There’s nothing like a trip to an authentic Polish Christmas Market to bring on the festive mood and there are several to choose from – each offering traditional hospitality and plenty of seasonal cheer to get the season off to a magical start.
Visitors can begin the day in the crisp winter sunshine wandering traditional markets, reliving childhood memories of fairground rides, handmade toys and yuletide treats, while the air fills with the aroma of gingerbread, roast chestnuts and mulled wine.
Wander through the pretty streets of cities such as Wroclaw, Krakow and Gdansk, to experience the Christmas spirit, pick up a hand-decorated bauble to put on the tree at home and perhaps steal a kiss under the mistletoe.
As the sun fades, the magic really starts to come alive. Lights sparkle on Christmas trees and market stalls, while snug bars beckon for happy visitors in search of a hot chocolate or a wine or spirit to toast the season.
Here are three of the best Polish Christmas Markets…
Wroclaw
For those who like to get in the festive spirit extra early, Wroclaw’s magical Christmas market runs from November 18th right up until New Year’s Eve 2022.
Within the four main areas of Wroclaw’s Christmas Market – The Market Square, Salt Square (Plac Solny), Świdnicka Street and Oławska Street – visitors will find traditional stalls, tempting festive treats, a fairytale forest with gnomes and other creatures, as well as Christmas rides and parades.
Not to be missed is Wroclaw’s famous Oscypek – a traditional tasty smoked cheese treat you won't find anywhere else.
Krakow
The famous city of Krakow goes all-out to put on a great show at Christmas Market time – not surprising, then, that it attracts people from all over Poland as well as from overseas.
Whether it’s a bit of shopping for mementos around the brightly lit stalls, a skate around the ice rink or a wander around the nearby galleries and candlelit churches, there’s plenty to do.
Visitors can enjoy a cup of mulled wine, mouth-watering gingerbread, hot kielbasa (sausage) and other festive food and drink.
Krakow also hosts an annual nativity scene competition, where people create colourful artwork of the city’s architecture in a breath-taking display of Christmas spirit that are showcased in the shops and squares around the city.
This year’s Krakow Christmas Market runs from November 25th 2022 – January 1st 2023.
Gdansk
Historic Gdansk becomes a real winter wonderland at Christmas time.
Visitors can enjoy an elf parade, a talking moose, the Snow Queen and her singing carollers as well as a Christmas fairground rides such as a traditional Polish carousel.
The Gdansk Christmas market runs from November 20th – December 24th 2022.
