Visiting Krakow in December, what do you think?

Hello everybody :)

I'm a French student, currently living in Nottingham, UK and I've planned to visit Krakow with a friend from December 12th to 17th.

We already booked our tickets a few days ago, but today I've met a Polish student who told me that December was absolutely not a good period to visit Krakow since it's very cold and rainy and that we won't be able to get the wonderful atmosphere there is at summer time, for example.

Do you agree with her?
It will be our first time in Poland and we are expecting a lot from that journey because Krakow seems such an interesting city.
But when the Polish student talked about it, it sounded like it was really not worth visiting during winter...which seems a bit weird but I don't know...

Could you please give me your opinion on that?
Thanks :)

Cold weather has its charms..

:)

December can be cold and wet. What else would you expect in winter? Dress warmly and make the best of it.

It depends on what you like.
What is it that you are interested in seeing in Krakow?
It is cold, so dress warm and it can rain but not like it does in the UK, much less.
Krakow is a great city and you will have a great time provided you dress in good warm clothes.
There is no such thing as "bad weather", just the "wrong clothes" :)

Thank you very much for your replies :)

Scottie, I know what weather to expect in December, it's just the way the Polish student recommended me not to go during that specific period of the year that made me doubt.

Sean, you are right, I just need to take the right clothes!

We have planned to do all the unmissible visits, just like tourists since we will only spend 4 full days there (but we don't know exactly what, right now).

And if it's raining less than in the UK, that's perfect, after 3 months in Nottingham, I might really enjoy Polish weather ;)

I would rather prefer to go to Cracow in January - more probable winter will set in for good meaning rather frost with some snow and far less moisture - perhaps New Year is a thing to try in Cracow but I am pretty sure it's gonna be expensive though you probably won't be able to book for it already

Yes, I would prefer too. Unfortunately I have exams in January and for Christmas I'll be back in France.

So it was the only possible moment when I could go there.
I've already booked the tickets (really cheap!) but I wanted to make sure it was not a mistake.

have a nice trip then :)

I only the Cracow marvels in summer so can't say it's equally charming in December

It is not a mistake but it is unfortunate you could not see it at mid winter or summer.


I would say it is equally charming in the snow, so December is not ideal but Krakow is still a great place.

Ain't that the truth! Anyway, weather is a state of mind. If you think it's bad, it is. If you think it's good, it is. Forget about the weather and just go to Krakow.

Of course! And if Krakow is as amazing as it is supposed to be, weather won't change anything :)

Hey Marion, remember me? The French guy who can speak French... ;)

A friend of mine spent a week there, in Krakow, in February, and she loved it. She went there with her boyfriend and they had a very nice time (St Valentine).

There was snow everywhere but it participated to the charm of the place.

I've been there a few times too. Both in winter and summer, and i really liked it ;)

Hey Polson!

Of course I remember you :)
It's good to have a French point of you!
There might not be snow in December yet but if you liked the city in summer and winter as well, then I should not worry :)

Why would you worry anyway? ;)
It's a nice place, day and night.
Plus, their football team is unbeatable this season ;) lol

Yeah, I just want this trip to be perfect :)
But I already know it will, we are talking about Krakow, I don't think I could be disappointed!

You're going there with a friend, cool, you won't be all alone, lost in Krakow ;)
You will be there just before Christmas, i can just imagine how nice it will be, at night, with all the lights... ;)

I think that it is a good time to visit, during the winter that is.

You don't have the crowds of tourists, you can visit Zakopane if you have time, some christmas Carols in the square maybe, a little Christmas atmosphere.

Less tourists would be the big advantage.

Just be careful you don't get stranded at the airport by the weather.

Thanks for the advice :)

Yeah I was thinking there would probably be that Christmas atmosphere you're both talking about! That's actually a very good point :)

I visited my girlfriend in Poland last winter and we had an amazing time in Krakow. It wasn't very crowded which made it all the more pleasant strolling through the main square, or the old streets near Wawel Castle. I recommend the annual nativity festival... it's way cooler than it sounds. Local artisans make miniature Krakows out of cardboard and foil and have them on display in a gallery near the main square. It's also a competition that they judge and from the pictures I've seem it's a really festive outdoor occasion. (I was there in February so I only saw the exhibition)

Hey cmndrlg!
The nativity festival sounds really cool :D, we'll certainly go and see it!
If you have other recommendations of that kind, I would be very glad to read it.
Thanks :)

Dec 14, 09, 20:41 - Thread attached on merging:
KRAKOW AT CHRISTMAS

Dzień dobry

I am going on a tour to Kraków over the Christmas period. Is there any advice anyone can give regarding clothing, customs, etc?

Bardzo dziękuję

Kasia

It's going to be fairly cold (probably around freezing)



don't say thank you when paying for your meal at the restaurant otherwise the waiter/waitress will keep the change (no matter how much it is!)

Yesterday they said it's gonna be -20 celsius degrees in the night in few days. It's still a lot of time until Christmas so a lot might change.. you should wait until few days before going and check the forecasts. If it's gonna be under -10 it's good to have some tights ready to put under trousers. What customs are asking about precisely? Visting a polish household ? Christmas eve? Or just sauntering and commuting through Krakow?

Dzień dobry

Thank you for all your replies. I'm going as a tourist with a travel company (BA strike permitting). I have been told some things about Christmas in Poland by my Polish teacher, Magda, who gets very sentimental about it and am hoping the "buffet" on Christmas Eve at my hotel will be the 12 dishes. We are going to Zakopane on Christmas Day and I am hoping to visit the concentration camp. I am taking a lot of very warm clothes, apres-ski boots, etc. We are also going to a concert.

By the way, I knew about not saying "dziękuję" at a restaurant unless I wanted them to keep the change!

Do widzenia

KASIA