Main Market Square is a place that at first glance seems unchanged — the towers, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica. But if you look closer, you’ll notice many changes that have taken place over the last roughly 10 years. Some were obvious right away: new lighting, restored paving, tidied outdoor seating and repairs to adjacent streets. Other changes include new rules for events, carriage regulations, and the development of underground museum spaces that have completely changed how people visit the Square. As a guide I see that what matters most to a tourist is not just the architecture but the experience of the place — the morning quiet, the midday bustle, and then the evening lights and direct contact with local food. It’s good to know what to expect and how to plan your visit so the Square delights rather than disappoints.
From this text you’ll learn: how the city has protected the Market surface and reduced damage after mass events, what rules apply to organizers of outdoor seating, how the presence of horse-drawn carriages has changed, and which new museum spaces and revitalizations affect how people tour the area today. At the end you’ll find practical tips, an FAQ and my suggested walking route with recommendations for the best places to eat and rest. If you need help planning a trip, I’m happy to assist — you can find contact details on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site.
In recent years the city has invested in conserving and restoring the historic character of the area around the Market. Visible works have included renewing the Market surface and many side streets leading to it — repairs to streets such as Grodzka or św. Tomasza contribute to a clearer and neater pedestrian layout. Renovations have covered pavements, lighting and architectural details, which makes evening visits easier and improves the overall look of the area.
Conservation work also brought practical changes: the requirement to use special protective underlays and safeguards when installing stages and temporary structures, so the Market surface is not damaged. The city introduced procedures to protect paving and infrastructure, which reduces the risk of long repairs after big events. Thanks to this, walking around the Market is more pleasant today and the spots most visited by tourists are better maintained.
One of the most important projects of the past decade has been the development of archaeological displays beneath the Market surface. The undercroft/Market Underground has become an attractive, modern exhibition that lets you peer into the medieval layers of the city — a completely new experience for visitors who a decade ago only saw the surface. This has added depth to visiting the Market: you can now understand how the Square functioned through the centuries and discover treasures hidden under the pavement.
At the same time, rules introduced for organizing events, deposits and insurance requirements are meant to protect the historic Market surface and underground structures. That means fewer random installations of heavy equipment without proper protections, and consequently less frequent interruptions to access key tourist sites. When visiting the Market, remember that some underground attractions require advance ticket reservations, especially in high season.
The Market hosts cultural events, concerts and open-air shows throughout the year. On one hand this is an asset — the place is full of life and offers many unexpected attractions. On the other hand, frequent assembly and disassembly of structures can make strolling difficult and disrupt the iconic postcard image of the Square. In recent years the city tightened rules for organizers: guidelines, protective underlays, deposits and insurance are required, which reduces the risk of damage but doesn’t eliminate the temporary chaos during “assembly days.”
If you prefer a calm visit, plan to come in the morning — before most delivery and assembly works begin — or in the late afternoon after crews finish. Check the events calendar for your travel dates: large festivals and concerts can cause traffic restrictions, changes to where carriages wait, or temporary closures of parts of the Market surface.
After experiences of the last decade, and especially in response to behavior changes after the pandemic, outdoor seating has become an important part of life at the Market. The city introduced clear procedures regulating the location, equipment and operating hours of terraces. In practice this means better organization of space — terraces are designed so they don’t block walkways and so they harmonize with the historic surroundings.
If you plan to sit in an outdoor terrace at the Market, pick places with high ratings and book a table for evenings during the season. Recommended long-standing venues at the Market include the historic Wierzynek restaurant and popular spots serving modern cuisine — good choices if you want to try regional flavors amid historic surroundings. Also remember that winter terraces operate under different rules than summer ones and require separate permissions from restaurateurs.
Horse-drawn carriages are one of the most recognizable attractions of the Market, but in recent years their presence has been the subject of public debate. The city introduced modern tender conditions and regulations caring for horse welfare. For example, carriage stands may be temporarily closed on very hot days, and rules limit rides in extreme weather. This is the result of growing awareness and social pressure for better standards of animal care.
For a tourist this means carriages are available but their operation may be limited by weather or municipal decisions. If you want a ride, ask the owner/driver about conditions and choose a time of day when temperatures are pleasant. Using services that follow contemporary standards is a good way to support responsible practices.
