The Planty form a green ring around the Old Town and, beneath them, lie some of the most interesting remains of medieval Kraków. If you plan a walk along the Planty and a visit to the Market Underground Museum, this article will walk you step by step through how to organise the trip, where to buy tickets, how long the visit will take and what group limits apply. The tips collected here will help you save time for coffee and a relaxed exploration of the Market Square's corners.
This text is based on typical museum organisation practices and common tourist experience — all presented clearly so your stay in Kraków is pleasant and low-stress. I focus on practical information and helpful solutions for visitors.
The Planty are a strip of parkland encircling the Old Town for roughly 4 kilometres — a remnant of the city’s fortifications that in the 19th century were replaced by paths, lawns and trees. A stroll along the Planty is a great way to begin your day in Kraków: benches, shaded areas and views of historic townhouses help you get your bearings and plan the rest of your itinerary.
- Why start here? The Planty link the main approaches to the Main Market Square (for example via Szewska, Grodzka and Floriańska streets) and allow a slow introduction to the city's atmosphere — without rushing, with stops for photos and coffee.
- When and how: the best times for a walk are morning (fewer people) and late afternoon (golden light and more comfortable temperatures in summer). If you plan to enter interiors (for example St. Mary’s Church or the Market Underground), schedule your walk at the beginning or end of the day to avoid the busiest midday hours.
The Planty combine nicely with a short route: Main Market Square – Cloth Hall – Market Underground (entrance from the Cloth Hall on the St. Mary’s side) – a short stretch of the Planty toward Collegium Maius or the Barbican. This programme can be completed in roughly 3–4 hours, allowing for museum visits and a coffee break.
The Market Underground Museum is an archaeological and multimedia exhibition located directly beneath the surface of the Main Market Square. You’ll see fragments of former streets, remains of craft and merchant buildings, everyday finds and presentations showing how city life changed over the centuries.
The visit is visually rich and usually lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on whether you join a guided tour, use an audio guide and on the pace of the group. Plan about 1.5 hours if you intend to study the exhibition in detail and take a short break afterwards.
Access to the Underground is usually through the Cloth Hall (on the St. Mary’s Church side), and the exact route and entry times may be organised by museum staff. It’s a good idea to arrive 10–15 minutes before the scheduled entry to gather the group calmly and collect tickets or audio equipment.
Buying tickets for the Market Underground: it’s best to reserve in advance online, especially in high season and on weekends. The museum offers individual and group tickets; some days or time slots have limited entries, so booking early reduces the risk of no availability.
Prices are updated from time to time — as a guideline, in recent years the regular ticket has typically been around 35–40 PLN, the reduced ticket somewhat less, and family tickets often worked out cheaper per person than separate full-price tickets. Check the museum's official price list before your visit for exact rates and available discounts.
- Where to buy: the museum box office on site and the official online ticketing system. Online purchases let you choose a specific entry time. On-site tickets can be available, but during peak hours they are not guaranteed.
- Additional services: the museum commonly offers audio guides or listening systems for a small fee — useful for larger groups or when touring in a foreign language.
There are two main modes of visiting the Market Underground: independent visiting (with an individual or reduced ticket) and group visits with a guide. The museum organises group tours within certain size ranges; in practice a typical guided group fits up to about 25–30 people — a comfortable and commonly used limit given the exhibition space and the need for the guide to be heard.
If you want to book a private guided tour (a commercial service provided in addition to the museum), some agencies and guides set their own minimum numbers — often 6–10 people — so the trip is financially viable. Single visitors and very small groups can enter as individuals by buying normal tickets, subject to availability at the chosen time.
In practice: - you do not need to form a large group to go down to the Underground — an individual ticket is sufficient, - if you want a tour dedicated only to your group, check in advance with the organiser about minimum participant numbers and whether the guide's fee can be divided among fewer people.
Short option (approx. 2 hours): walk the Planty – 30–45 min; quick look around the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s) – 30 min; Market Underground (individual ticket, approx. 60 min).
