12 Wonderful Reasons To Visit Krakow in December

As I flew over the city covered in a blanket of snow, I did wonder why I chose to visit Krakow in December. Kraków was bitterly cold but once I got into the swing of things I was enjoying the winter vibes with the falling snow and the festive surroundings. 

Reasons To Visit Krakow In December

Krakow is a wonderful winter city break destination, and, fortunately, many of the activities are indoors. However, if you need to brace the outdoors, you can beat the cold with kawa (coffee) and zupa (soup)… and some very warm clothes. Let’s embrace Krakow in December I say!

Get Festive At Kraków Christmas Market

Kraków Christmas fair on the main market square will get you in the spirit of the season. You’ll not be disappointed with the choice of Polish dumplings (pierogi), smoked hams, sausages, pork knuckles, or cheeses. The hearty meals will warm you up in the bitter cold as the horses and carts trot by. 

Take a moment to look around at the surrounding history such as St Mary’s Basilica is a fine example of Polish Gothic architecture, dating back to the 13th Century.

|| LOCATED in the Main Square, Old Town || Normally runs from the end of November to the start of January

Find Your Inner Historian At Wawel Castle 

Wawel Castle, built in the 14^th century, is a beautiful mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Rococo and Romanesque architecture. This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site can be seen from all parts of Krakow. 

Located around the courtyard of the castle complex, Wawel Cathedral, formally titled the Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus, stands proud with a gold dome shining out. Step inside the Roman Catholic cathedral to imagine the coronation of almost every Polish king and queen in history.

There’s a fabulous collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, ceramics, sculptures, tapestries and more.  Tours of Wawel Castle will take you around the royal chambers, halls, and medieval courtyard as well as the “Lost Wawel” exhibitions. Wawel Castle is one of the most famous historic landmarks in Europe that you must visit.

Located at Wawel 5 // Open every day, varying times depending on the time of year, check the Wawel Castle website.

Cozy Dining In Kazimierz

After a long day travelling and sightseeing in the bitterly cold weather, the perfect end to your day would be to find a cool bar in Kazimirez (Singer was a lovely choice) and fill your belly with some super tasty Polish food, and grzaniec (mulled wine).

You will be spoilt for choice for cute and quirky restaurants in Kraków but Starka Restaurant far exceeded my expectations, it was warm, inviting and the food was sensational… oh and the customary ‘wodka’ served at the end of the meal will give you a warm glow before heading back into the snow. This festive feeling you only get when visiting Krakow in December!

Discover The Lovely Street Art In Krakow

There is plenty of creative street art to feast your eyes on in Krakow, Poland’s cultural capital. You will find many murals in the districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze and many have sprung up due to cultural art festivals that clearly welcome lively and meaningful street art around the city. I made my way around using the Discover Cracow Street Art Guide but on limited days you can hop on a 2-hour tour with FREE Walkative! TOURs.

Find The Rainbow Steps

Search for the 55 brightly coloured stairs in Podgorze, each step with a message on it. If you’re in Krakow in December, you may need to remove the snow to see the transcribes.

This is an art installation created in 2013 during the Fresh Zone contest hoping to give life to the forgotten steps, one of which is covered with the sentence ‘Nigdy nie dorosnij’, which means ‘Never grow up’…. quite apt for me really!

Located in Tatrzańska 5/7, 30-537 Kraków

Be Awe-Inspired At St Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph’s Church at the top of Podgorski Square in Kraków is a majestic Gothic-style Roman Catholic church built in the early 20th century. Whilst the church is distinctive to see from afar, take a closer look at the architecture, the detailed clock tower, gargoyles and sculptures are breathtaking. The church was especially impressive in the falling snow, looking like something from a fairytale.

Located in Zamoyskiego 2, Podgórze Square

Marvel At The Basilica Of St Francis Church Of Assisi

The Church of St. Francis is certainly one of the most impressive churches in Kraków. The church was inaugurated in the 13^th century and has since been severely damaged by various fires and renovated in different styles according to the period. After the Great Fire of Kraków in 1850 it was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style, including the polychrome wall paintings and the powerful stained-glass masterpiece by Stanisław Wyspiański called God in the Act of Creation’ at the entrance.

Located at Wszystkich Świętych 5 // Open every day from 6 am-7.45 pm

Feel Romantic On Lovers Bridge

The Father Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Ojca Bernatka) over the Vistula River joins the districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze. You immediately see the nine acrobatic figures hanging from the bridge, the sculptures were installed by artist Jerzy Kędziora in 2016.

The dual walkway is built for both pedestrians and cyclists but also has another purpose.  The “lover’s bridge” has become a popular place for couples to add their padlocks adorned with their initials.

There are no shops to buy a padlock but this could be is to deter visitors from upholding this tradition. Love Locks have caused huge damage to bridges and environmental damage with pollution through rust and harm to local wildlife. Let’s show our love for each other and the city without a padlock!

Located at Kładka Ojca Bernatka

Osker Schindlers Enamel Factory

I think we have all seen the film Schindlers’ List right? It’s a compelling story about Oskar Schindler and his brave acts during WW2 who put his family at great risk by protecting and saving the lives of over a thousand persecuted Jews by employing them in his factory. The Oskar Schindler Museum will tell you all you need to know about this courageous man as well as a comprehensive history of the Nazi occupation of Krakow.

