Nestled in southern Poland, this city offers a perfect blend of cultural heritage and modern allure, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a winter escape.

While many Britons flock to Krakow in the summer, when temperatures average 24C, December is also an opportune time to explore the Polish destination.

Krakow’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, transforms into a magical landscape when blanketed by snow. The iconic Rynek Glowny is Europe’s largest medieval market square and is the heart of the city’s winter festivities.

Moreover, it’s easy to explore on foot—Hoppa ranked fourth among Europe’s top five most walkable cities in 2024.

Boasting a compact layout, visitors can amble between Krakow’s top five sites in just over an hour, spanning a mere 3.6 miles.

The city’s core, the former Polish capital, exudes medieval charm complemented by the Jewish Quarter and one of the continent’s loveliest market squares. A walking tour’s ideal kickoff point is this pedestrian haven where cafés abound, although visitors should beware of the square’s premium prices.

One solo traveller remarked on Tripadvisor that those who prefer to self-guide will find Krakow easy to navigate. Mike from Wolverhampton branded the Rynek Glowny central square “architectural and culturally spectacular”.

He wrote: “What can we one say but, “Wow!” And wow, it was. Words cannot express how beautiful and articulately perfect Krakow is. Caters for everyone’s needs regardless if you are travelling and visiting solo, a couple, with friends or families has everything anyone could ask for.

“The moment you walk into the square, your jaw drops with how spectacular it all looks, with bars and restaurants full, tours and groups of people taking in the splendour that Krakow has to offer.”

Another visitor who recently returned from a trip to the city claimed that the main square is “breathtakingly beautiful” and added: “Every time I come to Kraków, I am taken aback by how beautiful the Old Town Square is. It never gets old standing in the square looking at the church.”

Krakow’s architectural gems, including St Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Castle, are within strolling distance from Rynek Glowny. Wawel Castle, a top Polish draw, invites visitors to its museum and Royal chambers.

As for the city’s Christmas offering, the winter fair is impossible to miss if you’re in the city centre. Stalls sell gifts, from handcrafted toys and festive decorations to traditional Polish clothes and jewellery.

However, the smell of delicious food at the market attracts the crowds. An array of meats, cheeses (including the famous oscypek), and Polish dumplings is a feast for the eyes.

There are also stalls from different countries offering traditional food. And you can’t overlook the giant barrels with warming hot wine called “grzaniec galicyjski”.

Getting to Krakow from the UK is incredibly easy, with direct flights available from Belfast, Bournemouth, London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow and Bristol. According to Skyscanner, the cheapest return flights in December are from Belfast and Bournemouth (£43 per person). Flights from London Luton and Gatwick to Krakow (KRK) start at £48.

A mere 15 kilometres from the city centre, John Paul II International Airport has excellent transport links into Krakow. 

The Airport Taxi runs a flat rate with set prices, so you always know what you’ll pay upfront. It is 15km from the city and costs 89zł (roughly 20 euros). Mastercard, Visa, and American Express are all accepted. However, booking a private taxi or using Uber may be cheaper.

Alternatively, you can take the train directly to the city centre (Krakow Glowny) for 17zł (just under four euros). You can purchase tickets using the machine to the left of the currency exchange in the arrivals hall at the airport.

As for where to stay in the city, Hotel Saski is renowned for its architecture and history as a former concert hall that hosted Mozart. You can also browse Booking.com’s top-rated hotels in Krakow.