It will be very cold. Be sure to have a long coat, gloves, scarf, and something to keep your ears warm for sure, because on New Years Eve you will most likely be at an outside event on a central square of some type. I think you will have a great time, I love how much the Europeans celebrate New Years Eve. It's a much bigger event there than it is in America.
New Year in Krakow is cool and fun. It takes place at the central Grand Square (Rynek Glowny). Sometimes even 100,000 people celebrate there. It is cold so i would recomand you to wear warm winter clothes. If you get really cold you could hide at some bar, restaurant or club situated around the Grand Square, but every place may be stuffed. It's a great experience and a chance to meet lots of people (not only Polish). Have fun and be safe ;)
I have been a few times to the main market square in Krakow for the fireworks, the place is packed. So I normally go there just for an hour 1130 to 1230 for example, massive fireworks display.
I don't know if you have ever seen Krakow in the winter Kilkline, but it is beautiful, they drape lights from the trees and in the middle of the night, during the week, when nobody is around, it is like a scene from the lion the witch and the wardrobe, with huge snow flakes dancing in the ever so slight breeze. Of course that won't be the case on NY but I thought it was worth a mention.
It depends on what you like, probably my most unforgettable new years in this country was in Zakopane, you can get a horse and cart, but instead of wheels they put on massive skiies so it is a horse and slay. The drivers put fire torches in the corners and away you go into the night.
I advise you to book in advance for dinner reservations.
when nobody is around, it is like a scene from the lion the witch and the wardrobe, with huge snow flakes dancing in the ever so slight breeze
That just reminds me of a time I was coming back from the pub and over the charles bridge towards the castle one winter I was in Prague....it was completely deserted and was snowing - it has to be one of those moments that when I think about it, it will always make me smile :)
Kilkline
I can recommend a great Italian restaurant on Grodzka, 1 min from the main square - the waiters are pretty fit so that sould be nice for the wife :))))
I've always wanted to do Zakopane for NY but we've all booked our hotels and stuff now so its too late for this year. The date is getting closer and my freinds are depending on me to choose somewhere good in Krakow. Tickets will probably be going on sale soon and I dont want to miss out on something good.
I can recommend a great Italian restaurant on Grodzka, 1 min from the main square - the waiters are pretty fit so that sould be nice for the wife :))))
Tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass. Very considerate of you though.
I celerated New Year in Krakow a couple of years ago. Mr LC and I went out to find some hip and cool parties. Instead, we ended up in a very quiet restaurant, went out and and stood with the crowds at midnight, and ended up having a few beers in Bull pub.
It was only when we got back to the Holiday Inn where (we were staying) that we discovered a pretty lively party happening... so we gatecrashed.
New Year in Krakow sounds idyllic. I am so jealous, back here in the UK it is almost a non event except for Scotland of course who celebrate their Hogmonay. Most of our young people just fall around the streets getting drunk and end up in hospital. We don't get much snow here either. Would just love to join in the fun in Krakow as it is a beautiful place to be in. Anyway never mind we will just sit at home here in the UK have a vodka or two and dream of Krakow (even the television programmes for this special night are crap). Anyway cheers to you all in Krakow hope the night is great and that the snow arrives to make a most beautiful scene.
Hi London Chick I am not harsh on the UK. If you lived in the same area as I do (Stoke on Trent) believe me the New Year is horrendous. I have family in the police force and they have an unbelievable job around Christmas and the New Year. It is safer to be off the streets around here, no kiddin. Anyway to everyone out there hope you all have a great Christmas and that the New Year is even better.I am not a kill joy I like a good party too.
Thanks for the support Hueg maybe this year will be different. We have recently returned from a long weekend in Krakow and the difference of there and our own city of Stoke on Trent puts this area to shame. There was no chewing gum, take a way cartons or dog mess on the streets - it really was clean and a most welcoming city - hm yes I would really love to spend the NY over there.
I spy some kind of Europe wide conspiracy. :) Having spent a part of my life living amongst the Vienese, returning to S-O-T was a difficult transition. :)
Thanks for the support Hueg
No problem. Nice to meet someone else from Staffordshire on these forums. :)
The sad thing is that here in the UK the drunken people take up the medical care of our NHS and ambulance service, the people who are genuinely ill cannot get the treatment that they need and have to wait in corridors on a trolley before they can get a proper bed in the hospital. Maybe times will change but I am not too hopeful and am always glad when the New Year has come and gone. I think really it is not just a problem over the Christmas Season it is now becoming normal to get "legless" on our streets particularly in the larger city areas, I just hope that somehow every one can have a great time and that our medical resources are not too stretched - I would love to be in Krakow as I have said before I think it is a beautiful city, I also love Gdansk, having family in that area I have been able to visit and can only say what a warm welcome I and my family have always had and I would love to see the snow and the lights of your Cristmas Season. Maybe one day who knows. Till then All the Best to everyone for Christmas and the New Year, hope its a good one.
Hi to everyone out there who will be celebrating the New Year in some way. Hope you have a great time, for me it will be a quiet time by the tv I think, we had some unpleasant characters about and a poor old soul up our road had his home broken into and he was assaulted all this for some greedy ba....ds to get their drug money. Anyway enough doom and gloom.
Have a great evening of celebrations and hope the hang overs are not too bad.
All the best for a fantastic 2009 from here in the UK to everyone over their in Poland and of course our UK writers too.
Has anyone got any photo's of the celebrations in Krakow, would love to see some.
Is that the one with the dummy waiters outside, opposite the Irish pub, what is the name of this restaurant. I have been there loads of times, please let me know the name.
