The Main Market Square is full of sights and crowds — it’s a fantastic place for a walk, but it’s also a place where basic services can suddenly be missing: a toilet, an ATM or an exchange office. Knowing a few reliable spots saves time and stress, especially when you’re with children, after a long journey or in the evening when some services have reduced hours.
The information collected here is based on official city resources and practical local lists for the Old Town area. I’ll also suggest how to avoid common tourist traps and which venues are worth considering when you need a staffed toilet or a pleasant break for coffee.
At the end you’ll find a short FAQ and a list of “quick points” — handy addresses and names so you can easily find what you need.
The most reliable municipal facility is the toilet in the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — located directly on the Market Square and often open later during the tourist season. The city also maintains a network of public toilets around the Planty park and near main attractions: Planty (Sienna Street and Straszewskiego Street), Szczepański Square, Bulwar Czerwieński and the underpass at Warszawska/Pawia.
In practice, some municipal toilets have seasonal opening hours or shorter hours off-season, so it’s worth checking before an evening outing. Many points are open during daytime, and some — like the Cloth Hall toilet — may be open until late at night during high season.
Payment and access: some municipal toilets charge a small fee (coin-operated or card terminal), others are free. It’s wise to have small change (coins) or check whether the device accepts cards.
If you enter the city through the Main Railway Station, remember that the station has toilets that are usually open around the clock — typically paid. The station also provides facilities for people with reduced mobility, changing tables and sometimes showers at certain service points.
Station toilets are often the best option after a journey because they are staffed and have regular opening hours. However, in the heart of the city (the Market Square) municipal toilets are often more convenient logistically while sightseeing.
If you plan to arrive or depart at night, check current information about availability and fees, as conditions may vary depending on the operator.
There are many ATMs around the Main Market Square from different operators: major bank networks and independent networks (for example Euronet, Planet Cash and others). They are most conveniently located at entrances to shopping passages, on street corners leading to the Market and near major tourist sites.
In practice: 24/7 ATMs (independent networks) operate around the clock but may charge a commission; ATMs inside bank branches sometimes offer better rates and lower fees but are available only during branch hours. Pay attention to the operator’s logo and the fee information shown on the screen.
Before withdrawing, check your bank’s app for foreign withdrawal fees and partnerships with ATM networks. If possible, withdraw larger amounts less frequently (within your limits) — this often reduces the total transaction costs.
In the Market area you’ll find several stationary exchange offices, often clustered right on the Market and on adjacent streets (Floriańska, Sławkowska, Main Market Square). Some have long traditions and regular customers, while others were opened mainly for tourists.
Practical tip: compare exchange rates and calculate them carefully before handing over money. The window usually shows buy/sell rates — make sure you know which number means the office is buying currency from you. Exchange offices differ in margins; even a small percentage difference can matter on larger amounts.
Watch out for exchange offices that lure customers with artificially low front-window rates — sometimes the final amount includes extra commissions or does not account for coin handling fees. If you’re exchanging a large sum, consider a reputable exchange office or a bank branch and ask for the final ‘amount in hand’ before completing the transaction.
Many places in the center accept cards, including contactless terminals and mobile payments. For small purchases or coffee, paying by card is convenient and often better than exchanging cash with a high margin.
However, it’s good to have some cash (for example 50–100 PLN) “just in case” — for small purchases, tips, coin-operated toilets or street vendors who sometimes prefer cash. With card payments, pay attention to your bank’s conversion rate and foreign transaction fees.
If you plan to pay in euros or another currency, check whether the terminal offers dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — it’s usually better to decline and pay in the local currency (PLN).
In many well-known venues around the Market you can use the restroom provided you’re a customer. Classic, highly rated places include Wentzl, Wierzynek, Noworolski and Szara — if you plan to enter briefly just to use the toilet, it’s better to order a small drink or dessert and politely ask for access to the WC.
Café Camelot (Św. Tomasza Street) and several other atmospheric cafés nearby welcome guests — during peak hours staff may refuse access to non-customers. Leaving a tip and politely speaking with the staff helps.
Avoid walking into small venues solely to use the toilet without ordering, especially in high season — it can be seen as impolite. Instead, choose a municipal toilet or a venue where you also plan to rest.
Not carrying small change — many tourist toilets or small services don’t accept cards. Keep a few coins on you.
Failing to compare exchange rates before changing money — it’s easy to overpay. Check the central bank rate or compare a few exchange offices nearby before deciding.
Using an ATM without checking safety alerts — make sure the ATM has no suspicious overlays and that the screen displays correct fee information. If in doubt, use an ATM inside a bank branch.
Public toilets near the Market: Cloth Hall (Sukiennice, directly on the Market; often open later in season), Planty (Sienna Street and Straszewskiego Street), Szczepański Square, underpass at Warszawska/Pawia.
ATMs: Euronet and other networks around the Main Market Square (addresses around the Market and on Floriańska Street), plus ATMs in shopping passages and bank branches adjacent to the Market.
Exchange offices: exchange offices and currency exchange points are concentrated on Floriańska Street, Sławkowska Street and around the Market — compare rates and ask for the final ‘amount in hand’ before exchanging.
Can you pay by card everywhere in central Kraków? - In most places yes, but it’s always good to carry a little cash for small expenses and emergencies.
Are municipal toilets safe and clean? - The city maintains a network of public toilets; quality and opening hours may vary, so sometimes it’s better to choose toilets in a museum, restaurant or at the station if you want staffed facilities and more comfort.
How to find the best exchange office? - Compare rates at several points, calculate the final amount you’ll receive and avoid offers that look too good to be true; for larger sums consider negotiating or using a well-rated exchange office or a bank branch.
In some places near the Market you may find toilets that accept contactless card payments — convenient but not always universally available.
In high season the city sometimes extends opening hours for selected toilets to reduce public convenience problems — check city announcements before an evening outing.
To avoid queues for toilets at peak times, use facilities in shopping passages or less touristy side streets just off the Market.
Plan short breaks: stop at one of the recommended cafés or visit the Cloth Hall — it’s a good chance to sightsee and use a restroom at the same time. This helps you avoid frantic searches in crowds.
If you travel with small children or people needing assistance, plan stopping points carefully — municipal toilets and those in museums and larger venues often have changing tables and accessible facilities.
Save a few key points in your map app (toilet, ATM, exchange office) — offline or as a screenshot in case of poor signal.
If you’d like, I can invite you to use the private guiding services of Malgorzata Kasprowicz — Malgorzata helps plan routes around Kraków, guides in museums and interesting places, and organizes logistics: transport, reservations for accommodation, restaurant tables and ticket purchases. Her experience makes a trip calm and well organized.
Have questions about a specific day or hour (for example late-night openings or the hours of a particular exchange office)? Contact Malgorzata via the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site — she will help tailor solutions to your needs and reserve anything that will make sightseeing easier.
If you find this guide useful, share it with friends or on social media — let other visitors benefit from these practical tips!
