Yes — but not as a single standard guided-group booking that the museum normally accepts. The Sukiennice gallery follows the rules of the National Museum in Kraków: standard group reservations for guided tours or educational services are usually accepted for up to 35 people per one session. This means that for a group larger than 50 you need a different organization: split into subgroups, reserve several time slots, or rent museum space exclusively (event offer/room rental).
In practice you have three main scenarios to choose from: 1) divide the large group into smaller subgroups (for example 2 or 3 sessions) and synchronize the visits; 2) rent the mediateka/rooms in the Sukiennice or rent part of the gallery — then the number of participants can be much higher; 3) organize shorter unguided entrances or outdoor activities for part of the group (for example a Market Square walk) and guide a selected portion inside the museum.
The National Museum in Kraków accepts reservations for organized groups usually up to 35 people — this limit applies to standard guided services and museum lessons. The limit includes everyone in the group: participants, supervisors and guides.
Exceeding the declared number without prior agreement may result in refusal to provide the service and loss of paid fees. Therefore the number you enter in the reservation should match the actual number of people.
For events or space rental the Museum offers separate conditions: entire Sukiennice rooms (or combinations of rooms) can be rented commercially — then allowable single-session attendance can be much higher (in some configurations the gallery can accommodate several hundred people, and the mediateka has its own limits). Rental is arranged on the basis of a written order and prior arrangements with the Customer Service Office.
Splitting into subgroups: the simplest and most common solution. Divide participants into 2–3 subgroups (e.g. 25–30 people each) and book separate guide times or entrances. This reduces crowding, improves listening comfort and protects the exhibits.
Staggered entry (synchronized shifts): set a meeting point and time windows for each subgroup (for example entry every 30–40 minutes). This way the whole group spends a similar amount of time in the Sukiennice and organizing transport and meals becomes easier.
Room or whole-gallery rental: if you want everyone together inside, consider renting the Mediateka or one of the larger Sukiennice rooms for an event or private tour. This is pricier but offers the convenience of being together and allows catering and use of multimedia equipment.
Partial entry + outdoor activities: part of the group tours the interior while the other part walks around the Market Square or takes short workshops near the stalls, then swap. This is a good method when you don’t want to pay for a full rental but want everyone to be engaged simultaneously.
Standard entry and guided-tour reservations are handled by the National Museum’s Information and Reservations Center — contact them in advance to set the date, number of people and type of service (standard guided tour, educational lesson, museum game).
If you plan to rent a room, the mediateka or organize an event for your whole group in the Sukiennice, arrangements must be made in writing with the Customer Service Office. In that message provide the date, expected number of guests, time frame and the nature of the event (presentation, banquet, guided tour).
In practice: book ahead — for a standard guided tour a few days to a week can be enough, but in summer season and for larger groups it’s wise to plan several weeks in advance. Educational classes or workshops often require reservations several weeks, sometimes a month, ahead.
1) Reservations: confirm museum entries and any room rental or guiding service — best to have confirmation in writing and a booking number.
2) Transport and parking: arrange a drop-off point for coaches near the Market Square and — if needed — a longer-term parking location. There can be restrictions and paid zones in the city center; check this beforehand.
3) Meeting point: choose a clear meeting point (for example by a specific sculpture or at the Sukiennice entrance on the St. Mary’s Church side) and set a final entry time for latecomers.
4) Supervisors: for groups over 30–40 people it’s worth having several supervisors with IDs to help count participants and keep time.
5) Time buffer: leave margins in the schedule for moving between places, toilets and photo stops — with large groups everything takes longer.
6) Support materials: if you prefer not to use several guides, consider a headset/audio-guide system — it helps communication and reduces crowding near the guide.
The Sukiennice are adapted for people with reduced mobility: within the historic space there is an elevator giving access to the gallery and terraces, accessible toilets and solutions that facilitate movement around the rooms. If your group includes wheelchair users or people with greater needs, inform the museum in advance — they will prepare appropriate accommodations.
It’s also useful to note in the reservation how many people require extra assistance — this helps organize the entrance and prepare ramps or cloakrooms accessible without stairs.
