St. Mary's Basilica on the Main Market Square is one of those places almost every visitor to Kraków sees. In summer, however, the beauty of the church comes with a challenge: very high visitor numbers, queues at the ticket desk, and the feeling that you have to "tick off" another attraction in a few minutes. This text will help you plan your visit so you can see the most important things calmly and avoid the typical mistakes tourists make.
In this article I base practical tips on official information about visiting hours and how the Basilica organises tourist traffic, but I write in a friendly, straightforward way — so the guide is useful and easy to apply during your stay in Kraków. If you like, you can also contact me to tailor your route, reserve tickets or book a table at a restaurant.
The Main Market Square is the heart of tourist Kraków — cafés, the Cloth Hall, trams of people flowing past the Basilica constantly. In summer this is amplified by tours from across Poland and abroad, street festivals and intense restaurant traffic. For the visitor this often means longer waits at the ticket desk, limited space inside the tourist part of the church and congestion at the tower entrance.
Additionally, part of the church is an active place of worship — during liturgies the tourist area can be closed or restricted. Many tourists misunderstand this and try to enter at any time expecting everything to be available. Knowing basic visiting rules helps avoid frustration and shows respect for the place.
Trying to "do" everything on the Square in just a couple of hours. Tip: instead of attempting every Market attraction in one day, set aside a separate 30–60 minute block for St. Mary's if you want to visit the tourist area, hear the hejnal and maybe go up the tower.
Entering through the main doors thinking it’s the visitor entrance. The main entrance leads to the prayer area and is free; the tourist part (the presbytery and Veit Stoss altarpiece) is open at specific times and usually requires a small admission donation or ticket. Check where to buy the donation-ticket at the tourist service point near Mariacki Square and use the entrance designated for visitors.
Trying to go up the tower "whenever the weather is nice." Tower and hejnal visits run at limited times, in groups and often with a cap on numbers. Best practice: check the day's schedule in advance and arrive at the announced time; in high season avoid weekend afternoons.
Taking photos and talking loudly during a service. That not only creates a bad atmosphere — staff may ask you to leave the tourist area. Respect liturgical time and the people present in the church.
Not preparing for heat or rain. Summer crowds and queues can be tiring. Bring water, a hat and treat the interior as a cool shelter — the basilica can be noticeably more comfortable temperature-wise.
Leaving valuables visible. In busy places keep an eye on your bag and have documents on you; pickpockets operate where there are many people and tight spaces.
Come right when the tourist area opens or at the end of the visiting day. The Basilica usually opens the tourist part at set times (often between midday and early evening), so arriving just after opening — the first 15–30 minutes — is usually much quieter. Alternatively, choose the last hour of visiting when crowds often thin out.
Reverse your plan: if you want to hear the hejnal and see the interior, consider entering the prayer area (main entrance) outside liturgy hours and visiting the tourist section according to its opening times. That way you experience both the spiritual atmosphere and the altarpiece.
Avoid weekends and midday peak hours — if possible visit on a weekday. The heaviest traffic is usually at noon and early afternoon when many tourists take lunch and do quick “must-see” trips around the Square.
Use the cooler times of day. In hot summers the Basilica interior makes a pleasant break from the heat — plan your visit as both rest and sightseeing.
Think about reversing the order of activities: first visit an outdoor viewpoint or bell tower (if available), then go inside — this spreads the flow of people and helps you avoid the busiest entrances.
The hejnal is played every hour from the higher tower and is one of Kraków’s symbols. Many visitors want to hear it live — so if you want a good view, arrive a few minutes before the hour and stand on the side of the Square that offers the best perspective. Remember the hejnal is a short melody and its abrupt stop is part of the tradition.
Access to the tower and the hejnal gallery happens at set times and in groups (limited number of people). There are often breaks in the middle of the day, and in season visits may be more frequent than off-season. Note that there are age or safety limits for tower visits — check current guidelines before bringing very small children.
Pay attention to weather: in rain or strong wind the tower may be closed for safety. If you expect a city panorama, have a Plan B in case the tower is unavailable.
Entrance is paid at the tourist service desk. In high season arrive early — tickets or donation-tickets are often sold at the service point on Mariacki Square.
The Basilica is still a place of worship — quiet and modest clothing are expected. While there is no strict formal dress code, it’s polite to cover shoulders and avoid extremely short shorts or skirts. In hot weather a light scarf or a shirt with sleeves works well.
Avoid phone calls inside and loud photography during services. If you want to take photos, do it discreetly and check whether a liturgy is in progress, when photography may be prohibited.
Remember to show respect for the place of worship and for people praying — your behaviour affects the experience of other visitors.
There are many options around the Main Square, but pick well-rated places to avoid disappointment and long waits. Nearby you’ll find both long-established restaurants and cafés with a nice view of the Square and the Cloth Hall. It’s worth checking reviews in advance and, if possible, reserving a table — summer venues fill up fast.
If you want a classic option: Wierzynek is a historic, higher-end restaurant on the Square. For a quick coffee or cake consider cafés with a view of the Cloth Hall (for example the café on the Cloth Hall balcony), where you can sit and watch life on the Square. Lovers of traditional Polish cuisine will find well-reviewed places throughout the Old Town offering a hearty meal after a long walk.
If you prefer a short break away from the busiest centre, a few streets from the Square there are eateries with good reviews and fewer crowds — a nice way to recharge before more sightseeing.
The interior really does cool you down in summer — thick walls and high vaults often make the temperature pleasantly lower than on the sun-baked Square. That’s a good reason to use the Basilica as a short rest on a hot day.
The Veit Stoss altarpiece is opened at specific times — it’s not on continuous display all day. If you want to see the altarpiece up close, check when it is opened — this often happens around midday but depends on the weekday and liturgical schedule.
The hejnal, while a romantic symbol, has a legend: the melody breaks off suddenly to commemorate a trumpeter who was said to have been wounded while warning of an attack. That abrupt ending is part of the local tradition and always attracts visitors’ attention.
Is entry to the Basilica free? Entry to the prayer area is generally free, while visiting the tourist part (presbytery, the altarpiece) usually requires a small admission donation or ticket. Tower and hejnal visits are paid separately and organised in groups. Check up-to-date information at the tourist service point near Mariacki Square.
When is the hejnal played? The hejnal is played from the highest tower every hour. It’s a short tune and its abrupt stop is part of the tradition.
Can I photograph inside? Generally yes, but do so respectfully — avoid flash and don’t photograph during liturgies. Follow staff instructions and on-site signs.
Is the tower suitable for children? Tower visits often have age and safety restrictions; before planning bring small children, check the current requirements regarding age and physical condition.
Documents and small change — for donation-tickets and small purchases. In season queues at the ticket desk can be long; have cash and card ready.
Water, sunglasses and a hat — if you plan a longer walk around the Square before or after the visit. The church interior is also a good place to cool down.
Comfortable shoes — the cobbles on the Square and the tower stairs require stable footwear. If you plan to climb the tower, be ready for stairs and moments standing in confined spaces.
If you’re planning a trip to Kraków and want everything to run smoothly — from the itinerary and ticket and restaurant reservations to logistics and transport — feel free to contact me. As a private guide (Małgorzata Kasprowicz — Margaret Kasprowicz) I help plan routes and bookings so you see the most important sights at the best times and in comfort.
If you found this article useful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a better visit to Kraków. If you’d like a personalised itinerary, you can contact me through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — I’ll be happy to advise and reserve the services you need, from tickets to accommodation and restaurants. Let me know and I’ll help make your visit to Kraków a truly pleasant memory.
