The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is more than the souvenir stalls in the middle of one of Europe’s largest medieval market squares — on the first floor you’ll find the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art (a branch of the National Museum), which makes it easy to combine a short shopping stop with a moment of art. For children you can describe it as a “treasure trove of paintings” and plan short play breaks on the Square between the exhibition rooms.
Planning a visit with family is easier if you locate a toilet with a changing table, the elevator and a place to leave or park a stroller — the Cloth Hall has several conveniences that genuinely help parents, but it’s good to know about them in advance to avoid surprises.
In this guide you’ll find a detailed packing list for the backpack, tips for families with strollers, practical advice about tickets and opening hours, and a few nearby places to rest and get a good meal.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall is a market hall with stalls and small shops — accessible without a ticket and usually open most of the day. On the first floor is the Gallery of 19th‑Century Polish Art (a branch of the National Museum) — you need a ticket to enter that part.
The building has an elevator and facilities for visitors with reduced mobility, which makes it easier to reach the upper floors with a stroller. Near the terrace and café there is a toilet adapted to people with disabilities and equipped with a baby changing table.
Remember that during high season and on free‑admission days there may be longer queues for the gallery — buying tickets online or arriving just after opening can save time and nerves.
Documents and tickets: IDs and any discount cards (if someone in the family is entitled to a reduced fare). If you buy tickets online, keep the confirmation on your phone or printed.
Wallet and small change: besides a card, carry some cash for small purchases at stalls, souvenir machines or a café. It’s smart to have a payment card and a little cash in case a terminal doesn’t work.
Water and snacks: a small bottle of water for each person — the Market Square can heat up quickly, and it’s better to avoid hungry children in the gallery. Simple, dry snacks (crackers, an apple, fruit puree pouch) are useful while waiting in line.
Changing and care: spare diapers, wet wipes, a small changing mat, and diaper‑rash cream. Small bags for used diapers are handy.
Small first‑aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes, a child‑appropriate pain/fever medicine (as recommended by your pediatrician), tweezers, and any regular medication a child needs.
Change of clothes and layers: a lightweight rain jacket or poncho and an extra sweater for a child. Even on warm days it can be cooler inside the museum.
Hat and sunscreen: if you plan photos on the Cloth Hall terrace or a walk around the Market, sun protection is essential.
Comfortable shoes: for adults and children — the Old Town’s cobblestones and walking through museum rooms require comfort.
Powerbank and chargers: phones are useful for tickets, photos and maps; a powerbank brings peace of mind.
Small play kit: a favorite toy, coloring book or a small travel game for the time in the gallery. Long periods in exhibition rooms can be boring for little ones — an emergency activity helps.
Bag for purchases: if you plan to buy souvenirs, think about a secure bag to carry them.
Hygiene items: hand sanitizer, paper tissues, a small spare roll of toilet paper in case a nearby toilet is closed.
Notebook and pen: for older children who enjoy sketching or noting interesting facts from the exhibits — a great way to engage them during the visit.
Lightfold stroller: if you plan a lot of walking, a small, easily foldable stroller helps on cobblestones and public transport. While the Cloth Hall has an elevator, not every entrance is barrier‑free, so a light stroller is practical.
Headphones and a simple audio player for children: if you rent an audio guide, headphones can help a child focus without disturbing others. Museums sometimes offer audio guides worth borrowing.
Umbrella / rain cape: Kraków’s weather can change quickly — a small umbrella is recommended.
Small flashlight or night light: useful if you return late through the cobbled streets or if a child is uneasy in darker museum corridors.
The Cloth Hall is partially accessible — there is an elevator to the gallery and terraces, and the toilet by the terrace has a changing table. This is a big help for families with infants.
Still, bring a light foldable stroller: the cobblestones and crowds on the Market Square make maneuvering a large stroller difficult. When planning your visit, check where the elevator entrance is located — it makes entering with a stroller easier without carrying it up stairs.
Do not leave valuables in the stroller when you leave it near shops or stalls. During peak season it can get crowded and strollers are an easy target for petty theft.
Exhibition rooms are quiet or for whispered conversation — remind children before entering that we are looking at paintings, not playing like on a playground. A short set of “gallery rules” explained before the visit helps ensure a calm tour.
Do not touch exhibits or get close to them unless the museum allows it. Amateur photography is often permitted, but avoid flash and tripods — always check the rules at the ticket desk.
If someone in the family needs a break, use the benches in the rooms or step out to the terrace — there you can breathe, have a snack and regroup before visiting more rooms.
For a friendly breakfast or coffee: Cafe Camelot and Charlotte are atmospheric cafés close to the Market Square, often recommended for their atmosphere and good coffee.
For a family lunch or dinner consider well‑reviewed restaurants near the Square such as Szara Gęś (Rynek Główny 17) or Pod Nosem (ul. Kanonicza) — they serve thoughtful, high‑quality dishes and are popular with guests.
For a quick, informal meal try local cafés and bistros on the edges of the Market Square where you can comfortably sit with children and recharge before more sightseeing. For a typical Kraków snack to take away, try an obwarzanek (bagel‑like bread) or a zapiekanka from nearby stalls.
Arriving without checking gallery opening hours — many museums are closed on Mondays and hours can vary by season. It’s worth checking the museum’s schedule before you go.
Coming on a free‑admission day without a plan — free days attract crowds. If you want a calm visit, choose other days of the week or arrive right after opening.
Leaving valuables in a stroller or not watching small children in crowded stalls — crowds and narrow passages are ideal for petty theft or for a child to get lost. Keep children close and stay vigilant.
Do children enter for free? Ticket rules depend on the museum; there are often reduced and family tickets. Teenagers of certain ages may have special rates — carry documents showing age.
Are there toilets with changing tables in the Cloth Hall? Yes — one of the toilets by the terrace/café is equipped with a changing table. The museum also declares other family‑friendly facilities.
Can I take a stroller to the first floor? Yes, there is an elevator that provides access to the gallery and terraces, but it’s best to plan your entry route if you have a large stroller.
Is photography allowed? Usually photography without flash and without tripods is allowed, but always confirm the rules at the ticket desk. For particularly valuable objects the museum may impose restrictions.
Are there cloakrooms or luggage lockers? The museum has a cloakroom and in selected places luggage storage. For bigger items ask staff where you can leave them before entering.
Tickets or booking confirmation, ID/discount cards, wallet (card + small change), water for everyone, small snacks, diapers and wipes, changing mat, first‑aid kit (plasters, child medicine), powerbank with cable, lightweight jacket/poncho, comfortable shoes, small activity kit for the child, bag for purchases/souvenirs, phone with map and companion contact numbers.
If you’re missing something — remember your discount documents and the powerbank; these are the most commonly forgotten items that can spoil the day.
Bring one small bag for souvenirs — stalls often sell small items worth buying immediately instead of carrying them loose around the city.
If you plan family photos on the Cloth Hall terrace, arrive 15–30 minutes before sunset — the light is nicer then and temperatures are more pleasant than mid‑day.
If someone in the family is interested in art history, renting an audio guide or booking a tour with an official museum guide can turn a plain viewing of paintings into a fascinating story for older children.
If you liked this guide and want to visit the Cloth Hall (or the whole Old Town) more calmly and in a family‑friendly way — feel free to get in touch. As a guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers custom family tours: short stories for children, play breaks and comfortable rest spots between attractions. Details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If you found the article helpful — share it with friends, send the link to family or post about it on social media. That way more families will gain practical tips and pleasant memories of Kraków!
Good luck and enjoy your visit — Kraków is a safe and welcoming city, and a short stop at the Cloth Hall can bring a lot of joy to the whole family.
