Kraków Christmas Markets

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet your friendly tour manager and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Head out into the city this evening to explore your surroundings and wander through the central square, beautifully illuminated after nightfall. Sample some traditional cuisine and enjoy a drink in one of the many restaurants, bars and music clubs tucked away down its cellars and narrow alleyways.  As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight. Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.

Day 2

Discover this seat of Polish kings on today's walking tour. The mesmerising medieval heart of the city is the stunning Rynek Główny – Europe's largest square – lined with boutiques and cafés. Browse the wooden stalls of the Christmas market that surrounds the vast Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), itself a covered market, and see the traditional custom of Christmas crib-building at the Mariacki Church and Wawel Castle – two stunning examples of the city's Gothic architecture. This afternoon you're free to relax, perhaps extending your exploration of Kraków to the Kazimierz district, the historic centre of Jewish culture down the centuries, located south of Wawel Hill. Alternatively, you might choose to simply find a peaceful café in which to sit and watch the world go by. This evening, there is the chance to enjoy a traditional folklore show and dinner in a local restaurant on our optional tour.

Day 3

Today you're free to discover more of the city's sights, and to revisit the markets. Alternatively, join our optional half-day excursion to UNESCO-listed Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the buildings of the camp are left as they were discovered in 1945.

Day 4

Transfer back to Kraków Airport for your return flight home. Back to top

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time to Kraków centre is 45 minutes from Kraków Airport, and 1 hour 30 minutes from Katowice Airport.

European closing times

Shops in Europe will generally close from early afternoon on Christmas Eve until 27th December. Included tours and excursions have been chosen for their scenic or historic value.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Luggage allowance

As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight. Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in late 2023 or 2024, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com. Back to top