Kraków Main Market Square: St Mary's, the Cloth Hall and Rynek Underground

Kraków's Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and the centre of the city's UNESCO-listed old town. Plan to be inside St Mary's Basilica at 11:50 for the opening of the Veit Stoss altarpiece, listen for the trumpet call from its tower, and save time for the museum beneath the square.

This guide was updated on 5 November 2026 using the official websites of St Mary's Basilica, the National Museum in Kraków, the Museum of Kraków and Kraków Airport. Prices are in Polish złoty (PLN).

The square at a glance

Swipe or scroll horizontally to see the full table.

St Mary's Basilica

The two unequal towers of St Mary's Basilica dominate the square, shown at the top of this page. Inside, the huge late-Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss is the highlight. From Monday to Saturday, its wings open at 11:50 and close at 18:00; on Sundays and holidays it opens at 14:10. Tourist visits cost 20 PLN (10 PLN reduced), with tickets sold opposite the church at 7 Mariacki Square.

Every hour, a trumpeter plays the hejnał from the taller tower, breaking off mid-tune; the noon call is broadcast on Polish radio. You can climb the Bugle Tower from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00–17:30, and on Sundays and holidays from 13:00 (20 PLN, 15 PLN reduced). Tours leave every 25 minutes; tickets are sold on the day only, and children under seven are not allowed.

The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)

In the middle of the square, the Renaissance Cloth Hall was once a centre of trade; today its ground floor is lined with souvenir and amber stalls. Upstairs, the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, part of the National Museum in Kraków, displays major Polish paintings. Tickets cost 35 PLN (25 PLN reduced, 70 PLN family). It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00, and closed on Mondays; admission is free on Tuesdays.

Rynek Underground

Under the square, the Rynek Underground museum shows the remains of medieval Kraków uncovered by excavations, with streets, market stalls and multimedia displays. Tickets cost 45 PLN (35 PLN reduced, 90 PLN family); last entry is 75 minutes before closing. It is closed on the second Monday of each month and on certain holidays, and admission is free on Tuesdays (no advance booking on free days). Book online at busy times.

Town Hall Tower

The Town Hall Tower is the only surviving part of the old town hall. In 2026 it is open from 8 March to 30 November; tickets cost 22 PLN (16 PLN reduced), and entry is free on Mondays. The stairs are steep, but the views over the square are worth the climb.

Getting there

The SKA1 train links Kraków Airport with Kraków Główny, the main station, for 20 PLN, with luggage carried free. From the station, the square is about a 10-minute walk through the Planty park and the old town gate. City buses 209 and 300 also serve the airport.

See our Poland travel guide for more on Kraków.

View hotels in Kraków

Kraków Main Square: FAQ

When does the St Mary's altarpiece open?

At 11:50 from Monday to Saturday, and at 14:10 on Sundays and holidays.

Which Kraków museums are free on Tuesdays?

The Sukiennice gallery and the Rynek Underground are free on Tuesdays. The Town Hall Tower is free on Mondays.

How do I get from Kraków Airport to the old town?

Take the SKA1 train to Kraków Główny (20 PLN), then walk about 10 minutes to the square.

Sources and planning checks

Prices and opening times were checked on 5 November 2026 against St Mary's Basilica, the National Museum in Kraków, the Museum of Kraków and Kraków Airport. The 2026 Christmas market dates had not been published. Check opening times before you go, as holidays affect them.

Affiliate note: Photos4Travel may earn a commission if you book through the hotel link in this article.