Beneath the surface where tourists walk every day lies an extensive archaeological reserve with building layers reaching back to the Middle Ages. The Market Square Underground (Rynek Podziemny) presents these discoveries as an interactive exhibition — reconstructed old streets, fragments of paving, everyday objects and multimedia installations give the site a unique character.
Visiting the underground is not only a history lesson but also a photographic opportunity: dim light, the textures of ancient walls and subtle exhibition lighting create compelling frames if you know how to use them. Plan your visit so you can combine the underground tour with a morning or late-afternoon photo session on the Market and nearby streets. Expect about 60–90 minutes for a relaxed visit with time for photos.
The exhibition shows layers of Kraków’s development — from the early Middle Ages to modern times. You will see fragments of former streets, foundations of craftsmen's houses, remains of waterworks and everyday objects unearthed during excavations.
The exhibition blends traditional display cases with projections, holograms and screens, which opens many photographic possibilities. When photographing inside the museum pay attention to contrasts of light and shadow and make use of interesting textures — bricks, paving stones and metal details create strong, graphic shots.
Remember that the museum is a place where exhibits and other visitors deserve respect — casual and documentary photos are usually allowed, but commercial shoots and use of a tripod may require permission. Ask staff before setting up larger equipment.
The entrance to the Underground is located in the area of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), between the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. The museum is run by a city institution and follows a seasonal schedule — so it’s best to check current opening hours and ticket prices before you come, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Buying tickets online reduces the risk of missing a slot at a specific time. Tickets are also sold at the box office, but in high season it’s safer to reserve in advance. Bear in mind that the last admission is sometimes restricted (the museum may stop selling tickets some time before official closing).
Visitors with limited mobility should check route accessibility — there are steps and stair sections, and conditions inside may be less comfortable for wheelchairs. Families with small children should note that parts of the exhibition are dim and intimate, which may not suit every child.
The two best times to shoot in central Kraków are early morning just after sunrise and the golden hour before sunset. In the morning the square is much less crowded, the light is soft, and the colors of the buildings are nicely emphasized. The late-afternoon golden hour gives warm tones and long shadows — perfect for moody shots of Wawel and the Vistula boulevards.
Exact golden hour times depend on the date and season, so if you want precision set an alarm for sunrise or sunset in a weather or photography app. Planning lets you claim a good spot, especially at popular viewpoints such as Bernatek footbridge or Kościuszko Mound.
If you want to combine a visit to the Underground with a surface session, consider a morning plan: wake early, take a few Market and Cloth Hall shots at dawn, then go down to the exhibition. Alternatively, visit the Underground around midday and return in the evening for the golden hour along the river.
For museum interiors a bright wide-angle or standard lens with good stabilization works best. If the rules allow, a tripod offers the most possibilities in low light, but many museums require prior permission for tripod use. Practically, consider a monopod or place your camera on a stable surface.
Camera settings: for architecture use medium apertures (f/5.6–f/11) for sharpness and depth of field. In low light raise ISO but control noise — modern cameras handle ISO 800–3200 well depending on the model. For details and macro shots choose a wider aperture (smaller f-number) to isolate the subject.
On the surface, for Market architecture try low-angle shots to emphasize facades. During the golden hour use a warm white balance or correct it in post. For night shots bring a tripod and use long exposures with low ISO to get smooth lights and attractive reflections in the Vistula.
Look for natural frames — the Cloth Hall arcades, building doorways and tree branches in the Planty create framing. Leading lines (streets, bridge edges) guide the viewer’s eye to a focal point.
Include people: silhouettes of passersby, a stall vendor or a couple on a bench add scale and story. In urban photography it’s often the story and context that make a photo interesting.
Experiment with height and perspective: low-angle shots lengthen buildings and add drama, while higher viewpoints (Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound, towers) give panoramas you can’t get from market level.
6:00–8:30 — morning session on the Main Market and the Planty; breakfast at one of the cafés by the Market. 9:00–11:00 — visit the Market Square Underground, relaxed shots of interiors and exhibition details. 11:30–14:00 — walk toward Wawel and the river boulevards; lunch and a short rest. 16:00–18:30 — golden hour on the boulevards, bridges and viewpoints; evening long exposures and night shots.
