The Town Hall Tower is exactly the sort of landmark where it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. From the outside, it looks imposing, but inside you’ll mainly find a short climb up 110 medieval steps. The reward is a view of the Rynek Główny, though not from an open terrace, but through the windows under the roof.

• Find accommodation near Rynek Główny

In our view, the tower is worth a visit if you enjoy panoramic views and want to see the main square from a different perspective.

Allow about 30 minutes for the whole visit.

What can you expect inside the tower?

The ascent begins in the former town treasury with its Gothic vaulted ceiling. On your way up, you’ll pass through several smaller rooms housing an exhibition on Kraków’s old town hall, the town administration and the lives of Kraków’s inhabitants.

You’ll see, for example, original stonemasons’ marks, the councillors’ reception room and parts of the clock mechanism. The clock was installed in the tower as early as 1524.

The main attraction, however, is the staircase itself and the view. There are 110 high steps of varying widths leading to the top. The staircase is narrow in places, and people coming from opposite directions have to give way to one another.

If you have problems with your knees, your balance or walking up steep stairs, we’d advise against visiting. There is no lift in the tower.

What’s the view like?

From the top, you’ll have a good view of the Sukiennice, the surrounding houses and the rooftops of the Old Town. The view towards St Mary’s Church is also lovely.

Don’t expect an open gallery or a large panoramic terrace, though. You’ll be looking out over the city through relatively small windows, so taking photos may be a bit tricky. In our opinion, the climb itself is therefore more interesting than the view.

Where has the town hall gone?

The solitary tower may seem a little odd. It was originally part of an extensive town hall complex that occupied a large part of the area next to the Sukiennice. The earliest references to the town hall date back to 1316, and the entire complex was gradually expanded during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Due to their poor structural condition, the town hall buildings were demolished between 1817 and 1820. The tower was in better condition, so it remained standing alone on the square.

If one of the walls seems suspiciously bare, it is not because the restoration is incomplete. It was on this very side that the demolished town hall once adjoined the tower.

The tower is approximately 70 metres tall and leans about 55 centimetres from its vertical axis. It is therefore sometimes referred to, with a touch of hyperbole, as the Leaning Tower of Kraków.

What happened to the torture chamber?

The cellars of the old town hall did indeed once house the town prison and rooms used for interrogations and torture. The Świdnicka pub also operated here, where people would go for beer and wine.

However, the historic cellars are not currently part of the standard tour of the Town Hall Tower. Your ticket grants access to the rooms inside the tower and the viewing platform, but not to the former torture chamber.

Admission

Separate admission to the Town Hall Tower costs:

• adults: 22 pln
• students, over-65s and other eligible groups: 16 pln
• family ticket for up to 4 people in accordance with the museum’s rules: 44 pln
• children under 7: free

Admission is free on Mondays. You can obtain free tickets online via the booking system or, subject to availability, at the ticket office on the day of your visit. Places are limited, so we would advise against turning up without a booking.

You can find the current prices on the official website of the Kraków Museum.

Is a combined ticket worth it?

If you’d also like to visit the Market Square Underground, take a look at the ‘Medieval Kraków’ combined tour. It includes:

• The Market Square Underground
• Town Hall Tower
• The Barbican
• the city walls at St Florian’s Gate

Prices for the combined ticket are:

• adults: 64 pln
• concessionary admission: 56 pln
• family admission: 128 pln

Separate standard tickets for the Market Square Underground and the Town Hall Tower cost a total of 67 pln, so a combined ticket is cheaper and also gives you access to the Barbican and the city walls. Just check the opening hours of all parts of the tour before you buy.

Opening hours

The Town Hall Tower is open:

• Mondays from 11.00 to 16.00
• Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
• last admission 30 minutes before closing time

Opening hours may vary on public holidays. We recommend checking the museum’s website for the latest information before your visit.

How do I get to the Town Hall Tower?

The tower stands right on Rynek Główny, a few dozen metres from the Sukiennice. There are no trams or buses serving the square itself.

The nearest public transport stops are:

• Plac Wszystkich Świętych, about a 4-minute walk, trams 1, 8, 13, 14, 20 and 70
• Poczta Główna, about a 7-minute walk, trams 1, 3, 10, 14, 18, 20, 22, 52, 73, 74 and 76

It takes about 13 minutes to walk from the main railway station to the tower.

Information on tickets and getting around the city is provided in the section ‘Transport in Kraków’.

Accommodation near the Town Hall Tower

Accommodation right on the Main Square is ideal if you want to be in the thick of things and don’t mind the evening hustle and bustle. You’ll usually find quieter rooms in the side streets a few minutes’ walk from the square.

• The 4* Hotel Wentzl, set in a historic building right on the Main Square
• Betmanowska Main Square Residence Adults Only – accommodation for adults only, on the opposite side of the square

We compare other neighbourhoods, prices and recommended hotels in the section ‘Accommodation in Kraków’.

 

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