The COVID-19 pandemic left its mark on the whole city — restrictions on tourist movement, closures of museum interiors and restaurants, followed by a rapid rebound in the season. As a result the local food and service industry adapted to greater emphasis on outdoor space, reservations and flexibility. Many venues upgraded their terraces, invested in online bookings and takeaway menus — changes that remained in tourism after the pandemic.
Tourist flows in subsequent years became more varied — the city is working on tools to manage visitor traffic, and discussions sometimes arise around tourist fees or limits for large events. For visitors this means the best experience comes from planning outside the peak season, booking tickets to popular sites in advance and choosing less obvious times for walks.
In many prestigious places, for example at Wawel, official guides employed by museum institutions operate on site. That guarantees specialist knowledge and organized access to interiors. If you want an expert tour of Wawel or museum exhibitions, choose guides who work with the museum or have official guiding licenses — this makes entry to rooms easier and often provides access to curiosities not found in a standard leaflet.
It’s also worth visiting the Market Underground and other museum exhibitions that now use multimedia storytelling. Booking tickets in advance is often necessary, especially in the tourist season.
Best time for a quiet walk: early morning, when most deliveries and vendors are not yet active and the Market is relatively empty. It’s the perfect time for photos and a reflective moment at St. Mary’s Basilica.
If you want to sit in a terrace or dine at a popular Market restaurant, reserve your table ahead — especially on weekends and in high season. Many places accept online or phone reservations.
Check the city events calendar before you arrive — big events can restrict access to parts of the Market surface, move carriage stands or increase assembly work.
Dress comfortably and be prepared for changing weather — the Market’s paving is beautiful but uneven, so comfortable shoes are a must.
If you plan to visit interiors like Wawel or underground museums, buy tickets in advance and consider going with a guide to get context and avoid queues.
Do carriages always run? - Carriages operate seasonally and according to city regulations; on very hot days their service can be limited or suspended. If a ride is important to you, check conditions on the day of your visit.
Are outdoor terraces open in winter? - Yes, there is a system of permits for winter terraces, but their number and equipment are regulated and differ from summer arrangements.
Is it worth booking a guide? - If you want history in context and to see places that are easier to reach with an experienced person, definitely yes. Official museum guides, for example at Wawel, often have knowledge and access that self-guided visits don’t provide.
How do I avoid crowds? - Come early in the morning, visit on weekdays outside the peak season, or choose an evening walk. Use side streets and small squares where the atmosphere feels more local.
Visiting only the Market surface and ignoring adjacent streets — Floriańska, Grodzka or Mały Rynek hide many curiosities and excellent cafés.
Not booking tickets to popular attractions — an easy way to waste an afternoon in queues.
Choosing the first restaurant you see without checking reviews — around the Market there are both excellent places and eateries aimed at quick tourist turnover, so choose wisely.
Not planning for weather and comfortable shoes — the Market surface is beautiful but stone paving can wear you out after hours of walking.
Start: early morning at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument — an ideal spot for a short introduction and photos.
Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and entrance to the Market Underground — allow 30–40 minutes for the archaeological exhibition under the Market surface.
St. Mary’s Basilica — a brief visit; try to be there on the hour for the trumpet hejnał.
A short walk down side streets: Szewska Street — Mały Rynek — a richer look at local cafés and artisan workshops.
Finish: recommended lunch or dinner at one of the well-known Market restaurants (for example the historic Wierzynek or other highly rated places) — reservations recommended.
Beneath the Market surface lie layers of medieval city life — the Market Underground shows townhouses, road fragments and everyday objects from centuries ago.
Many renovation works in the center are financed or co-financed with EU funds, which often means restored spaces combine historic appearance with modern technical solutions.
If you want a nice photo of the Market without crowds, arrive before 8:00 — even in season you can often get empty frames and soft morning light.
Be careful at souvenir stalls — compare prices and quality, and when paying by card watch for conversion rates and possible fees.
If you want to get to know Main Market Square comfortably and enjoyably, I invite you to use my services. As a private guide I can prepare a route tailored to your interests — from classic historic walks, through a culinary tour of the best spots, to tours focused on photography or art history. I also help with logistics: booking tickets to museums and the Market Underground, reserving tables at recommended restaurants, and arranging transport and accommodation.
Full contact details and my offer are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I’m happy to help plan a day or an entire stay in Kraków — from a sightseeing map to handling practical arrangements. If you found this article useful, share it with friends or on social media and invite them to plan a Kraków trip with you.
