The Sukiennice on the Main Market Square are an absolutely central spot — geographically and symbolically. The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art houses a collection that easily introduces guests to Polish art history and provides an attractive backdrop for conversations and team activities. The venue has experience serving larger groups: guided tours (including by museum staff and curators) are offered, audio guides are available, and there is a mediateka with an adjoining terrace that can be rented for corporate events. It’s also useful to remember practical details: the museum is usually open Tuesday through Sunday and Monday can be a closed day for visitors. Tuesday is often the free-admission day for permanent exhibitions — a budget-friendly option but one that usually means more visitors.
The Sukiennice are also a place with a trading history and a special Kraków atmosphere — the stalls with souvenirs and handicrafts create a natural cultural-commercial background that many incentive participants enjoy: quick shopping, local souvenirs or coffee breaks right next to the gallery complement the programme.
If you’re planning a corporate event, a big advantage is the possibility to combine the visit with dedicated event spaces (for example the multimedia room / mediateka with terrace). This allows you to keep the formal or content part inside the museum and then move on to a more relaxed, evening entertainment programme.
Start by defining the goal: should the evening be an elegant banquet, a team-building session with workshops, or a relaxed afterparty with music? That choice determines the space and attraction selection. If you want art plus elegance, a short curator-led tour of the Sukiennice provides a substantive opening; if the aim is team building, consider adding a practical workshop (drawing, painting, performance).
Book the date and space well in advance — multimedia rooms and terraces in museum branches are often reserved for corporate events. For the Sukiennice mediateka: the room is a few dozen square meters (a space prepared for meetings for around 50 people) with an adjoining terrace that can also be rented; basic sound, a projector and catering options are available. Confirm the maximum number of participants and ask about a separate group entrance.
Remember opening hours and logistics: it’s best to plan the visit in the early afternoon or just before the evening dinner. Tuesdays are free-admission days — a good budget option, but expect crowds. Avoid Mondays when the museum is usually closed. For participants’ convenience, provide information about tram routes and meeting points — the Sukiennice are very well connected, but the Market Square can be crowded during peak hours.
Elegant dinner in a historic interior: restaurants on the Main Market Square combine atmosphere with good food. In such venues (for example long-standing restaurants on the Square) you can reserve rooms for groups of a dozen or more and pair dinner with a short speech or awards presentation.
A Vistula river cruise with dinner or an open bar is a classic evening solution for incentive groups — a boat with a view of Wawel offers a different, cinematic perspective on the city and works well as a welcome party or a grand finale. Some corporate packages include both enclosed dining areas and open spaces for dancing.
Live music and intimate clubs: after the visit many groups choose a jazz club or a small venue with live music. In the city centre and in Kazimierz there are jazz and concert clubs that accept groups and offer evening programmes with reservations and food options.
Terrace cocktail and afterparty: if you rent the mediateka terrace at the Sukiennice or another atmospheric rooftop overlooking the Market, you can host an outdoor cocktail, short speeches and background music — an elegant and comfortable solution for groups of up to around 50 people.
Special museum events: when planning an evening it’s worth checking the museum calendar — during events like Museums Night, Sukiennice celebrations or museum anniversaries you may find living tableaux, concerts or themed tours that make an exceptional addition to your programme.
17:00 — meeting in front of the Sukiennice entrance, short organisational briefing and introduction. 17:15–18:15 — curator-led tour of the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (thematic, 45–60 minutes). 18:30 — short coffee break on the terrace or in a nearby café (time for photos, quick shopping at the stalls). 19:30 — move to the room reserved for dinner (or transfer to the Vistula cruise). 20:00–22:00 — integrative dinner (served or buffet), speeches, small gifts. 22:00–24:00 — afterparty at a jazz club / intimate concert / terrace cocktails.
This programme blends substantive elements (art, guided tour) with integrative and entertainment parts. If you want to add a workshop (for example drawing or short team-building tasks), plan a 60–90 minute session between the tour and dinner or as an activity alongside dessert.
For international groups: arrange an English-language tour or use audio guides. It’s also helpful to include a short map and meeting location in a pre-trip email.
Drawing and sketching workshops inspired by the museum collection are simple and effective: participants receive materials, a short introduction and a 30–60 minute assignment. It’s great fun even for people without artistic experience.
Performance and living pictures: the museum and local theatres sometimes collaborate on projects where dancers or actors ‘bring artworks to life’ — such additions are memorable and can become a unifying theme for the evening. Presentations of this type have occurred at the Sukiennice during museum celebrations.
Conservation demonstrations and a behind-the-scenes look: if you want to add an educational element, ask about a short visit to the conservation workshop or a talk about restoring a selected painting — an unusual opportunity that adds prestige and uniqueness to the event.
A classic restaurant with tradition on the Main Market Square is a natural choice for an elegant dinner — you can usually expect a private room for larger groups and group menus tailored to company needs. Such places often offer set menus and options to include historic interior tours.
A river cruise with dinner or an open bar is a popular organiser’s choice — the view of the illuminated Wawel is impressive and makes for a spectacular end to the day. Corporate cruise offers can include a chef, a DJ and on-deck shows.
After dinner, consider a small live-music club — Kraków has an established jazz and club scene. Clubs in the centre and in Kazimierz host concerts, jam sessions and private events for groups. For example, several well-known jazz clubs in the city centre run daily programmes and accept group reservations.
Not booking in advance — museum rooms, terraces and good restaurants for groups are booked months ahead, especially in high season. Reserve the date and confirm conditions in writing.
Ignoring closed days and free-admission days — check museum opening hours (Monday is often closed; Tuesday may be free) and other seasonal restrictions to avoid surprising guests with a changed plan.
Unforeseen technical needs — if you plan presentations, concerts, films or workshops, make sure the hired room has proper sound, a projector and internet. Agree on catering rules and any restrictions on bringing decorations.
Overambitious timing — plan realistic time for transfers, photos, breaks and possible delays. Give the group time to rest between activities, especially if the programme is intensive.
Is a museum-guided tour worth it? Yes — a tour led by museum staff or a curator adds context, interesting stories and helps you make the most of the visit time. For international groups, arrange a tour in the appropriate language or use audio guides.
How many people fit on the mediateka terrace? The mediateka and its adjoining terrace are designed for events of about 50 people — actual capacity depends on the layout (cocktail vs seated). Always confirm numbers with the museum staff.
How to arrange catering? Many museum rooms allow on-site catering or external catering after agreeing terms. Ask about restrictions on food setups and service hours.
Can you hold evening events in the Sukiennice? Yes — with prior reservation and respecting museum rules. The museum also organises its own evening events on selected dates (concerts, living tableaux, late openings), which can be a special addition to a company programme.
Invite a curator for a 15-minute informal chat during the cocktail hour — a short talk about one painting or an anecdote can give your event authenticity and prestige.
Organise a mini photo session with a view of the Market — a professional group photo in front of the Sukiennice or from the terrace makes a great keepsake for participants.
Combine the visit with a short creative contest — for example a team task to ‘recreate a painting’ using simple props. That kind of activity engages everyone and creates excellent integrative material (fun photos you can later share with the company).
If you found this article useful, share it with colleagues or on company profiles — helpful tips save time and money when organising events.
If you need help planning a specific incentive programme in Kraków — from a Sukiennice visit, through room and terrace rental, to evening attractions and reservations — contact tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for comprehensive support with group programmes. Details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
