The Main Market Square is a must-see on any visit to Kraków, but just beside the most famous attractions there are plenty of spots that are easy to miss and that can tell the city’s story in a more intimate and surprising way.
When you walk near the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), remember it’s not only souvenir stalls and an impressive façade — beneath the surface and in side passages you can find fragments of older buildings, medieval cellars and less crowded entrances to museums.
Our suggestion: instead of jostling for a spot under the bell tower or admiring the Square from a single viewpoint, pass through a few arcades, visit the underground route, look toward the quieter side passages and allow time for coffee in a small café — it’s the best way to feel the spirit of this place.
Beneath the Market Square’s paving lies an extensive archaeological reserve with remains of medieval commercial buildings and cellars. Today you can follow a museum route that reveals layers of the city from the 13th century to later times and lets you look beneath the modern cobbles.
The most interesting finds include sections of foundations, remnants of the so-called Rich Stalls (Kramy Bogate) and everyday artifacts that illustrate how intense trade once was in medieval Kraków. A walk underground gives a completely different perspective: above you see the monumental Cloth Hall, while below lie countless small traces of city life from centuries ago.
Practical note: the entrance to the underground route is opposite St. Mary’s Basilica, in the first arcade under the Cloth Hall. Opening hours and ticket prices vary by season, so it’s worth checking current details before you go.
Where arcades and a fountain stand today, there once were the so-called Rich Stalls — masonry merchant chambers where luxury goods were sold: fabrics, jewelry and expensive leathers. Their foundations and cellars have been preserved beneath the Square and are part of the underground exhibition.
It’s surprising to discover that right in the centre of today’s crowds there were tiny commercial rooms forming a dense network for selling luxury goods. For anyone interested in commercial history and urban development, this is a must-see.
If you enjoy urban archaeology, plan at least an hour for the underground route; the exhibition is interactive and tells the story of how the Market Square changed over the centuries.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall is now full of colorful stalls and souvenirs, but upstairs you’ll find a permanent exhibition of 19th-century Polish painting run by the National Museum. It’s a great example of a place that connects trade traditions with the role of a cultural institution.
If your time is limited, consider whether you prefer to go up to the gallery or down to the underground. Both places tell different stories about the Square and complement each other.
Special events and temporary exhibitions sometimes take place in the Cloth Hall; museum staff and museum guides know details and curiosities that can be missed by visitors exploring on their own.
Between the townhouses that open onto the Market Square you’ll find narrow passages, little courtyards and hidden cafés — perfect spots to rest away from the bustle. Check the backs of cellars or the arcades, where you’ll often find calmer coffee places and artisan galleries.
A few named spots often recommended by visitors: Vis a Vis cafe (by the Square), Wentzl restaurant — terrace with a view of the Market, and Wierzynek, a classic place with a long history. These are good choices when you want Old Town atmosphere without sacrificing quality.
If you’re after something less formal, look for small venues in side streets: they often serve local specialties and usually have a better value-to-quality ratio than the busiest places on the Square itself.
Archaeological digs have uncovered, among other things, materials connected with lead trade and fragments of large utilitarian objects — reminders that the Market was once a hub of goods movement, not only a ceremonial space. One interesting find was a large ingot of lead dated to the medieval period.
Another curiosity: the surface level of the Market has changed over the centuries; the ground rose over time, which means we literally stand over several layers of the city. It’s a great metaphor for anyone who wants to see Kraków in a multidimensional way.
Also remember that not everything that looks “old” today remains unchanged — many structures have been reconstructed or rebuilt, and some details come from later periods.
The most common mistake is rushing: many people make a quick circuit of the Square, take photos and leave, missing the chance to explore corners and the underground.
Avoid peak hours (roughly 11:00–15:00 in high season). Come early in the morning or later in the evening, or plan your visit on a less busy weekday. You’ll get into museums with shorter lines, look around stalls more peacefully and find a table in a good café.
Another issue is poor ticket planning: if you want to visit both the Underground and the Gallery in the Cloth Hall, check opening hours and possible closed days. Booking tickets online saves time, especially in season.
The entrance to the Market Square Underground is located opposite St. Mary’s Basilica; the museum offers a route with archaeological displays and information. Opening hours are seasonal and sometimes adjusted, so check current details before your visit.
The underground route is family-friendly and provides facilities such as an elevator (but check specific accessibility details if mobility is limited). There are restrooms and tourist information on site.
The Gallery in the Cloth Hall (a branch of the National Museum) requires a separate ticket; the ground-floor stalls are freely accessible, but the museum interiors require admission. When planning, consider how much time you want to allocate to each place.
Are the Market Square Underground exhibitions worth the time? — Yes, if you’re interested in the city’s history and want to see remnants of medieval buildings; the exhibition is interactive and well prepared for visitors of different ages.
Is it worth going up to the Cloth Hall gallery? — Yes, especially if you appreciate 19th-century Polish painting. The upstairs gallery complements the Cloth Hall’s role as both a trading place and a cultural venue.
Can you get lost under the Square? — The museum route is marked and prepared for tourists; there’s no risk of wandering off in the ancient corridors without guidance.
For a quick dessert or coffee: Vis a Vis by the Square — a cozy café with a long tradition and good guest reviews. For a classic dinner with a view: Wentzl or Wierzynek. These places are well known, highly regarded and steeped in tradition; great choices if you’re looking for quality and atmosphere.
If you want to try something local in a less touristy setting, browse the side streets of the Old Town — there you’ll often find restaurants serving regional dishes at more reasonable prices.
For quick bites or canteen-style regional flavors, check venues recommended in online reviews and apps — choose places with many positive reviews.
If you want to step further off the beaten path, consider a walk to the Podgórze district, the Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa), Krupnicza Street or the former Tytano factory complex — these spots reveal different sides of the city beyond the central Market.
The Historical Museum of the City of Kraków also runs themed walks and lectures — a great complement for those who want to learn more about archaeological discoveries and Old Town urbanism.
If you enjoy contemporary art, you’ll find independent galleries and small temporary exhibitions nearby, often tucked in courtyards or modest exhibition spaces.
If you have only a few hours: choose one of two options — “down” (Market Square Underground) or “up” (Gallery in the Cloth Hall). Both require time, so don’t try to rush both in a hurry.
If you plan to photograph: the best light on the Square is in the morning and late afternoon. In the evening the Market has a special atmosphere thanks to the façade and small venue lighting.
Book tickets online if you intend to visit museums during the tourist season — you’ll save time and avoid queues.
Look for information boards and small plaques in the arcades — many local stories are summarized there in a few sentences and we rarely read them. It’s a quick way to discover local curiosities.
Ask at the ticket office about mini-prints or small maps — exhibitions sometimes offer short brochures with a route that help understand the Market’s historical layers.
If you want to avoid crowds, ask museum staff for tips — they know quieter entrances and the times when exhibitions are less busy.
The Main Market Square is layered: life pulses on the surface while beneath the paving lie fragments of the city from centuries past. Looking here “off the beaten path” lets you see Kraków anew — more private, richer in stories and flavors.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a better visit and discover Kraków in a different way.
If you’d like help planning a visit, booking tickets, accommodation or transport, or a guided tour of museums and the Market’s corners, contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata can advise on routes, help with bookings and show places that are truly worth visiting — contact details and more information are available via the Zwiedzanie Krakowa service.
