2 Days in Krakow in December
By Ellen (Updated Dec 25)
⏱ 6 minutes
2 days in Krakow in December was a perfect addition to our Poland trip. It was complete with Christmas markets, mulled wine, heavy history, and just enough time to wish we’d stayed another night. We were only in the city for two nights, but it was the ideal amount of time to experience both the festive side of Krakow and its deeper, more somber history.
In this post we’ll share our itinerary and what it is like to visit Krawkow in December. If you ask us, Krawkow is definitly worth visiting even in the winter chill. There’s a certain magic that December adds to the city. The Old Town glows with twinkling lights and you will find cozy places to duck into for hearty warm Polish food.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Arrival + Christmas Market
A perfect afternoon in Krawkow in December can include arriving and then wandering the Old Town to experience the magic of the Christmas market. On our first day in Krawkow, we did just that.
We stayed right on the Main Market Square, which honestly might be the best place to stay in Krakow in December. Step outside of the hotel and you’re immediately in the heart of the Christmas market with its stalls lined with ornaments, artisan goods, hot treats, and steaming cups of grzaniec (mulled wine).
Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit like a market with bundled-up people and lights overhead, live holiday music, and the crisp cold air. Drinking the hot mulled wine really warms up the belly haha. We tried a couple of cups of it, walked around, enjoyed the music, and just soaked in that winter glow.
It even started to lightly snow! I’m from Minnesota where we usually have a snowy and white Christmas which is something I have missed since living in Valencia, Spain. You can imagine how Krawkow in December felt like a nostalgic treat to me.
After also passing by St. Mary’s Basilica, dinner was somewhere nearby. We indulged in authentic Polish food: borscht soup, perogies, and even hot beer! After a day of travel, warm full bellies and winter air, we ended the night early, and headed to watch the movie The Pianist at the hotel.
Day 2: Auschwitz Day Trip
Our full day in Krakow was reserved for Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is an important and emotional visit no matter the time of year, but especially impactful in cold December. We write more details about visiting in December in the post Visiting Auschwitz in Winter – What to Expect
Since the tour starts around 5:30 with the pick up van, we spent the entire day on the tour, taking in the enormity of the history, the silence, and the stories. The visit was heavy, meaningful, and emotionally exhausting. We were left without any energy or desire to do much else afterwards and certainly weren’t feeling in a jolly holiday spirit.
When we returned to Krakow in the early evening, we found dinner near the square, ate quietly, and called it a night. Krakow in December is festive, but there is also room for reflection when you need it. Even now, 2 years later, reading the detailed post that Roberto wrote makes me feel a wave of emotions as I remember our visit and the feelings I experienced while there.
Day 3: Schindler’s Factory, Wawel Castle, Departure
On our final morning, we visited Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum which is an immersive look at Krakow during World War II. In combination with Auschwitz the previous day, it helped us understand the city beyond the holiday glow in Old Town. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, as well as tours, from the official website here. We did not book a tour guide this time, and enjoyed the visit anyways.
The museum has some exhibits that explain Schindler’s role, but it is more centered on the city itself and its people. If you’ve heard about the museum but aren’t sure what it actually offers, here’s what to expect:
- Multimedia exhibits that walk you through the Nazi occupation of Krakow
- Reconstructions of streets, tram interiors, shop fronts, and wartime apartments
- Personal stories, letters, photos, testimonies in each room
The museum is very detailed and full of sounds, visuals, old newspapers, documents, propaganda posters, and reconstructed spaces. It’s not a quick visit. Most people spend 1.5–2 hours inside, and honestly, you could spend longer. If I recall, we were there for about 2 hours.
From the museum, we walked back toward the center and passed Wawel Castle. We didn’t have time for a visit, but it was uniquely beautiful even just from the outside. If you visit Krakow in December and have a few extra hours, many people say it is worth exploring.
A quick lunch, one last walk through the Christmas market, and we were on our way to our next Polish stop: Zakopane and the mountains!
If You Have More Time in Krakow
If you have extra days or simply want to pack more into your visit, here’s what we’d add:
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: A UNESCO-listed underground world just outside Kraków, famous for its vast chambers, salt sculptures, and breathtaking subterranean chapels carved entirely from rock salt.
- Wawel Castle interiors and the cathedral: The historic heart of Poland, where richly decorated royal chambers and the Wawel Cathedral tell centuries of Polish kings, and national identity.
- Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter): One of Kraków’s most atmospheric neighborhoods, where Jewish heritage blends with vibrant café and bars, striking street art, into historic streets.
- St. Mary’s Basilica: An iconic Gothic church overlooking the Main Market Square, renowned for its twin towers and the magnificent wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss.
- Vistula River winter walk: A peaceful stroll along Krakow’s main river, especially magical in winter, offering quiet paths, misty views, and scenic panoramas of Wawel Castle.
- Extra Christmas market food stops (trust us)
Krakow in December can be as busy or as relaxed as you like!
Final thoughts on visiting Krakow in December
Our visit to Krakow in December was a mix of festive cheer and solemnity. There was Christmas market and mulled wine one evening, and historic depth and remembrance the next. Even with only two full days, we felt like we experienced a meaningful slice of the city, from its iconic square to its darkest chapters. It’s a winter trip we’re grateful we took… short, impactful, and unforgettable. Absolutely recommended.