10 Best Things to Do on Christmas in Krakow

Christmas suits Krakow particularly well because it is very likely to see the city covered in snow, and at this time of year it is decorated with colorful lights, providing some truly beautiful photo opportunities. Below, I will show you some plans for things to do in Krakow that are exclusive to this time of year or that fit perfectly with what you would expect from a Christmas getaway of this kind. Let's get started!

With its 40,000 square meters, the square that houses the Cloth Market (also called Rynek Glówny) can boast of being one of the largest in Europe. It is not surprising that it is one of the places you will visit if you book a tour of Krakow's old town.

What's more, if you're in the city between November 27 and December 26, you'll see that this is one of the most impressive places to visit at Christmas. The Christmas lights and the lively atmosphere of its dozens of stalls where you can buy sweets, drink mulled wine, or purchase handicrafts all contribute to this. Not to be missed!

Christmas is the season of giving. If you're also a fan of shopping, Krakow has a lot to offer. I'm going to show you the most important shopping areas in this Polish city. It could also be an opportunity to buy gifts for your family. Krakow is particularly renowned for its traditional amber products and wood carvings. Buying one of its classic nativity scenes, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, can also be a great gift idea.

Shopping streets in Krakow

I'll start with the shopping streets because they are almost all in the center, which also guarantees that your walk will be embellished by Christmas lights and music. There's nothing better in this regard than stopping by Florianska Street, which connects the Market Square with St. Florian's Gate.

Shopping centers

Krakow does not have huge shopping areas like other cities, but it does have malls that are well worth visiting. What's more, they are located in the city center, making it easy to visit them without having to travel in the winter cold or make bus connections with stop names that are impossible to remember. I would highlight the following:

• Galeria Krakowska: The largest shopping center in Krakow, located in the very center of the city.
• Galeria Kazimierz: Located in the neighborhood of the same name, or, in other words, the Jewish Quarter.

By the way, if you do end up visiting Kazimierz, I encourage you to spend some time exploring one of the largest Jewish quarters in Europe. Here you can find out more about what to see and do in the Jewish Quarter.

Christmas lights flood Krakow from the end of November. You can enjoy them simply by wandering around the city center, although perhaps the most striking lighting is that of the Christmas tree in the Market Square.

Also worth seeing in terms of lighting is the interesting religious monument called the Bishop's Palace. A 17th-century clerical residence that is illuminated at Christmas with a beautiful Christmas tree.

The lights are switched on a week before the beginning of December. This is yet another attraction to add to the many things to see and do in Krakow in November.

Poland is still one of the most Catholic countries in Europe today. This means that Christmas is taken very, very seriously. That's why churches are decorated during Christmas, not only on the outside but especially on the inside. I recommend you go inside St. Mary's Basilica to enjoy these Christmas decorations.

Likewise, if you love Christmas decorations in churches, you can continue your exploration in the most beautiful churches in Krakow. My only recommendation is that you visit them at times that do not coincide with worship services. Krakow's churches are usually very crowded, and behaviors that are normal in Western European countries, such as wandering around during mass or being somewhat relaxed, may earn you some dirty looks in Poland.

Krakow in winter can be cold, with temperatures reaching as low as -10 degrees Celsius. This means you'll need to pack plenty of warm clothes, but it also means you'll be treated to snowy views that are quite unusual in Spain.

If you are lucky enough to have snow during your stay, I recommend booking a guided tour of Wawel Castle. There, in addition to discovering the wonders of this Polish national symbol, you can admire stunning panoramic views from Wawel Hill with the Vistula River at your feet. What more could you ask for?

At Christmas, the shop windows of bakeries are full of Christmas sweets, but you should also try some of the non-pastry specialties that are typical of this festive season. Here are some of the most characteristic ones.

Christmas foods

There are several specialties. Many of them can be purchased in bakeries or restaurants. To discover the best options, check out the best restaurants in Krakow or, better yet, book a food tour of the Jewish Quarter. Your mouth will water!

• Pierogi: These are dumplings with various fillings (usually potato, cheese, or onion) that are served boiled or fried.
• Soups: The best remedy for the cold. In Poland, soups are an essential part of the cuisine. You will find soups made from practically anything, although the most typical is the one known as Christmas Eve beetroot soup.

