Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — Guide and Offer for Companies (Małgorzata Kasprowicz)

Why start your visit at the Main Market Square?

The Main Market Square is the heart of Kraków — one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. In a single walk you can see the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica with the altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the Town Hall Tower and entrances to underground attractions. For companies and groups it is an excellent first contact with the city: meeting points are easy to find, routes are compact, and the monuments tell the story of Poland and Kraków in an engaging way visible as soon as you step off the bus or train.

A guided tour helps organise information, saves time and ensures you see the highlights without getting lost. A guide can focus the group’s attention, present key facts and stories attractively and adapt pace and content to participants’ needs (business groups, school groups, international visitors).

If you are planning a corporate visit, I recommend starting with a short presentation on the Square and then tailoring the route: short tour (2 hours), extended (3 hours) or a full-day programme with extra stops and a meal break.

What to see on the Square and in the Cloth Hall?

Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - once a trade hall, today a meeting place and museum exhibition. The upper floor often hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions, while the ground floor keeps a trading atmosphere: handicrafts, souvenirs and local products.

St. Mary’s Basilica - an icon of the Market Square. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth hearing the story of the hourly hejnał (trumpet call) and learning about Veit Stoss, the creator of the famous main altarpiece. Entering the interior allows you to see artistic details and the city’s religious history.

Town Hall Tower and the Rynek Underground - sites that complete the story of Kraków: the tower offers a panorama of the Square and the modern archaeological exhibition under the Market reveals everyday life across the centuries.

Walk the Royal Road - it leads through St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican toward Wawel. This is a natural extension of a Square tour and a great option if the group wants to see more in one go.

Offer for companies — a practical programme

The offer is flexible and tailored to company needs: from short integrative walks to longer themed routes around the city. Programmes can be planned in 2-, 3- or 4-hour formats, with an option to extend.

Sample 2-hour plan (ideal for a first contact): - 0:00 Start at the Main Market Square (short introduction) - visit the Cloth Hall, stories about trade and city life - short stop at St. Mary’s Basilica (hejnał and Veit Stoss) - walk part of the Royal Road and finish at St. Florian’s Gate.

Sample 3–4-hour plan (extended): - add visits inside selected sites (e.g. Rynek Underground) - continue to Wawel or to Kazimierz (depending on preferences) - coffee break or lunch at one of the recommended restaurants - option: themed presentation (legends, royal history, art and craft).

Closed-company programmes are also possible: tours combined with team-building workshops, city quizzes or a dinner in a historic venue.

Indicative pricing (available options)

The guide’s offer includes price variants adjusted to group size and guiding language. Example prices (promotion valid in autumn‑winter 2025/2026):

- Small groups (1–35 people), Polish: 2 hours — 300 PLN (promotion) / 350 PLN (regular), 3 hours — 400 PLN / 450 PLN, 4 hours — 500 PLN / 550 PLN.

- Small groups (1–35 people), English: 2 hours — 400 PLN (promotion) / 450 PLN (regular), 3 hours — 500 PLN / 600 PLN, 4 hours — 650 PLN / 750 PLN.

- Large groups (36+ people) can be billed per person — options start from a few dozen PLN per person depending on duration.

- Audio headset sets for groups are also available — rental cost about 8 PLN per person. This is a convenient solution in crowded places or when the group splits into short separate stages.

Why choose Małgorzata Kasprowicz as your company guide?

Małgorzata is a licensed Kraków guide (licensed since 2012) with extensive experience leading a wide range of groups: from school trips to business groups and VIPs. Her narration blends solid knowledge with anecdotes and humour, which makes even longer programmes easy to absorb.

For companies, punctuality and safety matter — Małgorzata emphasises logistics, clear timing and contact with the organiser, and she provides comfortable technical solutions (headset sets).

If you want a programme tailored to your company’s profile (historical, artistic, team-building topics), the guide will prepare a bespoke route.

