The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) sits at the heart of the Main Market Square — a place that blends history, art and lively city atmosphere. For corporate team-building it’s a convenient starting point: central location, close to restaurants and attractions (Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica, Kazimierz) and easy to plan a short gallery visit plus outdoor team activities.
In summer the Market Square buzzes with life, which provides a natural backdrop for group activities: photo challenges, short historical quizzes or scavenger hunts. A private guide can adjust pace and storytelling style to the group — from a relaxed, playful approach to a more detailed, content-rich tour.
For companies, safety and discretion matter: a private tour gives control over the group, schedule and meeting points, which simplifies logistics for team events.
Upstairs in the Cloth Hall is the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — a collection not to be missed. It includes works by artists such as Jan Matejko, Jacek Malczewski and Józef Chełmoński, which vividly illustrate Poland’s 19th-century history and cultural changes.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall features historic market stalls — an ideal spot to tell the story of the square’s trading past, how cloth gave the building its name, and how the hall’s functions changed over the centuries.
Around the Cloth Hall you can easily show local context: the tenement houses around the Square, fragments of medieval walls, and anecdotes connected to St. Mary’s Basilica or former civic celebrations.
The Cloth Hall has a centuries-long history: from a trading hall in the 13th century, through Renaissance rebuilding, to its role as a museum seat in the 19th century. It was the birthplace of one of the first permanent exhibitions of the National Museum in Krakow.
On the Cloth Hall’s façade you’ll notice ornamental mascaron figures in the attic — the stories behind these strange faces always draw attention and make a fun starting point for a "find the most grotesque mask" game.
Beneath the Market Square lie remains of older structures and medieval relics — the Rynek Underground Museum is an extra attraction worth considering as a programme extension and a way to discover a different layer of the city.
If you plan to enter the Cloth Hall Gallery with a larger group, book in advance. The National Museum in Krakow usually posts opening hours for the Sukiennice branch and many groups benefit from arranging visits ahead of time to secure entry.
Tickets for normal and concessionary admission have fixed rates — check current prices and group booking options through the museum’s reservation centre. Booking guarantees entry and helps avoid long queues on a hot summer day.
For corporate groups it’s useful to agree on a meeting point and time, the number of supervisors and a lunch plan in advance — this ensures the afternoon runs smoothly and without logistical stress.
Short option (90–120 min) - a quick visit to the Cloth Hall Gallery (about 45 min) with a focused talk about the most important paintings, followed by a Market Square walk with fun facts and a short team quiz. Finish with coffee or dessert at a nearby café.
Standard (3–4 hours) - an in-depth Cloth Hall visit, combined with a trip to the Rynek Underground or a brief tour of Wawel. Add a city game: photographic tasks, historical riddles and a small prize-giving finale.
Full day team-building - morning team-building workshops (for example short historical role-play or urban photography exercises), afternoon visits to the Cloth Hall and Wawel, and an evening dinner at a reserved restaurant with a group menu and time for relaxed conversations.
There are many places near the Market Square that offer group menus. For companies that want to show guests a historic atmosphere, consider Wierzynek — a venue with a long tradition and menus suitable for larger groups.
If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, in the Kazimierz area you’ll find places such as Starka or Miodova, which accommodate larger bookings and serve regional flavours. Cafés like Cafe Camelot or Charlotte are good for a short coffee break.
When choosing a lunch venue remember: reserve tables in advance for groups, agree a group menu with the restaurant (a set menu speeds up service) and take participants’ dietary preferences into account.
Not booking museum entry early enough — in season tickets can sell out and queues are common; booking solves this and gives peace of mind.
Underestimating time for breaks and meals — when planning the route, allow at least 60–90 minutes for a group lunch, especially during popular lunch hours.
Too-long programmes on hot days — in summer it’s better to spread activities: morning sightseeing, a break in an air-conditioned place, an afternoon field game. Plan a rain alternative as well.
How many people can join a private tour? - It depends on preferences, but groups of 8 to 30 people are usually most comfortable; larger groups are best split into smaller subgroups with separate guides.
Are the Cloth Hall and its exhibitions accessible for people with limited mobility? - The ground floor of the Cloth Hall is accessible, however some museum spaces and historic fragments may have limitations; ask about accessibility and available aids in advance.
How long does a tour last? - A standard guided tour lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on scope (Cloth Hall only versus Cloth Hall plus surroundings). Shortened and extended options are possible.
If you want a Cloth Hall visit to be both an art discovery and a team-building tool, choose a private programme tailored to your needs. Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a guide experienced in working with corporate groups, can help plan the route, contests and logistics so everything runs smoothly and imaginatively.
If this article was helpful, share it on social media or send it to colleagues planning a trip to Krakow. If you’re ready to organise a private tour — feel free to contact guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. We wish you a successful integration event and many discoveries in the heart of Krakow!