Medium option (approx. 3–3.5 hours): Planty and a bench dessert – 45 min; entrance to St. Mary’s Church or the Town Hall Tower – 30–45 min; Market Underground with an audio guide and a short coffee break – 90–120 min. This is a good half-day plan with room for nearby museums afterwards.
Long option (full day): combine a visit to the Underground with Wawel, Kazimierz or MOCAK — split activities into 2–3 hour blocks and allow time for meals and rest. Remember to book entries to the most popular attractions in advance during the high season.
- Meeting point: many groups meet at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument or under the Cloth Hall arcades. If you're arranging to meet, pick a clear and easy-to-find landmark.
- Accessibility: the Underground is below the Market and includes some stair sections; for visitors with reduced mobility check accessibility information on site — some parts of the route may be less comfortable for strollers or people with walking difficulties.
- What to bring: comfortable shoes (cobblestones around the Market and on the Planty can be uneven), water, a light jacket — underground spaces may be cooler. In summer bring a hat; in winter a warm coat, as museum rooms can be cooler than the surface.
- Children and families: the exhibition is appealing to children thanks to reconstructions and multimedia elements, but longer stories and smaller spaces may require shorter visits or more frequent breaks.
- Safety: given the value of exhibits and the flow of tourists, keep your documents and luggage close to you.
- Book tickets online if you need a specific time — it’s the safest option in high season. - If you are arriving as a larger group (for example a school or company group), contact museum staff in advance to agree a time, possible group splits and entry rules. - Check cancellation and refund policies: different ticket types (individual, group, discounted) can have different conditions for refunds or date changes. - For special events (for example Museum Night or special guided sessions) entry numbers may be limited and separate rules may apply — then advance reservation is essential.
A guide is not required — the Market Underground exhibition is set up so that an independent visitor can follow the displays and use multimedia or an audio guide. However, a guide adds extra context, stories and answers to questions that even the best exhibit labels can't replace.
Choose a guided tour if: - you enjoy asking questions and want anecdotes connected to the finds; - you have limited time and want the information organised efficiently; - you prefer a visit in a specific language with a tailored narrative. Keep in mind that group tours have size limits, so if you want a smaller, more intimate group, book a private guided tour well in advance.
- If your time is limited, pick the option that combines an entry to the Underground with a short walk along the Planty — the most economical way to experience the heart of the city. - Reserve tickets in advance for popular afternoon weekend slots. - If someone in your group has mobility limitations or small children — check accessibility and consider using an audio guide instead of a long guided tour. - After visiting the Underground, allow time for coffee under the Cloth Hall arcades — it’s one of the nicest ways to round off the visit.
Q: Where exactly is the entrance to the Market Underground? A: The entrance is located in the Cloth Hall area on the St. Mary’s Church side; follow the arcades and signs for the Museum of Kraków branches.
Q: Can I buy tickets on the spot? A: Yes, but during peak season and weekends it's safer to buy online for a fixed entry time to avoid queues.
Q: Are there toilets and a cloakroom? A: The museum provides basic visitor facilities; if you need to leave large luggage, check rules in advance as some items may be restricted.
Food and coffee suggestions after the visit: enjoy coffee under the Cloth Hall arcades or try historic Wierzynek restaurant at the Market Square for a special meal. For a relaxed café nearby try Café Camelot or other small cafés on the surrounding streets.
Getting around: the Planty circle is walkable and many key sights are within short walking distance of the Market Square — Collegium Maius, the Barbican and the Royal Road are all close-by.
Start with a walk along the Planty, admire facades and gardens, head to the Main Market Square, take a short tour of the Cloth Hall and move to the entrance to the Market Underground. Book tickets in advance if you need a specific time, but if you come spontaneously check availability at the box office. Keep in mind that group guided tours are usually limited to around 25–30 people, and private tours organised by operators may set their own minimum participant numbers (often 6–10 people).
This is an ideal plan if you want to feel the atmosphere of medieval Kraków, avoid rushing and return with new knowledge and beautiful photos. I wish you a great visit — and feel free to contact me if you'd like help planning a route matched to your pace and interests.