Christmas sweets

Poland is a country with a strong tradition of baking, so you'll be spoiled for choice. The ones that catch my eye the most are the following:

• Obwarzanek: Delicious bread rings with poppy seeds.
• Wedel chocolate: Poland has a long tradition of chocolate making. Probably one of the most famous chocolates is Wedel, named after the brand's creator, a German businessman who founded the company in 1851.

Krakow's nativity scenes are considered Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, and in fact, a nativity scene competition organized by the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow is held annually in the city. This institution houses the nativity scenes, which can be visited from the first Sunday in December until February.

If you are in Krakow on the first Thursday in December, you can also witness the curious ceremony that accompanies this nativity scene contest: in the morning, the participants gather at the Adam Mickiewicz monument and then parade with the nativity scenes through the Market Square.

If you are in the city on that day, you have several options: you can follow the event from start to finish or stop at the things to see and do in the Market Square and wait for the procession to appear. The choice is yours!

Few things are more typical of the Christmas season than performances of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. It is a widespread tradition, especially in Central and Eastern Europe and the United States, so Poland is no exception.

Furthermore, Chopin's homeland could not fail to be characterized by high-quality musical events featuring the best performers. I suggest you take a look at the program that the Krakow Opera has prepared for Christmas. You are almost certain to find performances of The Nutcracker.

If you like, you can also attend one of the many music concerts in Krakow. Classical music predominates during the festive season, sometimes taking place inside churches or in historic venues such as the Bonerowski Palace. If you want to enjoy the music and at the same time discover the city's architectural heritage, I recommend booking tickets for a Chopin piano concert. It will be unforgettable.

A good way to learn about Polish crafts is to visit the ARMAR workshop-factory. Located 23 km from Krakow, here you can see firsthand how Christmas decorations are made. A wide range of techniques are used, including glass blowing.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in a craft workshop, although this will depend on your language skills. Unfortunately, these workshops are not available in Spanish. However, if you have a basic knowledge of English, Italian, French, German, or Russian, there will be no problem. The workshops last 2 hours and can be enjoyed Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Christmas is the season of wonder par excellence. So, if you're traveling with children, it's always a good idea to introduce them to the magical, fairy-tale elements that Krakow has to offer. One of these is the famous Wawel Dragon, a sculpture that breathes fire every five minutes.

The sculpture is located near the Dragon's Cave, where centuries ago one of these creatures was thought to dwell. And since the famous Wawel Castle is right next door, why not visit it? Here is all the information you need about visiting the castle, opening hours, and tickets. And if you want more family activities, here is more information about what to see in Krakow with children.

These are the best Christmas activities to do in Krakow. Decide which one best suits your tastes or the plan you have in mind and simply make it happen. Just don't forget a good coat, gloves, and hat!

Krakow is not a city with attractions specific to the summer season. Although it is undoubtedly more pleasant to visit in good weather. That is why it does not receive as many visitors at Christmas as in summer, although the influx is still significant. Especially because of the Christmas markets. Therefore, you will find visitors in the city center. However, attractions such as Auschwitz and the Salt Mines are less crowded at this time of year.

The weather in Krakow at Christmas is basically cold with the possibility of snowfall. In fact, the average temperatures are usually between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius. And the coldest temperatures are between 0 and 5 degrees below zero. Therefore, it is important that you travel to Krakow well wrapped up. In any case, if the weather is an important factor for you, you can find out more here about the best time to visit Krakow.

My recommendations are mainly aimed at ensuring you have the best warm clothing to cope with the cold and any unexpected snowfall. So, don't forget to take with you:

• Scarf
• Coat
• Thermal undershirts
• Gloves

Another thing I recommend is to take a list of the different currency exchange offices with you, either in a notebook or on your cell phone. Poland is not currently in the euro zone. Its currency is the zloty. One euro is worth around 4.5 zlotys. This value can change, so I recommend using this currency converter to confirm it.

Exchanging money at the airport is the worst option, as the fees are the highest. It is advisable to exchange only the minimum amount necessary to get to the city. Once there, in the center of Krakow, you will find several currency exchange offices. It's best to locate them before your trip so you know which ones will be most advantageous. For more useful information, I recommend this article on tips for traveling to Krakow.