🏩 National Museum in Krakow - guide to the most important museum in Poland

National Museum in Krakow is not only one of the most important cultural venues in Poland, but also a place that links the past with the present. Located in the heart of Krakow, the museum has been a meeting place of art, history and contemporary forms of expression for over 140 years. It is here that you can see priceless works of art 🖼️, participate in modern exhibitions and take advantage of numerous educational programmes and workshops.

With its vast collection of exhibits, modern exhibition halls and convenient location, the MNK attracts both residents of Krakow and tourists from all over the world 🌍. It is the perfect place for an inspiring history lesson, a moment of reflection or simply a pleasant time spent in a cultural atmosphere.

History of the Museum 🏛️

• Year of foundation: 1879, on the initiative of the Krakow City Council.
• First seat: Cloth Hall on the main square - now one of the museum's branches.
• Current headquarters: 3 Maja Avenue, a modernist building constructed in the 1930s.

From the beginning, the museum was intended to serve as a "national treasury" - a place where works by Polish artists and historical memorabilia would be stored and displayed. During World War II, many of the collections were hidden or destroyed, but after the war an intensive rebuilding of the collection began 🧩 . Today, the museum has over 900,000 exhibits, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, posters, manuscripts, militaria and much more.

The museum is also actively involved in creating new cultural values by organising temporary exhibitions, scientific symposia and educational programmes 📚.

Location and map 🗺️

• Address: Aleja 3 Maja 1, 30-062 Kraków
• Google Maps: Click here
• Nearby: Jordan Park, Krakowskie Blonia Park, Old Town (15 minutes on foot)

The museum is easily accessible on foot from the centre of Krakow 🚶. Located in the green part of the city, next to Błonia and Jordan Park 🌳, it is a pleasant point on the map of visiting Krakow. For motorists and cyclists there are convenient facilities - bicycle racks 🚲 and a nearby car park.

Access and parking 🚗

• Public transport: lines: 20, 179, 304
  
  Access by public transport from the railway station to the National Museum:

• Stop "National Museum" - served by tram lines 🚋 and bus lines 🚌.
• It takes approximately 10 minutes to get there from the Central Station.
• By car:
  • Available underground car park (payable), with convenient access.

• Link: Parking
• For people with disabilities:
  • Designated parking spaces ♿
  • Lift, ramps, toilets and wheelchair accessible entrance

Tip: If you're going at the weekend, it's worth arriving early as parking spaces can fill up quickly ⏰.

Opening hours and days off 🕒

• Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00
• Monday: closed ❌.
• Open all year roundalso in winter ❄️ and on holidays 🎄 (except on selected public holidays)

There is no seasonality - visits are possible in both summer and winter months. On particularly busy days (e.g. holidays, holidays, long weekends), early arrival is recommended.

Ticket prices 🎫

• Normal / concession / family / group ticket - prices depending on exhibition and branch
• Combination tickets: allow you to visit several exhibitions at a lower price 💰
• Free entry: Sunday - permanent exhibitions only
• Online purchase: Recommended, avoids queues and provides space 📲
• Reservations for groups: recommended (especially above 10 people)

It is worth keeping an eye on the museum's website for information on special discounts, events or promotions (e.g. 'Museum Night' or 'Holidays with MNK').

For whom? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Families with children - educational workshops, interactive exhibitions, family spaces 👶
• Seniors - comfortable sightseeing, lifts available, benches, guides 👴👵
• Persons with disabilities - full accessibility, toilets, ramps, lifts ♿
• Schools and organised groups - special educational programmes, museum lessons 🏫
• Foreign tourists - audio guides in several languages, clear signage 🌐

It is a place for anyone who appreciates contact with art and history - regardless of age or level of knowledge.

What's worth seeing locally? 🖼️

• Gallery of 20th and 21st Century Polish Art - the greatest works of contemporary artists
• Gallery "Arms and Colours in Poland" - display of militaria and uniforms from various eras ⚔️
• Temporary exhibitions - often featuring international artists and topical themes 🌍
• Szołayski House (Szczepański Square) - unique works by Stanisław Wyspiański ✍️
• Online collections - part of the collection available for viewing online at the museum 💻

There is something here for every visitor - from classic paintings to interactive contemporary art installations.

Interesting facts and legends 🤔

• Museum proms: In the past, some of Kraków's high schools organised high school balls 🎉 in museum spaces.
• Leonardo da Vinci: "Lady with an Ermine" was for many years staged right here 🎨

• Museum and politics: Exhibitions were sometimes opened by heads of state, and some events were visited by world-famous artists and scientists 🧠

Photos and multimedia 📷

• Photography: Allowed without flash; ideal lighting conditions 💡
• Video and virtual tours: available on the museum's website
• Social media: coverage of events, exhibition announcements, photo galleries with exhibits

It is worth following the museum's social media profiles to keep up to date with events and exhibitions.

What's in the area? 🏙️

• Restaurants and cafes: Karakter, Pumpkin Resto Bar, Little Sister 🍽️
• Green space and recreation: Jordan Park, Krakowskie Błonia 🌿
• Other attractions: Czartoryski Museum, Bunkier Sztuki, Main Market Square 🏰
• Hotels and accommodation: Novotel Centrum, Hotel Kossak 🛏️
• Facilities: Public toilets, souvenir shops, ATMs 🛍️

The area around the museum is perfectly equipped to serve tourists, both gastronomically and logistically.

Remember that Krakow is not only about classic museums, check out the a list of the best museumswhich we have prepared on our blog.

Practical tips 🧭

• Best time to visit: Morning or after 4pm 🕓
• Average tour time: 1 to 3 hours ⏳
• Booking: Optional, but recommended for groups 📆 Optional.
• Photography: possible without flash 📸
• Dress code: comfortable shoes 👟 neat appearance 👔
• In addition: it's worth taking headphones 🎧 (for the audio guide), a bottle of water 🥤 and a charged phone 🔋

Visiting a museum is not only an education but also a pleasure - it is worth making sure you are comfortable.

Contact and sources 📞

• 📞 Phone: 12 433 55 00
• 📍 Google Maps: Click here
• 🌐 Website: mnk.pl
• 📲 Social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube - @muzeumnarodowe.krakow