The Main Market Square is the heart of Kraków — a large, lively square that for centuries has been a place of trade, celebrations and surprises. The Cloth Hall, standing almost in its center, is where history meets souvenirs and local crafts. If you come to Kraków with a company group or plan a school trip, a well-planned route around the Square and the Cloth Hall can be both educational and great fun for participants of all ages.
This guide contains practical advice, route suggestions, sample programs for corporate and school groups, and useful organizational information — all presented in a friendly, practical tone. As a licensed guide in Kraków I have led thousands of groups and I'm happy to share tips on how to do it well and without stress.
The Main Market Square is a natural starting point — it is easy to reach, well connected by public transport and has many attractions within a short walk. For companies: it’s a perfect place to begin a team event, deliver a short welcome, and tell the first city stories. For schools: the Square gives students a quick introduction to medieval trade, architecture and urban legends.
The Cloth Hall connects the history of trade with the chance to see authentic artisan stalls and souvenirs. A visit can be combined with stories about the Square’s former role, merchants, guilds and goods that arrived from across Europe — a great starting point for educational activities for children or team discussions for company groups.
Short stories, questions and simple tasks help participants remember key facts and get more involved in the rest of the tour.
St. Mary's Basilica — history, the hejnał and legends: a short story about the Gothic church and the traditional trumpet call, with an explanation why the hejnał ends abruptly. For students this works as a fun puzzle to solve; for adults it’s an opportunity to highlight architectural curiosities.
The Cloth Hall — historic trade and modern souvenirs: an overview of medieval merchandise and how the Cloth Hall’s role changed over centuries. Inside you can point out interesting stalls, show examples of local craft and plan a short break.
Adam Mickiewicz Monument and the Square’s atmosphere: a natural meeting point and a short discussion about the poet and the role of public space in Kraków’s life.
The Royal Route and the lanes leading away from the Square: an invitation to continue to Wawel, Floriańska Street and the Florian Gate.
At each stop I combine facts with anecdotes — that combination works best for groups and helps people remember more.
The Cloth Hall is not just a souvenir market. It’s a historic symbol of Kraków’s trade, a meeting place for merchants and a center of cultural exchange. I speak about guild structures, the types of goods traded and what trade looked like in medieval Europe.
For school groups I offer short tasks: identifying objects at stalls, mini-quizzes about materials and origins, and simple comparison exercises (what was sold then versus now?). For companies — a quick team activity: split into small teams and ‘hunt’ for information to present to the whole group. It’s an easy way to build relationships and a good atmosphere.
The Cloth Hall is also a great spot for group photos — the historic architecture makes a lovely backdrop. If you need audio headsets, they are available and make managing larger groups much easier.
I design school programs for different age groups — from grades 1–3 up to high school. Activities are dynamic, full of questions and short tasks so students stay active and engaged.
Sample 2-hour program for primary school: a short welcome and introduction, a story about the Cloth Hall and medieval trade, a quick quiz with small prizes (e.g. little souvenirs), and a mini field workshop with a simple task to complete on the Square. For older students I add historical and social elements and a discussion about the city’s role in the Middle Ages and today.
Pricing and options: clear rates for school trips (different brackets for small and large groups, time options) and audio-headset sets recommended for bigger classes so everyone can hear easily.
I work with teachers to adapt the program to the curriculum and the school’s expectations — before the trip we can discuss educational goals and design field tasks.
A corporate tour around the Square can be light and engaging while remaining valuable — historical stories are interwoven with team tasks and short team-building stops. It’s an excellent way to ‘warm up’ a group during events, conferences or integration days.
Example 3-hour company program: welcome and route presentation, a walk around the Square with short team tasks, a coffee break at a nearby café, a visit to the Cloth Hall and finishing with a mini-quiz or short team presentations. Programs can be themed (architecture, Kraków food stories, city legends) depending on your needs.
I also offer professional guiding in English and provide audio-headset sets — practical for larger or noisier events.
Prices and reservation details depend on route length and group size. There are different rates for small and large groups and language options. For larger groups I recommend booking in advance, especially during the high season.
Audio-headset sets: for groups above a dozen people I recommend headsets so everyone hears the guide without crowding together. The cost is modest and greatly improves the touring experience.
Languages: I guide in Polish and English — if you need another language, please check availability in advance.
Reservations: it’s best to contact me by phone or email ahead of time to set the route, start time and any special requests (themed tours, accessibility needs, etc.).
Clothing and footwear: the Square has a lot of cobblestones — comfortable shoes are essential. In summer bring a hat and water; in winter wear warm layers and slip-resistant shoes.
Weather and timing: if you plan a trip during the high season (May–September) or during major events, book early. In rain much of the storytelling can be done under the Cloth Hall arcades or in nearby covered places.
Safety and child supervision: for school trips I suggest splitting into small groups and having clearly marked meeting points after each stage — this reassures teachers and helps find everyone quickly.
Photos and breaks: there are plenty of photo spots and short-break places on the Square — agree these with the guide in advance to save time during the tour.
Route 1 — 60 minutes (for companies, a short team stop): welcome on the Square, a brief story about the Cloth Hall, the legend of St. Mary's Basilica’s trumpet call, finish at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument with a quick team task.
Route 2 — 2 hours (for schools, grades 4–6): welcome and introduction, the Cloth Hall with a materials-and-products identification task, walk to the Florian Gate and a story about the Royal Route, final quiz with prizes.
Route 3 — 3 hours (for companies, themed): the Square with an emphasis on architecture and legends, a longer stop at the Cloth Hall with a team activity, coffee break and team presentations.
These mini-routes are easy to modify — I adjust length, intensity and tasks to the group’s age, fitness and goals.
Q: Where do we meet on the Square? — I usually agree on a clear meeting point (for example by the Cloth Hall or at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument) which is easy for everyone to find.
Q: How long is a standard tour? — Usually 2–3 hours, but I offer flexible options: 60, 120 or 180 minutes depending on your group’s needs.
Q: Do you run tours for very large groups? — Yes — I provide special rates and can use headset sets to make guiding large groups manageable.
Q: What about bad weather? — In rain we move part of the storytelling under the arcades or to covered nearby spaces; for strong wind or storms we adapt the route or reschedule.
Q: Are school programs aligned with the curriculum? — Yes — I cooperate with teachers to match content and tasks to educational requirements.
If you plan a tour of the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall with me, please write or call to set the date, duration and program details. Booking in advance gives more flexibility and better tailoring of the route to your needs.
What I promise as your guide: enthusiasm, clear and engaging stories, tasks matched to the group’s age and character, and a practical approach to organizing the route — all to ensure the tour is enjoyable, educational and stress-free. Welcome to Kraków — the Square and the Cloth Hall are just the beginning of a wonderful city adventure.
