The Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art in the Sukiennice (a branch of the National Museum in Kraków) has a free admission day for its permanent exhibitions — Tuesday. This is great news for families and groups, but note: free entry usually does not include special events, guided tours or additional paid services. If you plan to come with a class on a free‑entry day, it’s a good idea to contact the ticket office and visitor services in advance to arrange visit details and check availability. The last visitors are generally admitted about 20 minutes before closing; keep this in mind when planning your trip.
In the sections below I’ll cover tickets, reservations, the duties of chaperones and teachers, and practical tips to help you organise a safe and enjoyable visit to the Sukiennice. You’ll also find common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Ticket prices for the Sukiennice are published by the National Museum in Kraków and at the branch ticket desk. Standard options include adult and reduced tickets and a family ticket (limited to a certain number of people); there are often special discounts for youth. It’s wise to check the museum’s current price list before your visit because rates and discounts can change.
Buying tickets online is convenient and often recommended for organised groups — it saves time at the ticket desk and secures places for a specific time slot. Remember that some extra services — for example hiring an audio guide, booking a guided tour, or educational workshops — may be charged separately.
School groups may have special pricing rules and reservation options; youth groups often qualify for reduced rates, but you may need to confirm group status and reserve in advance.
Museums, including the Sukiennice, recommend making reservations ahead of time for organised groups. A reservation lets you specify the date, number of participants, any educational activities and guide availability. For group bookings there may be a requirement to pay or confirm payment by a specified deadline before the visit — check the museum’s reservation conditions.
A guided tour at the Sukiennice is usually an additional paid service and may be priced separately. Museums typically list indicative rates for tours in Polish and foreign languages. If you want an official museum guide or educator, book in advance and confirm payment terms.
Larger museums may offer tour guide systems (wireless tour‑guide receivers) for groups above a certain size — renting such equipment is usually paid and requires prior notification.
During a visit to the Sukiennice you must follow the National Museum’s visiting regulations. Typical rules include: do not touch the exhibits, amateur photography without flash is usually allowed in permanent exhibitions, store large bags and backpacks in the cloakroom, and follow instructions from museum staff and security.
The museum reserves the right to refuse entry to people who disrupt the visiting order or pose a risk to the collections. In practice this means loud behaviour, running, or ignoring staff requests can lead to being asked to leave the galleries.
It’s helpful to remind group members of the rules before you enter — this makes life easier for museum staff and chaperones and protects the collections.
Most museum regulations (at cultural institutions) clearly state: chaperones and teachers are responsible for discipline and for any damage caused by the people under their care. That means the teacher or appointed chaperone must supervise pupils’ behaviour, respond to inappropriate conduct and intervene if the group threatens exhibits or other visitors.
A museum guide or educator has the right and duty to inform the group about behaviour rules and to help lead activities, but formal responsibility for discipline rests with the school’s chaperone. For that reason, schools and class teachers should assign a sufficient number of chaperones and prepare students before the visit.
Preparing students before the visit makes the trip much smoother. Give a short reminder of rules: don’t touch exhibits, don’t push into crowds, don’t run, listen to the guide and chaperones, use the restroom before entering, and leave large backpacks in the cloakroom. A short exercise in museum etiquette can reduce problems during the visit.
Divide the class into smaller subgroups and assign a chaperone to each — this helps with supervision and quick reactions to potential issues. If you plan educational activities with museum staff, discuss the programme in advance and make sure children know what to expect.
Check the meeting point in the museum (for example the cloakroom area) and the last admission time — many branches admit the last visitors about 20 minutes before closing, which matters when time is limited.
Not booking ahead — during peak season, especially on weekends and free‑entry days, the museum can be crowded. A reservation secures the date and simplifies organisation.
Leaving pupils unsupervised or having too few supervisors — always assign an appropriate number of chaperones, especially with younger children.
Poor communication about meeting time and place — set a clear return plan and meeting point in case someone gets separated from the group.
Assuming everything is free — although there are free‑entry days, extra services, guided tours and equipment rental are usually paid.
The Sukiennice and most branches of the National Museum in Kraków offer facilities for visitors with limited mobility, but accessibility can vary in different parts of a historic building. It’s best to ask the branch directly about lifts, ramps and stroller access.
Amateur photography without extra lighting and without tripods is often allowed in permanent exhibitions, but always respect explicit no‑photography signs. Flash and tripods are banned in many displays for conservation reasons.
The cloakroom is useful for groups — leaving backpacks and large bags in the cloakroom protects exhibits and makes moving through rooms easier. The museum usually does not accept responsibility for valuables left in clothing or bags, so limit bringing expensive items.
After a visit to the Sukiennice it’s nice to eat or grab coffee in well‑rated spots around the Main Market Square. A few tried and recommended options: Cafe Camelot — a popular café with a charming atmosphere; Wierzynek — a historic restaurant with long traditions; Cafe Szał — a café affiliated with the museum; Restauracja Pod Aniołami — recommended for regional cuisine. These places are often well reviewed and suitable for groups, though for larger parties it’s best to reserve tables in advance.
If you need accommodation, consider hotels and guesthouses in the Old Town or neighbourhoods near tram and bus lines — a central location makes returning to the museum and getting around Kraków much easier.
Do we have to reserve if we’re coming with a large group? — Yes, it’s strongly recommended to reserve tickets and a time slot in advance to secure your visit and avoid queues.
What should we do if a pupil damages an exhibit? — Chaperones are responsible for damage caused by people under their care; notify museum staff immediately and follow their instructions.
Can a school guide conduct activities in the museum without permission? — Many institutions require that a guide or person leading activities inform the museum beforehand; some museums also ask for permission for recording or commercial tours.
Are there special prices for schools? — Museums often offer discounts for schools and youth, but terms vary; confirm details when making a reservation.
The Sukiennice is more than an exhibition — it’s a place with a rich history and a prime location on the Main Market Square, so you can combine the visit with a short educational walk around the Old Town. Pair the visit with a simple quiz or a treasure‑hunt game in the exhibition to help students remember more.
If you plan to visit on a free‑entry day, prepare a plan B in case of long queues — outdoor activities on the Market Square or a timed reserved entry are good alternatives.
Finally — always carry a participant list, reservation confirmation and contact numbers for the museum and designated chaperones.
If you enjoyed this practical guide and would like help planning a visit with your class or group, feel free to get in touch with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — you can find details of her offer and contact information on the site. Małgorzata is happy to assist with reservations, design an educational programme and lead tours adapted to the age and needs of your group.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a great visit to the Sukiennice. Good luck and enjoy exploring Kraków!
