There are a few European style covered markets in the city; our current favorite is Stary Kleparz, mostly because there is an awesome coffee shop we grab a drink from before we go shopping. Some are closer to the tourist attractions, and some more larger ones are closer to the residential neighborhoods.
@emilysguidetokrakow Stary Kleparz is rapidly changing and growing to include cafes and bars within its hundreds of years old market hall. This little cafe is my favorite place to go for a coffee currently, and when I’m done, I can just walk through the market for all my fruit and vegetable needs. #thingstodoinkrakow #krakow #travel
Both Nowy Kleparz and Stary Kleparz are within walking distance of the major tourist attractions, sometimes their prices are higher, and a lot of the stands there re-sell produce (in off-season), so the people you are handing your money to are not the farmers themselves. However in-season this usually changes and the families growing the food are also selling it.
@emilysguidetokrakow Krakow has numerous markets to choose from and give you a real look into local life here. Closest to the tourist areas is Stary Kleparz, but the others might be closer to where you’re staying. In addition to these covered markets that mainly sell produce and household goods- there are weekly markets too such as the Hala Targowa flea market on Sundays and the Plac Nowy pigeon market on Friday mornings.
If you don’t have enough time for a field trip outside the tourist area these markets are a great experience. But, if you have some time, it might be worth it to you to take a bus ride out to Plac Imbramowski. And hey, if you have a car, its going to take less than 10 minutes to get there, and they have a huge parking lot that’s free!
My suggestion is, if you’re short on time, only go to Stary Kleparz– but if you’re here for a long stay- considering going to all of them at least once!
What is important to remember is that markets in Poland follow seasons, so prices change day to day depending on what is being harvested that morning. And you won’t find oranges in June, or strawberries in November. Most markets open officially at 6am everyday, but I usually suggest going around 9am when all the farmers have gotten there from the fields. Saturdays are incredibly busy, but sometimes its fun to see the hustle and bustle of the market. Expect the markets to close between 3pm and 6pm.
What’s great is that from the end of May until the summer season is over, farmers will come park their trucks outside the markets until dark (around 10pm) and sell what they picked that day, so you can get fresh produce all day long! (The markets are closed on Sundays, but sometimes farmers will still bring produce to sell on the street, however it is best to go the other 6 days of the week.)
See just a small portion of what Plac Imbramowiski has to offer below:
A quick Google search of all three of the markets listed will show you their locations on a map. It is hard to find parking at the Kleparz markets in the city center, but as I stated above, it is very easy to park at Plac Imbramowski.
Stary Kleparz is a very short walk from the tram stop by its name Stary Kleparz.
Nowy Kleparz also has its own Tram Stop and is reachable by several trams and buses to Nowy Kleparz.
Plac Imbramowski, no suprise, has its own Bus Stop too! It’s called Imbramowska.
Don’t forget if you have any questions, comments, or want us to make you a custom made list or itinerary, you can always email us at emilysguidetokrakow@gmail.com
6 Comments Add yours