Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) is one of the most engaging and modern museums in Kraków: an interactive route, an archaeological reserve and multimedia reconstructions that let you step-by-step travel back into medieval commercial life. On several levels you can see remnants of former streets, stalls, water systems and everyday structures — it’s an excellent starting point if you want to understand why Kraków became such an important trading center in Europe.
The Underground works well for both adults and families with children: the museum has interactive zones and designated areas for the youngest visitors, short films and multimedia reconstructions that make the history easy to absorb. If comfort matters to you, check availability of elevators and the route for people with limited mobility — the route is designed for a wide audience.
Practical note: plan about 60-90 minutes for the visit and remember the museum lies under the Main Market, so it’s easy to combine with a visit to the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica or a short walk around the Planty. In high season it’s worth booking tickets in advance to avoid queues.
The Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theatre is an institution with a long history and a strong repertoire — from classics to contemporary stagings. If you plan an evening performance, book tickets early, especially for premieres and weekend shows. The theatre sells tickets at the box office and offers group reservations — for larger groups it’s worth confirming arrangements via the audience services office.
Ticket prices depend on the stage and the production; the theatre regularly offers promotions (for example promotional ticket batches on selected days). School and organized groups have different rules and options, including the possibility of a guided introduction before the show — arrange this with the theatre ahead of your visit. When planning the evening, leave time for dinner nearby or a stroll around the lit Market Square.
Practical tip: if you organize a trip for clients or company employees, ask the theatre to confirm group conditions in writing and check whether they can issue a single invoice — this speeds up settlement and gives certainty when planning the budget.
The Kraków + Zakopane combination works very well for corporate groups: Kraków offers rich cultural attractions and urban meeting spaces, while Zakopane provides nature, team-building and many outdoor options. Coach travel between Kraków and Zakopane usually takes about 2-3 hours depending on traffic and weather — plan for possible congestion, especially in winter and on long holiday weekends.
A typical MICE program could look like this: a conference day or sightseeing in Kraków (for example Rynek Underground + a walk through the Old Town), an evening team event, and the next day a trip to Zakopane — activities might include Gubałówka, thermal baths (for example Chochołowskie Thermal Baths or Terma Bania nearby), a sleigh ride in winter or off-road/quads in summer, rafting on the Dunajec or easy mountain hikes. Evenings can include a regional dinner with local folklore — a great form of integration.
When organizing MICE, remember logistics: reserve transport and accommodation in advance, insure participants, and set clear payment terms and contract annexes with activity providers. Well-rated guesthouses and hotels often offer ready-made group packages, and local operators can tailor attractions to group size and profile.
When choosing restaurants, pick places with strong reviews and make reservations, especially for groups. In the Old Town you’ll find historical restaurants serving local cuisine as well as modern bistros. A few names that usually receive good feedback: Wierzynek (historic restaurant on the Market Square), Szara (near the Market, modern cuisine with local accents), Pod Aniołami (regional cuisine).
For coffee and sweets choose well-rated cafés: atmospheric spots often offer truly craft coffee and pastries. If you plan a group dinner, reserve a table in advance — last-minute finds are hard in high season. For international guests it’s good to offer several price levels — from a traditional karczma to an elegant restaurant.
In Zakopane recommend local karczmy with high ratings and places known for mountain cuisine — after a day of activities these venues create the best team atmosphere. Pay attention to customer reviews and food photos before booking for large groups.
Tickets: buy online when possible. Popular attractions such as Rynek Underground have timed entries — booking in advance guarantees your slot and reduces waiting time. Also check group and concession ticket options.
Opening hours: museums and theatres change hours depending on season and events — check official opening hours before you go. For MICE trips build the schedule with extra time for transfers between program points.
Transport: Kraków has good rail and bus connections; coach transfer to Zakopane is convenient for groups but in season reserve vehicles early. Traffic and parking in Zakopane can be difficult at peak times.
Not buying tickets in advance — leads to queues or no availability for the chosen time. Solution: book tickets ahead and confirm group reservations by email.
Underestimating travel time — especially between Kraków and Zakopane on weekends and holidays. Solution: add a buffer of 30-90 minutes to each transfer and avoid scheduling attractions back-to-back.
No backup plan for bad weather — for mountain trips prepare alternatives (thermal baths, museums, indoor team-building workshops). It’s useful to have a list of local partners who can quickly change the program.
There’s more under the Market than just a few remnants — archaeological reserves occupy substantial areas and show a continuity of trade here for centuries, which often surprises those who associate the Market mainly with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica.
The Stary Theatre, though associated with classic drama, often embraces modern forms and large multimedia projects — it’s a great place to see how tradition and contemporary approaches meet on Kraków’s stage.
In Zakopane many group activities can be customized for integration — from highlander cooking workshops to adventure sports — organizers often prepare options tailored strictly to company needs, which simplifies logistics.
How much time should I allow for Rynek Underground? Usually 60-90 minutes, including entry and possible queues.
Are there concession and family tickets? Yes — most museums and theatres offer reduced and family tickets; organized groups have separate sales rules.
How to organize a MICE project from Kraków to Zakopane? Start by defining participant numbers, budget and desired activities; book transport and accommodation early, plan weather alternatives and set clear payment terms with suppliers.
What to pack for the trip? Comfortable shoes (cobblestones in the center, mountain trails in Zakopane), layered clothing (weather can change), participants’ documents and basic medicines.
If you want this trip to be well-organized and enjoyable for everyone, I’m happy to help plan the program — from ticket reservations and recommended walking routes to arranging the transfer to Zakopane and selecting team-building activities. You can find contact details on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com and a signed offer makes settlement simple and guarantees delivery.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with friends or on social media — it helps others plan a great trip. If you prefer, write to me directly and I will prepare a personalized tour proposal for Kraków and Zakopane. Contact details for guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) are on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Thank you and see you in Kraków!
