The Main Market Square is the heart of Kraków — full of stalls, cafés and tourists. Being prepared means less stress: knowing where you can use a restroom lets you plan a walk, a coffee break or a museum visit without unpleasant surprises. There is a staffed toilet at the Cloth Hall itself, but to avoid awkward situations it’s worth knowing alternatives nearby.
This guide lists places that most often help in urgent need: municipal public toilets, friendly cafés and restaurants, and a few practical tricks — especially for families with children and people with reduced mobility. The text was created from on-site observations and available municipal information (status as of October 2025).
It’s not only about finding a WC — it’s about comfort: a baby changing table, stroller access, evening opening hours or possible fees. Below you’ll find concrete tips that really help when exploring the Market Square and its surroundings.
The most reliable spot in the Market Square is the staffed toilet at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). It’s the nearest and most convenient option when you need a restroom quickly without leaving the square.
Outside the Cloth Hall the city maintains several fixed toilets around the Old Town: on the Planty (Sienna Street, Straszewskiego Street and near Św. Tomasza / Szczepański Square), on the Bulwar Czerwieński (Powiśle Street) and near the Main Railway Station (underground passage Warszawska / Pawia). These points are usually well signposted and some locations are accessible for people with disabilities.
Opening hours of some municipal toilets may be extended seasonally or due to city decisions — remember hours can change and nighttime availability may be limited. That’s why it’s good to have alternatives: cafés, museums or a shopping gallery.
Toilet at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - located on the Market Square, available to visitors; often the quickest solution in an emergency.
Planty (Sienna St. and Straszewskiego St.) - several points on the Old Town’s edge, a good alternative if the central toilet is closed.
Szczepański Square / Św. Tomasza St. - municipal toilets useful when strolling the north-eastern side of the Market.
Bulwar Czerwieński (Powiśle St.) - handy if you’re heading toward the Vistula or walking the Planty on that side of town.
Underground passage at Warszawska / Pawia (near the Main Railway Station) - a good emergency stop, especially if you’re heading to the station or Galeria Krakowska.
Hala Targowa and the Mikołajska Street area - market toilets may charge a small fee but are practical during daytime.
Around the Market there are many cafés and restaurants that make toilets available to customers. The best practice is to place a small order (coffee, drink, dessert) — a polite way to use a venue’s restroom. This solves the problem and supports a local business.
Some well-known, tried-and-true places near the Market: Słodki Wentzl (terrace with a view of the Square), Wierzynek Restaurant (traditional, representative), Szara Restaurant (high quality), Camelot café (intimate atmosphere) and Noworolski café in the Cloth Hall. These places are pleasant and usually have well-kept sanitary facilities.
Remember that some cafés impose rules in high season or limit service in outdoor seating areas — a polite approach and a small purchase is the simplest route to a positive outcome.
If you travel with a small child, plan stops every 1–2 km of your route and look for places with a changing table. Large museums, selected cafés and the shopping gallery near the Main Station often have changing tables and more space for a stroller.
Some municipal toilets on the Planty and near the Market have accessibility features that also help parents with strollers. It’s worth asking in advance at a venue whether they have a place to change a baby or wide cubicles.
Always carry a disposable changing mat, wipes and a small hand gel — little items that save the day when a public changing table is missing.
More and more municipal toilets and selected venues are partially adapted for people with disabilities. If you need full access (e.g. wide doors, grab rails), aim for municipal toilets on the Planty and locations officially marked as accessible.
If you plan a route that takes the needs of people with disabilities into account, contact the venue in advance (museum, larger restaurant) — many places accept information and can arrange or reserve facilities. Private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz can also advise on the most convenient routes and help confirm accessibility of places before the trip.
Even the best plans fail — breakdowns happen. If the Cloth Hall toilet is closed, head immediately to the nearest points on the Planty (Sienna / Straszewskiego) or toward Szczepański Square — nearby municipal toilets may have extended hours.
Quick and effective solutions: look for a nearby café or restaurant and order a small item: a coffee or a bottle of water is usually a sufficient gesture to use the WC. If you’re on your way to the station, remember the toilets in the underground passage and in Galeria Krakowska.
In an emergency keep small change with you (a few złoty) — useful when you encounter paid toilets. For serious failures report the problem to the municipal guard or square staff — city services often react quickly and outages are sometimes announced officially by the city.
Most municipal toilets in the centre are free or maintained by the city, but in some spots (for example near markets) small fees may apply. It’s good to have some coins, especially in the tourist season.
Hygiene varies — municipal toilets are cleaned regularly, but quality depends on time of day and foot traffic. Restaurants and cafés usually offer a higher standard of cleanliness, so for a longer stop choose a reliable venue.
Avoid asking to use the toilet in a small shop without buying anything — staff has the right to refuse. Instead, order a symbolic coffee or drink; it’s a courteous solution that usually works.
Assuming the single Market toilet will always be available — better to have at least one alternative up your sleeve.
Not carrying small change — useful for paid toilets or when staff asks for a small fee to use the WC.
Planning breaks too late with children — little ones need stops more often than adults; plan short breaks every hour or two while sightseeing.
Where is the nearest toilet from the centre of the Market? - The closest is the staffed toilet at the Cloth Hall; it’s the most central solution.
Is the toilet at the Cloth Hall always open? - It operates regularly but can be closed for maintenance or exceptional situations. The city sometimes extends toilet hours in the evening during the tourist season.
Do you have to pay for toilets near the Market? - Many municipal toilets are free, but some points (e.g. near markets) may charge a small fee; it’s wise to have change.
Sometimes the city extends opening hours of selected toilets (e.g. in season or during events) to reduce people relieving themselves in gateways and on the Planty. This makes evening outings more comfortable for visitors and residents.
Noworolski café has a long tradition in the Cloth Hall — it’s not only a place to eat but also a historical meeting spot for artists; at the same time it can serve as a reliable option for a break and a restroom.
If you plan to sightsee in the evening, check municipal toilet hours and keep a restaurant or café alternative that stays open later.
Quick plan: 1) first use the toilet at the Cloth Hall; 2) if it’s closed — go to the Planty (Sienna / Straszewskiego) or Szczepański Square; 3) café/restaurant on the Market (Wentzl, Wierzynek, Szara, Camelot, Noworolski); 4) underground passage at the Station / Galeria Krakowska.
Carry small change, wipes and a pocket hand gel. If you travel with family, bring a changing mat and spare diapers. When planning a route consider the needs of people with reduced mobility and book museums/restaurants in advance if necessary.
If you need help planning a route around Kraków, organising breaks, booking tables or museum tickets, feel free to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact is available on the article’s page. Małgorzata will advise on a route tailored to your group’s needs, help with logistics and book the most convenient options (accommodation, restaurants, transport).
If you found this guide useful — share it with friends or on social media. That way other tourists can more easily plan comfortable sightseeing of the Market Square and the Cloth Hall area!
Enjoy your walk around Kraków and remember — a few simple preparations can save a day of sightseeing.
