St. Mary's Basilica is one of Kraków's most recognisable places — its interior hides Gothic treasures, including the monumental Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece and impressive polychromes that look very different up close than in photos taken from the Market Square. Plan your visit so you have time to calmly study details and make a few well-thought-out shots — you don't need many photos, but the right frames stay with you longer.
Before you pick up your camera or phone: check visiting hours and entrance rules. The basilica asks tourists to buy small admission tokens that support parish activities; there are special times and areas reserved for people who come to pray (access to those areas is free, but the view of the altar may be limited). In practice this means visitors have designated entrances and limits on movement inside — respect those rules and don't try to bypass them.
Try to visit outside the busiest tourist hours (right after opening or late afternoon). If you want photos with golden light coming through the stained glass, watch the time of day and the season — the light inside changes quickly.
The basic rules come from the basilica's regulations and general respect for a place of worship: keep quiet, don't disturb people praying, don't go behind fences or taped-off areas, and follow staff instructions.
Flash photography is often prohibited in churches and museums; even if you don't see a sign, it's better not to use a flash — bright bursts can damage artworks and spoil the atmosphere of photos. Tripods and larger photographic constructions may be banned or restricted — in a crowded interior they obstruct other visitors.
Remember that people enter the church for different reasons: tourists, worshippers, staff and guides. When a liturgy is taking place, parts of the space may be closed to tourists and photography — respect those restrictions.
The basilica provides clear information about visiting hours and the price of admission tokens; buying a token is also acceptance of the visiting regulations. Entry for those who wish to pray is free but leads to a different area than the one for tourists.
In practice: if you plan to photograph the interior intensively (long sessions, setting up equipment, shooting at the altar), consider contacting the basilica's tourist services in advance — sometimes a special permission or agreed time is required so you don't interfere with liturgy.
If you need help with formalities (reservation, entry time, logistics), you can use official tourist services or the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz, who knows procedures and can help coordinate the visit.
Put your phone or camera on silent. Shutter sounds, notifications and loud conversations disturb people praying and other visitors.
Don't stand where you block passage or other people's view. If you want an unusual perspective, politely ask if you may stop for a moment — a short request and a smile often work wonders.
Avoid group poses in front of the altar during prayer, don't use flash, don't touch exhibits and don't cross barriers. In group visits — listen to the attendant or guide, they are usually responsible for safety and calm in the church.
Look for details. The Veit Stoss altarpiece and the polychromes hide many decorative fragments — carved details, saints' faces and parts of the altar wings make great frames that don't require a wide angle and work well in vertical formats.
Use the architecture: sharp arches, columns and leading lines help build compositions with depth. Position yourself so architectural lines lead the eye to the main subject of the photo.
Find the right viewpoint. Sometimes a better shot comes from a little distance and using a longer lens — that isolates the altar and cuts out the crowd in front.
The basilica's interior has limited, soft light — settings depend on your equipment, but general rules are: apertures from wide to medium (f/2.8–f/8 depending on the goal), a reasonable ISO (with modern cameras you can go up to 800–3200 depending on noise performance), and shorter shutter speeds if you want to avoid motion blur — image stabilization helps.
If you're shooting with a phone, use night or manual mode, lower exposure, enable stabilization if available and rest the device on supports (window ledge, bench). Avoid using the flash.
In low light it's worth shooting RAW when possible — that gives you more room to correct white balance and recover details during editing.
Full-size tripods are often not allowed in crowded churches — they can obstruct and pose a hazard. A monopod or a small tabletop tripod may be accepted, but always ask staff first.
If you plan a professional session (wedding, commercial, setting up lighting) you must obtain permission from the church authorities and usually pay a fee and agree on times. For tourist shots it's better to rely on camera stabilization and higher ISO rather than setting up equipment.
If you can't use a tripod: shoot with support (bench, railing) or take a bracketed series of exposures to merge later in post-processing for a cleaner image.
Altarpiece details: make close-ups of carvings, the play of light on polychromes, wood grain and gilding. These photos work well as visuals for travel posts.
Shots with people in the background: focus on an architectural detail or sculpture and let passers-by form a soft blur behind — this adds context and scale to images.
Interior symmetry: if you can get to the nave centreline, use the symmetry of columns and arches for a classic, harmonious frame. Vertical compositions often convey the height and proportions of the interior better.
Mistake: using flash. Result: flat, overexposed subjects and annoyance for worshippers. Instead raise ISO, use stabilization and edit RAW files.
Mistake: occupying space for too long without asking. Result: blocking passage and complaints. Solution: short bursts, move quickly and ask politely for permission.
Mistake: ignoring liturgy times. Result: loss of access to parts of the interior or having to leave. Check the mass and events schedule before your visit.
Can I take photos with my phone? - Yes, tourist photography with a phone is allowed in designated areas, provided you keep quiet and don't use flash.
Do I need permission for images “for media” or commercial use? - For commercial, wedding or professional shoots with significant equipment you normally need a separate permit and to agree the time with the basilica staff.
When is the best time to come to encounter fewer people? - Earliest opening hours or late afternoon; avoid the midday tourist peak and times just before and after the hourly hejnał (trumpet call).
Photography of monuments has a long history — some of the earliest photographs of the Veit Stoss altarpiece were taken in the 19th century as documentation before restorations; this shows the importance of responsible recording of heritage.
Sometimes people enter the church to pray and at the same time see the interior without buying a token — conflicts usually stem from not knowing the rules rather than ill will. Buying the token and following the rules is the best way to avoid awkward situations.
Keep in mind that laws and local regulations occasionally restrict photography of certain strategic objects or infrastructure; while this usually doesn't apply to the basilica interior, it's useful to be aware of local photography limits in the city.
After your visit, sit down at a well-rated spot by the Market Square and go through your shots. Classic places around the Square offer good coffee and regional dishes — choose a venue with good reviews and a short queue to keep your sightseeing moving.
If you like, I can suggest a few trusted cafés or restaurants nearby and help with reservations and logistics. It's always nice to relax and compare frames — some of the best photos come after a short break and a fresh look at your images.
If you need help planning a visit (hours, tickets, access, contact with basilica staff), consider using the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata knows local procedures, can advise on the best times for photography, help with bookings and logistics (transport, accommodation, restaurant reservations), and guide you through museums and Kraków's sights.
Details of services and how to get in touch are available via the guide's official site. Using a guide makes organising a visit easier, especially if you plan more demanding photography or want a visit outside standard opening hours.
Feel free to contact Małgorzata — she will gladly help plan your photographic visit in Kraków and take care of every detail.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends or on your social profiles so other visitors can benefit from practical tips. Share your photos from St. Mary's Basilica — I'd love to see which shots worked best for you!
If you want to tour with a guide and be sure your visit will be calm, well planned and allow you to take successful photos — contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz through her website. She will help plan routes, bookings and logistics so you can focus on photographing and enjoying Kraków.
