St. Mary’s Basilica is not only one of the most beautiful sights on the Main Market Square, but also a place where history, art and religious life meet at every turn. The interior — with the Veit Stoss altarpiece, polychromes and side chapels — attracts crowds. That’s why it’s worth knowing in advance where and how to buy admission passes (often called donation tickets), when to plan your visit and what to avoid so your visit is pleasant and stress-free. This article collects practical information and useful tips for visitors.
Visiting the tourist part of St. Mary’s Basilica is organised through so-called donation passes. The idea is simple: these passes help support the upkeep of the church and its monuments and are sold at the visitor service point at Plac Mariacki 7. In practice this means that standard admission to the interior and to the tower is sold mainly on-site, and advance online booking for single visitors is usually not available. If you plan to visit in high season or with a large group, the best option is to contact the Basilica staff by phone or email about group reservations and visit conditions.
Remember that the visitor service point stops selling tickets 15 minutes before the official closing time — if you arrive at the very last minute you may not have time to buy a pass and enter the tourist area.
Entrance to the tower, from which the hejnał (bugle call) is played, is a separate attraction with its own donation passes and restrictions. The tower is usually open in defined seasonal hours; outside the season (for example in winter months) it may be closed. Access is by stairs, in small groups, and places for each climb are limited. For safety, the tower is open only to visitors above a certain age and in appropriate physical condition; sometimes there are weight or group-size restrictions. For these reasons you often cannot reserve tower tickets far in advance — they are commonly sold on the day of your visit. If the tower is important to you, come early, right after the visitor desk opens.
If you plan a group visit or want to be sure to go up at a specific time, contact the Basilica’s visitor desk in advance — staff can advise on the best time or group options.
The Basilica is first and foremost a place of worship, so parts of the church remain freely accessible to the faithful during liturgies. The tourist section (including the Veit Stoss altarpiece) is typically available outside liturgical times — generally during daytime hours — but exact times can change during church celebrations. Check opening hours before your visit when possible, and remember that on Sundays and holidays tourist access may start later than on weekdays. When planning, allow extra time — even with a purchased pass you may have to wait a while if a sudden ceremony is taking place inside.
The visitor service point (Plac Mariacki 7) also announces days when the altarpiece is open longer or when visiting is temporarily limited for liturgical reasons.
Buy donation passes at the official visitor desk on Plac Mariacki 7 — this is the most reliable source. Avoid seemingly attractive offers from street sellers or unknown websites that may sell the same pass at a much higher price or without a real guarantee of entry.
Bring both a card and some cash. Although most tourist points accept cards, small transactions may be easier with cash and some terminals can be unreliable.
The visitor desk stops sales 15 minutes before closing — don’t wait until the last minute.
For the tower, wear comfortable shoes and avoid bulky luggage — there’s little space on the stairs and in narrow passages.
Keep quiet and show respect for a place of worship. In many chapels and near some exhibits flash photography is forbidden; visiting is restricted during services.
Assuming you can buy a ticket “at any time” — in summer and at weekends queues can be long and the desk closes before the official visiting-end time.
Relying only on unknown online offers. Some resale sites charge large markups or mislead about tower availability.
Dressing inappropriately — remember this is an active parish. Covering shoulders and knees is a simple rule of good manners.
Trying to enter through the main Market-facing entrance for general sightseeing — main entrance is often reserved for worshippers and leads into the prayer area; tourists should use the southern (tourist) entrance.
Arrive early — right when the visitor desk opens you have the best chance to buy a tower pass and to see the main altar without crowds.
If your time in Kraków is limited, combine a visit to the Basilica with a short route to Wawel Castle or the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — these sights are close together and you can plan a route that avoids backtracking.
Bring a payment card and some small cash; also bring a bottle of water and comfortable shoes — the Market and surrounding streets are often cobbled and there are stairs.
Respect Masses and services — if you want to photograph liturgical areas, make sure you do not disturb worshippers and don’t use flash.
If you prefer a guided visit, consider booking with a licensed private guide. Małgorzata Kasprowicz can help plan the route, reserve places and manage logistics for visits to the basilica, museums and other sites.
Can I buy a ticket to St. Mary’s Basilica online? — In most cases donation passes are sold at the visitor desk on Plac Mariacki 7; online sales for individual visitors are not the norm. For groups or special events contact the Basilica in advance.
How much is a donation pass? — Prices vary; there is usually a full-price pass for adults and a reduced one for children, students and seniors. Exact rates are available at the visitor desk or on the Basilica’s official information channels.
Is the tower open year-round? — The tower is often seasonal and can be closed in winter months or for conservation work. Climbs are organised in limited hours and in groups.
Are there discounts for groups? — Yes, group rules and prices are frequently different. It’s worth emailing or calling ahead to arrange terms and possible reservations.
Can I take photos? — Photographing the interior is usually allowed without flash and with respect for services. Some chapels may prohibit photography altogether.
If you’re looking for breakfast or coffee near the Market, choose well-reviewed cafés on the Old Town — they serve local treats and good coffee. Classic options include Café Camelot or Café Noworolski in the Cloth Hall area. For lunch or dinner consider established restaurants on or near the Market Square, such as Wierzynek, which combine traditional Polish dishes with tourist-friendly service. Always prefer places with many positive reviews and consider reserving a table in high season.
Types of spots to look for: small cafés for a short break, bars serving local dumplings or soups, and restaurants with Polish and international dishes. Book ahead for evenings and weekends to avoid waiting.
The hejnał mariacki (bugle call) is played every hour and stops abruptly in reference to the legend of the trumpeter who was shot while warning the city of an attack. It’s one of Kraków’s most recognisable musical symbols.
The Veit Stoss altarpiece is a sculptural masterpiece that used to be opened and closed — the scenes on the wings display different parts of the religious story according to a traditional opening schedule.
The donation pass is not just a regular museum ticket — buying one often directly supports conservation and the upkeep of the historic interior. Visitors who buy a pass help preserve the church for future generations.
To visit St. Mary’s Basilica without stress, plan to arrive outside peak hours, go to the visitor desk at Plac Mariacki 7 right after it opens to buy your donation pass, and consider contacting the Basilica by phone or email in advance if you come with a group or need to visit at a specific time.
If you need help organising visits to museums, booking accommodation or restaurants, arranging transport, or if you’d like a personal guided tour, contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata knows the realities of Kraków bookings, can plan logistics, make necessary reservations and lead tours of museums and the city’s most interesting corners. That way your visit to the Basilica and other attractions will be pleasant, without queues and unnecessary stress.
If you found this article helpful — share it with friends or on social media. If you want personalised help planning a Kraków trip, Małgorzata will be happy to assist.
