Thanks to the climate, the spectacular architecture and the rich events that makes the festive season. Krakow can be crafted with the title of world’s capital of white Christmas. Also the Yuletide last longer in the Krakow region than anywhere else in the world.
Krakow at Christmas is a must-see, as the Christmas trees, street decorations and the echo of the carols are heard till the end of January. Also, the Krakow Christmas Markets are very famous. Not because there are only few Christmas markets in Poland, but the market in Krakow is very special and lots of attention to detail has been made to ensure it’s just perfect.
Christmas Attractions and Events at Krakow
Krakow is famous for its rich colorful folk traditions which are handed from generation to generation and there is hardly a month in Krakow when there is no time-honored occasion or a bountiful celebration. For Christmas, starting at the beginning of December, the streets are adorned with beautiful decorations, window dressing, shopping, well–wishing and the city seems more like a fairyland scene with numerous Gothic churches and palaces which are uniquely decorated. Santa Claus visits every kid of the city in early December and then re-arrives on the Christmas Eve.
The famous Krakow Christmas market assembles on the famous city square Ryek-Glowny, also known as the Main Market Square. The bustling fair at the square specializes in traditional hand-made Christmas decorations, sweets and other goodies. The open-air eateries offer hearty and scrumptious meals, traditional Polish cuisines like kaszanka and bigos as well as wide selection of grilled meat and other delicacies.
While You’re Here in Krakow at Christmas
One of the key attractions of Christmas is the Christmas Market. You’ll want to spare plenty of time for sampling the mulled wines, and sifting through the shopping stalls for all sorts of trinkets, from wooden slippers from the Highlands to Baltic’s famous amber jewelry.
While you’re here, there are some traditional puppet plays in Juliusz Slowacki Theater, which are very colorful and glittering and are a popular Krakow hobby. Also the professional and the amateur players stage live Nativity shows at the time of the holiday season. Watching these shows together is one of the popular family activities in Krakow.
Also open during Christmas are the Historical Museum and the Galicia Jewish Museum, cultural gems that if you have time are a must-enjoy.
Where to Eat in Krakow at Christmas
Krakow is known as Poland’s Mecca of Gourmets and there are plenty of famous restaurants in here. However, most of the hotels where you will stay have their own restaurants and offer various types of cuisines, especially tasty Polish cuisine. A couple of other interesting choices, if you can tear yourself away from the tasty stalls at the Christmas market:
- Cherubino Restaurant serves Italian and Polish cuisine and is located in Alley of Doubting, few steps away from the Market Square. The native people absolutely love this place as the ambience of the restaurant is Italian. The menu is changed according to the Polish traditions.
- Coreleone Restaurant serves Italian cuisine and is located on Poselska Street, close to Main Square. The food is perfect starting from appetizers to meal and from wines to desserts.
Where to Stay in Krakow at Christmas
- Antique Apartments is one of the best places to stay as it is located in central Krakow and is very near to Main Market Square and the Historical Museum. There are also dining options available with two restaurants in these apartments, you can order hot and cold buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner. There is also a coffee shop and multilingual staff available for kids of guests.
- Wyspianski Hotel located amidst many attractions of the city like Czartoryski Museum, Juliusz Slowacki Theater and Cloth Hall. The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also there is a bar/lounge which is open all the time for drinks. Complementary bottled water and safes are also provided in the guest rooms. Room service is available 24 hours a day with wake-up calls option.
- Hotel Spatz is a friendly apartment-like hotel which is just walking distance away from Jewish cemetery; Galicia Jewish Museum and Old Synagogue. The other interesting places are the Main Market Square and the Wawel Castle. The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also a bar which is open all the time for drinks.
Make sure you book near the Krakow Christmas Markets for the best experience. Enjoy Krakow at Christmas!
Photos by bazylek100, bazylek100, budgetplaces, wit, kingary