Located at Lipowa 4 // Open 10 am-6 pm November to March and 10 am-8 pm April to October // 30 Zloty, however, admission is free on the first Monday of each month.

Get Creative At MOCAK Art Gallery

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków is also on the site of the Oskar Schindlers Enamel Factory. I was super impressed by the lovely spacious gallery displaying modern art from around the world.

There were 6 temporary exhibitions on show at MOCAK, my favourite was by Boris Lurie, an American artist, who was born into a Jewish family in Leningrad. His thought-provoking installations and mixed-media paintings were captivating.

Located at Lipowa 4 // Open daily from 10 am-6 pm

Learn About The Holocaust At Auschwitz-Birkenau

Visiting the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau was compelling but be prepared for an emotional day. It’s a sobering reminder of the atrocities against over 1 million Jews in WW2.

Being there at -6 degrees, I wore more layers than the day I summited Kilimanjaro and was still freezing, but it brought home the harsh reality of the conditions they must have endured. Read more on why we should visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.

I recommend using Krakow Shuttle for the Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka Salt Mine tour, they collect you from your hotel, play a documentary on the bus to set the scene and provide a lunch box.

Travel Deep Into The Wieliczka Salt Mine

This former salt mine on the outskirts of Krakow is pretty amazing hence why it has earned itself UNESCO World Heritage status. The Wieliczka Salt Mine reaches down 327m and extends in horizontal levels for over 287km, however, the Tourist Route is only 135m down involving almost 800 steps and over 2 km of meandering corridors.

The tour takes you through different chambers, and salt lakes and the St Kinga chapel is just magnificent with elaborate statues carved by the miners themselves. There is even accommodation and a health spa at the mine, the therapeutic micro-climate of salt excavations can be excellent for your mental and physical well-being. It gets pretty hot down there, ideal for a visit to Krakow in December!

Located in Daniłowicza 10 //

FAQs: Visit Krakow

Where To Stay In Krakow?

There are so many neighbourhoods and areas in Krakow to choose from but first-timers should definitely consider the Old Town as a base to be a short walk from most of the sights in the city. Here are a few recommended stays to get you some ideas;

Pergamin Old Town Apartments – A fantastic budget accommodation in the perfect location, just 450 m from the Wawel Royal Castle and 600 m from the Main Market Square and with the most amazing breakfast buffet. Check out my review of Pergamin Old Town Apartments.

Hotel Lavender – This modern 3-star aparthotel is only 1 km from the Main Market Square in the Old Town and Wawel Royal Castle is 2 km. It has a restaurant on-site as well as a bar, great for meeting fellow travellers.

INX Design Hotel – This 4-star hotel has super cool decor and boasts a fitness centre, shared lounge, and on-site restaurant. Nearby points of interest include the Schindler Factory Museum and Wawel Royal Castle.

Booking.com

How To Get Around Krakow?

Krakow is pretty well set up for public transport, the buses and trams run from 05:00 – 23:00. You can buy your ticket from the machine before getting on, and don’t forget to stamp it when on board to avoid a fine.

It would be worth investing in a Krakow Card for a 2-3 day trip, it includes unlimited public transport and admission to up to 40 museums. If you plan your route well for your trip, you can actually do most of it on foot!

Best Tours In Krakow

• Choose from a wide selection of tours with local guides.
• You can download the In Your Pocket app to find yourself around the city
• If getting into the fresh air is your thing, why not try some of the exciting day trips from Krakow you can try such as Tatra National Park, Zalipie, or Katowice.

How To Get To Krakow

There are loads of airlines flying to and from Krakow. I flew from Dubai with Fly Dubai and then continued my journey to Manchester with EasyJet. Other options include Emirates, KLM and Lufthansa.

Check the best flight deals to Krakow in Skyscanner.

Best Travel Insurance For Krakow

Always make travel insurance a priority! As always, ensure you get the right travel insurance to suit your needs, it’s way better than finding out the hard way. Check out these worthy options to help your trip go smoothly.

Get 5% off your travel insurance with HeyMondo. Benefit from 24-hour medical assistance, 365 days a year with single, multi-trip, and long-stay insurance (up to 3 months), cover for Covid-19 and non-refundable expenses. The handy app makes this a simple process! They give a little back too by contributing to ‘Doctors Without Borders’.

SafetyWing for Digital Nomads. Benefit from 24/7 assistance, comprehensive and medical cover including Covid-19. Buy insurance whilst you are travelling, with the option of global health insurance.

Best Travel Gear For Krakow

Go with the right gear even for a city trip, here are a few items that will come in handy for Krakow in December!

• GET 15% OFF WATER-TO-GO Bottle (Code WM15)
• GET 10% OFF ARTFULLY WILD sustainable clothing (Code: WM10) 
• Comfortable walking shoes are a must for a winter trip to Krakow to avoid slipping in the snow. 
• Layer up sustainably with bamboo outer and undergarments.
• Find your perfect backpack – I only use Osprey backpacks for my travels!

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