The cost depends on several variables: whether you choose a standard guided tour, an educational lesson, room rental, or an event with catering. The Museum has separate price lists for educational activities (often with a minimum group fee), standard guided tours and space rental — fees vary depending on service scope.
For example, educational lessons and museum games usually have a per-person fee together with a minimum group charge, while room rental and catering are priced individually. When planning the budget include transport, possible catering costs and a fee for an additional guide if you plan to split the group.
If you plan lunch for a large group, reserve tables in advance. Several well-known and highly rated spots directly around the Market Square that handle group bookings and offer menus adapted to various needs include: Szara (Rynek Główny 6) — recognized cuisine often praised in culinary guides; Wierzynek (Rynek Główny 16) — historic interiors and experience with groups; for coffee and cake try Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) and the iconic Nowa Prowincja (ul. Bracka) — atmospheric cafés ideal for a short break.
For groups of 50+ consider set menus or pre-ordered group meals — this helps the kitchen and shortens waiting time.
Not booking early enough — large groups in season require advance confirmations (several weeks, sometimes a month) and written arrangements. Book early and confirm dates and numbers.
Underestimating transit and stopover times — with 50+ people even short walks take much longer. Always add time buffers to every item in the schedule.
No backup plan (Plan B) for rain or changes in the museum’s opening hours — have alternatives (shorter tour, café or another indoor location).
Arriving with more people than declared without the museum’s consent — this can result in refusal of the service and forfeiture of payments. If the number grows, inform the museum immediately.
Q: What if our group has 60 people and we want a single shared guided tour? A: Usually the best option is to rent a room/gallery or organize a joint welcome briefing in a rented space, then split into smaller groups for direct touring of the interiors. Discuss this option with the museum’s customer service.
Q: How far in advance do we need to confirm a reservation? A: It depends on the service — a standard guided tour can often be arranged with a few days’ notice, but in season and for large groups it’s better to book 10–30 days ahead. Educational workshops often need earlier confirmation (for example a month).
Q: Can we bring luggage or large bags? A: For large groups, inform participants about cloakroom or deposit options; some cloakrooms are accessible only via stairs, but the museum provides alternatives for people with mobility restrictions.
Q: Can we bring our own catering? A: If you rent a room, catering is usually possible after prior arrangements and in agreement with the museum. For standard guided visits there is no access to kitchen/backstage catering areas without a rental.
The Sukiennice are not only an exhibition — the historic interiors also house event spaces and a mediateka with a terrace overlooking the Market Square that can be rented. This is a great option if you want the whole group together for the entire visit.
The Sukiennice gallery offers accessibility solutions (an elevator with braille buttons, an accessible toilet, and no thresholds between some rooms) — a rare advantage in such historic spaces that makes planning visits for people with mobility limitations easier.
If you want everyone to hear the guide in a crowded interior, use headsets or a microphone — this improves listening comfort and reduces the need to crowd close to the exhibits.
Standard reservations and information about guided tours are typically coordinated by the National Museum’s Information and Reservations Center — contact them to learn availability and reservation rules.
If you plan to rent rooms, the mediateka or a closed event for your whole group — handle arrangements with the Museum’s Customer Service Office; state the number of guests, time, nature of the event and technical needs (sound, projector, catering).
If you need help organizing the full logistics (ticket bookings, transport, accommodation, restaurants, daily plan) you can use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata helps plan routes, book tickets and places, organizes transport and can lead groups around Kraków and inside museums. Her contact is available on the article page at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Short CHECKLIST for an organizer of a group 50+ visiting the Sukiennice:
1) Check limits and reserve entries/guided tours in advance. 2) Consider splitting into subgroups or renting a room. 3) Book coach parking and set a meeting point. 4) Prepare supervisors and ID badges. 5) Reserve group meals in advance. 6) Inform the museum about people with mobility limitations.
If you’d like, I can help plan this step by step with you — just use the contact for Małgorzata shown on the article page. A well-planned visit means a calm group and happy participants.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media so other organizers can use these practical tips.
And if you want someone to shorten the whole organization process to one conversation and written confirmations — Małgorzata is happy to advise and take care of bookings, logistics, transport, accommodation, restaurants and tickets. You can find her contact on the article page at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
