In the heart of Kraków, right under the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, there is an extraordinary journey through time: the Rynek Podziemny (Market Underground) takes visitors back centuries, revealing the foundations of wooden huts from the turn of the 12th/13th centuries, fragments of walls from former houses, and objects uncovered during archaeological excavations. The place combines authentic ruinous remains with modern multimedia solutions and small reconstructions of craft workshops — so even if you plan only a quick visit to the Main Square, it’s worth reserving at least an hour for a stroll through the underground museum.
The underground attractions appeal both to archaeology lovers and to families with children — the museum offers a special playroom and a mechanical theatre called "Legend of Old Kraków," which usually delights the youngest visitors. It’s also a great spot to understand how the city level changed over centuries and how intensely Kraków functioned as a trading centre in medieval Europe.
If you enjoy historical stories, curiosities and a well-arranged permanent exhibition, the Rynek Podziemny is a must-see.
Official ticket sales are handled through the Museum of Kraków ticketing system. For popular time slots — weekends, holidays and during events — it’s best to buy tickets in advance, especially if you want to guarantee entry at a specific time. Individual tickets are released for sale ahead of the visit window, so check availability with sufficient lead time.
Note about Tuesdays: admission is free on some Tuesdays, but on free-admission days online advance reservation is usually not available — free tickets for that day are issued only at the ticket office on the day of the visit (advance reservations are accepted for schools via the official museum email). If you want to avoid disappointment, don’t plan your visit specifically for a Tuesday expecting to reserve online in advance.
There are additional rules for organized groups and visits with a guide — see the section about group visits for details.
Typical opening hours for the Market Underground usually look like this: opening from the morning (around 10:00), shorter hours on some Tuesdays and extended hours on Fridays–Sundays — before your trip check current hours because the museum publishes changes and occasional closures. The last admission usually occurs a set number of minutes before closing (this is clearly communicated by the museum) — when planning your entry, allow for that margin so you’re not turned away at closing time.
If your time is limited: the best hours are morning entries on weekdays (just after opening) or late afternoons midweek — these times tend to be less crowded. On weekends and in high season arrive earlier with a purchased ticket. Allow around 60–90 minutes for the route; with a guide or for a more detailed visit you may spend up to two hours.
The entrance to the Underground is located by the Cloth Hall, with access from the side facing St. Mary’s Basilica — a convenient and easily recognisable spot in the Main Market Square.
Group visits (as defined by the museum) follow separate rules: groups of roughly 10 up to a maximum of 30 people may visit with a guide, and purchasing a guiding service for groups is sometimes mandatory — so when planning a trip with a larger number of people, book the guide in advance. In practice the guide service should be purchased at least a few days before the visit — check the exact deadline required by the museum at the time of booking.
The museum also allows external guides to lead groups, but only after obtaining special permission issued by the institution — such guides must undergo training and receive a certificate authorising them to conduct tours. That means a spur-of-the-moment visit with an outside guide may be difficult without prior formalities.
If you book a visit with a guide, remember that the guide will usually wait a set time after the scheduled start (for example, 15 minutes) — arriving on time is the best way to avoid losing the service.
The underground spaces are prepared to welcome people with reduced mobility: the facility has ramps, a lift or platform for wheelchairs and an accessible toilet. Still, it’s worth confirming accessibility arrangements when making a reservation, especially if you need specific assistance.
The museum regulations include information about maximum group size, rules of conduct and restrictions (for example, regarding eating and drinking along the route). Photography without flash is usually allowed in the permanent exhibition, but check the on-site guidelines as some areas may have restrictions.
Pay attention to notices about closure days, holiday hours and special situations — the museum publishes lists of such days and informs visitors about possible changes during festival or holiday periods.
Here are a few common mistakes that can spoil the visit — and simple ways to avoid them:
Arriving without a ticket on a weekend or in high season — solution: buy your ticket online in advance, especially for Saturday and Sunday.
Planning a visit for Tuesday and expecting to reserve online — solution: if you need certain entry, choose another day; if Tuesday is essential, arrive early and get tickets at the ticket office.
Not allowing for last admission time — solution: check how many minutes before closing the last entry occurs and plan to arrive earlier.
Arriving with a large backpack or suitcase — solution: leave luggage at your hotel or use cloakrooms/storage at main museum branches if available; check baggage rules before entry.
If after the visit you want to sit down for a meal near the Main Market Square, choose places with a good reputation and long tradition: Wierzynek restaurant is a historic choice for those seeking an elegant dinner, while cafés and small bistros around the Cloth Hall (for example well-known cafés and café-bookshops) are great for coffee or dessert. Noworolski (café/restaurant by the Cloth Hall) is a classic for visitors who want to soak up the Market atmosphere.
If you plan to stay in the centre and value convenience, hotels at the Market (for example Wentzl or Hotel Pod Różą) offer an unforgettable stay in a historic setting — book well in advance during festival seasons and the summer months. Always check reviews and availability, since a Market Square location is an advantage but usually means higher prices and more tourist traffic.
If you prefer something cozier or more local, the areas along Grodzka and Kanonicza streets offer charming guesthouses and apartments in historic tenement houses.
The modern Main Market Square surface level is significantly higher than in past centuries — while walking through the underground route it’s easy to see how building layouts and ground level changed over time. This can be surprising for visitors who have only ever seen the Market from the surface.
The exhibition includes interactive and multimedia elements that make the ruins "come alive" — the visit is not just static objects but a narrative built with sound, light and reconstructions, which makes the experience accessible for families and younger visitors.
Sometimes, for special events, the route operates with different hours — watch museum announcements, especially if you visit Kraków during Night of Museums, the Christmas Market or other local events.
How long does the visit take? Usually 60–90 minutes for a self-guided route; with a guide or for a careful visit it can be around 1.5–2 hours.
Can I buy a ticket on site? Yes — tickets are available at the ticket office, but for popular time slots it’s better to buy online in advance. An exception are some free-admission Tuesdays when free tickets must be collected at the box office on the day (online reservations for free days are not accepted, except for schools).
Is the museum accessible for people with reduced mobility? Yes — the facility offers ramps, a lift/platform for wheelchairs and an accessible toilet; nevertheless it is recommended to confirm needs in advance when booking.
Can I take photos in the exhibition? In most spaces photography without flash is usually allowed, but there may be restrictions in certain parts of the exhibition or during special events — check the rules on site.
Do groups have to use a guide? For organised groups a guiding service may be mandatory according to museum regulations — purchase of the guide should be made in advance; an external guide requires prior permission from the museum.
Arrive on time and check the last admission — the museum announces how many minutes before closing the last admission is; if you enter too late you may miss the route.
If you travel with children, check times and availability of child-oriented attractions — the mechanical theatre and playroom are a big plus for families.
Wear comfortable shoes — the route runs between excavation fragments and reconstructed spaces, so comfortable footwear will make the visit easier.
If you found this guide useful, share it with friends or post on social media — you’ll help others plan a better visit to Kraków.
If you prefer professional help with planning, Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com offers assistance in organising the logistics — she can advise on the best time to visit, help with ticket and guide reservations (within the museum’s official rules), and arrange accommodation and restaurant bookings at recommended venues. If you want to explore Kraków comfortably and without worrying about details, working with a professional can be a great solution.
