I actually wanted to visit Warsaw this year. They were amazing! It also included coffee, tea, juice and more. The lows drop to much below freezing, averaging -3°C (about 27°F), chilly but typical for this part of Poland and Eastern Europe. Also Krakow’s Christmas markets were so lovely! You will need to get an international driver’s license though! **Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. In terms of daylight, this day is 8 hours, 19 minutes shorter than on June Solstice. I miss so much the Christmas Markets right now and it’s so cool that you are going on a Christmas trip every year. Concerts. All of your information on Auschwitz really struck a chord with me and I would be interested in visiting for myself. If you have the time during your December trip in Krakow, definitely visit the Oskar Schindler Factory. In addition, I had the Polish version of mulled wine with it all (called Grzaniec Galicyjski). You will love it. Overall, Auschwitz is a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. Krakow has been high on my list for a while! Krakow truly is a magical place during Christmas! Such a detailed and insightful guide! Rynek Glowny dates back to the 13th Century and offers a stunning location for the Christmas markets. If you travel to Krakow, you definitely should not miss out on visiting Auschwitz! I have found out recently that my ancestors come from Poland so I would really like to visit it. Thanks for sharing! There seems to be a lot to do at Christmastime too. Click here to book your tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau today. It was the largest extermination center of European Jews. I definitely want to go back and see more cities in Poland. When packing for a trip to this city in southern Poland, include warm clothes that let you dress in layers and boots suitable for walking around in the snow. Kraków (/ ˈ k r æ k aʊ,-k oʊ /, also US: / ˈ k r eɪ k-, ˈ k r ɑː k aʊ /, UK: / ˈ k r æ k ɒ f /, Polish: ()), written in English as Krakow and traditionally known as Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland.Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Province, the city dates back to the 7th century. In most locations north of Equator, the shortest day of the year is around this … . There was also one person from the countries of Argentina, China, Bulgaria and Estonia. It sounds like it’s great to visit in December! Yes, Krakow’s Christmas markets truly are magical! I’ve always wanted to visit Poland, and of course visiting the concentration camps is a very sad must to ensure that we honour those whose lives were brutally cut short, and so that we do not repeat that brutality again. I feel like everyone should see Auschwitz to remind us of what humans are capable of so we don’t repeat it. I definitely want to see more of Poland in the future. Throughout the years, the royal residence on Wawel Hill expanded with the cathedral to comprise the Upper Castle, while the Lower Castle held the houses of the courtiers and clergy. Report inappropriate content It was also home to the Wiślanie tribe who occupied Małopolska (Little Poland) until the 10th Century. Thanks so much or your help! Krakow Weather in December. We´ve only been to Gdansk and the coast in Poland but absolutely loved it so I can´t wait to visit again some day. It was my first time ever visiting the country of Poland and personally, I wish I would’ve spent at least 3 days in Krakow because I definitely feel like I didn’t get enough time there. Also yes, Auschwitz is definitely an eye opening and educational experience. The traditional chimney cake is covered in cinnamon, but you could get it with different sugary toppings such as sprinkles, nuts, cocoa or fruity powder and other crunchy toppings. Auschwitz-Birkenau is a very dark and sad place and it is asked that all visitors to the museum behave with solemnity and respect. Unemployment was extremely high and there was severe poverty in Germany. I visited Warsaw last winter and this post just reminded me of that trip. This looks like a winter wonderland! Krakow looks like an amazing time. The city's Main Market Square has been the site of a trading market for hundreds of years and is the center of holiday festivities, and Poland's most famous Christmas market is set up here every December. Traditionally, Krakow’s Christmas market was set up so that locals could buy their Christmas trees, decorations and ingredients for the 12 dishes that are served on Christmas Eve. Yes, it sure was beautiful! I guess this is a sill question, but I'm travelling to Krakow in December 8th ..... will it almost definitely be snowing???? Meads (honey wine) is also popular in this region of the world as well! I’ve wanted to visit Krakow for so long. Are there other organised trips that can be recommended ? When it comes to drinks, obviously Grzaniec Galicyjski is the most popular beverage, but hot beer is also a popular staple at the Krakow Christmas markets. Krakow events in December 2021. Because it was early December, the sun had already gone down, so I was able to see everything lit up. )Also, are buses plentiful to… Thank you so much Terry! I love this! My personal experience at Auschwitz-Birkenau will be something I remember for the remainder of my life. 3.30 pm). The aromas of Polish seasonal foods wafts from snack stalls and huge Christmas tree lends a stately elegance to the square, glowing with lights after daylight fades. !Can’t wait to get back our there to see European Christmas markets, Thank you Helena! Below are the top things I did during my time in Krakow, Poland during my December 2019 Christmas market trip. Due to the limited bathroom usage and spoiled food, prisoners were getting extremely sick and had zero privacy to do their business. What is great about doing an organized tour is that you are provided with transportation to and from Auschwitz. What is nice about the city of Krakow is that Uber is everywhere! Kerry Kubilius is a freelance writer who specializes in Eastern European history, culture, current events, language, and travel. From 06/12/2020 to 12/12/2020 31% Bad 0% 70% 28% n/a 62% 56%; From 