Absolutely. The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice is one of the city's most important exhibitions — in a relatively small, representative interior it’s easy for crowds to form, and long stops at paintings make moving through the rooms difficult. Splitting a larger tour into smaller teams improves the flow of the visit, creates better contact with the guide, makes it more comfortable for people with different paces, and allows simultaneous use of the terrace or café without long queues. It’s also a way to make the most of your time — smaller groups organise themselves faster at the entrance and are less likely to cause delays.
If you plan to visit with children, seniors, or people with limited mobility, dividing the group is almost a necessity: smaller groups are easier to supervise and safer in the tighter parts of the exhibition.
In this article you’ll find ready-made scenarios, practical checklists and sample schedules you can adapt to your needs.
Book your visit with enough lead time — the National Museum in Kraków accepts group and educational reservations, and guided tours or classes usually require at least a few days to confirm. Opening days and hours, as well as options for earlier group entry, change with the season, so it’s best to check current details before planning your trip.
School groups have special rules about supervisors and educational activities — often one supervisor place is free for a certain number of pupils; the museum also runs age-appropriate museum lessons (typically 1–1.5 hours).
At the Sukiennice you can choose an in-person guided tour or audio guides in several languages. Amateur photography in the permanent exhibition is usually allowed provided no additional lighting or tripods are used.
It’s best to combine several criteria: participants’ age, pace of visiting, interests (e.g. painting vs. applied arts), language and mobility needs. That way each subgroup will have similar dynamics and expectations.
Divide by age: separate school groups, families with small children and adults. For children plan shorter, more interactive activities.
Divide by language: if you have English-speaking or other-language participants, set up a subgroup that uses a guide or audio guides in that language.
Divide by pace: fast walkers, people who want to linger at selected works, and those who prefer shorter, concise explanations. This avoids frustration and delays.
The optimal size depends on the visit’s goal. For guided tours a comfortable number is 8–12 people. For shorter general presentations or when using audio guides you can plan groups of 12–20.
For school groups and educational workshops it’s worth using smaller teams (for example, 10 pupils each) — this allows active engagement and faster completion of tasks.
If you have a large tour (e.g. 30–60 people), consider splitting into 3–6 small groups and using a rotational plan (details in the schedule section).
Scheme A — mixed group (families, adults), visit time 90–120 min: Group 1: guided tour (45 min) → terrace/café (30–45 min) Group 2: terrace/café (30–45 min) → self-guided visit or audio guide (45–60 min) Group 3: self-guided visit/audio guide (45–60 min) → short presentation at key works (30 min).
Scheme B — schools (visit time 90 min): Divide into teams of 10. Team A: museum lesson (45–60 min) → break/meal Team B: break/meal → museum lesson Team C: short themed tour + practical tasks. Rotation prevents overcrowding and lets everyone take part in educational activities.
Scheme C — multilingual tour: instead of one guide in a foreign language, use audio guides for the foreign-language group and a Polish guide for the rest. Smaller groups swap after half the time.
Agree on a clear meeting point before entry and remind participants to be punctual. The Main Market Square is large — indicate the exact side of the Sukiennice (entrance and possible waiting area).
Color-coded identifiers, badges or wristbands help quickly recognise subgroup membership. For bigger tours prepare name lists and assign rotation numbers to groups.
Set timeframes (for example, meet 10 minutes after the visit ends by the stairs on the Bracka side). Appoint one person responsible for timekeeping and contact with museum staff.
Remember cloakroom and restroom stops before entering — a short preparation saves minutes. If you have luggage or large backpacks, arrange storage outside the exhibition rooms.
A live guide allows questions, tailoring the story to the group and flexible lengthening or shortening of commentary. It’s ideal for first visits or groups with specific interests.
An audio guide is a good option for multilingual groups or when participants want to move freely. Check available languages and rental costs, and reserve devices in advance if you plan an intense day with several groups.
A good compromise is a brief introduction by a guide (15–20 min — the key stories) followed by self-guided exploration with audio guides.
The museum offers museum lessons tailored to age, with prepared materials and tasks. Lessons typically last 1–1.5 hours and require advance reservation.
When organising a school trip, remember the rules about supervisors — often one supervisor place is free for a specified number of pupils. Always confirm with the museum the number of free supervisors and any additional fees.
When planning sessions include time for walking between locations, a short break and collecting materials — children benefit from clearly defined stages of the visit.
Mistake 1: No clear rotation plan. Result: chaos at the entrance and delays. Solution: prepare a schedule, number the groups and assign timekeepers.
Mistake 2: Subgroups too large for guided tours. Result: people at the back can’t hear, lowering the quality of the visit. Solution: limit to 8–12 people per guide when interaction matters.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to reserve audio guides or lessons. Result: no equipment or unavailable slots. Solution: book in advance and reconfirm the day before the visit.
Do you need to reserve group tickets? It’s recommended to book group visits in advance, especially in season.
How much time should you allow to visit the Sukiennice? If the group wants to calmly see the permanent exhibition, plan 60–90 minutes; with a museum lesson or guided tour plan 90–120 minutes.
What if you have participants with limited mobility? Inform the museum when booking — they will advise on accessibility and possible accommodations.
Is Tuesday a free entry day? In many branches of the National Museum some permanent exhibitions are available free on Tuesdays — check current information before arrival.
The Sukiennice is not only a gallery — it’s a historic place that since the 19th century has played an important role in Kraków’s cultural life, and today combines a museum function with a terrace café.
The Sukiennice terrace is sometimes included in the ticket price; it’s a great place for a short break with views over the Main Market Square.
The museum prepares special educational and themed programmes that may not be obvious in the standard description — for larger reservations ask about accompanying events or seasonal tours.
After leaving the Sukiennice it’s easy to find well-regarded places — consider reserving tables at cafés and restaurants around the Main Market Square for larger groups. Nearby you’ll find options suitable for a quick lunch or a more relaxed meal.
If you want something convenient and proven: pick venues with good reviews and reserve in advance at peak tourist times. The Sukiennice terrace café is a quick and comfortable choice for smaller groups.
If you’d like, I can suggest specific places matched to your group’s style (family-friendly, elegant, vegetarian, etc.).
Confirm your reservation with the museum and any group opening hours or supervisor requirements. Prepare participant lists and split them into subgroups with numbers or colours. Reserve a guide/audio guides in advance if needed. Prepare a rotation plan with times and meeting points. Remember a map, phone contacts for responsible persons and a backup plan for delays.
Check the weather forecast if you plan any events on the terrace or in the Market Square.
Make sure everyone knows where the nearest restroom and cloakroom are before entering the gallery.
If you need help planning a visit, dividing groups, booking museum lessons, audio guides, restaurant tables or transport — contact Margaret Kasprowicz. Margaret can help plan logistics, reserve tickets and services, and guide you around Kraków so the time spent in the Sukiennice is calm and satisfying for all participants. Her contact details are visible on the article page.
If this guide was helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends. Good preparation is the key to a successful visit to the Sukiennice and the Main Market Square.
We wish you a great visit and many inspiring discoveries in the heart of Kraków!
