Krakow in winter is magical! This medieval city is the perfect place to visit during the festive season when the old buildings and twinkling fairy lights look like something straight out of a fairytale.
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Krakow in winter is spend anything from a few hours to an entire day at its bustling Christmas market. It is the most popular in Poland, and when you visit you’ll see why!
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What’s more, Poland offers its visitors excellent value for money and the market is one of Europe’s most affordable.
Although Krakow’s Christmas market is popular with tourists who come from all over the world to buy food and indulge in the local dishes, there is a very traditional vibe here too.
That means you’ll see plenty of locals who like to meet here after work or at weekends, to enjoy the atmosphere and do their own shopping.
Where And When Is The Christmas Market In Krakow?
The market is held right in the middle of the old town, in the 13th century square of Rynek Glowny. It is a great location, surrounded by beautiful architecture including the Cloth Hall and the Gothic St Mary’s Basilica.
But what makes it feel extra special is the occasional clip-clopping of the beautiful white horses drawing their carriages across the cobbles of the square, creating a scene worthy of a Christmas card!
It usually opens at the end of November and closes on December 26th, although some traders continue to operate right up to the Epiphany Festival in January.
Things To See And Do At The Christmas Market In Krakow
The timber huts that line the square are filled with an incredible selection of handmade Christmas decorations, toys, gifts, and more. Russian dolls – matryoshka – are particularly popular and you’ll see them everywhere!
Look out, too, for the beautiful hand-painted glass baubles which are a specialty of the markets here. You can also find beautiful ceramics, and exquisite pottery, manufactured in areas like Cmielow and Boleslawiec.
If you are lucky, you will get to see some of the local artisans at work creating their particular crafts. There is also music and dancing to enjoy, with frequent, free concerts, Polish Christmas carols, and visits from Father Christmas himself!
The chief attraction for many, though, is the wonderful food! Slow-cooked soups and rich dishes of goulash are just what you need to fortify yourself against the cold, and you’ll find many smoked and grilled foods too. Roasted pork knuckle is a big favorite in the region and the local sausages are delicious!
Be sure to look out for Oscypek – a wonderful sheep milk cheese exclusive to Poland and made in the mountains of Zakopane. At this time of year, it is often served with cranberry sauce – a festive mixture that works perfectly!
Other traditional treats include the unusual sour rye soup, golden potato pancakes, and meat-filled cabbage rolls.
Of course, no Polish Christmas market would be complete without pierogi and you will find stalls selling them throughout the square. These delicious little dumplings come in savory varieties – stuffed with meats or cheese – or sweet and served with berries.
There are some wonderful drinks on offer in and around the Christmas market too. Try the sweet, vodka-based hot drinks that are guaranteed to warm you from the inside out – they are very affordable and not too strong, so you can easily sample more than one!
Plus, of course, you have to try the traditional mulled wine, which is known as grzane wino (hot wine) and served from booths that look like giant barrels.
Tips For Visiting The Christmas Markets In Krakow
- Krakow in winter is cold, with highs of 3°C on average, dropping to lows of -4°C. If you are lucky, you may even see snow! So be sure to wrap up warmly for your visit.
- Start early! It is usually dark by 4 pm in winter, so you will want to make the most of the daylight hours. That being said, the square looks particularly pretty at night, and many of the restaurants surrounding it have romantic little outdoor booths filled with fairy lights and festive decorations.
- Once you’ve seen everything at the market, don’t forget to pop into the Cloth Hall itself! Free to visit, it is lined with independent shops and retailers selling more handcrafted goods.
- If you have enough time, two more wonderful things to do in Krakow in winter are to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine – a historical site filled with spectacular salt carvings – or go for a sleigh ride in the beautiful town of Zakopane.
Final Thoughts On Christmas Markets In Krakow
The magical setting of the Christmas market in Krakow makes it one of the best to visit during the festive season. The historic buildings provide the perfect backdrop and the colors, sounds, and flavors are a feast for your senses!
Whether you are planning a shopping trip with friends or a romantic getaway with your partner, there is no better place than Krakow to get into the holiday spirit!
Visiting other destinations during Christmas? Check out the best Christmas markets in France and Luxembourg.
