Yes — it’s a great idea for a short but satisfying program: start with a visit to the Gallery of the International Cultural Centre (Rynek Główny 25), then enjoy a quick, comfortable melex ride around the Old Town and nearby areas. This plan lets you experience the intimate atmosphere of an exhibition and see the city’s main sights without too much walking.
In practice, plan around 60–90 minutes for MCK (depending on the exhibition) and 45–90 minutes for the melex ride. Together this gives about 3–4 hours with time for a coffee or a light meal.
Starting point — MCK: Rynek Główny 25 — right in the heart of the city, so after leaving the gallery it’s easy to reach the melex meeting point or a nearby street where operators run their routes.
MCK is more than exhibitions — it’s an institution with a rich program: temporary shows, talks, workshops and a themed bookshop. In a short visit you can often see unique Central European exhibitions and curatorial projects that are hard to find elsewhere in Kraków.
Many shows at MCK are well-documented and offer visitor materials; sometimes curatorial tours or themed events are available. The institution also focuses on accessibility: there are special hours for visitors who prefer quiet or multisensory visits. That means even a quick visit can be comfortable and rewarding.
It’s a good idea to check MCK’s current program in advance, because some exhibitions run for limited times and may include special accompanying events.
Exhibitions at MCK often feature Central European artists, curatorial projects and cross‑sectional shows on social and cultural themes. Depending on the season you may encounter retrospectives, thematic exhibitions or projects that connect art with regional history.
Pay attention to curatorial notes next to the works — they help you quickly understand the exhibition’s context. If a short guided tour or audio guide is available, consider using it: it shortens your visit while giving you expert insight.
For visitors with limited mobility, MCK provides information about available support and assistance. Sometimes the institution runs days with reduced ticket prices or special visiting hours.
A melex is an electric vehicle ideal for quickly and comfortably seeing Kraków’s historic districts. Operators offer short Old Town tours (40–60 minutes) and longer routes connecting the Old Town with Kazimierz and Podgórze (60–120 minutes).
Typical options: quick 40–60 minute overviews of Old Town highlights; a one‑hour route combining Old Town and Kazimierz; and 90–120 minute tours that also include Podgórze and sites related to 20th‑century history. Prices per vehicle generally range roughly from 200 to 420 PLN (varying with route length and number of passengers).
Check whether the vehicle has weather protection and whether the operator provides recorded commentary in your language or a live guide. Keep in mind that meleks cannot always drive into the innermost parts of the Main Market Square — municipal regulations restrict small vehicles on some inner streets and squares.
9:30–10:15 — enter MCK, a quick tour of the current exhibition, and a look at MCK’s visitor materials and bookshop.
10:15–10:30 — coffee at a nearby café (local favorites around the Market Square or Grodzka Street are great choices), then a short walk to the melex meeting point.
10:30–11:30 — melex ride around the Old Town with commentary on the main monuments and Kraków legends.
11:30–12:15 — if the route includes Kazimierz, a short stop at Plac Nowy or in one of the district’s atmospheric cafés or restaurants. End the tour in an area convenient for continuing your visit or returning to your hotel.
After sightseeing you’ll find many options — from traditional Polish fare to international cuisine. Around the Market Square there are several long‑recommended places suitable for a quick meal or a longer lunch.
Some well‑regarded options: Pod Wawelem — hearty traditional portions; Pod Aniołem — classic Polish cuisine in a historic interior; Szara and other Market Square restaurants — an elegant lunch choice; Hamsa in Kazimierz — Middle Eastern cuisine in a pleasant neighborhood atmosphere. For coffee, choose a small local café by the Market Square or in Kazimierz to soak up the atmosphere and rest.
If you care about current reviews, check them shortly before you go — central restaurants can be busy in high season and reservations are recommended.
Book the melex in advance — especially on weekends and during the season — to avoid stress. Many operators accept online or phone reservations, and popular routes can sell out.
Don’t schedule too little time for the exhibition — 30 minutes may let you glance through a few rooms, but if there are visitor materials or curatorial notes available it’s better to allow an hour.
Be aware of melex routes and traffic restrictions — meleks may not enter the very center of the Main Market Square; operators often start from locations near the Planty or main streets leading to the square. Ask exactly where pickup and drop‑off will be.
Avoid grabbing food at the busiest spots on the square — prices can be higher and quality inconsistent. If you want something more authentic, look a few side streets away or choose well‑reviewed recommended places.
MCK cares about accessibility: the institution offers assistance on request and organizes events considerate of sensory‑sensitive visitors. Check MCK’s site or call if you need support during your visit.
Melexes are electric, generally safe and eco‑friendly; however, remember routes go through historic streets with pavements and pedestrian traffic, so be careful when boarding and alighting. Ask the operator about accessibility for people with reduced mobility — not every melex has a ramp or enough space.
In bad weather choose meleks with covers or plan a shorter route.
How much time do you need at MCK? — A relaxed viewing usually takes 45–90 minutes, depending on the exhibition’s size and your pace.
How much does a melex ride cost? — Prices vary by operator: roughly 200–420 PLN per vehicle (1–5 people) for standard 40–90 minute routes. Some operators offer per‑person rates for larger groups.
Do meleks drive onto the Main Market Square? — Due to municipal restrictions, some areas of the Main Market Square and the Small Market Square are off‑limits to meleks. Operators usually start and finish near the Planty or on main streets adjacent to the square.
Do you need to book MCK tickets? — For large events and guided tours it’s best to book ahead; for general exhibitions you can often buy a ticket on entry. Check the institution’s current exhibition calendar before you go.
In addition to exhibitions, the International Cultural Centre runs active educational and publishing projects — in the MCK bookshop you can find publications that are hard to locate elsewhere. It’s a great place to look for books on Central European culture.
Some meleks offer multilingual audio systems — if you’re traveling with an international group, ask the operator about language options so everyone can hear the commentary without needing a separate guide.
On weekdays and outside the high season you can usually expect shorter queues and better prices at cultural institutions and among melex operators.
Confirm whether the ride price includes audio commentary or a live guide. The commentary language matters — make sure it will be understandable to participants.
Agree on the exact start and end points of the ride — not all tours finish at the starting location. If you plan to continue on foot or return to your hotel, ensure the tour’s end point is convenient.
Ask about bad‑weather options and the operator’s cancellation policy — especially if you book in advance.
Combining a quick visit to the MCK Gallery with a melex ride is an excellent way to efficiently and enjoyably discover Kraków in half a day. It balances a calm encounter with art and a comfortable panoramic view of the city’s main sights.
If you liked this idea, share the article with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a short visit to Kraków. If you’d like to tour with a local guide, you’re invited to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact information is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip and enjoy discovering Kraków!
