Krakow comes to life in spring - longer days, blooming trees and more cultural events. At the same time many sites use seasonal schedules, have altered holiday hours or occasional technical closures. For that reason it is always worth checking the opening hours of a place shortly before your visit - it will save time and disappointment.
Keep in mind especially: public holidays and movable feasts (for example Easter), conservation work on exhibitions and scheduled church services - during liturgies some parts of churches may be closed to tourists or have dedicated visiting hours. Also remember a practical rule - last admission is usually about 30 minutes before closing.
If you plan to visit several museums and churches in one day, check each opening time and leave margin for walking, queues or a coffee break.
Note - in this article I give approximate, officially announced schedules and practical tips. I always recommend verifying current hours on the official page of the venue or by calling the information desk.
Also remember that some municipal institutions publish separate timetables for holidays and long weekends - this applies to both museums and city branches.
St. Mary’s Basilica - one of the most visited sites on the Main Market Square. The Veit Stoss altar is usually open to visitors Monday to Saturday approximately 11:30-18:00, and on Sundays and holidays approximately 14:00-18:00. Keep in mind that during some liturgical celebrations access to the altar may differ.
Old Synagogue (Kazimierz) - as a branch of the city museum it adapts hours to the museum season and schedule changes. Traditionally Monday has shorter hours (for example morning to early afternoon, about 10:00-14:00), while Tuesday-Sunday the exhibition is available for longer daytime hours (commonly until late afternoon) - check the current schedule before your visit.
Archaeological Museum - in spring the most stable hours are usually Tuesday to Saturday roughly 9:00-17:00, Sunday a bit shorter (for example 11:00-16:00), and on Mondays some branches may be closed. Watch for announcements about renovations and seasonal changes.
Museum of Krakow - this is a network of branches (for example Krzysztofory Palace, synagogues) and with the start of the season the museum often updates schedules. From early spring the institution may publish new opening hours for individual branches and information about days when branches are closed or have reduced hours.
National Museum - the institution regularly announces lists of closed days and days with altered hours (especially around holidays). Pay attention to messages about days when all branches are closed or open with special hours.
Open spaces - Main Market Square, the Planty, Kazimierz or the boulevards along the Vistula do not have 'opening hours' in the traditional sense, but services, underground museum attractions and tourist service points operate on fixed hours and can have seasonal changes.
1. Start early - many attractions open before noon or around 10:00-11:30. An early start gives a calmer visit and shorter queues.
2. Book when possible - popular exhibitions and some museum branches require timed tickets or group reservations. Book in advance if you visit on a weekend or during holidays.
3. Check the 'last admission' - museums often admit visitors up to 30 minutes before closing; leave extra time to comfortably see exhibitions.
4. Watch for masses and services - in churches (for example basilicas) ceremonies may limit tourist access; if you want to see the interior outside liturgy, check service times.
5. Have a plan B - in case of unexpected closures consider alternatives: a walk along the Planty, a coffee break by the Market, visiting another museum branch or a temporary exhibition.
6. Weather matters - spring days can be changeable. Dress in layers and carry an umbrella or light jacket in case of rain or wind.
Early start (9:30-10:00) - walk the Planty and grab a quick coffee by the Market; if the weather is nice this is a great time for photos without the crowds.
10:30-12:00 - visit a chosen museum or branch (for example Krzysztofory Palace or the Archaeological Museum) - remember last admission is often half an hour before closing and possible need to reserve.
12:00-13:30 - lunch in a cozy restaurant on the Old Town or in Kazimierz.
13:30-15:00 - stroll through Kazimierz, visit the Old Synagogue or local galleries; check synagogue opening times before you go.
15:30-16:30 - visit St. Mary’s Basilica (ideally outside mass times; the altar is usually available in the afternoons on Sundays and evenings on weekdays).
17:00 - end the day with coffee or a light dinner, or a short boat ride on the Vistula if the season and offers allow.
Spring includes movable holidays (for example Easter) that change museum and municipal timetables - some branches may be closed or open reduced hours. Museums usually publish lists of days they will be closed or days with non-standard hours - check institutional announcements before planning your visit.
Information about renovations or temporary closure of a specific exhibition is equally important; this can affect both large institutions and smaller branches. If you plan to visit a place mainly for its permanent exhibition, make sure that exhibition is available.
It's good practice to check if the venue has a scheduled event that day (for example organ concerts, chamber concerts or educational events) - part of the space may then be closed to visitors.
Some institutions in 2025 announced specific days when all branches were closed or had changed hours - this is an example of why monitoring announcements before you travel is so important.
If you find discrepancies in online information - call the tourist information point or the venue directly. A short phone confirmation is often the best way to avoid surprises.
Visitor Service Points - many municipal institutions have a central visitor desk or helpline on the Market; there you can often get the most up-to-date information about hours and reservations.
Tickets and discounts - museums usually offer full and reduced tickets; children, students and seniors often qualify for reductions. Watch for free days or shortened schedules - some branches offer free entry on selected Mondays or evenings.
Behavior in places of worship - respect places of worship: dress modestly, keep quiet during services and check for possible photography restrictions.
If you travel with family - check the offer of family events and themed tours; in spring museums often prepare programs for children and families, sometimes requiring reservations.
When in doubt - write or call the venue's service point. A short email or phone call can save a lot of time.
Plan time buffers between attractions - walks, coffee breaks and queues take more time than you expect.
Check weekday and weekend hours - many museums have longer hours on weekends, others shorter; Mondays are often maintenance or closure days.
Be flexible - spring is a great time to explore Krakow, but weather and cultural events are hard to predict. Rather than sticking rigidly to a schedule, leave room for spontaneous discoveries.
Enjoy your visit! If you want, I can help create a tailored 1-, 2- or 3-day plan for Krakow in spring - tell me how long you stay and what interests you the most.
Warm wishes for beautiful spring walks around Krakow - sincerely, Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
Q: Where is the best place to get up-to-date opening hours? - A: The venue's official website or direct phone contact are the most reliable sources. Tourist information points on the Market can also confirm times.
Q: Are there recommended cafés for breaks near main sights? - A: Around the Old Town and Kazimierz you'll find many nice options. For example, Café Camelot near the Market and Moment Resto Bar in Kazimierz are popular, but feel free to ask locally for seasonal favorites.
Q: Should I reserve museum tickets in advance? - A: For popular exhibitions and weekend visits it is recommended. Timed-entry tickets and group bookings can sell out.
Q: How much time should I allow per museum? - A: Plan 60-90 minutes for a smaller branch and 2-3 hours for a large collection, including time to move between sites.
Extra tip - if you have mobility needs, check accessibility information before visiting historic buildings; some places have limited access due to historic structure.
