Preparing for a trip to Krakow during winter? When winter takes over and nights become longer, Krakow becomes the Snow Queen of Polish cities. Impressively illuminated, wrapped with accumulated layers of snow, Krakow in winter gives a feeling of cosiness and intimacy to its visitors. You will pass by its residents, representing all types of the seasonal fashion with their warm outfits. And you will see how greatly they enliven the frozen space of the city with their often-eccentric looks. How lucky they are to live in a place that experiences the full variety of weather conditions! In fact, you may feel as one of them – if you only follow the little Krakow winter guide below. Take advantage of your winter stay in Krakow and see all the attractions that are only present there at the time.
WHITE KRAKOW: PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A WINTER STAY
Krakow is a city which is subject to extreme temperature changes throughout a whole calendar year. The city is conveniently placed in Lesser Poland. The region sits between the lowlands, uplands and the highest area of the country – the Tatra Mountains. While the temperature exceeding 30 degrees Celsius is not uncommon during summers, winters in Krakow are characterised by heavy snowfall. Typical wintry temperature belongs to the -5°C-0°C range.
Occasionally, there may be swings towards -20°C, or even lower areas of the scale. What it means is that you need to prepare yourself well for Weather in Krakow during winter! Thick soles may definitely protect you against sliding one the ice-covered surfaces of Krakow streets. Even if the municipal services regularly apply salt or road salt on the pedestrianised areas, high boots may still enable you to walk faster! Warm clothes also are a must while in Krakow. Many of its historical buildings have high-vaulted interiors which are not easy to heat up. However, you do not need to consider taking a lot of warm outfit items with yourself while packing. Krakow residents do not strictly follow the passing fads of fashion.
This is why you get a chance to provide yourself with cheap and originally-designed winter clothing while visiting! Scarves, gloves, socks, Zakopane-style slippers and beanies offered in Krakow shopping venues are perfectly suitable for its climate. In addition to this, they are often inspired by the local folklore of Krakow and Zakopane. Think of the so-popular Scandinavian motifs of reindeers applied on, pretty much, anything woolen they wear in winter. This is their counterpart, comfortable to wear and great as a gift to carry home.
When it comes to winter in Krakow, there are good news for you! They are perfectly accustomed to the fact that Krakow winters mean a lot of snow there. You do not need to worry about any transport-related delays or cancellations to occur. Once you come, you will see it with your own eyes that the efficiency of Krakow municipal transport is maintained on a great level all year round!
SEASONAL KRAKOW ATTRACTIONS
Well, there may not be any artificial beach opposite to Wawel Castle available to you in winter. Fortunately, in Krakow during winter there are plenty of more seasonal attractions present in Krakow during the period! The two largest Christmas trees of Krakow will be placed in front of St. Mary’s Basilica (also famous for its walk-in crib installed there each year) and at Wszystkich Swietych Square.
However, the thing that you will notice straight upon coming to Krakow is the beautiful illumination of the city. It is normally installed at the beginning of December. Huge luminescent baubles and Santa’s sleighs will be placed here and there. Blinking chains, streets and lanterns discreetly decorated with lighting devices with Christmas motifs on will make Krakow nights brighter.
The romantic mood also accompanies the most famous contest held in Krakow: the Cracovian Christmas Crib Contest. The first day of December is when tens of participants surround Adam Mickiewicz Monument with their hand-made wonders of sacral art. This is something that you will not have a chance to see anywhere else! And, definitely, the most colourful thing to rest your eyes at this winter!
Additionally, Krakow is no different when it comes to continuing the old European tradition of running Christian markets at the season. Between the last week of November and the 26th of December, there will be Krakow Christian Market laid out in front of the Cloth Hall. Hot hunter’s stew, a great choice of cold meats, warm clothing, Christmas decorations, Oscypek cheese, wooden art, artisan souvenirs, sweets of all kinds and mulled wine served straight out of a massive barrel are the most distinctive features of this magical area full of wooden stalls. Do not forget to bargain – the stallholders of Krakow are no different to their foreign counterparts in this respect!
As the end of the year comes closer, you may think of spending your New Year’s Eve in Krakow. A huge stage installed in the middle of the Main Market Square is where an all-night lasting concert will be organised. You may expect all the biggest Polish music stars performing. The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Krakow are famous for the incredible laser performance provided by the organisers. If you pick Krakow as your destination then, you will surely have a wild and safe (as these are not mutually exclusive) night spent in the beautiful surroundings of snow-covered Old Town.
If you are an active traveller, feel welcomed to Blonia Ice Rink – the biggest venue of this kind in Poland. Even if the Poles are not known as the best hockey players in the world (well, maybe with the exception of Wayne Gretzky’s roots), they do like putting their skates on in winter! Alternatively, you may take your kid to the place they will surely love: the Santa’s Park in Zator (“Park Swietego Mikolaja” in Zator). There town of Zator itself is only located 52 kilometres in the South-western direction from Krakow. Visiting the park in the evening means that you will all enjoy the luminous installations of snowmen, reindeers, gifts or dwarves before you meet the Santa himself in his wooden dwelling.
Even if your approach to Christmas is more traditional, Krakow (the city with the biggest number of churches in Poland) will also have something for you to love. The festival of Christmas carols held in the beautiful Franciscan church on the 6th of January will give you a chance to discover the beauty of Polish Christmas songs.
WHAT TO DO IN SNOW-RIDDEN KRAKOW?
When the winter comes, we all need to warm ourselves up! Having a cup of hot chocolate in one of Krakow restaurants (like Szara or Pijalnia Czekolady Wedel) is one of those ideas that you jump into naturally. Other than that, you may always try some Polish “firewater” shots for the same purpose.
Alternatively, there is a number of mulled beverages that are typically sold in Krakow pubs or restaurants in winter. And winter is the time when both skiers and snowboarders can finally indulge in their favourite pastime. In their case, having a side trip to the Tatras while in Krakow is surely something to try.
With about 100 kilometres of distance between Krakow and Zakopane, this seems like a great way for a one-day trip to have! If skiing is not for you, but you like the discipline of bargain-hunting instead, visit the extensive galleries of Krakow. Galeria Krakowska, Galeria Kazimierz or Bonarka are where hundreds of shops will give you a chance to purchase Christmas gifts or unique souvenirs from your unforgettable stay in Krakow.
As you can see – the times when winters meant going to your bed early are over! Visit Krakow the following one to check what winter adventures await you there 🙂