This schedule lets you catch different light and perspectives while avoiding the biggest crowds. Book Underground tickets in advance to ensure an entrance slot during your morning activities. Also leave time for coffee and people-watching — many of the best shots come when you simply look around.
Vistula Boulevards and Bernatek Bridge — reflections in the water and warm sky tones. Wawel from the opposite bank of the Vistula gives a classic, photogenic composition. The Planty and streets around the Market — soft light on the building facades in the morning. Kościuszko Mound and Krakus Mound — viewpoints offering city panoramas at sunrise and sunset.
If you want shots with fewer people, pick less obvious spots: streets leading away from the Market (e.g. Grodzka, Szewska) at dawn can produce unusual, cinematic frames. Kazimierz at sunset has a different atmosphere — warmer and more local than the central Market.
Arriving “at the last minute” — you miss the best spots or crowds spoil the composition. Solution: come earlier, especially for the golden hour or sunrise.
No spare power — a dead battery in the middle of a session. Solution: bring a powerbank for your phone, spare camera batteries and an extra memory card.
Inconsiderate equipment setup — blocking passages or opening a tripod in the middle of a walkway. Solution: look for side spaces, set up on a bench or a gap and always leave a clear path for others.
Photographing interiors with reflective glass from the wrong angle — reflections ruin the frame. Solution: change angle, use a polarizer or take several exposures to blend in post.
Can I take photos in the Underground? Yes — visitors can usually photograph the exhibition for personal use, but commercial shoots and large tripods need museum permission. Always ask staff before beginning a professional session.
Is it better to buy tickets online or at the box office? I recommend buying online in season or when entry slots are limited. On-site tickets are sometimes available, but weekends and holidays can be sold out.
Will children enjoy the Underground? The exhibition has multimedia elements and reconstructions that interest younger visitors, but some areas are dim. If a child is afraid of dark spaces, plan a shorter visit or reschedule.
Are there free admission days? Some city institutions offer free-entry days. Check current information before your visit, as rules and dates change.
Słodki Wentzl — a Market classic; a good spot for coffee and cake with a view of the square. Cafe Camelot — atmospheric interior, popular with photographers and travelers; perfect for a break after a morning session. Charlotte Chleb i Wino — fresh bakery and French touches; a good option for breakfast or a light lunch.
For an elegant dinner after a day of shooting, Restauracja Wierzynek is a historic choice close to the Market. In Kazimierz check cafés and bars around Plac Nowy — atmosphere and street shots often go hand in hand there. I recommend choosing places with solid reviews and booking a table on weekends.
Under the Market there is a truly multi-layered story — from wooden settlements through stone foundations to traces of trade and craft. It’s more than a few cellars: it’s an archaeological reserve comparable in scale to other European urban reserves.
The exhibition uses multimedia and reconstructions, so touring is not just about looking at artifacts behind glass — the experience is narrative and scenographic, offering different photographic opportunities than a classical museum of cabinets.
Commercial sessions in the historic center and inside museums require permissions and often fees. If you plan a professional shoot at the Cloth Hall, on the Market or inside the museum, contact the institution in advance to get the necessary permits. This will save stress and potential issues with security or municipal guards.
Drones over the city center are regulated. Many parts of the historic downtown are no-fly zones without special authorization. Check current regulations and controlled zone maps before flying.
The best way to get empty frames is to wake up early: before 8:00 the Market is often much quieter than at noon. If you’re not an early bird, the golden hour before sunset can offer equally beautiful light, but be aware that foot traffic increases.
Look for side streets and Cloth Hall entrances instead of standing in the middle of the square. Sometimes 20 meters from the busiest point you’ll find a peaceful lane with equally good light and an interesting composition. A little planning and quick reconnaissance before your key shot will protect you from missing the best light.
If this article helped you, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan their Kraków visit and take better photos. Good shots are also great travel souvenirs.
If you’d like help planning a photography route in Kraków or a private guided tour tailored to your photographic preferences, get in touch. Contact details and the offer for private tours by Małgorzata Kasprowicz are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — I’ll be happy to help fine-tune every detail of your visit.
