Did you know the bugle call from St. Mary's abruptly stops as a memorial to the trumpeter who, according to legend, cut off his tune while warning the city of an attack in the Middle Ages? It’s just one of many stories you’ll encounter walking between the Market Square and Kazimierz. In the same area you can admire Wit Stwosz’s masterpiece in St. Mary’s Basilica, descend beneath the Cloth Hall to the multimedia Market Underground and feel the unique atmosphere of the former Jewish town of Kazimierz. Combining these three sites helps you understand Kraków from its old-town roots to the daily life of the medieval market.
Visiting all three in one day is like putting together a puzzle: St. Mary’s reveals art and religious tradition, the Market Underground uncovers archaeological layers and medieval trade, and Kazimierz adds cultural and culinary context. Practically speaking, all sites are close to each other, which makes logistics easy and leaves time for a break in one of the local cafés or restaurants.
St. Mary’s Basilica is above all the altar by Veit Stoss — a Gothic masterpiece full of detail that deserves a slow, careful look. Visitors typically have access to the chancel and front part of the nave; other parts remain places of worship and are accessible free of charge through different entrances.
If you want to go up the tower (the bugle tower) and hear the trumpeter’s call “firsthand,” remember that entries are organised in groups roughly every 30 minutes. Tower tickets are sold as so-called "donation-tickets" (commonly called "cegiełki") only at the visitor service point at Plac Mariacki 7 on the day of your visit. Typical ticket prices in the 2025 season are about 20 PLN (large ticket) and 15 PLN (small/reduced ticket).
Practical note: visiting the basilica interior and going up the tower are separate matters. Tower access can be restricted in bad weather and the number of places is limited (about 15 people per ascent). Opening hours for the basilica and the tower differ — check them before you go.
The Market Underground is a multimedia exhibition built around extensive archaeological research carried out under the Cloth Hall; excavation revealed remains of medieval stalls, streets and water systems. The exhibition combines reconstructions, models, projections and sound to recreate the atmosphere of market life centuries ago.
The Museum of Kraków (Market Underground branch) sells tickets online and at the ticket office. In 2025 typical prices for the permanent exhibition are, for example: standard ticket around 40 PLN, reduced around 35 PLN; family and combined tickets are available in different options. The last admission is usually 75 minutes before closing; Tuesday is sometimes a free entry day (with limited possibility of advance reservation).
Practical tip: if you plan to visit on a Tuesday (a free-entry day), be aware you may not be able to reserve in advance — queues at the ticket office can form. For peace of mind, buy a timed ticket online or plan your visit outside free-entry days.
For a long time Kazimierz was a separate town, and after King John I Albert’s decision in 1495 it became the main center of Jewish life in Kraków. That history — separation, life within its walls, and later integration with the city — creates the district’s unique atmosphere.
Visit the Old Synagogue (a branch of the Museum of Kraków), Szeroka Street, Nowy Square with its characteristic round building (the Okrąglak) and several 19th–20th century cemeteries and townhouses. In Kazimierz you’ll feel the contrast between places of memory and museums and the cafés, galleries and restaurants that give the neighborhood its contemporary rhythm.
Hamsa (Szeroka Street) is a reliable spot for Middle Eastern cuisine and tasty vegan and vegetarian dishes. It’s a great place for lunch after visiting synagogues and strolling around Kazimierz.
Alchemia (Estery Street) is an iconic Kazimierz venue with a music-and-café vibe — worth popping in for coffee, cake or an evening of live music. For a quick snack try the zapiekanka stands at Nowy Square (the Okrąglak) — a local classic.
If you’re looking for a cosy café near the Main Market, Cafe Camelot (Świętego Tomasza Street) offers an intimate, literary atmosphere — an excellent spot to rest between attractions. Remember opening hours can change — it’s wise to reserve at weekends.
Assuming you can "buy tickets on the spot" — in high season popular attractions (the St. Mary’s tower, the Market Underground) often fill up; it’s better to buy tickets in advance or arrive early in the morning.
Ignoring information on free-entry days — Tuesdays (in some branches of the Museum of Kraków) can mean crowds and no option to reserve; if you prefer a quieter visit, choose another day.
Poor time planning — check each site’s opening hours and allow extra time for breaks, walking between places and possible queues. Also remember that on Sundays and religious holidays parts of the basilica may be closed to tourists due to liturgies.
The Market Underground and the Old Synagogue are museum exhibits with architectural limitations — not all spaces are fully accessible to people with limited mobility; the Old Synagogue has stairs and no elevator. If you need special assistance, contact the museum staff in advance.
Museum of Kraków tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office; tower donation-tickets are sold only at the visitor service point at Plac Mariacki 7. Many ticket offices accept cards, but in some smaller places it’s useful to have small change in cash.
Dress comfortably — especially if you plan to climb the stairs of St. Mary’s tower or walk the cobbles of Kazimierz. In cooler months, layers and comfortable shoes will make your visit much more pleasant.
Half day (quick and focused): morning Market Underground (1–1.5 hours), walk around the Main Market and a short visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (if you want to go up the tower, add extra time), coffee break.
Full day (slower, with breaks): Market Underground in the morning, cross the Cloth Hall for lunch, afternoon walk to Kazimierz — visit the Old Synagogue and stroll Szeroka Street, evening on Nowy Square or in one of the local restaurants. If you want to hear the bugle call live, plan to be at the Market Square on the hour.
Do I need to buy Market Underground tickets in advance? Not always, but for certainty and convenience it’s a good idea to buy online — especially outside free-entry Tuesdays or during the high season.
Where do I buy the donation-ticket for St. Mary’s tower? Tower donation-tickets are sold only at the visitor service point at Plac Mariacki 7 on the day of your visit; there is no advance reservation for the tower.
How much time do I need for each place? Market Underground: about 60–90 minutes; Old Synagogue: 30–60 minutes; Basilica plus tower: 30–60 minutes (longer if you want to study the Veit Stoss altar in detail).
Are there guides in Kazimierz? Yes — guided tours and museum workshops are offered in Kazimierz; if you’d like a private guide who will show lesser-known corners and tell local stories, consider the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available through her site and official channels.
The oldest archaeological layers under the Market date back to the Middle Ages; excavations revealed fragments of old stalls, wooden pavements and water systems — today you see these finds presented interactively in the Market Underground.
The bugle call from St. Mary’s is played every hour from the tower — the tune is intentionally cut off as a remembrance of the trumpeter who warned the city of an attack. That abrupt ending is one of Kraków’s most recognizable symbols.
Kazimierz was formally a separate town from the Middle Ages until modern times; the 1495 decision that relocated Jewish residents from the city center had a huge impact on the district’s urban fabric and culture.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others plan their visit to Kraków. If you prefer to explore with someone who will reveal hidden corners and tell local stories, consider booking a private guided walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz; information and contact details are available on her official pages.
Have a wonderful walk through Kraków — may every step reveal another story!
