Entering low-traffic zones around the Planty and the streets leading to the Market Square. Signs can be discreet, and fines plus camera photos end the discussion quickly.
Stopping too close to intersections and pedestrian crossings. Keep 10 m from a zebra crossing and from street corners, otherwise you risk a fine or towing.
Parking on the sidewalk without leaving a 1.5 m walkway. The narrow sidewalks of the Old Town make this visible immediately.
Blocking building gates and courtyard driveways. Deliveries in the centre run like clockwork, and reports to city wardens arrive fast.
Stopping in bus bays, on tram tracks or in emergency and service access points. These are zero-tolerance zones.
The Old Town and the areas around the Market are covered by the Central Paid Parking Zone. Fees apply Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00. Sundays are free.
Prices are progressive and differ across subzones A, B and C. The most expensive is A (closest to the Market), cheaper is B and cheapest is C. If time matters, aim for A or B. If cost matters, choose C and plan a 7–12 minute walk.
You pay at a parking meter or with an app. Always check which subzone you are in and that the vehicle registration number entered in the app is correct.
Direct approaches to the Market: Floriańska, Grodzka, Szewska, Bracka and their exits by the Planty. These are pedestrian zones or have very restricted vehicle access.
By the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre and on narrow stretches of Basztowa. Heavy tram and bus traffic — a tow truck will arrive quickly.
Gate entrances at św. Anny, Gołębia, Wiślna and Szczepańska. They may look safe for a moment, but these are among the most frequently reported spots.
Coach bays and city bus stops in the ring around the Planty. They are only for short technical stops for collective transport.
Plac Szczepański underground — a 3–5 minute walk to the north-west quarter of the Market. Easy access from Karmelicka toward the centre. Good pedestrian exits straight onto the square and toward Szczepańska.
Galeria Krakowska multi-storey — a 10–12 minute walk to the Market through the station tunnel and the Planty. High turnover of spaces, least stress during peak times, plus restrooms and facilities.
Street parking under the Planty on the Pawia and Westerplatte side — often cheaper than spots right by the Market, and the walk is simple and pleasant. Look for legal parallel parking sections.
From the north and west stick to Alei Trzech Wieszczów and turn into Karmelicka. From Karmelicka you get direct access to Plac Szczepański and streets around Stary Kleparz.
From the station and the east head for Galeria Krakowska. Exit from ul. Lubicz or Pawia, then it’s a short walk through the Planty.
Coming from Kazimierz and Podgórze, Stradomska toward Basztowa is often congested. Better to cut across Dietla toward Grzegórzecka and enter from Pawia or Aleja Krasińskiego.
Drop-offs for groups should use designated tourist stops by the Planty and main arteries. Limits on stop time are counted in minutes and longer parking is not permitted.
After unloading, drive to a long-term parking area outside the strict centre. Circling around the Planty usually leads to growing delays and fines.
Parking meters accept cards and coins. Mobile apps let you start and stop billing to the minute.
A broken parking meter does not exempt you from paying. Use another machine or an app. Always keep your payment confirmation.
Enforcement runs during the zone’s operating hours and checks registration plates. No payment means an additional charge, often higher than the cost of an hour of parking.
You are parked more than 10 m from an intersection and pedestrian crossing and 15 m from a bus stop.
You left at least 1.5 m of free passage on the sidewalk.
You are not blocking a gate, hydrant, fire lane or tram tracks.
You checked the subzone, your payment is active and the registration number is entered correctly.
Is parking charged at the Market on Sundays — no, the zone operates Monday to Saturday 10:00–20:00.
The closest and most reliable garage — Plac Szczepański. The highest turnover of spaces — Galeria Krakowska.
Is it worth hunting for a spot right at the Market — usually not. Better to leave the car 5–12 minutes’ walk away and save about 20 minutes that you would spend circling.
Have a plan A and B. A — Plac Szczepański. B — Galeria Krakowska. One less loop is fifteen minutes saved.
If you arrive after 17:30, aim for street spaces by the Planty on the Pawia or Westerplatte side. Turnover increases and stress decreases.
Don’t try to squeeze into narrow chokepoints at Grodzka and św. Anny. Even when you see a free spot, getting there often costs more time than walking from a garage.
Combine smart parking with smooth sightseeing of the Market Square without circling or stress. Contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz to arrange a guided visit and set the date.
When you park and head to the Market Square you are steps away from St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and historic merchant streets.
If you want a coffee before sightseeing try Cafe Camelot or Mleczarnia on ul. Józefa — both popular with visitors to the Old Town.
For a traditional or formal meal consider Wierzynek (near the square) or one of the many bistros on Poselska and Grodzka. For quick local snacks look for obwarzanki stands around the Market.
How to pay if you don’t have cash — use one of the mobile apps or pay by contact card at the meter.
Can I extend parking remotely — yes, most apps allow extension as long as you remain within the zone and the rules permit it.
What to do if my car is towed — contact the municipal wardens (Straż Miejska) or the parking authority number posted on nearby signs. Save photos of where you parked to help locate it quickly.
