Best Christmas Markets in Poland (With 2023 Dates)
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Which Christmas markets in Poland are the best? When do Polish Christmas markets start?
Frankly speaking, November and December are not the nicest months in Poland. Most of the time, it’s gloomy, dull, and cold. In recent years, you even can’t count on snow during this time to make it prettier and lighter.
However, there is one thing that makes this time nicer. It’s the Christmas season. Candles, lights, and Christmas decorations. And Christmas markets. It usually starts in the middle or, most often, late November.
You can find Christmas markets across all of Europe and Poland is not an exception here. In fact, you can find great markets in a few Polish cities. Worth a city-break visit.
In this article, I will tell you where best Christmas markets are in Poland. And what are the dates for Poland’s Christmas markets for the season 2023/2024.
Quick links to organise your trip to Polish Christmas Markets:
Here for private transfers and guided tours.
And here to check bus schedules.
Best Christmas markets in Europe competition
Do you know there is a special competition that points out the best Christmas markets in Europe? I wrote more about it here. Check it out if you want to see which cities won in past years, which are new candidates, and how to vote.
However, I can tell you right away. Polish cities appear on the list yearly and quite often get high places. For example, last year (which means Best Market for 2023!) Gdańsk won the second place.
Christmas markets in Poland are becoming more and more popular, and they are organised in many cities, not just those most known. Read the chapters below to see information about markets in the most popular, major cities (which you probably have on your potential list to visit) and those less popular, small Christmas markets, too.
Christmas Markets in Poland: Wroclaw Christmas Market
Christmas Market in Wrocław is probably the most known and most established Christmas Market in Poland. Wrocław is generally worthwhile city to visit, with a beautiful old town square. You can organise your city-break to visit the city (as there is much more to do than Old Market Square) and participate in the market at the same time.
The Christmas Market takes place on Wroclaw’s Market Square, on Świdnicka Street and Oławska Street and on Plac Solny (Salt Square), so you can see it’s going to be big! You can find the exact map of the stalls on the market here. Apart from many stalls with food, drinks, and products to shop, there will also be attractions for children and different workshops. And, of course, beautiful decorations.
There are many accommodations options in Wrocław, also close to Old Market Square. Book accommodation here.
Wrocław Christmas Market, compared to past years, has changed dates by a week.
Wrocław Christmas Market dates in 2023: November 24th to January 7th, 2024
Krakow Christmas Market
Another famous market is Krakow’s Christmas Market. It was even mentioned and recommended in The Times. The market takes place on the Old Market Square, which is magical in Kraków. It looks a bit like from a fairy tale, so both market and winter scenery fit here perfectly. The same I can say about Wawel Castle, which is close to the Main Square (Rynek Glowny) and which you have to see when visiting Kraków.
On the market, there are many stalls with Polish and international food, a lot of handcrafted goods, and also artistic shows like Christmas carols concerts.
In Kraków, tourist infrastructure is very developed. Stay somewhere in the centre, close to the market. You can also stay in the Kazimierz neighbourhood, from which you can walk to the market in around 20-20 minutes.
Kraków Christmas Market dates in 2023: November 24th to January 1st, 2024
Christmas Markets in Poland: Christmas Market in Poznan
The city of Poznań has another quite known Christmas market, which also participated in the Best Christmas Markets competition. In past years, market has taken place on the Old Market Square. This year, because of endless reconstructions, it changed locations to Plac Wolności (Freedom Square) and Poznań Expo. Which maybe has a less fairytale feeling. From the other side, Expo is at the good location, as it’s close to the train station.
Nevertheless, the number of attractions will be large: over 70 stands, an ice rink, a Venetian carousel, etc. You can check the details here.
Poznań is a city close to my heart (I studied there). A little bit more information on what you can see in Poznań in addition to the market I described in this blog post.
Every year in Poznań, there is one more winter event, the Ice Festival, where you can see amazing ice sculptures. It will take place this year on December 8-10, 2023.
Check here for accommodation in Poznań.
