St. Mary's Basilica is one of those Kraków places that sparks both adult imagination and children's curiosity. Inside you'll find the extraordinary Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss and rich polychromes, while outside the Main Market Square and the hourly hejnał trumpet call create an atmosphere that's hard not to capture.
For a photographer it's a treat — dramatic interior light, sculptural details and contrasts between historic architecture and city life. For a family it's convenient — cafés, museums and places to rest are nearby, plus stories you can tell the kids along the way.
This article gives practical advice on when to come, what to bring, how to photograph respectfully, and a calm weekend route tailored to little photographers and their caregivers.
If you want photos without the crowds, arrive early in the morning. Morning (around 6:00–9:00) is the best time for Market Square and the church façade — soft light and plenty of room to compose.
If you care about interior shots and the altarpiece, try to visit when the altar is opened to visitors (usually mid-morning) — you'll have a better chance of less crowded frames. Keep in mind the church is also a place of worship, so access may be limited during Mass.
The afternoon golden hour brings beautiful colors to the façades around the Square, but it's usually busier then. For families with small children, plan shorter visits or split the sightseeing into stages with breaks for a playground or coffee.
Visiting the basilica is ticketed — entrance tickets (often called 'cegiełki' or small fundraising bricks) help support maintenance of the church. Prices change from time to time, so treat any specific amount as approximate. Tourist entry is usually in the range of a small fee, with a separate (and typically higher) fee to climb the tower.
Tickets are generally bought on site at the tourist information/visitor service point near the church. Online reservations may be limited or unavailable — if you plan a specific time to access the tower, it's best to arrive early to purchase your tickets.
A few rules: treat the interior as a place of worship — keep quiet, avoid disturbing people praying, and cover shoulders and knees if required. Turn off flash when photographing and avoid using tripods without permission. Professional equipment (large tripods, lighting) often needs separate permission.
The interior has challenging, contrasty light — dark corners and strong highlights on polychromes and the altarpiece. Settings that often work: higher ISO (watch noise), wide aperture (low f-number), and faster shutter speeds to avoid blur. Stabilized lenses help.
If you shoot with a phone, enable HDR, avoid flash and look for stable surfaces (a wall or bench) to steady the shot. Portraits of children inside work well with natural light from windows — aim for side-light compositions.
Outside: a wide-angle lens helps capture the church's monumental form and parts of the Market Square. Pay attention to sculptural details and portals — close-up or macro shots (phone zoom or a dedicated lens) create less 'touristy' images.
The hejnał (trumpet tune) is played from the tower every hour and is a great moment to capture atmosphere. The best shots are taken from the square in front of the church before crowds gather — try to arrive a few minutes earlier.
Ascending the tower is a treat for photographers — the Old Town panorama from above gives a very different perspective. But the stairs are narrow and winding — keep this in mind, especially with children and strollers (strollers generally won't fit).
There are practical age and group-size restrictions — children below a certain age (commonly around 8) may not be allowed on higher levels for safety reasons. Group size for each tower entrance can be limited — check at the ticket point on the day of your visit.
If you can't or prefer not to climb, there are other viewpoints nearby to catch a panorama: areas around Wawel, some museum cafés with terraces, and lookout spots in the Old Town. For children, short panoramic stops are often safer and more enjoyable than a long climb.
Day 1 — morning on the Market Square and in the church: start with an early walk across the Square — photos of St. Mary's façade and calm compositions. Spend a short time inside (30–45 minutes) — tell the children the hejnał legend. Break for second breakfast at a nearby café, then a short visit to the Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) or a child-friendly museum.
Day 1 — afternoon: walk the Planty or Błonia — these green belts are perfect for kids to run while you capture 'urban' photos with more space. Dinner near Kazimierz if you have energy — the area has colorful restaurants and interesting murals.
Day 2 — Kazimierz and photo spots: morning stroll through Kazimierz — cobbled streets, hidden corners and synagogues make great backdrops. Plac Nowy is a lively spot for photos of local life — stalls, crowds and street food. If the little ones need a break, choose a short visit to an interactive museum or a small playground.
Plan breaks every 60–90 minutes for the youngest — short sightseeing segments and fun interludes (pigeons on the Square, ice cream, a playground) keep spirits high and make photographing easier.
For your camera: a versatile zoom (for example 24–70mm or 24–105mm) and a short wide-angle lens. If you only have a phone — bring a powerbank and extra memory if possible. A small monopod or gimbal helps with stabilization — full tripods inside are usually not allowed without permission.
Accessories: a soft cloth (for dust and fingerprints), spare battery / powerbank, extra memory card. For kids: snacks, water, a sun hat, a sling or carrier (often easier than a stroller on crowded stairs), and a small first-aid kit.
Documents and comfort: small change for tickets and coffee, your itinerary on your phone, a map of child-friendly spots, and comfortable shoes for both adults and children.
Plan short blocks of exploration — 30–60 minutes of active sightseeing followed by a break. Children cope better with intense, short visits than with long marathons.
Tell a short, engaging story about the hejnał and the altarpiece — kids engage when listening to a story rather than a long list of facts. Give simple photo tasks — 'find a window that looks like a smile' — to involve them and get fun shots.
Give your child a small camera or phone to play with — the different perspectives kids take are often the best and most amusing.
If you plan to climb the tower, make sure the children are ready for stairs and not afraid of heights. As an alternative, choose an afternoon stop in the Planty or on Błonia — fresh air and space to run.
Kraków hides details around every corner — you don't have to do 'everything' in one go. It's better to return with pleasant memories than to rush through ten attractions with tired children.
Seek quiet hours, schedule breaks and stay flexible — that way photos will look natural and you'll return home with beautiful frames and good energy.
If you want help planning a route tailored to your children's ages, your photo gear and the time you have, I'm happy to help. Kraków rewards those who slow their pace — have fun and take lots of pictures!
Where to buy tickets: visitor tickets for the basilica and tower are usually sold at the tourist service point near the church (look for the office at Plac Mariacki). Online booking for tower slots may be limited, so arriving early is recommended if you want a specific time.
Children and the tower: for safety, the tower often has a minimum age for higher levels (commonly around 8 years). If you have toddlers, plan shorter visits and choose ground-level attractions or nearby viewpoints.
Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku): this subterranean museum under the Market Square is a family-friendly, interactive way to explore medieval Kraków and can be a great follow-up to a visit to the basilica.
Food and breaks: there are many cafés and bakeries around the Market Square and in Kazimierz. Look for early-morning cafés for a calm coffee and pastries before the crowds arrive, and pick a relaxed spot for a longer midday break with the children.
Safety and etiquette: remember that part of the basilica is a place for private prayer and remains open for worshipers. Keep noise to a minimum inside and be respectful of signs and staff instructions.
