The Rynek Underground and Nowa Huta show two very different faces of Kraków — the first takes you beneath the surface to medieval trade and archaeological remains, the second tells the story of the 20th century, planned industrialisation and everyday life in the PRL era. Visiting both places gives a fuller picture of the city: from medieval stalls to postwar visions of modernity.
For a tourist it’s also a practical pairing: in the morning or late morning you can visit the Rynek Underground (near the Main Market Square), and in the afternoon head to Nowa Huta to see the urban contrast and social histories. This route works well as a one- or two-day outing.
The Rynek Underground is a large multimedia archaeological exhibition beneath the eastern part of the Main Market Square. On display you’ll see fragments of medieval streets, remains of market stalls, historic trading objects and reconstructions that help imagine how the medieval Market Square once buzzed with life.
The exhibition is modern: multimedia presentations, interactive zones for children and an educational area make the visit interesting for adults and families alike.
Remember this is an archaeological site — some floors are partly glazed, ceilings can be low in places and there are quite a few stairs; at the same time the museum provides an elevator and facilities for families with small children.
Ticket prices have changed over recent years, so check the current price list before your visit. In practice you’ll find full-price, reduced, family and group tickets; there are sometimes promotions and discounts (for holders of certain city or family cards).
Tuesdays are sometimes free-entry days at branches of the Museum of Kraków — if you plan a free visit, reserve a spot in advance because entry numbers are limited.
I recommend buying a ticket online in advance — it saves time and guarantees entry at your chosen time, especially in the tourist season.
The museum runs seasonal hours and may have shorter opening times outside the season; plan about 60–90 minutes for an individual visit, longer if you want to use all the educational zones with children.
The entrance is next to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the side of St. Mary’s Basilica — a convenient starting point after a walk around the Market Square. If you also plan to visit Wawel or other attractions, allow time for walking and queues when entering the underground exhibition.
Nowa Huta is a place full of history: planned socialist-realist neighbourhoods, monumental squares, local shops and churches, as well as traces of older villages absorbed into the city’s fabric. Worth seeing are the Central Square (Plac Centralny), Aleja Róż, the housing estates with their characteristic buildings and historic sites connected with former industry.
The Museum of Nowa Huta (a branch of the Museum of Kraków) offers exhibitions about the estate’s history and special projects — one particularly interesting highlight is the Cold War shelters opened for visitors as part of the “Podziemna Nowa Huta” project (for example the shelter at Os. Szkolne). This is a unique chance to look into everyday and defensive spaces from the PRL era.
Combine exploring Nowa Huta with a short walk across areas of former villages and the forts of the Kraków Fortress — you’ll find surprising older layers of history embedded in the new-huta landscape.
The Museum of Nowa Huta offers entry to individual exhibitions and guided services — from tours inside the museum to longer guided walks across the whole district. The museum also makes shelters available as separate exhibitions or stops on a route.
Ticket prices at museum branches are often lower than at the main central attractions, and museums commonly honour discounts (reduced, family, city cards). If you want to visit shelters or order a guided tour of Nowa Huta, ask about reservations and group limits — shelters require capacity restrictions for safety.
If you plan a guided tour, consider booking in advance, especially for larger groups or a specialised theme (socialist-realist architecture, industrial history, shelters).
The Rynek Underground is in the heart of the Old Town — it’s a few minutes’ walk from most central points. Nowa Huta lies east of the centre; getting there by public transport (trams and buses) usually takes 20–40 minutes depending on your starting point and traffic.
For a relaxed visit, reserve half a day for the Rynek Underground and half a day for Nowa Huta — in total 1–2 days. If you want a themed guided tour of Nowa Huta or to go down into several shelters, set aside a full day.
When planning public transport, check tram and bus timetables and any roadworks — weekend schedules can differ.
Don’t assume you can buy a ticket on the spot — in season, queues and sold-out time slots are common. Buy online or reserve in advance.
Don’t forget to reserve for free Tuesdays — although entry may be free, the number of places is limited and you must confirm a reservation.
Don’t ignore shelter restrictions — these are small, enclosed spaces; if you suffer from claustrophobia or have very small children, check conditions and alternatives beforehand.
Expect stairs and uneven surfaces in the Rynek Underground — although there is an elevator, parts of the route require walking on stairs.
Around the Main Market Square you’ll find restaurants for every taste: from elegant historic venues to cosy cafes. Classics in the area include long-established places serving traditional Polish and European cuisine — if you want something special, book a table for the evening, as Market Square venues often fill up.
In Nowa Huta look for small, neighbourhood bars and cafes where you can enjoy the local atmosphere and home-style dishes. These are great for tasting everyday cuisine and resting after walks along the wide avenues and housing estates.
Concrete tips: on the Old Town choose a restaurant you’ve booked in advance — it’s convenient after visiting the Rynek Underground. In Nowa Huta check local canteens and cafés on the estates — they often offer tasty, inexpensive meals.
The Rynek Underground hides many layers of history — sometimes concrete fragments are traces of later rebuildings, and archaeological finds show the market functioned here for many centuries.
Nowa Huta conceals much older traces than the PRL blocks — within its area you can find remains of older villages, manors and fortifications that history folded into the new-huta grid.
In some parts of Nowa Huta projects are making underground shelters and bunkers accessible as mini-museums — a rare and fascinating opportunity for those interested in the Cold War and civil defence.
Do I need to buy a ticket in advance? - I recommend buying online, especially in season and at weekends. Free Tuesdays also usually require reservation.
Is the Rynek Underground suitable for children? - Yes; the museum has an educational zone and interactive elements, but remember the stairs and longer walking.
Are the shelters in Nowa Huta open all year? - Not always; shelters are often open seasonally or for special events. Ask the museum about dates and registrations.
Are there discounts? - Yes: reduced, family and group tickets, and sometimes discounts for city cards — check the current price list before buying.
Booking at the last minute — tickets may run out. Book in advance and keep confirmation on your phone.
Assuming everything is open every day — some museum branches have irregular hours; check before you go.
Not planning transport between attractions — allow extra time for tram/bus rides and potential traffic.
Not preparing for the weather — many walks in Nowa Huta are outdoors; wear comfortable shoes and take a raincoat if rain is forecast.
The Rynek Underground and Nowa Huta are a perfect complement to a Kraków itinerary — they contrast with each other and help you better understand the city’s history. When planning your visit remember tickets, reservations for free days and shelter limitations.
If you’d like help planning a route, booking a guided tour or tailoring the programme to your interests — use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
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