Yes — the Market Underground is one of those places that gains a special kind of magic after sunset. In the evening the atmosphere is calmer, the exhibit lighting contrasts more beautifully with the darkness above, and stories about medieval Kraków feel more atmospheric.
If you’re planning a private, intimate tour for a group of 7–20 people, evening hours are often ideal — shorter queues, less noise on the square, and more freedom to shape the narrative and stop where the group is most interested.
The Market Underground is a large archaeological exhibition beneath Kraków’s Main Market Square. It’s a real journey through time: fragments of medieval streets, remains of buildings, coins, pottery and reconstructions that show how trade and everyday life looked in historic Kraków.
The main route is called “In the Footsteps of Kraków’s European Identity” and highlights how important the city was as a center of commerce and culture in the Middle Ages. The exhibition combines excavations, scale models, multimedia and recreated market sounds, making history tangible and vivid.
The visit is a walk along specially prepared routes that cross the archaeological reserve (several thousand square meters) — be prepared for stairs and some uneven surfaces.
The standard museum route is a ready-made spatial and multimedia scenario that can be enriched by a guide’s commentary. As a guide I always tailor the story to the group — pace, historical emphasis and anecdotes change when I lead families with children, adult groups or evening social outings.
For groups of 7–20 I recommend a tour focused on trade, everyday life and curiosities (market economy, crafts, contacts with Hanseatic cities). With smaller groups we can stop longer at selected exhibits and answer more questions.
Guided tours usually last about 60–90 minutes, depending on pace and the number of questions.
Opening hours can vary by season, special events or maintenance work. For that reason I always recommend checking availability and booking your visit in advance.
In practice the museum regularly offers afternoon and evening entries, and during special events (for example Museum Night) the route can be open late into the night. If you plan an evening visit for a private group of 7–20 people, it’s wise to reserve the time in advance and confirm the last entry of the day.
The most convenient way is to contact the Market Underground staff directly — the phone number given with the attraction makes it easy to confirm current hours and ticket availability.
My services include private guided tours of the Market Underground and a short walking tour around the Market Square area. Medium-size groups (7–20 people) are perfect for an intimate, lively visit — no crowding and plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions.
To book: please write or call in advance — we’ll set the time, meeting point (usually the entrance by the Cloth Hall / Sukiennice) and decide whether you want only the Underground visit or the Underground plus a short surface walk around the Market and nearby sights.
For evening bookings please give an approximate number of participants so I can prepare the narrative and any supporting materials. If your group needs individual audio receivers (to hear comfortably in the underground spaces), I can arrange that.
- Group size: 7–20 people is a great number — large enough to feel the group dynamic, yet intimate so everyone can ask questions.
- Duration: plan 60–90 minutes for the Underground; if you add a short surface walk (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica), add another 30–60 minutes.
- Meeting point: I recommend the entrance by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — it’s the most intuitive spot and easy to find on the Main Market Square.
- Comfort: it’s cooler underground — bring a light jacket. There are stairs and uneven floors, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
- Accessibility: not all parts of the exhibition may be fully accessible for people with limited mobility — if anyone in your group has mobility needs, please let me know when booking and I will check available options.
Ticket prices for the Market Underground are set by the Museum; there are sometimes group rates. I offer private guiding services which are booked separately from museum tickets — we’ll arrange the financial details when confirming your reservation.
On my offering page you can find indicative prices for guided tours of Kraków (different packages and occasional promotions depending on group size and duration). For groups of 7–20 the basic package is usually sufficient — I give exact prices after we agree on the route and date.
If you plan to buy group tickets for the Underground, I recommend booking them in advance with the museum, especially for evening time slots.
Is an evening entry possible? - Yes, there are often afternoon and evening entries, especially during special events; for private groups it’s best to confirm in advance.
Is the Underground suitable for children? - Yes, children usually enjoy the exhibition, especially when the story includes anecdotes and demonstrations; watch out for stairs and lower parts of the passageways.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - For groups of 7–20 it’s strongly recommended to reserve tickets ahead of time, particularly for evening slots.
How long is the guided visit? - Typically 60–90 minutes in the Underground; longer if we include parts of the surface Market Square.
Where do we meet? - Most often at the entrance next to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice).
If you’re planning an evening visit to the Market Underground with a group of 7–20 people — please write or call as early as possible. That way I can check route and ticket availability and tailor the story exactly to your group’s interests.
When planning: check the weather if you’ll walk above ground afterwards, wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for the cooler underground. Bring a camera — the Underground is a great place for photos, though some exhibits are better photographed without flash.
I invite you to contact me and discover Kraków’s underground secrets together — with passion, humor and an engaging style of guiding.
