The Main Market Square is the heart of tourist Kraków — monuments, museums, cafés and numerous events make almost everyone want to be there at the same time on a long weekend. Add fairs, concerts and outdoor events organised by the city and you get even more traffic. The result: long queues for the main attractions, narrow streets and trouble finding a table in a popular café.
Fortunately, crowds can be spread out in time and space. A few simple choices — when to come, what to reserve in advance and which side streets to take — can turn a stressful push through the crowd into a pleasant walk around the city.
The simplest rule: rise early or wait until the evening. Morning (just after cafés open, usually before 9:00) and late evening (after 20:00, when most day tours finish) are the moments when the Square feels most intimate. If you want photos without crowds — sunrise over the Cloth Hall is fantastic.
Avoid the peak time windows for the biggest attractions: 11:00–15:00 is the rush. If you can, visit popular places Tuesday–Friday instead of on weekends. When you plan travel for a specific long weekend — check the city and museums’ events calendars, because concerts and fairs greatly increase attendance.
Buy tickets online where possible. The most important museums and Wawel Castle have ticket systems — booking in advance lets you skip the line for tickets and plan a specific time to visit. It’s also worth having tickets on your phone in advance for some temporary exhibitions, towers or Vistula river cruises.
Remember that a “free admission day” doesn’t always mean shorter queues — on the contrary: free-entry days can attract crowds. If you value calm, it’s often better to pay for a ticket or choose a less popular time.
The main streets that lead to the Square (Floriańska, Grodzka, Grobla) are natural corridors for most tourists. If you want a calmer feel, choose side streets: Kanonicza, św. Tomasza, Poselska or the lanes between the Planty and Krakowskie Przedmieście often offer equally beautiful views and far less crush.
The Planty make a great walking ring — on a hot day you’ll find shade and a slower pace there. Instead of dropping straight onto the Square, approach from the side of St. Anne’s Church or Szczepańska Street to avoid the worst of the squeeze.
Also consider visiting less obvious attractions like Kościuszko Mound, the Vistula Boulevards or the quieter museums in Kazimierz. These are good options if you want to feel Kraków’s atmosphere without the pressure and queues.
If you’re arriving by car, leave it outside strict Zone A. There is a Paid Parking Zone in the centre — parking in subzone A is more expensive and spaces are very limited, especially on long weekends. Use P+R car parks or park in subzones B/C and take a tram or local train in.
Use parking-payment apps (Mobilet, SkyCash, Pango, etc.) — they save time and spare you from hunting for coins. Planning to use public transport is often faster than fighting for a parking spot in the centre.
If you want a relaxed meal, reserve a table in advance — popular places near the Square get fully booked for holiday dates weeks ahead. Recommended, well-rated options in the Old Town area include Pod Aniołami, Pod Baranami and Wierzynek (for a historic, more formal atmosphere) and cosy cafés such as Cafe Camelot or Massolit Books & Cafe. These places have good reputations and often serve guests efficiently — booking is a good habit.
If you want to eat right away and avoid waiting, head a few blocks off the Square — the areas around Mikołajska Street, Kopernika Street or św. Anny Street offer great, less crowded eateries. It’s also worth asking locals — museum staff and guides often recommend spots off the main trail.
For Wawel it’s worth buying a ticket in advance, planning an entry time and considering visiting in late hours — most visitors arrive before noon. Entrances to exhibitions follow a schedule and some displays have limited admissions during the day.
St. Mary’s Basilica has set tourist visiting hours and separate rules for entering the hejnalica tower — tickets (so-called donations) are usually available at the tourist service point on the day of the visit, and spaces for tower visits can be limited. Check hours and visiting conditions before you go, because during services part of the church is reserved for worshippers.
Mistake 1: Arriving at midday without reservations. Solution: start earlier or move your plan to the afternoon/evening.
Mistake 2: Relying on “quick” free-entry promotions. Solution: expect larger queues and decide whether you want to save on the ticket or on time.
Mistake 3: Trying to drive onto the Square or parking "just for a moment." Solution: use P+R, park in subzones B/C or use public transport.
Mistake 4: Not planning dining options. Solution: book tables in advance, especially for lunches and dinners on a long weekend.
Where are public toilets? - Near the Square there are toilets in service points and in some museums; it’s often better to plan short stops in cafés (with a small purchase) or use toilets in cultural centres.
Is the Square safe? - Yes, the city centre is regularly patrolled by security services, but as in any crowded place it’s wise to watch your belongings and not leave luggage unattended.
Is it worth hiring a guide? - If you want to learn the history of places and avoid wasting time in queues, the help of a certified guide is valuable — at Wawel there are also permanent guides who can lead groups and help speed up visits.
How to get between attractions? - The quickest way inside the Old Town is on foot; trams and buses are convenient if you move further away or want to avoid the crowds. City bikes and electric scooters are good options outside the busiest hours.
The best photos of the Square are taken at dawn or right after the outdoor seating closes — then the lights and historic façades have the nicest glow. Try also to go up to a balcony of one of the townhouses by the Planty — the view is often better than from the crowded spots near the Cloth Hall.
On hot days the city sometimes introduces temporary bans on carriage stops and restrictions on traffic through the Square — this affects the look of the plaza and can change access to some points. Check city announcements before you head out.
Some small private museums and galleries limit visitor numbers and operate by appointment — visiting them outside peak hours gives a unique experience without the crowd.
If you want to explore Kraków without stress and wasted time, planning and flexibility are key. Book tickets in advance, choose morning or evening hours, park sensibly and use side streets — that way the Main Market Square will show you its best side.
If you need help planning the perfect stay — from tailoring your route, through booking tickets and tables, to organising transport and accommodation — contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz. As a private guide (Małgorzata Kasprowicz / Margaret Kasprowicz) she can prepare an individual plan, lead you through museums and interesting places, and take care of the logistics of your trip. Details and the offer are available on the guide’s website; Małgorzata will be happy to advise and make reservations.
Finally — if you found these tips helpful, share the article with friends or on social media — let more people see Kraków at its best!
