St. Mary's Basilica is one of Kraków's most recognizable symbols — the Veit Stoss altar, the hourly hejnal played from the tower, and the Gothic silhouette on the Main Market Square. If you're coming with a group, it's useful to know how the donation-tickets (so-called "cegiełki") work, the usual visiting hours and restrictions for climbing the hejnal tower.
Visiting hours are generally fixed: the basilica is usually open Monday–Saturday from 11:30 to 18:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 14:00 to 18:00. The Veit Stoss altar is typically unveiled every day around 11:50 (times can be adjusted for liturgical celebrations). The hejnal is played from the tower on the hour and can be heard across the Market Square.
Tourist entry is from the south side — the main Market entrance leads to the prayer area and visitors are asked to show respect for religious practices. Please maintain silence and respect the interior while visiting.
Visiting St. Mary's Basilica is based on purchasing a symbolic donation-ticket called a "cegiełka", intended to support the church's upkeep and conservation. There are usually two categories: a full donation-ticket and a reduced (small) donation-ticket. Prices can change, and the entrance to the tower has a separate fee — typically higher and sometimes subject to age limits for children.
Donation-tickets (both for the basilica and the tower) are purchased only at the visitor service point at Plac Mariacki 7 — there is normally no option for advance online reservations. For groups this means arriving earlier and planning the order of entry. In high season the number of tickets is limited, so larger groups should expect to split up or come at different times.
Remember that these donation-tickets function as contributions to the parish — they are not standard commercial tickets but a way to support the church's activities and maintenance.
The hejnal tower follows separate rules: outside the high season (roughly November–April) it can be closed for visitors due to weather or organizational reasons. In season, tower visits run at set times — often every half hour — and each entry typically admits a maximum of about 15 people. Occasionally there are two groups per hour, but limits are strict for safety reasons.
For groups this means larger teams need to be split into smaller subgroups — don't expect everyone to go up at once. Access to the tower is by stairs only (no elevator), and for safety children under a certain age (commonly around 8 years) may not be allowed.
Tickets for the tower are also bought at the visitor service point on the day of your visit; in bad weather the tower may be closed even during the season.
Plan to arrive outside peak times: early after opening or late afternoon before closing are good options, but avoid mass times. If you want to see the altar unveiled around 11:50, come a bit earlier to find space and avoid disrupting any liturgy.
Buy donation-tickets at the visitor service point on Plac Mariacki 7. If your group for the tower is larger than 15 people, divide into subgroups. Group leaders should prepare proof for reduced rates (student IDs, senior cards) if anyone qualifies for a small donation-ticket.
Remind the group about the rules: keep quiet, dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees as a sign of respect), avoid loud guided-audio systems or microphones in the liturgical space, and do not use flash photography. The main Market entrance is primarily for worshippers — tourists should use the south-side visitor entrance.
Trying to buy tower tickets online — donation-tickets are typically issued only on the day at the visitor point, so don't rely on an online reservation. If you need guaranteed entry at a specific time for a large group, contact the parish by phone or email in advance — sometimes exceptions are possible, but they are not guaranteed.
Arriving at the last minute or during a mass — access to parts of the nave may be limited during services. Always check parish announcements or recent updates before your visit.
Assuming the whole group can enter the tower together — the 15-person limit per entry is a firm safety rule. It's better to split the group in advance and set a clear plan for who goes when.
The Veit Stoss altar draws most visitors; it is usually unveiled around 11:50 and is worth timing your visit to see it fully displayed. Look closely at the rich detail, the biblical scenes and the many carved figures made of limewood.
If you want photos without crowds, consider visiting on a weekday outside the high tourist season or in the early afternoon. The hejnal can be heard from any point of the Market Square — step outside for a short while during your visit to experience this tradition.
The tower offers great views over the Market Square and the roofs of the Old Town — remember that access is by stairs and groups go up in small batches.
The Old Town has many well-rated places to eat. If you'd like to recommend a few to your group, consider Café Camelot (a cozy, atmospheric café), Charlotte (French-style bakery and breakfasts), Wierzynek (historic, more formal restaurant) and Pod Aniolami (traditional Polish cuisine in historic cellars). These spots are popular with visitors and often well-reviewed.
For groups looking for a quick and tasty option, choose nearby cafés or bistros with good reviews — but for larger groups it’s wise to reserve a table in advance, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
If you need accommodation, the Old Town offers many highly rated hotels and guesthouses close to the Basilica — pick places with easy access to the Market Square to save time between activities.
The hejnal is cut off abruptly on purpose — this tradition commemorates a medieval trumpeter who, according to legend, was shot while sounding the alarm and broke off the tune. It's one of the most recognizable city traditions in Poland.
The Veit Stoss altar was created in the second half of the 15th century — a complex sculptural ensemble with hundreds of figures carved from limewood. Its daily unveiling is a theatrical highlight for many visitors.
The two towers of St. Mary's are different heights — the northern (hejnal) tower is taller and the southern tower is lower, giving the church its characteristic asymmetric silhouette.
Can I reserve group tickets in advance? — Typically donation-tickets are bought on the day at the visitor point; online advance reservations are not standard. For special requests or guaranteed times for a large group, contact the parish by email or phone ahead of your visit.
How much does entry cost? — There are full and reduced (small) donation-tickets for the basilica and a separate fee for the tower. Prices change from time to time, so check current rates at the visitor service point before your arrival.
Can I take my child up the tower? — Young children under a certain age (commonly around 8) may not be allowed on safety grounds. The tower also limits how many people can enter at once.
Can a guide lead a group inside? — Respect for silence and the sacred character of the space is essential. Large sound systems in the nave are discouraged; discreet guiding that does not disturb worshippers is the recommended approach.
When planning a group visit: arrive early, buy donation-tickets at the visitor point on Plac Mariacki 7, split the group if you plan to visit the tower, and remember to keep quiet and dress modestly. Think about guests with mobility needs — historic buildings can limit access to some areas.
If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like a custom program and a local guide, consider visiting zwiedzaniekrakowa.com and learning about tours with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. We warmly invite you to discover the Marian heart of Kraków!
