St. Mary's Basilica (the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is a must-see on Kraków's Main Market Square: famous for its early Gothic form, its two unequal towers and the renowned altar by Wit Stwosz. For a visitor it’s important not only to admire the interior but also to understand the visiting rules — part of the church is reserved for prayer and may not always be open to tourists. This guide summarizes the up-to-date (2025) opening hours, ticket information and practical entry rules so your visit is pleasant and respectful of a place of worship.
Before you go in: remember the Basilica functions as a parish church. During Masses and services parts of the interior may be closed to visitors. Tourist entrances and worshipper entrances are not the same; please respect the designated paths and instructions from staff.
If you specifically want a close view of the Wit Stwosz altar, plan your visit for the hours when the altar is displayed for visitors — on weekdays and Saturdays it is usually opened around 11:50, while on Sundays and holidays the altar can be available later after liturgies have finished.
Standard visiting hours are: Monday–Saturday 11:30–18:00 and Sunday and public holidays 14:00–18:00. Entry times and the visitor desk schedule are arranged so tourists have time to see the presbytery and the main altar during the designated hours.
Keep in mind the visitor service desk (where donation-tickets are sold) closes about 15 minutes before the end of visiting hours, so arriving just before closing may prevent you from entering.
The bugle tower (hejnalnica) and the bell tower have separate, seasonal opening hours. The bugle tower is usually available to tourists in the spring–summer season and operates in group-entry mode roughly every 30 minutes; in winter months it may be closed. A separate ticket and safety rules apply for tower entry.
The Basilica uses a system of donation-tickets (called "cegiełki" in Polish) to help maintain the church. In 2025 typical rates are a larger donation-ticket around 18 PLN and a smaller/reduced donation-ticket around 10 PLN (reduced for youth, students, seniors and holders of certain cards).
Entry to the bugle tower requires a separate fee — usually about 20 PLN for full and 15 PLN reduced. The bell tower (if open) may have its own symbolic fee, for example 15 PLN. Remember prices can change and the most reliable place to check is the visitor service desk at Plac Mariacki 7 or the Basilica's official information before your visit.
Donation-tickets are sold only at the visitor service desk on Plac Mariacki 7 — there is no online pre-booking in most cases and sales are on the day of the visit until the daily allocation is exhausted.
Tourists should use the southern entrance. The main entrance from the Market Square leads into the area reserved for personal prayer and adoration and should be kept for worshippers. The southern entrance gives access to the presbytery where you can view Wit Stwosz's altar.
During your visit keep quiet, behave modestly and dress appropriately — shoulders and knees should be covered. Do not disturb liturgies, avoid loud conversations and do not interrupt people at prayer. Photography is usually allowed but without flash; using a tripod or professional equipment may require permission from staff.
The visitor desk will provide the visiting regulations — read them before entering. During peak times gates may be closed earlier and visiting time shortened because of liturgies or church events.
Do not confuse the two towers — only one (the higher tower) functions as the bugle tower where the hejnał is played each hour. Entry to the bugle tower is from Floriańska Street and is organized in groups (usually up to 15 people) at set times. Visits run cyclically, typically every half hour during visiting hours.
Due to the narrow stairs and structure, children under 8 years old are generally not admitted to the tower for safety reasons. In extreme weather the tower may be closed even in season. There is usually no advance reservation for the tower — tickets are bought on the day at the visitor desk.
The bell tower and the second tower may have different age restrictions (for example permitting only adults) and lower capacity — check with the visitor desk before your planned visit.
The Basilica is an active parish church with a full liturgical calendar — Masses are held multiple times each day. During major religious celebrations, patronal feasts and important liturgical events, tourist visiting may be limited or suspended.
If you plan to see the Wit Stwosz altar, avoid morning and afternoon Mass hours — on Sundays and holidays the altar is often available only after the liturgy ends. It is good practice to check the current Mass schedule at the Basilica or parish information before you go.
On special occasions (religious concerts, city ceremonies, jubilees) tourist entry may be fully suspended. On such days choose an alternative nearby attraction and return another day.
Buy your donation-ticket early in the morning or immediately after you arrive at the Market Square — queues can be long in high season and tower places sell out quickly. The ticket office closes a few minutes before visiting hours end.
Do not enter through the main entrance if you plan to visit as a tourist. This is the most common mistake — tourists accidentally enter the area reserved for prayer and disturb services. Use the southern entrance.
If you are carrying a large backpack, leave it at your hotel or in a luggage storage facility. The interior is historic and delicate — staff may ask you to leave big bags before entering.
Dress modestly and keep silent. Even if you are not religious, showing respect is essential when visiting places of worship. Turn your phone to silent and do not use flash photography.
After leaving the Basilica you can relax and eat in places popular with both visitors and locals. For historic atmosphere and elegance consider Restaurant Wierzynek on the Main Market Square. For Polish cuisine in a pleasant setting try Starka on Kazimierz (a short walk from the Market Square).
Notable cafés include Cafe Camelot (picturesque interior and good coffee) and Szara (by the Market Square, popular and reliable). If you prefer a quick but tasty meal look for well-rated eateries near the Market Square — options range from traditional pierogi places to modern bistros.
If you plan to have a sit-down meal after your visit, make a reservation — especially evenings and weekends near the Market Square fill up fast.
The Wit Stwosz altar is unveiled following a ritual and then you can see the intricately carved scenes in full — it’s a moment when the work really "comes alive" to visitors. Make sure to be there midday when the altar is displayed.
The hejnał traditionally breaks off suddenly — that's not a mistake but a tribute to the legendary trumpeter who was interrupted by an attack. The hejnał is played every hour and is worth hearing from the Market Square or the piazza in front of the Basilica.
The two towers differ in height and function — this asymmetry is the result of historical events and construction phases and has become one of the city's symbols.
Is entry to the Basilica free? Entry to the general church area reserved for prayer is free. There is a fee in the form of a donation-ticket to visit the presbytery and see the Wit Stwosz altar.
Can you climb both towers? Usually only one tower — the bugle tower — is open to tourists. The second tower and bell tower may be closed or available only by special arrangement.
Can tickets be reserved in advance? In most cases donation-tickets are sold only at the visitor desk on Plac Mariacki on the day of your visit and online reservation is not available. Arrive early to avoid queues.
Can children go up the tower? Children under 8 are generally not allowed to enter the tower for safety reasons. When planning a family visit check current rules at the visitor desk.
Visiting St. Mary's Basilica combines artistic and spiritual experience. Plan to see the Wit Stwosz altar when it is displayed, listen to the hejnał and at the same time respect the character of the site. A little preparation — buying the donation-ticket early and choosing the correct entrance — will make your visit pleasant and stress-free.
If you like, I can suggest a day plan: arrive in the morning to the Market Square, have a short walk and coffee at one of the recommended cafés, visit the Basilica mid-day, have lunch near the Market Square and return to the tower in the afternoon if there are available places.
For personalised help, contact the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata can advise on planning your visit, guide you through museums and highlights, and assist with logistics, accommodation and restaurant reservations — making your Kraków visit easy and enjoyable. Feel free to share this article with friends and on social media if you think it might help someone.