Practical tips for organisers of company groups

Booking: it’s best to contact in advance — especially in high season. Morning or late-afternoon slots are often more comfortable due to smaller crowds on the Square.

Meeting point: a convenient spot is the centre of the Square by the Cloth Hall or by the Town Hall Tower — easy to find and safe for gathering the group. Agree a backup meeting point in case participants get separated.

Transport and logistics: for larger groups plan coach/bus parking outside the strict city centre and agree on precise arrival/pick-up times. Check local regulations for driving into the Old Town if you plan direct access to the Square.

Tickets to museums and interiors: if you plan to enter interiors (e.g. Sukiennice museum, Rynek Underground or the Basilica), reserve tickets in advance. Some venues have group limits and scheduled entry times.

Weather and clothing: the Square is open-air — depending on the season bring umbrellas, warm layers or sun protection. Comfortable footwear is essential, especially for routes longer than 2–3 km.

Where to eat near the Square — a few recommendations

For a quick lunch or business meal I recommend places located on or near the Square: - Wierzynek — a historic restaurant with elegant interiors (suitable for groups and corporate events) - Szara Główna — combines tradition with modern touches; a good option for client lunches - Pod Aniołami — regional cuisine in historic cellars - Cafe Camelot — a cosy spot for coffee and a short break.

It’s worth reserving tables in advance, especially for groups of a dozen or more. For an evening integration consider a dinner with local dishes or a private room in one of the restaurants. If the group has dietary requirements, inform the restaurant ahead of time.

For a quick snack check the nearby cafés and small outlets offering local products — ideal when the programme is tight and you need a short break.

Suggestions for team-building and themed programmes

City quiz on the Square — divide the group into teams and run a short game with questions and tasks; it’s an excellent form of integration and reinforces knowledge.

Themed routes: - "In the Footsteps of Kings" — stories of Wawel and the Royal Road - "Legends and Curiosities" — a lighter, more entertaining programme ideal for an evening event - "Art and Craft" — a Cloth Hall visit with emphasis on trade history, crafts and artists.

Kraków workshops — after the tour you can organise short workshops (e.g. ceramics, painting or culinary) in nearby studios or a hired room. This adds tangible value to the trip and leaves participants with memorable keepsakes.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Does the guide lead groups in English? - Yes, tours are available in English; prices are adapted to the chosen language.

How long does a Square tour with the Cloth Hall take? - It depends on the style: a short information programme can take 60–90 minutes, a standard tour about 2 hours, and extended programmes 3–4 hours with additional visits.

Do we need permission to enter the Square with a group? - The Square itself is public, but access to some interiors and museums may require reservations and have group limits. For larger groups it’s worth arranging details in advance.

Does the guide provide audio equipment for large groups? - Yes, headset sets are available to rent (usually for a nominal fee), which greatly helps communication in crowded periods.

Is the route accessible for people with reduced mobility? - The Square is generally accessible, but some museum interiors, towers or underground areas may be difficult to access. Please report such needs when booking so the programme can be adapted.

How to book a company tour — practical steps

1. Define the scope: decide whether you want 2, 3 or 4 hours, which sites are priorities (Cloth Hall, Wawel, Kazimierz) and whether you need extra services (audio, workshops, catering).

2. Provide the number of participants and the preferred guiding language. This helps match pricing and propose logistical solutions (e.g. headset sets).

3. Reserve the date in advance — especially during tourist season and for large groups. Agree on a meeting point and a contingency plan in case of delays.

4. Confirm details and payment terms. For larger bookings it’s possible to arrange an invoice or collective payment.

A few final tips

Plan the route to allow a short break — even 20–30 minutes for coffee or a snack refreshes participants and improves comfort.

If you plan to enter interiors, reserve tickets in advance — many places have limited group entries.

Stay flexible: weather, Square events or city happenings (markets, demonstrations) can affect the programme; a good guide always has a plan B.