Poznan Christmas Market dates in 2023:
Plac Wolności: November 17th to December 22nd, 2023
Poznań Expo: November 18th to January 7th, 2024
Christmas Market in Gdańsk
Do you want to combine a Christmas Market visit with seeing a beautiful city and walking at the beach? Visit Gdańsk Christmas Market!
Last year, it won second place as the Best European Christmas Market 2023. The market takes place in the city centre in a few locations; the main one is Targ Węglowy. It will have a lot of wooden stalls where you can find traditional Polish food, goods from international cuisine, and make Christmas shopping.
Every year, it also has additional attractions; usually the most popular one is Moose’s Corner with ‘talking moose’. You have to come and see😊
Gdańsk is a quite touristic city, so you will not have problems finding good accommodation. Of course, it would be most comfortable if you stayed around Old Town and the city centre. Check options here.
Gdansk Christmas Market dates in 2023: November 24th to December 23rd, 2023
Christmas Markets in Poland: Christmas Market in Bydgoszcz
Bydgoszcz lies exactly ‘between’ Poznań and Gdańsk, and it’s the 8th largest city in Poland. It used to have a nice, but small, Christmas Fair. Since around 2 years ago Christmas Market in Bydgoszcz has been getting bigger and more attractive. Absolutely worth a visit. There will be stalls on Old Market Square, Mostowa Street, and on the bridge. In past years, there were amazing decorations too.
More information and tips about visiting the city of Bydgoszcz you can read here.
Here you will find accommodation.
Bydgoszcz Christmas Market dates in 2023: November 18th to December 22nd, 2023
Warsaw Christmas Market
Obviously, I didn’t forget about the Polish capital, Warsaw, which obviously also has Christmas attractions.
Warsaw’s Christmas Market takes place in the Old Town, around the Barbican area, which is close to the Royal Castle. Next to Mermaid’s Monument (pomnik Syrenki), there will also be an ice rink. And a lot of Christmas trees and Christmas decorations.
When it comes to accommodation, there are many options and places. It would be best if you stayed somewhere around the city centre, which is quite big with different places. You can also stay close to the Old Town itself.
Warsaw Christmas Market dates in 2023: November 26th to January 6th, 2024
Christmas Markets in Poland: Christmas Markets Itinerary
If you have more time, you can make a circuit trip and visit a few cities and Christmas Markets in one go.
For example, you could start in Wrocław and finish your trip in Gdańsk (or in the opposite direction). Both cities have international airports with a lot of flights. Between cities, you can travel by the plane as well (look at Ryanair). But you can also take the train. In one go, it takes around 6 hours. However, I have even better idea for you! Make 2 stops on the way and see… 4 great cities and Christmas Markets.
From Wrocław, go to Poznań. There is a lot to see in Poznań itself, and Christmas Market is absolutely worth it too.
From Poznań, go to Bydgoszcz. The Christmas Market is getting bigger and more beautiful every year. The city is less known, but worth seeing as well.
From Bydgoszcz to Gdańsk. Gdańsk is amazing, and here you can walk on the beach as well😉
All of these cities are on the same train line, so you will not add to your journey any additional time. And it’s around 2 hours between the mentioned stops, with a lot of trains going daily.
Another idea is to combine Wrocław with Kraków (around 3 hours by train) or Kraków with Warsaw (around 2-3 hours by train).
You can also fly from Gdańsk to Kraków (or take a train, which takes you around 6 hours), although I honestly think it’s better to separate both destinations for different trips.
What else you could do is to visit Wrocław Christmas Market and combine it with Prague in the Czech Republic. Both cities are not that far from each other (around 4-5 hours).
Christmas Markets in Poland: Summary
In the article, I’ve mentioned the biggest, most known, and most beautiful Christmas markets in Poland.
But you are able to find even more markets, as many cities organise their own. There will be a Christmas market in Toruń, in Olsztyn, or in Szczecin.
Hopefully, this post has helped you plan your visit to enjoy Christmas Markets in Poland in 2023/2024.
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