Sukiennice are the heart of Kraków’s Main Market Square and one of the city’s most recognisable places, where history meets everyday life. The characteristic arcades, symmetrical façades and surrounding buildings — including St. Mary’s Basilica — create ready-made frames that work well for both portraits and architectural shots. The souvenir stalls, the café on the terrace and the flow of city life give extra opportunities for creative compositions.
Sukiennice also have a museum layer — on the upper floor is the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (a branch of the National Museum), and from the square side there are terraces and cafés with views. Use these elements to shoot from perspectives other than street level: a few metres higher a composition can gain a completely different character. If you’re curious about history, remember the site grew out of medieval market stalls and has been rebuilt several times — those changes show in the architectural details.
If you want to photograph without crowds, come very early — before shops open and before tour groups arrive. Morning light is soft and warm and gives a calmer background, which helps when working with models or using long exposures. Evening and the golden hour are classic choices — the stone façades gain depth and dramatic shadows.
Midday can be challenging because of harsh light and large crowds, but it’s also when Sukiennice are at their liveliest: stalls, street musicians and pigeons add energy. Overcast days produce lower contrast — a great time for detail shots and to capture the colours of the stalls. During seasonal markets (for example the Christmas market) the square transforms — plan a session if you want a festive atmosphere.
The arcades of the Cloth Hall form natural frames for people and details — place your model in one of the architectural openings and use a wide-angle lens to capture the repeating arches and build depth. You can also focus on details: sculptures, cornices or stone textures work beautifully in black-and-white photography.
Try contrasting close-ups with background elements: a portrait by a souvenir stall with a softly blurred crowd behind gives a ‘city life’ feel. Working with different focal lengths — from a 24mm wide angle to a portrait 85–135mm — lets you switch styles quickly without moving across the whole square.
Don’t forget vertical frames for façades and horizontal ones for Market panoramas. Experiment with reflections in shop windows and shooting “through” foreground elements (branches, lamps, parts of stalls) to add depth and layering to your images.
The Town Hall Tower and the Sukiennice terraces are two classic vantage points that give a very different view of the Market. The Town Hall Tower lets you look down on Sukiennice and the surrounding streets — a great spot for panoramas and capturing the rhythm of city life. Climbing the tower is paid and involves stairs, but the view is worth the effort.
The Sukiennice terraces (accessed through the gallery) offer close views of the façades with St. Mary’s Basilica in the background. On the terrace you can also catch lifestyle shots with a coffee in hand — a pleasant set for casual images. If you want wider or more distant views, consider higher nearby points such as Wawel or the city mounds — they’re further away but offer interesting contrasts between the city and its monuments.
Keep in mind some terraces and towers have entry limits or ticketing; check opening hours before your planned shoot. If you need a photo from a specific sun direction, plan the time of your visit in advance.
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in Sukiennice is a branch of the National Museum and follows its own opening hours and photography rules. There are often restrictions on photographing exhibits and on using tripods; inside the gallery it’s best to ask staff or check the museum’s official information.
Access to the Sukiennice terraces is usually connected to a gallery ticket or a separate terrace ticket — prices and hours can change seasonally, so check current information before your visit. The Market and the arcades are public space where you can generally photograph freely, but remember to respect other people and avoid blocking walkways or stalls.
If you plan to use large equipment (tripod, flash units), note that crowded places may require permission to set up or make it difficult to deploy gear. For commercial shoots it’s good practice to contact the site manager or obtain permission, especially if you’ll be occupying public space.
There’s a café on the Sukiennice terrace — a lovely spot for a break and for quick photos with a Market view. Around the square you’ll also find many well-rated cafés and restaurants perfect for a longer rest — choose popular, highly rated places if you want good coffee and a nice setting for lifestyle shots.
If you prefer something classic, look for cafés recommended by locals — terrace cafés overlooking the Market or charming small cafés in the side streets often offer a more interesting atmosphere than chain venues. In winter, favour places with cosy interiors and photogenic tables.
Too-tight compositions with crowds in the background — avoid this by shooting early or using shallow depth of field to separate the subject from the background. Not planning the light — check the sun direction before your session and use the arcades as natural reflectors or flags.
Placing a tripod in a walkway — don’t block movement; avoid setting gear in narrow places. For sessions with flash, speak to staff and consider other people’s safety. Also be ready for sudden weather changes — carry protection for your equipment and have a plan B in case of rain.
Look for reflections in shop windows and mirrors — reflections can add an interesting layering effect. Pay attention to small gallery details — fragments of paintings, balustrade ornaments, lamps and sculptures can make excellent themed photo series.
Experiment with long exposures at night — blurred silhouettes of passersby can add dynamism and drama. During fairs and markets pick detailed shots of stalls rather than wide panoramas to capture local colours and atmosphere.
Can I use a tripod at Sukiennice? In public areas usually yes, but during peak hours it’s better to work without one or be mindful of passersby. For commercial shoots check if a permit is required.
Is access to the Sukiennice terrace paid? Access to the terrace is often linked to a gallery ticket or a separate terrace entrance fee; prices and opening hours are seasonal — always check current information before visiting.
Can I photograph inside the Sukiennice gallery? Museum rooms have specific photography rules — sometimes non-flash photos are allowed, sometimes photography is prohibited. Ask at the ticket desk or check the regulations.
Sukiennice offer huge photographic possibilities — from classic architectural shots, through portraits in the arcades, to museum details and terrace views. The key is to plan the time of day, experiment with perspective and respect public space and other visitors.
If you’d like to discover Sukiennice from the inside and learn more about the best frames, consider arranging a guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she can help plan a route, provide historical context and point out hidden photo spots. Contact details are available on the guide’s page. If you found this article helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends. Good luck hunting for the perfect shot!
