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Whilst those of us from Albion might pride ourselves on our fine fish and chips, our real ale and our increasingly promising cricket team, there's no doubt that when it comes to Christmas, the Central Europeans have the upper hand. Of course, access to vast quantities of snow gives our Slavonic cousins something of an advantage here, but it's not just the white stuff that gives them the edge. Take a look at the architecture for example. Our fine Western cities may be grand and elegant, but Slavonic fantasy lends that crucial ingredient when it comes to Christmas - magic.
In this light, winter wayfarers will be pleased to hear that Cracow is already preparing for her Christmas shenanigans. As always, one of the key attractions will be the Christmas Market itself, which takes up the better part of the Rynek (known in English as the Market Square).
The Market traditionally opens in the beginning of December and lasts even a little into January, though undoubtedly it's at its most festive in the week or so before Christmas. For this year's exact dates, check at the bottom of the page...
Amongst the best-loved features of the market are the giant wooden barrels (you feel that Obelix would have enjoyed throwing these at red-faced Roman legionaries). Inside these intriguing objects you can buy yourself a delicious mulled wine (Grzaniec Galicyjski). With the temperatures decidedly chilly to say the least, you could hardly find a more congenial potion to ward off the cold. Stalls selling sausages and the distinctive fried oscypek cheese (a tasty highland variety that's well worth investigating) provide other inviting gastronomic distractions.
But enough about food and drink. As indeed, the main point is to be looking for presents for nearest and dearest (or at least that's everyone's excuse for consuming heinous quantities of mulled wine). Amongst the wooden stalls you'll find all kinds of trinkets, from woolen slippers from the Highlands to amber jewellery from the Baltic. There's a fair amount of tacky stuff, but it would be a little unnerving if every last jot was an authentic Hansel and Gretel confection.
Another famous Cracovian Christmas tradition is Szopki, or Christmas Cribs. These are not actually cribs, but large iridescent constructions of card and coloured foil. They look like something out of a Slavonic fairy tale. Traditionally, the szopki are placed under the Mickiewicz statue (he of the anniversary) on the morning of the first Thursday of December.
Krakow Christmas Markets 2007
As usual finding out the exact date that the Christmas Market traders set up their stalls is a feat of Herculean proportions... Luckily the supersleuths in the Cracow Life office have done the hard work for you and can reveal that this year the markets open on the 28th November 2007 and close on the 26th December 2007. That's the word from the organisers of the markets themselves; however this being Krakow Poland, don't put your last groszy on it.
If you're keen to experience the magic of a Polish Christmas then step right up for some very special Christmas Packages. What could be more romantic than your very own cosy apartment in the snow-covered Old Town? Our friends at Krakow Apartments have some amazing deals this time of year and you'll certainly have plenty of zloty left over for shopping in the Christmas Market!
If however apartments aren't your thing then you can find here a good choice of Krakow hotels, plus Krakow Tours will also be offering sleigh rides during the festive season!
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 | | "Hi. We are travelling to Krakow on December 24th but now hear that most of the restaurants will be closed that evening? Can anybody recommend where there may be some life over the Christmas period in the city. We like to eat and drink over Christmas! Many thanks. " | David
United Kingdom
Dec.12.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "TOO much happening in the square in the summer......I only wish we had visited in December. Cracow is amazing, we loved it" | Scott
United States
Dec.12.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "My husband and I were awfully disappointed last year, when we came to Crakow on Dec.27th, and did not find the christmas-market anymore, no hot wine at Diogenes barrel! The first Christmas we came here, the market lasted all during the vaccation, at least until Jan.5th, although there was the rock concert on new year´s eve. It was a marvellous feeling to cross the market everyday and to finisch all events with hot wine from "Diogenes"" | Christa Exner
Austria
Dec.09.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "To Nod
The novotel centrum is in the same building as the ibis centrum[ibis is cheaper]and is close to the castle 5-10 mins by foot and the main square is a 15min wander.took gramps and he`s aged 75 and had no probs.hope this helps.ps your just by the river." | mr xmas
United Kingdom
Dec.07.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi was at the market 4th to 6th dec 2007.Krakow is fantastic and i`m looking forward to my next visit which will be the fourth.Pity the market was a little disapointing just didnt do it for me.You could walk it in minutes and things were pricey.But hey its krakow and the place and people more than make up for it.More happening in the square in the summer.Dont listen to me just go and find out for yourself and enjoy.
" | joe
United Kingdom
Dec.07.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Is there anyone that can give me the exact date when the xmas market finishes. There seems to be so many different dates knocking around. Thank-you." | Andy
United Kingdom
Nov.30.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Thankyou very much, Ania. Your information is appreciated.
