Are you looking for the perfect city in which to spend Christmas? This may not be an easy choice, especially if you are travelling alone.
Solo travel can be lonely at the best of times, but with its focus on sharing festive cheer with family and friends, Christmas can be a tough time to travel alone. To keep loneliness at bay, make sure that your Christmas break destination has plenty to occupy you.
Many European cities, including my hometown of London, shut down on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and beyond. Trust me; the last thing you want to greet you is a city with no public transport over the festive period and firmly shut museum and restaurant doors.
Therefore, it pays to do your homework before you book that flight or train ticket.
Hot on the heels of a successful festive break in Vienna, I took the plunge again by spending Christmas in Kraków.
With its enchanting city centre, rich history and dining places galore, Kraków is a superb destination at any time of year. But at Christmas, it is transformed into a sparkling, festive wonderland and one that is well and truly open for business.
Here are six reasons for spending Christmas in Kraków. To help you make the most of your time there, at the end of the article I’ve recommended some great places to stay and eat, and tips on how to get around and away from the city.
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Why You Should Spend Christmas in Kraków, Poland
Kraków is open for business on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
For me, this is the most important reason for spending Christmas in Kraków. Even if there are other compelling reasons to visit a city over Christmas, if its transport isn’t running or its restaurants are closed you are stuck.
This is not the case with Kraków. Its historic city centre is lively on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, its transport system is running and many restaurants are open.
That said, don’t expect much to happen on Christmas Eve from 2 pm as this is when Polish people celebrate Christmas.
However, I arrived in Kraków late on Christmas Eve and managed to grab a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant. There are a handful of other restaurants open on Christmas Eve, although some close early to allow staff to enjoy their Christmas meal with family and friends.
Whilst not all restaurants will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I didn’t struggle to find somewhere to eat, and you can always refuel at one of the city’s Christmas markets. And that’s not a hardship!
Kraków is a beautiful city
Let’s face it. You want your Christmas break to be special, and Kraków’s fairy-tale town quality will tick that box.
As the capital of the General Government during the German occupation, unlike many cities in Poland, Kraków made it through World War II with barely a scratch.
Picture a perfectly preserved historic centre featuring majestic squares lined with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Add to this horses pulling carriages, clip-clopping across its cobblestones, and you’ll have the measure of the place.
Exploring Kraków at Christmas: Bonus tips
To get your bearings, I suggest you start off by taking a free walking tour of Kraków’s historic heart. I did this on Christmas Day!
Although there is plenty to keep you occupied within the city itself, it is easy to take day trips from Kraków over the festive period. I visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine on Boxing Day and Auschwitz a few days later.
I used Get Your Guide to identify day trips to Auschwitz. This platform offers a good selection of tours and you can cancel up to 24 hours before your excursion for a full refund.
WIELICZKA SALT MINE TOUR FROM KRAKÓW
Explore the salt mine on the Tourist Route tour with a transfer from your hotel and a drop-off in Kraków city centre.
VISIT AUSCHWITZ & THE SALT MINE IN ONE DAY
This full-day guided tour allows you to explore two of Poland’s most popular destinations in one day: Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It’s also fantastic value.
TOUR KRAKOW BY ELECTRIC CAR
For a fun and informative excursion, take this 3-hour electric car tour with a local guide. At the end of the tour, there’s the opportunity to visit Schindler’s factory on your own.
WAWEL HILL AUDIOGUIDE
Or perhaps you prefer to learn more about Kraków on your own? Find out if dragons and the Wawel chakra really existed on this audioguide tour of Wawel Hill. Available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Russian and Polish.
To shop and dine at Kraków’s Christmas markets
One of the best reasons to spend Christmas in Kraków is to visit its lively Christmas market, amongst Europe’s best and the jewel in the city’s festive crown.
This temporary village is a riot of colour, with its traditional wooden stalls offering brightly coloured local crafts. Hand-crafted ceramics, sparkly jewellery, delicately painted baubles or local gingerbread … the choice is yours.
