Stary Kleparz – Market Square with Centuries of History
Stary Kleparz is Krakow’s oldest continuously operating marketplace. For the people from Krakow, our valued customers, and the many tourists who visit the city, it is undoubtedly a market steeped in tradition. Here, you will find a wide variety of goods – from fresh fruit and vegetables to regional delicacies and homemade preserves, and even products from the farthest corners of the globe. The Stary Kleparz market has a unique and distinctly Krakow character. The atmosphere here is unlike anything you will experience in a supermarket.
The Best Traditional Market? Krakow Has Stary Kleparz
Stary Kleparz, located just by Krakow’s Planty Park, is known to almost every resident of the city. This market has been in continuous operation since the 14th century, and although nearly everything around it has changed over the centuries, it has remained an essential landmark in the area. It is well worth a visit, whether you are discovering Krakow for the first time or have been coming here for years. From the early hours of the morning, the square comes alive, delighting visitors with a vibrant array of colours, sounds, and scents. The market’s name refers to its history. Kleparz was once a separate town with its own town hall and market square. In time, it was incorporated into the growing city of Krakow, yet its trading tradition has endured to this day.
The Oldest Market Square in Krakow — City Centre Known Since the Fourteenth Century
As already mentioned, Stary Kleparz is the oldest market in Krakow, with traditions dating back to the mid-fourteenth century. At that time, it served as the market square of a separate town, Kleparz, situated just beyond Krakow’s northern gate. It was here, at the crossroads of important trade routes, that local commerce thrived. The market was an open site where food, grain, livestock, and horses were sold — the latter of which Kleparz was particularly famous for during the Middle Ages.
Over time, as noted earlier, Kleparz was incorporated into Krakow, but the market retained its significance. On the contrary, it assumed an even greater role. In the second half of the twentieth century, especially during the period of the Polish People’s Republic, when shop shelves were often bare, it was at Kleparz that one could find goods scarce elsewhere — from meat and dairy products to citrus fruits and imported spices. Today, Stary Kleparz is far from being a relic of the past and continues to bustle with life.
Stary Kleparz Market – What Can You Buy There?
Stary Kleparz is a true paradise for lovers of good food and flavour, offering both local delicacies and exotic specialities. Here, one can find fresh, seasonal produce alongside treats that are rarely available in ordinary supermarkets.
At Stary Kleparz, you can buy, among other things:
- Fresh vegetables and fruit — seasonal produce from Malopolska farms and exotic varieties such as figs and Japanese radishes;
- Polish dairy products — organic eggs, bundz, oscypek, bryndza, as well as sheep’s and mixed milk cheeses, both fresh and smoked;
- Polish meats and cold cuts — traditional sausages, pâtés, cured bacon, and dry-aged hams;
- Bread and baked goods — sourdough bread, yeast buns, strudels, kolacz cakes;
- Fish and seafood — herring, cod, gilt-head bream, salmon, mackerel, and carp;
- Dried goods sold by weight — groats, flours, peas, lentils, dried fruit, mushrooms, and nuts;
- Pickles, oils, and honey — pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut, cold-pressed oils, honey, and propolis;
- Herbs and spices — fresh and dried herbs, warming spices, and blends for Polish and oriental dishes;
- Cut flowers and potted plants — both popular and exotic varieties, changing with the seasons;
- Clothing and everyday household items — garments, socks, and small household and kitchen essentials;
- Regional handicrafts and souvenirs — painted Easter eggs, wicker baskets, floral wreaths, festive decorations, and jewellery;
- Products from other countries — Lithuanian cured meats, Italian pasta, Spanish olives, Hungarian pastes, and other specialities.
Shopping at Stary Kleparz – Practical Information
Planning a visit to Stary Kleparz? A few practical tips will be helpful before you go. The market is open throughout the week, with the busiest periods being in the mornings and on weekends. Below, you will find the key organisational details.
Opening hours:
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location:
Stary Kleparz is situated just by Planty Park, on the side of Basztowa Street — less than a five-minute walk from both the Krakow’s Market Square and Krakow Glowny railway station.
How to get there:
- On foot from the city centre — a few minutes from the Main Market Square and the Old Town.
- By public transport — tram and bus stop “Stary Kleparz.”
- By bicycle — bicycle stands are available nearby.
- By car — public parking spaces (paid parking zone) are available in the vicinity.
Payments:
An increasing number of vendors accept card and mobile payments, although it is advisable to carry some cash, particularly for smaller stalls.
When is the best time to visit? The widest selection and freshest produce are available in the mornings — especially at weekends.
Visit Stary Kleparz and Experience the Spirit of Krakow
A visit to Stary Kleparz is an essential part of any trip to Krakow. It is undoubtedly one of those places that best capture the everyday life of the city — with an authentic atmosphere that cannot be imitated. Here, you will find fresh, regional produce and aromatic coffee served in characterful cafés, regional snacks and meet the people who fill the market with energy and warmth. Regardless of the season, this place is always full of life, inviting you to discover its flavours, scents, and colours. Make sure to experience it for yourself.
Find out more: https://www.starykleparz.com/stary-kleparz.html.