" | Nod
United Kingdom
Nov.30.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "The market is definitely up and running, I went shopping there myself yesterday. This year, it's on the other side of the Rynek from where it normally is. Now it's on the same side as the statue of Adam and Empik." | Ania
Poland
Nov.30.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "The market is being set up now, I v heard about it on the radio. I think this webpage shows my beloved Poland in bad light. Cracow is a city of culture not of cheap bars and strippers. " | Nicole
Poland
Nov.29.2007
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "I thought the Christmas market was in the main square, and have been watching the webcam of Rynek Glowny...which shows no stalls at all ! Since I hope to visit next week, exactly where is the Christmas market???" | Nod
United Kingdom
Nov.29.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Krakow's Christmas Market is now open for business.The stalls opened yesterday - 28th November 2007. Yohoho!" | Father Christmas
United Kingdom
Nov.29.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Has anyone stayed in the ascot hotel krakow would like to know any comments" | Celia
Ireland
Nov.26.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "cracows xmas market is fantastic, to do lots of food , who would think you would eat outside in -10 but you will.loads of things to buy,and the big kegs of hot wine and the smells around the square you will always remember got say again it is fantastic...... " | dave
United Kingdom
Nov.25.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Am planning on a trip to Cracow for xmas market and was going to stay at Novotel Krakow Centrum, anyone know if its within reasonable walking distance of the market square?" | Kevin
United Kingdom
Nov.20.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I read that the xmas market starts on 23rd November is this correct??" | janet
United Kingdom
Nov.16.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Just read Rita's question re the weather, just to let you know that according to the BBC it will be snowing in Krakow all week next week. Ive been looking at the webcam of Rynek Glowny every day so I will be checking out for snow. Having said that we were there last year about now and it had snowed before we arrived and got milder when we were there! So fingers crossed as I love the snow although as long as i can walk in it !!" | Andie
United Kingdom
Nov.10.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "This will be the 3rd time Ive been to Krakow and it is such an amazing place. We arrive on 28th November. I have never been to the xmas market before but we found everything so cheap even when visiting the main tourist attractions so you will have lots of choice re buying for xmas. Im hoping the market is the same but if not we will go to the Mall again where I bought some amazing jewellery for great prices. Hope you have a nice time! Andrea :)" | Andie
United Kingdom
Nov.10.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hi! I am going to Krakow on 30th Nov. Could anybody tell me what items are best value at the christmas market? I am hoping to get all my christmas presents while there. Thanks" | WENDY
United Kingdom
Nov.06.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "We went to Krakow last year for the market primarily on the weekend of 5th Dec and the weather was decidedly warm. We had our lunch outside in the market just wearing jumpers, we had to take our warm jackets off it was so warm. We had looked forward to some crisp cold weather, it was not to be. A brilliant weekend that aside. Recommend it. I'm going back again" | Lost
United Kingdom
Oct.28.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Is there anyone we can contact. Like Bjorn, I've booked to go on the weekend of the 24/25 to coincide with my 1st Wedding Anniversary thinking the market was on (christmasmarkets.com!!!!) so I'm going to be a bit disappointed if is isn't" | Craig
United Kingdom
Oct.24.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "A question please. We are visiting Krakow in mid December and looking forward to the Christmas market in the market square. Would you know if I can buy beads (for necklace/earing making)
either at the markets or at traditional shops? Many Thanks" | Teresa Rose
United Kingdom
Oct.20.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Hi Bjorn. Well the word right from the organisers' mouth was 28th November, but we wouldn't be surprised if they open tomorrow... anything is possible in Krakow! Hopefully for your sake the 23rd is accurate, but only time will tell. You can call the Artim company on +48 (12) 4216712 and they should have the latest developments. Wesolych Swiat! " | Cracow Life team
Poland
Oct.12.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "yeah, cold." | D
United Kingdom
Oct.12.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Could you tell me what the temperature would be in Krakow in the first week of December." | JULIE
United States
Oct.10.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "So what about this information: http://www.christmasmarkets.com/enhanced.asp?ID=99
A special sight for Christmas markets say that the Krakow one starts on the 23 of November. I hope that this is the right information as I arrive on the 23..." | Björn
Sweden
Oct.10.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "My husband and I are visiting Krakow on 7th.December 2007 can anyone tell us what weather to expect and if we are likely to get snow.We are looking forwaqrd to visiting the Christmas market can anyone give us an idea of what to expect" | Rita
United Kingdom
Sep.18.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "going on the 1st as the site say that it starts then, i hope so will be disappointed if not ~~ also hope it snows too :)" | l jones
United Kingdom
Sep.15.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "we are arriving in Krakow on 2 december for a 4 day visit and really hoping the market will be starting the" |
United Kingdom
Sep.08.2007
rates this page 3/5
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| | "We've previously been around the 7th of December for 2 years running. The Christmas Markets are fantastic, but be warned about how cold it can get!! Make sure you try to hot grilled cheese that is sold there in combination with the mulled wine!! " | Vanessa
United Kingdom
Aug.19.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Please advise for 2007 the christmas market starts on the 1st of december which is a saturday
is it worth coming over for this weekend , would all the stands be present then , or should one wait till the next weekend" | Eileen
United Kingdom
Jul.20.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "The official start date of the market is extremely important to know, particularly for travelers who have limited time. I am told this may not be announced until November. That may be too late for people who travel from other countries and would need to make their plans in advance." | Eileen Smith
United States
Jun.05.2007
rates this page 2/5 |
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