Discover Kraków: Europe’s Most Affordable Christmas Market Destination

Published on November 24, 2025

Among the most magical places to experience Christmas Markets is Europe, with their cobbled roads and the flickering of Christmas lights, to the smell of the sweet mulled wine they serve at the markets. Mulled wine at the Christmas markets is a well-loved tradition, and they are also a great way to warm up on a chilly winter day. Everywhere in Europe is accessible via direct flights from the UK with prices starting from just £20. This sweet little medieval town with snow-capped medieval buildings is one of the most affordable Christmas market destinations.

Getting to Krakow is very simple. There are direct flights from major UK airports, including London Stansted, London Luton and Manchester. You can find affordable flights with return flights at 20£. After landing in Krakow traversing and exploring the city and its multiple Christmas markets is very simple and you can find public transport and walking tours to help you with all the walking.

Discovering the Christmas Market in Krakow  

This market is one of the top Christmas Markets in Europe which is held in the Rynek Głowny main square in the center of Krakow which hosts amazing buildings of medieval architecture set in a warm and dynamic festive atmosphere and also hosts a traditional Christmas Market of Poland where people can buy decorations and gifts of all kind and delicious Christmas market food and warm chestnuts.  

This market is amazing because it is the only one mixing traditional holiday Polish culture with a friendly vibe that people of all walks of life can enjoy. Large amounts of people can spend the day looking for amazing deals in festive warm market stalls of various folk centers artisanal folk centers for traditional Polish folk. People can also sample food like pierogi which is a classic Polish dumpling soft whiskey lentils or oscype which is a smoked Polish cheese and grzane wine which is a warm spiced wine. The market is also very famous for its arts and crafts especially in vibrant and traditional folk Polish.

Kraków Holiday Decorations and Lights

Along with the Christmas market, Kraków is also well-known for its spectacular holiday decorations and lights. Main streets and squares become a winter wonderland. The city is full of festive decorations and lights, especially on the historic Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. The holiday lights also sparkle from the Wawel Castle. All of the holiday lights give the city an essence of Christmas and hold a magical atmosphere. Many tourists come to view and photograph the holiday displays to receive the full Polish Christmas experience.

Kraków’s History While Visiting the Christmas Market

Although the Christmas Market is a reason many travelers visit Kraków, it is not the only attraction to enjoy during a winter getaway. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts an outstanding combination of medieval, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture. Visitors take pleasure in the friendly cobbled streets which feature historic buildings, cafes, and shops. Guests can also take a peaceful walk through Planty to enjoy the outdoors surrounding the Old Town. Guests also have the opportunity to visit Wawel Castle and St. Mary’s Basilica, both of which are well-known and loved landmarks.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum are both a short distance from Krakow as well. Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the places in Poland where the Nazis committed the most terrible atrocities of the Holocaust in World War II. The other memorial, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well and contains a huge underground sculpture collection made from salt, as well as tunnels and chambers. We can spend a couple of hours here.

The whole Salt Mine complex will take much longer than that, but we always need space for other things in the itinerary as well, so we don’t feel too tired. After spending our time in the Salt Mine, we will hop on a bus to Krakow, where we will spend the night. Krakow is known for the large amount of cool places to spend the night and sleep, ranging from expensive capital city hotels, to cheap places like Hostels and Guesthouses on the edge of the city.

And just as we will sleep in Krakow, we will experience the Christmas Market. The Christmas Market is a well known attraction, but there’s also a large amount of sleeping places for tourists in Krakow. Then we will also have the chance of sleeping in a special Guesthouse or for the option of a cool little Boutique Hotel to have a Polish experience in. These hotels and Guesthouses often have Polish decorations so people can experience Krakow’s culture.

Taking Day Trips Away From Kraków

Kraków gives visitors the ability to take day trips to nearby attractions. Guided tours to Zakopane, a mountain village in the Tatra Mountains, are a perfect day trip. The Tatra Mountains are perfect for winter sports, hiking, or just enjoying the amazing views. Another day trip from Kraków is Wieliczka Salt Mine, a museum with beautiful underground chambers, tunnels, and sculptures. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an old salt mine and is one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world.  

Eco-Friendly Tourism In Kraków & The Christmas Spirit

Kraków embraces sustainable tourism. During the Christmas market, the city tries to positively impact the environment and use eco-friendly practices. Kraków uses sustainable decorations, energy-saving lights, and offers local cuisine. Those in the city during holiday celebrations are encouraged to visit the Christmas market. Local artisans and businesses are supported during that time and the economy is sustained.

Conclusion  

If you have not already experienced the splendor and the charm of the Christmas markets in Krakow, Poland, you absolutely must. Christmas markets, charm, rich history and festivities all in one place and all at a price that is easy to manage for a quick winter getaway. And it is well connected to the UK with flight prices that have been seen for 20 pounds. Among all the sights to see in the fairytale city, dont forget the Christmas market. It is the perfect destination to take a break before Christmas.