St. Mary’s Church is one of Kraków’s most important symbols: a Gothic silhouette on the Main Market Square, the famous Veit Stoss altarpiece and a history you can feel in the stone and the air. Every full hour the Square is reminded by the short, moving hejnał — a melody that for centuries has linked legend with the city’s everyday life. For photographers and travelers this is a place to see from the outside and from within. Inside, you’ll find an abundance of detail, colour and light; from the tower there are postcard-like views across the Old Town roofs and the Vistula.
Practically speaking: access to the tower is available at set times and usually in small groups; some parts of the basilica may require tickets (for certain exhibitions or the tower). The trumpeter plays the hejnał from the highest tower — you will hear it standing anywhere on or near the Market Square — a moment worth planning for when photographing city life.
As a guide I have led thousands of visitors along the Royal Route and through the basilica interiors — I know the times of day when light and crowds work in your favour and when it’s best to go inside to make calm, beautiful photos.
You can split a photo plan into three parts: the exterior façade and Market perspectives, the basilica interior with altarpiece details and stained glass, and the tower with city panoramas. Here’s a suggested order: - Morning on the Market: start before or just after sunrise — the light is soft and the crowds are smaller. Position yourself by the Cloth Hall or toward Floriańska Gate to capture St. Mary’s towers in a wide frame. - Enter the interior: after visiting the Market surface, step inside; in the first hours after opening the interior is usually calmer, which makes it easier to shoot without people in the foreground. Photograph details — sculptures, gilding and parts of Veit Stoss’s altarpiece. - Tower and panorama: climbing the tower gives a completely different perspective — roofs, the Market paving and the Vistula in the background. Planning for the golden hour (just before sunset) is a great way to get warm colours and long shadows. - Low-angle compositions: Kanonicza and Grodzka streets offer interesting compositions with the tower in the background, framed by tenement facades and light playing between stone portals. - Detail and street-life shots: don’t forget “life” pictures — bagels, conversations in front of cafés, the trumpeter and local vendors add context to your photos. Vary focal lengths: a wide angle captures architecture and atmosphere, 50–85 mm is good for portraits and details, and a telephoto helps isolate altarpiece fragments or compress the rooftops from the tower. Use a tripod where allowed and practical — for example early mornings or inside the church (check the basilica’s tripod policy).
If you want to photograph the hejnał itself: it’s a short moment — be ready with a higher ISO, short shutter speed and fast autofocus. The sound and the trumpeter’s movement create a strong composition, but respect the moment — don’t block walkways or stand where space is reserved for worshippers.
To photograph the interior without crowds consider booking an entry for a smaller group or a guided visit — that makes the work much easier and allows a calm photography session.
Preparation is half the success. Concrete tips to reduce queue time and avoid crowds: - Best hours: very early morning (right after opening) or late afternoon before closing are the calmest. Weekends and summer season bring many more visitors — plan outside peak hours. - Tower access: tickets for the tower are usually sold on-site and entries are organised in small groups; be prepared for the climb — 239 steps is a historical fact, so wear comfortable shoes. - Guided organised entries: booking a guided visit (with me, Małgorzata Kasprowicz) helps skip some queues and provides priority entry to certain rooms or displays; a guide also knows the best moments for photos. - Be flexible: if the Market is very busy, consider visiting Kanonicza, Wawel or Kazimierz first and return to the basilica when foot traffic drops. - Minimal baggage: in museum sections and some interiors you may be asked to leave large backpacks in storage or cloakrooms — carry a small camera bag and documents. - Headsets and audio guides: in larger groups it’s worth using audio-guide sets so you can hear the guide even in crowded areas.
If you’re visiting with children: plan shorter legs and breaks — children respond better to stories and photographic tasks than to long talks. There are family-friendly routes adapted in length and form for younger visitors.
Booking: to secure a convenient time it’s best to reserve the tour or tower entry in advance — especially for larger groups or during high season.
Entry to certain parts of the basilica and to the tower happens at set times and with tickets. Tower tickets are usually bought at the entrance (from Floriańska Street) and climbs are organised in groups — bring small change or a card, and remember systems may change, so check current information before your visit.
Stairs and accessibility: climbing the tower means navigating stone and wooden stairs (tradition mentions 239 steps), which can be demanding for people with reduced mobility. For those guests it’s better to explore the interior and enjoy views from the level of the Planty or river boulevards.
Behaviour rules: the basilica is a place of worship — please keep quiet in prayer areas, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees if needed) and respect spaces reserved for congregants. If you plan to use a tripod, ask at the entrance about current rules — restrictions may apply in some situations.
Equipment safety: in crowded moments keep your gear close, use straps and bags with zippers. The interior and the tower are usually safe, but as in any tourist site remain attentive.
After intensive shooting and visiting it’s worth sitting down for a good coffee or regional meal. A few places close to the Market I often recommend to my groups: - Cafe Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) — atmospheric, cosy spot for a coffee break. - Charlotte (Main Market Square) — French-style bakery-café with great bread and breakfasts. - Wedel Chocolate Lounge (near the Market) — a sweet reward after a walk. - Bagel stalls on the Market — a quick, local snack perfect to hold while shooting. - For a full lunch with regional flavour, restaurants around Kazimierz and the Market offer Polish and international cuisine — ask your guide for recommendations matched to your taste.
Breaks: the Planty and the Vistula boulevards are great places to rest with a view and to take relaxed photos. In summer the boulevards come alive — seasonal cafés and food trucks appear along the riverbank.
Tip: if you plan a photo session (for example a portrait by the Cloth Hall or with St. Mary’s towers as a backdrop), talk to me in advance about the best time and precise spot — I know quiet corners and moments without crowds.
Can you take photos inside the basilica? - In most areas photography is allowed, but please be discreet and switch off flash in places of worship. Rules may vary with temporary exhibitions or events, so ask staff at the entrance.
Is the climb to the tower difficult? - It’s a winding, sometimes narrow stairwell — a historic climb of around 239 steps. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a short ascent. People with limited mobility should skip the tower.
When is the hejnał played and can it be recorded? - The hejnał is played every hour from the highest tower; the tune is short and symbolic. Recording audio is permitted, but please behave respectfully and do not block passages.
Do I need to book a guided visit? - Booking is not always required, but in season and for larger groups it’s strongly recommended — it helps avoid queues and ensures a more comfortable visit.
Will children enjoy it? - Yes — there are special family routes and stories designed for younger visitors, full of legends and tasks that engage children.
If you want to explore and photograph with a guide — I offer routes tailored to photographic needs: priority access to interiors, routes planned for the best light, composition tips and time for short sessions. Reserving a tour in advance guarantees a good time slot and reduces queue wait times.
In our conversation we can set the pace of the route, break lengths for photo stops and additional elements — a short history of the place, anecdotes and practical advice on the best frames. This is ideal for people who want to combine knowledge with hands-on photography.
If you wish, I will prepare a plan tailored to your needs: family photos, architectural photography or an intensive landscape session from the tower.
Respect the place and other visitors. The best photos come from patience, observation and empathy toward the space and the people in it.
Come with an open mind: Kraków has many layers and every story adds flavour to your images. If you want, I will show you less obvious spots, where to hide from crowds and how to use light to create unique compositions.
See you on the Market — with your camera and a good mood! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz
