12 Best Things to Do In Krakow'S Market Square

Although many tourists visit this historic site to explore the experiences and activities available in the Kraków area—such as visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps from Kraków—the truth is that you’ll find hundreds of interesting spots right in the city’s Old Town.

Specifically, in this article we focus on everything you can see and do when visiting Kraków’s Main Market Square, famous worldwide for holding the title of the largest medieval square in all of Europe

Start your visit to the Market Square by exploring what is perhaps the most iconic monument in the entire area and, perhaps, the most important religious center in all of Poland. St. Mary’s Basilica is characterized by the uneven towers on its front facade and the intricate stories surrounding its construction.

However, the interior of the basilica is more impressive than its façade and the legends surrounding it. In this fascinating work of Gothic architecture, you’ll find that both the walls and the central nave of the basilica are covered in swirls of blue and gold paint. They wind their way from the walls, climbing toward the apse and the Gothic niches. The view from the human eye is, to say the least, impressive.

Get as close as you can to the altar area to get a close-up view of the Veit Stoss Altarpiece; it is the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world and a national treasure in Poland. During the German invasion, the artwork was stolen by the Nazi army; it was recovered in 1946 in a basement at Nuremberg Castle.

Useful Information

• Hours: Except on holidays, the basilica is open to the public daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Admission price: Admission to the church is free, although if you wish to admire the artwork inside up close, the admission ticket costs approximately €3.75.
• Duration of the visit: 50 minutes is sufficient to tour the interior and appreciate the works of art.

No trip to Kraków’s Market Square would be complete without a visit to Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), as it is known in Polish, or Lonja de Paños, as it is called in Latin. This space has been dedicated to trade since the city’s very founding; here, the most important merchants of the 15th century gathered to bring spices, silk, leather, and wax from distant lands; Kraków, for its part, exported textiles, lead, and salt—extracted, of course, from the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

The iconic building was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is situated in a prime location right in the middle of the central square. It features a beautiful and elegant structure, so you can’t leave Kraków without taking a postcard-perfect photo from the arches of the Cloth Hall. You can take advantage of your visit to buy all kinds of souvenirs and travel mementos.

Useful Information

• Hours: The Cloth Hall is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Admission: Admission is completely free.
• Duration of the visit: You can spend as much time as you like exploring the stalls that catch your eye.

Wieza Ratuszowa is the Polish name for the iconic Town Hall Tower located in the Market Square. The Tower is all that remains of Warsaw’s old town hall, a historic building that long dominated the southwest side of the square; after numerous fires and years of repairs, it was decided to demolish the structure in 1820.

In honor of the old building, a magnificent Gothic-style tower was preserved, inside which is an extension of the Kraków Historical Museum; the permanent exhibition focuses exclusively on the history and evolution of the square, so it’s worth taking a look.

Useful Information

• Hours: The museum is open to the public during two seasons. From April through October, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and in November and December from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Admission price: Admission to the small museum is approximately €3
• Duration of the visit: It is a small museum, so 30 minutes will be enough to see the exhibition and climb to the top of the tower.

The Rynek Museum isn’t visible from the Market Square because it’s located right underneath it! Visiting the city’s immersive museum is definitely one of the best things to see and do in Kraków. The entrance to this unique museum is located right inside the Cloth Hall.

Upon entering, you descend several meters underground to discover extensive archaeological excavations that reveal the medieval commercial districts of Kraków’s Old Town. You’ll find large sections of roads dating back as far as Roman times, all preserved in impressive condition. Through displays and stories, the museum educates visitors about the customs of medieval life in Krakow. The experience is both educational and interesting, making it ideal if you plan to visit Krakow with children.

Useful Information

• Hours: Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except on Tuesdays when it closes at 2 p.m.
• Admission price: The admission ticket costs approximately €6 per person.
• Duration of the visit: About 1.5 hours is sufficient to fully explore the museum.

Although less well-known than St. Mary’s Church, the Church of St. Wojciech—or St. Albert’s Church in English—is one of the most beautiful churches in Kraków and is located on the southeast side of the Main Square. It is also possibly the oldest building on the entire square, as its construction dates back to the mid-11th century; thus, it was erected even before the current square.

It is a small church adorned with green roofs formed by Baroque domes that converge on its harmonious Romanesque-style façade. The church is used for certain celebrations, so if you decide to visit, be sure to respect the solemnity of the place.

Useful Information

• Hours: The church is generally open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Admission: Admission to the church is free.
• Duration of the visit: You can stay inside as long as you like.

On the first floor of Sukiennice is the 19th-Century Polish Art Gallery, a museum entirely dedicated to honoring talented Polish artists who presented the world with fabulous works of art in various styles.

