Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square) still performs its medieval function. The Cloth Hall is a good place to find souvenirs and Polish handicrafts, such as jewellery, wooden chess sets, glass, textiles, lace and other reasonably priced items. The range of shops clustering around the Hotel Cracovia, aleja Focha 1, is also worth a visit for Polish handicrafts. The section of the Old Town wall on ulica Florianska is given over to local artists, who present works of varying quality for sale.

The colourful vegetable market Stary Kleparz at Rynek Kleparski, just to the north of the Old Town, is one of the oldest markets in Poland, dating back to the 14th century. A little farther north, around plac Nowy Kleparz, at the end of ulica Dluga (the longest street in Cracow), is another vegetable market - although not quite as cheap as its older cousin. Cracow's biggest flea market (open Sunday 0700-1300) is located at plac Nowy in Kazimierz.
 
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday, 1000 to 1800/2000, and Saturday, 1000 to 1300/1400. Shopping malls, hypermarkets and the larger shops are often open seven days a week and there are a number of 24-hour shops. VAT is between 7% and 22%. Tax-free shopping is available at various venues displaying the ‘Tax Free Shopping' sign (www.globalrefund.pl).