When you are feeling peckish – and the aromas filling the crisp air will make it hard to stop your tummy from rumbling – stop by one of the stalls for a bite to eat.
Traditional Cracovian Christmas Market food includes grilled oscypek (local mountain cheese), grilled Polish sausages and, my favourite, pierogi (Polish dumplings). Finish your market meal with hot waffles dripping in chocolate, washed down with mulled wine.
The Christmas Market is located on the central square, Rynek Glowny. You can’t miss it.
Traditionally, Kraków’s Christmas Market is open from the last week in November until at least December 26th. However, it often remains open until around the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.
For seasonal snowfall
Few things spell Christmas more than breathing in icy-crisp air and feeling snowflakes graze against your cheek. What could be more magical than a light dusting of snow cloaking Wawel Castle?
Poland is a relatively cheap destination
Kraków’s charms don’t come at inflated prices. Far from it. For me, one of the best things about Kraków is that it hasn’t sold its soul to tourism.
Thanks to its large student population – 200,000 at the last count – things are kept real. Away from the more touristy bars and restaurants, tucking into a meal is a bargain.
To feast on winter-warming food
If you like winter-warming, inexpensive food in cosy restaurants and cafes, you’ve come to the right city. Here are a few places I loved:
Pierogarnia Krakówiacy (Szewska 23)
For cheap and delicious pierogi, this cosy, old-fashioned cafe has deservedly garnered plaudits from foodies.
Take a seat, check out the small menu and order at the counter. You will be given a ticket and, when your number is called, you collect your dish.
Klimaty Poludniul (Św. Gertrudy 5)
I visited this friendly restaurant on the outskirts of the old town on Boxing Day. A more upmarket experience than Pierogarnia Krakówiacy, it serves food with an Italian emphasis and I savoured the best glass of Primitivo I have ever tasted (and I have sampled quite a few!).
Cafe Camelot (Świętego Tomasza 17)
This cafe tucked in a side street behind Market Square serves great coffee and food from breakfast through to dinner. I recommend their hot honey vodka!
Cukiernia Cichowsky (Starowiślna 21)
If you are walking between the old town and Kazimierz, stop here for deliciously sinful cake and coffee.
Where To Stay in Kraków for the Christmas Market
There is no shortage of places to stay in Kraków, accommodating all budgets.
Mid-range – Mercure Stare Misto
I stayed at this comfortable 4-star chain hotel, conveniently located opposite the train station and a 10-minute walk from Market Square.
Splurge – Balthazar Design Hotel
In the heart of the old town, close to Wawel Castle, this boutique hotel has garnered rave reviews.
Budget –EWM Kopernika 8.3 – Market Square & Old Town
This centrally-located apartment looks like a fantastic budget choice. It has the bonus of a garden area for outdoor dining.
Getting There & Getting Around
Getting from Kraków airport to the centre of the city is easy, thanks to a great rail connection. The 16km journey takes just over 15 minutes.
You can buy your ticket from the machines at the ticket machine in the passenger terminal or train station, or from the conductor on board.
Due to its compact size, the old city is walkable.
If you need to go further afield or your accommodation is not centrally located, take a tram. Kraków’s tram network is modern and efficient. Ticket machines are at tram stops.
Kraków is perfect for a solo Christmas break
Poland, and Kraków in particular, is a perfect destination to visit at Christmas, particularly as a solo traveller. It is inexpensive by European standards, a joy to walk around, many of its restaurants are open for business and public transport is operational on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Kraków is home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe and there is more than enough to keep you occupied. Cosy restaurants and cafes are easy places to hang out whilst savouring traditional Polish cuisine.
I completely understand if you are nervous about taking a Christmas break as a solo traveller. I too was uncertain about spending Christmas away from family and friends. But having now taken a solo festive break twice I would do so again without hesitation.
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About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.