Regardless of your knowledge of art in general or specifically Polish art, this is a visit I highly recommend. Inside, you’ll find enormous, beautifully lit rooms. Many of the works on display are impressively large, and the level of detail in the pieces will leave you in awe. The art at the Galeria Sztuki Polskiej is displayed against colorful walls painted in bright hues, which adds a lot of life and energy to the space.

Useful Information

• Hours: Closed on Mondays; Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission price: The entrance ticket costs approximately €6.60
• Duration of the visit: 1.5 hours will be more than enough to tour the installation and admire all the artwork.

Adam Mickiewicz is one of Poland’s greatest Romantic poets, a historical figure deeply beloved by locals because, in addition to being a poet, he was a passionate columnist and political activist who, even from exile, declared himself a visionary and lover of his homeland. His life and struggle were dedicated to preserving the customs and language of his native Poland, which throughout history suffered numerous foreign invasions.

In almost every Polish city, you can find a statue of Adam Mickiewicz, as he is considered a national hero. The one in Kraków stands in a place of honor in the Market Square, right between two of its most important buildings: St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall.

Get up close to the monument and take some beautiful photos!

One of Poland’s most famous sculptors, Igor Mitoraj, created the famous Eros Benato sculpture in 1999 and decided to donate it to the city in 2010. The sculpture depicts the Greek god of love, Eros, with a cloth covering part of his eyes and mouth; this symbolism represents that both the desires and ideas of the mythical figure have been curtailed. According to records, the artist created four similar works: two are in the United States, one is in Kraków’s Main Square, and the last is in Lugano’s Reform Square in Switzerland.

Being able to see an important work of art up close and take photos of it is truly a great opportunity. Many tourists have fun climbing inside the large sculpture and poking their heads through the eye sockets for amusing photos.

As Kraków’s only and main square, Market Square is the perfect venue for major city events. If you’ve already decided on the best time to visit Kraków and it coincides with one of these events, don’t hesitate to join the celebration—you’re sure to have a great time!

If you visit Kraków in April: Easter Market

In April, during the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, a market takes place in the city’s main square. You’ll see the entire area filled with seasonal flowers and traditional Polish decorations as far as the eye can see. Hand-painted eggs and wood carvings are a must-see. During the festivities, this space also serves as the setting for folk parades and other religious processions.

If you visit Krakow in June: Lajkonik Parade

In the summer, one of Kraków’s most unique traditions takes place in the city’s main square. According to historians, the ritual dates back to the invasions of the 13th century, when it was believed that paying a fee would ensure good fortune for the entire coming year. As a result, Lajkonik, a Mongol warrior on horseback, rides through the city’s Old Town, entering every shop to demand payment of a cash ransom.

If you visit Kraków in June: Grand Dragon Parade

Also in June, the Great Summer Dragon Parade is held; a legend linked to the very founding of ancient Kraków. Large kites and dragon floats take to the streets, and fireworks displays can be seen at Wawel Castle and over the waters of the Vistula River. The square serves as the parade route, and stages are set up for live music performances.

If you visit Kraków in December: Kraków Christmas Market

In December in Kraków, you can enjoy the charming Kraków Christmas Market. Beautiful, picturesque stalls are set up temporarily around the statue of Adam Mickiewicz on the east side of the square. As you walk, you’ll smell the aroma of cinnamon buns and sizzling Polish blood sausage filling the air; the stalls sell all kinds of treats, and both tourists and locals wander from one spot to another.

Right in the Market Square, specifically in Sukiennice and the surrounding area, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Kraków’s Old Town. Make the most of your visit by booking a lunch and enjoying either traditional Polish cuisine or other types of food—in this area, variety is guaranteed! If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few of my favorites.

• La Grande Mamma. Specializing in Italian cuisine
• Dobra Kasza Nasza. Specializing in Polish cuisine
• Restauracja Wentz. Specializing in international European cuisine
• Chopin Restaurant. Specializing in Polish cuisine

Krakow is famous for its bars rooted in Polish traditions like no other place in Poland. Make the most of your visit to discover some of the best bars and clubs around the Market Square. If you don’t know where to start, here’s a list of my personal favorites.

• Czeczotka, cocktail bar
• Buda
• Harris Piano Jazz Bar

Most of the activities I’ve mentioned can easily be combined with a guided tour, and I think that’s the best option of all. Getting to know the city and the Market Square with a local who can show you the most interesting spots and hidden gems.

Available tours

• Price: These types of experiences start at €36
• Tour duration: It varies greatly depending on the itinerary, but you can estimate an approximate time of 2 to 4 hours for a full tour.