in a single day if you plan your route and book tickets in advance. Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) is an archaeological museum beneath the eastern side of the Main Market Square with a multimedia exhibition showing the medieval market and the city's historic layers. Kraków Arcade Museum is an interactive video game museum with the largest collection of arcade machines in Poland (over one hundred machines).
The key is timing: visit the Rynek Underground in the morning - you'll avoid crowds and the visit will give you historical context for a walk around the Market Square later the same day. Leave the Arcade Museum for the afternoon or evening - it's a place where you'll want to spend extra time playing and relaxing after sightseeing.
This article gives a concrete plan, approximate visit times, practical ticket tips and a few restaurant suggestions around the Market Square.
9:30 - Start at the Main Market Square: a short walk and coffee. If you're staying or arrived near the Square, begin with a morning coffee at one of the classic cafés on the Square to set the pace for the day.
10:00–11:30 - Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku). Book your ticket online and allow 60–90 minutes for the route; the exhibition is multimedia and gives a good overview of the city's history. The museum is under the eastern part of the Main Market Square and offers family facilities and an elevator.
11:30–13:00 - Walk around the Market Square, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and nearby streets. This is a good time for photos, quick souvenir shopping or visiting the Town Hall Tower if you wish.
13:00–14:30 - Lunch. I recommend choosing well-reviewed, trusted places around the Market Square; suggestions follow later in the article.
15:00–17:00 - Arcade Museum. Depending on the ticket you choose (1h/2h/OPEN) you'll spend from one hour to several hours here. Plan for at least 2 hours if you want to play on many machines.
17:00–evening - Options: a walk along the Vistula and to Wawel Castle, or return to the Market Square for dinner. If you'd like a longer visit, shorten time for shopping and extend your stay at the Arcade Museum.
Prices and hours may vary by season and updates, so always check official pages before your visit. For orientation: Arcade Museum tickets are usually offered in hourly variants (1h, 2h) and an OPEN option - typical price ranges are roughly 50–90 PLN depending on entry length and discounts. The Arcade Museum is interactive - most machines are playable without additional charges within the ticket price.
Rynek Underground is a municipal museum with full-price, reduced and family tickets; in recent years adult ticket prices have hovered around 30–45 PLN depending on the current price list. Typical visit time is 60–120 minutes depending on whether you use a guided tour or audio guide.
Practical rule: buy Rynek Underground tickets online and arrive at your chosen time to avoid queues. The Arcade Museum often operates longer into the afternoon and evening, but on weekends it can be busy, so reserve in advance when possible.
Online booking - especially important in high season and on weekends. Rynek Underground can be fully booked, and Arcade Museum weekends often see increased family and group traffic.
Time - don't race. Take your time in Rynek Underground, pausing at multimedia displays. At the Arcade Museum allow extra time; a one-hour ticket can feel short if you want to try several games.
Baggage and wardrobe - Rynek Underground has an entrance control; for larger backpacks it's better to leave bulky items at your hotel. Both Rynek Underground and Arcade Museum have toilets and family facilities.
For families - both attractions are child-friendly: Rynek Underground includes a children's zone with toys and a small theatre, and Arcade Museum is great entertainment for younger and older fans of retro games.
If you want a memorable meal close to the Market Square, consider established, highly rated places. For an elegant dinner choose Restaurant Wierzynek - a venue with long tradition right on the Square. For a more intimate lunch try one of the well-reviewed restaurants serving regional cuisine. For a quick lunch and good coffee look for trustworthy cafés and bakeries in the Old Town.
Book a table at popular restaurants during the high season. If you're on a budget, the narrow streets around the Market Square offer many good cafés and bars with local snacks. It's always smart to pick places with up-to-date positive reviews.
If you'd like specific recommendations tailored to dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, family-friendly), tell me your preferences and I will suggest a few top-rated places in that style.
Trying to "see everything quickly" - this usually leads to tiredness and low satisfaction. It's better to choose two places and spend quality time, rather than rush across half the city.
Not checking current opening hours - museums and smaller attractions can have different hours on weekdays. Check opening times and any service breaks before you go.
Skipping reservations on weekends - both Rynek Underground and popular private attractions can fill up. Buy tickets online or reserve a specific time slot.
How long does the Rynek Underground visit take? Usually 60–120 minutes depending on pace and additional multimedia shows.
Is the Arcade Museum suitable for adults? Yes - it's entertaining and filled with nostalgia for adults and great fun for adults with children; most machines are playable as part of the ticket.
Are both attractions wheelchair accessible? Rynek Underground has an elevator and accessibility features, but parts of the route may be slightly challenging - check when booking. Arcade Museum is usually on street level and adapted, but verify details if you have special needs.
Is it worth hiring a guide? Self-guided visits to Rynek Underground are rewarding, but a guided tour or audio guide can deepen the experience. If you have very limited time, a private guide can streamline and organize the visit.
Rynek Underground is not just an exhibition - it's an archaeological reserve showing layers of the city and traces of old stalls and buildings that are not obvious from the surface. Multimedia reconstructions do a great job of conveying the atmosphere of past eras.
At the Arcade Museum many machines are original cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s that work and are playable as part of the ticket - a nostalgic experience for older visitors and great fun for younger guests.
If you're interested in local context - after visiting Rynek Underground, a short walk to the Vistula riverbank or to Wawel Castle nicely completes the historical picture of Kraków.
If you found this plan useful, share it with friends or on social media - it helps others find a neat one-day route in Kraków. If you like, I can prepare a version of the route adapted for children, seniors or people who prefer to walk less.
If you'd like a personalized itinerary prepared by a local guide, I invite you to contact tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for a tailored plan. Have a great day in Kraków!
