The Rynek Underground is one of those places in Krakow that changes your perspective: instead of looking at the city from the surface, you go down and explore its oldest layers. Beneath the Main Market Square there is an exhibition showing life at the medieval market and an archaeological reserve with discoveries from digs carried out in recent decades.
It’s an ideal spot for people who enjoy history told not just with dates but through objects, structures and the atmosphere of the old city. A walk underground can surprise even those who know Krakow well above ground.
If you appreciate context and storytelling, visiting with a licensed guide amplifies the experience: stories gain color, and discovered objects and fragments of buildings begin to ‘speak’.
As a licensed guide, I am happy to show you these places, tell you about everyday life at the medieval market and point out small details that are easy to miss on your own.
The Rynek Underground is also a great option for a rainy day in Krakow — the exhibition and route are sheltered from the weather, and a guided tour can be easily adapted to the group’s conditions and expectations.
The underground route leads through original remains of medieval buildings and fragments of old streets. On the exhibition you will see reconstructions and archaeological exhibits that bring the daily life of merchants and craftsmen closer.
The archaeological reserve occupies a significant area beneath the eastern part of the Market and exposes settlement layers reaching back to the Middle Ages. It’s not just museum showcases but also a space where you can sense the scale and construction methods of the old market.
During the tour I highlight little delights such as traces of the old paving, house foundations, and everyday objects that tell stories about trade, crafts and the customs of residents.
The route is designed to show Krakow’s connections with European trade and cultural centers in the Middle Ages, which adds perspective and helps understand the city’s role as an important place of contact and exchange.
Visiting the Rynek Underground is also a great opportunity to discuss how chronicles, excavations and written sources work together to reconstruct the past.
Exhibits and excavations say a lot, but without the story it’s hard to imagine the full picture. A guide helps interpret findings, answers questions and tailors the narrative to the group — whether families with children, students or adult history lovers.
As a guide I hold official authorization to lead tours in the Rynek Underground and have experience working with many different groups. I also help with logistics — assisting with ticket purchase and advising on the best visiting times to avoid queues.
For larger groups or busy periods I can provide headset systems, which improves listening comfort and helps maintain proper distance between participants.
A guided visit also saves time — I tell the most important stories in a concise, engaging form, so you leave feeling you didn’t miss anything.
If you want anecdotes, local curiosities and practical tips for further sightseeing in Krakow, a guided tour provides all of that as part of the package.
Tickets for the Rynek Underground can be bought at the museum ticket office and through the online system. When planning, keep in mind visitor limits on the route and the availability of specific time slots, especially during the tourist season.
If you’d like to book a guided tour with me, the easiest way is to contact me by phone or email. After booking we’ll agree on a meeting place and time and I’ll help with the ticket purchase — in some cases tickets can be bought online in advance, while in others it’s best to get them on site just before entry.
A good practice is to confirm your booking the day before the visit and arrive a few minutes early. This helps avoid unnecessary rush and ensures we can gather the group calmly.
Depending on museum rules there are entrance fees — the guide’s fee is billed separately. I’ll help clearly separate these costs and explain which entries require an additional ticket.
For school groups or larger organized groups it’s worth booking in advance — then we can set the optimal date and format for the tour.
The underground hides small details that don’t catch the eye at first glance — fragments of original paving, unusual foundations, or traces of old workshops. These elements help reconstruct how life at the market looked.
I tell stories about everyday objects found during excavations — from pottery fragments to small coins — and explain what they reveal about trade and Krakow’s contacts with other cities.
I point out places where history lies just beneath the surface and connect the underground narrative with what we see on the Market Square: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, and traces of past activities. This helps build a fuller picture of the city center.
For families with children I prepare stories and puzzles that engage the youngest visitors and make the tour interactive and memorable.
If you have particular interests — for example medieval trade, historic cooking, or archaeological topics — I can tailor the route and focus on those themes.
- Duration: a visit to the Rynek Underground usually takes about 45–60 minutes, depending on the group and how many questions arise.
- Meeting point: we’ll arrange this individually after booking; most often we meet on the Main Market Square at a chosen point (for example by the Adam Mickiewicz monument) and then descend together to the ticket office or entrance to the Underground.
- Language: I lead tours in Polish and English. For larger groups I can provide headset systems for better communication.
- Accessibility: the route includes narrower passages and level changes; for visitors with limited mobility it’s worth checking the route and possible alternatives in advance.
- Luggage and safety: the museum follows standard rules — small bags are usually allowed, but large suitcases may hinder movement. Please be careful with low ceilings and steps.
- Weather: since the route is underground, surface weather doesn’t directly affect the visit, but remember to wear comfortable shoes for the walk around the center before and after the tour.
- Payment: the guide fee is charged separately from entrance tickets; when booking we’ll agree on payment method (cash or bank transfer) and cancellation terms.
Q: Do I need to book Rynek Underground tickets well in advance? - A: In the tourist season it’s a good idea to buy tickets earlier or pick less busy hours. If you book a guided tour with me, I’ll help with ticket purchase and advise the best time.
Q: How large can a group be? - A: The museum sometimes limits the number of people on the route; generally the route fits groups of a dozen to several dozen people, and for larger groups we arrange things so everyone can comfortably listen and view exhibits.
Q: Will children be interested? - A: Yes! I design tours to engage young visitors — using stories, puzzles and simple comparisons to spark interest.
Q: Is it cold in the Underground? - A: Underground temperatures tend to be stable and usually cooler than the surface; bring a light sweater, especially outside of summer.
Q: Can I take photos? - A: Photography is allowed in most areas, but please check rules for the specific museum branch; during the guided tour I will remind you where photographing is permitted.
- If you have a short stay in Krakow, combine a visit to the Rynek Underground with a short walk around the Market Square and Wawel Hill — this gives a great cross-section of the city’s history.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light sweater. The underground is fascinating, but it can be cooler than you expect.
- If you want to adapt the tour for children, people with reduced mobility or around a specific theme (e.g. medieval trade, architecture), write or call before your visit — I will prepare a tailor-made program.
- Vouchers and gifts: if you’re looking for a gift idea, I offer vouchers for guided walks — a practical and original Krakow present.
If you have additional questions — I’m happy to answer. Touring is a dialogue, and your questions often lead to the most interesting stories.
If you want to see the Rynek Underground with someone who knows Krakow inside out and can tell its stories with passion — you’re welcome to contact me. We’ll arrange a convenient time, I’ll help with tickets and tailor the route to your expectations.
Contact: reservations and questions — by phone or email. After booking I will confirm meeting details and suggest how to plan the day to make the most of your time in Krakow.
See you beneath the Market Square — I promise you’ll leave with a completely different view of the city.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz — licensed guide in Krakow
ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com