13/12/2020 to 19/12/2020 29% Bad 0% 62% 28% n/a 62% 56%; From 20/12/2020 to 26/12/2020 28% Bad 0% 60% 26% n/a 60% 54%; From 27/12/2020 to 02/01/2021 30% Bad 0% 64% 30% n/a 62% 56%; From 03/01/2021 to 09/01/2021 29% Bad 0% 62% 28% n/a 60% 56%; … . They all are truly magical! It really is so magical Lisa! You can also book your trip for late November or early December if you want to avoid the inflated cost of holiday travel; however, in recent years, rates on airfare and accommodations have stayed pretty level throughout the last part of the year. Old Town Krakow takes on a special ambiance during the Christmas season. I’m really interested in visiting Krakow and Auschwitz is somewhere we all need to see to make sure something like that never happens again. It’s really cool that you typically travel every December too. On a lighter note, Krakow looks absolutely magical in December! Other Polish treats to try are gingerbread cookies, cream fudge, Polish cookies, Christmas-themed candies, Polish jelly donuts, chocolate-covered fruit and just chocolate alone. Thank you Ellis and yes, it is so magical! Be sure to book your itinerary well in advance so you can shop around for the best price—especially if you're traveling toward the end of the month. Even though I wasn’t in Krakow long enough to enjoy a lot of local restaurants, the couple that I did go to were authentic and didn’t disappoint. I agree that it’s important that people visit Auschwitz when they travel to Krakow because it is very educational as sad as it is. I am definitely using this as inspiration for my Christmas market trip. , This is amazing Taylor! Your guide is useful for those who want to visit this place at Christmas. What a great guide; Krakow looks so beautiful! At the beginning of the 1920s, the Nazi Party in Germany came to rise through public dissatisfaction with the outcome of World War I. European city breaks in Krakow … Oscypek is a smoked cheese made from sheep milk by the inhabitants of the Tatra mountains located in the south of Poland. Krakow (also spelled Cracow) is a beautiful city located in the south of Poland and it is one of the most magical places to visit in December. Chimney cakes, or otherwise known as Kürtoskalács (in Polish or Hungarian) is the official dessert of Transylvania, but they are also popular in Central or Eastern Europe. Krakow weather in December is very chilly with a cold breeze in the air. Another top thing to do during a trip to Krakow in December is wander through the Jewish Quarter, called Kazimierz. One thing to note about visiting the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp is that it attracts millions of visitors worldwide, so it is best to get your tickets in advance. Looks like a wonderful place to be around Christmas time. , Such a wonderful post! Built in the 14th Century, the church serves as one of the best examples of Polish Gothic architecture and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beast in Black. A piece of advice I would like to give everyone is to visit Wawel Hill earlier in the day. Plus, you don’t have to wait on long lines and you get assigned a specific tour guide. Prisoners were only allowed to use the bathrooms twice a day. Krakow is absolutely magical during Christmastime and I agree that it’s so important to visit Auschwitz during a trip there because it is very educational. If prisoners weren’t obeying the rules, doing unsatisfactory work, smoking, relieving oneself at the improper time, wearing non-regulation clothing or attempting to commit suicide, it resulted in either punishment, torture or execution. What is great about Krakow is that it mixes modern with historical Poland. Living in Canada this year I definitely miss the European Christmas markets! Eventually, when King Władysław I reunited Poland, he made Krakow the capital. Oświęcim became Auschwitz after the Nazis took over and the neighboring town of Brzezinka became Birkenau. The style of the cathedral features Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and it is absolutely beautiful! Now I’m hungry! ... also what is the weather like? Thanks! . Nowadays, you could find local crafts, jewelry, clothing, home décor, pottery, Christmas decorations and more! There are a variety of city tours that you could participate in Krakow during a December Christmas trip to learn more about its history. . Like you, if I ever visit Krakow, I know I would have to visit the concentration camp. I also would love to see more cities in Poland, so it gives me a reason to go back soon. The concentration camp is definitely a must visit but it was very difficult for me to see it. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, I hope you get to go in the near future. Come to see how Kraków celebrates Easter—some of the local traditions date back to the 16th century. I enjoyed a creamy caramel treat and it melted in my mouth! Getting to Krakow, Poland required a flight from JFK in New York City to John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport with a layover in Oslo, Norway. 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I’ve always wanted to visit Poland and definitely want to experience it at Christmastime. What's The Weather Like In Krakow In December. Your description of Auschwitz was an eye opener for me. Visiting Auschwitz was very eye opening and disturbing, but educational. I mean it is a part of history we need to never forget to ensure nothing like it can happen again. Getting to Auschwitz is around an hour and 15-minute drive west from Krakow. I really want to visit Krakow! *Anything could happen during your travels. . During the summer months, they have outdoor seating! It sure is a beautiful country. Or else you’re a great photographer! December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 4:59 pm in Kraków. They could even be filled with Nutella, white or dark chocolate, caramel, fruity jams, ice cream and more. Some great places to check out in this area of the city is The Old Synagogue, Jewish Galicia Museum, Museum of Municipal Engineering and Ghetto Heroes Square. 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