Christmas Markets in Poland & Germany

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Krakow

   Krakow may not be the largest city in Poland, but it is by far the most popular with travelers. Less industrial than Warsaw, Krakow was once Poland’s royal capital, and unlike the rest of the country, came out of World War II with its gorgeous architecture mostly unscathed. One glance at the city’s perfectly preserved and restored Old Town and it will be abundantly clear why Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This compact historical district houses the largest square in Europe, where you can stroll, shop from the market, and sample some tasty Polish delicacies. Krakow’s cultural life is rich and there are more than enough classical and jazz concerts to attend during your stay. Just walk through Old Town any evening and you’ll find warmly lit cafes, restaurants and bars. Some of the most prominent sites in and around the city are linked with the grim, albeit highly important historical facts, as evidenced by the memorials in the Jewish Kazimierz district and the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby - chilling and vivid reminders of World War II. You can also explore Poland’s natural wonders from Krakow, with visits to the atmospheric Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Tatra Mountains all comfortable day trips.

   Upon your arrival to Kraków Airport, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals and will take you to your accommodation in Krakow. The journey should take about 30 minutes.

   

   Ride a Horse-Drawn Carriage

   Feel like a nineteenth-century aristocrat and take your place in one of the city's elegant horse-drawn carriages, to see the city from a new perspective! You can approach the drivers waiting at the Market Square and ask for routes and rates. The most popular route will take you to Wawel Hill, returning you to the Market Square after half an hour, but you can extend the ride to include the Kazimierz district. Don't forget to ask the driver for a picture!

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Krakow

   

   Krakow Christmas Market and Flavors Private Tour

   This is something that Cracovians have been waiting for all year - the annual Christmas market! It is the perfect place to try festive dishes and look for traditional, handmade gifts, but it’s more beyond being just a place where you can do some shopping. It's also a magical area where you feel that time stands still while you explore. Walk with local families among the colourful wooden stalls, admiring all the beautiful baubles and chains and enjoying the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Wieliczka Salt Mine Group Tour

   This Salt Mine is one of the oldest in the world and was established in the 13th century. Today salt is no longer mined in Wieliczka, but this original underground complex is preserved in a great condition, making it a world-class monument. This astonishing place was recognised in the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List due to its breathtaking underground chambers carved entirely in salt. Wieliczka Salt Mine tours rank among the most popular day trips from Krakow and draws attention of over one million visitors each year.
   

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   Watch the video

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Krakow

   

   Glass Workshop Visit with Private Transportation

   Visit factory of one of the largest glass ornaments producers in Europe located just outside of Krakow, where you are going to see and learn about the process of creating unique glass ornaments. During this program you will see and learn about the different steps (glass blowing, silvering,

   matte, decoration and packing) involved in producing the handmade ornaments. Later in the tour, you will have the opportunity to be a painting decorator yourself as you are going to paint one of the baubles yourself. An excellent opportunity to make some Christmas decoration for your loved ones.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 4 Hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Ice Skating in the City of Kings

   Wintertime Krakow offers several spots for enjoying ice skating. The most convenient location is just outside the Galeria Krakowska mall, next to the main train station, a short walk north of the Old Town. You can skate along to Christmas classics, get something warm to eat or drink at the wooden booths nearby, or naturally go shopping in the mall itself.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Wroclaw by Train / Arrival in Wroclaw

   You'll be heading to Wroclaw today. There are frequent trains between Krakow and Wroclaw, one every two hours or so. We will provide second class train tickets with seat reservations based on your preferred departure time. An upgrade to higher class is possible at an extra fee. We will also arrange for a transfer from your accommodation to the train station. The journey takes about 3 hours.

   
   

   If you'd like to take your time while enjoying more privacy, we can also organize a private transfer.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Wroclaw by Private Transfer w a Stop and Tour in Auschwitz

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Wroclaw is a city of colorful culture and a variety of influences in the architecture and cuisine. After all, Wroclaw has gone under five different names, which attests to the volatility of its history. Almost completely destroyed during World War II, the city today is a vibrant place where Gothic churches meet picturesque waterways, and a dozen islands host verdant riverside parks that are perfect for strolling. The Old Town has been perfectly restored and the city square is the second largest such square in Europe, just behind Krakow’s. From nightlife to historical explorations, there’s an abundance of ways to enjoy Wroclaw. The compact historical center can be explored on foot, and there are many fascinating buildings here to appreciate, as well as an abundance of restaurants, bars and cafes. You wil find live concerts and events happening here night and day. Whether you’re looking to enjoy high culture, relax with a cup of coffee, or enjoy fine dining and drinks, you’ve come to right place. Wroclaw is unique in its blend of historic interest and modern culture. You also won’t want to miss Cathedral Island, one of Wroclaw’s most unique features.

   A driver will greet you when you arrive at Wroclaw's train station and take you to your accommodations.

   

   Spend an Afternoon at the Medieval Market Square

   Impressively restored, Wroclaw's market square is a thriving social hub, much the same way it was when it was founded in the 13th century. One of the largest such squares in Europe, it's surrounded by magnificent medieval architecture. Be sure to visit the town hall at its center, a unique Gothic building open to visitors. This city center also makes for an ideal place for a welcoming drink. We recommend trying the Pod Papugami restaurant, where you can get great cocktails alongside delicious dishes, in order to best sit back and soak in the city's atmosphere.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Wroclaw

   

   Christmas Market and Conspirators Private Tour

   How does it sound to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Wroclaw Christmas Market and taste some famous Polish specialities while also exploring one of the city's most important, hidden, historical locations? During this special tour, your informative and friendly guide will reveal to you the history of the city and show you the aforementioned places. 

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

   Mulled wine, sweets and festive handicrafts - Christmas markets are a must stop for every lover of "the most wonderful time of the year". On the Marquet Square, and "Plac Solny," you can find local crafts and gastronomy from around the world.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

6. Day 6 Traveling to Dresden by Private Transfer / Arrival in Dresden

   A lovely and comfortable drive awaits you today. A private driver will pick you up in Wroclaw and bring you to your accommodations in Dresden. The drive should take about three hours.

   Dresden has had one of the most volatile histories of any city in Europe, being almost totally reduced to rubble in World War II. The city today is a unique combination of remembered and honored history and a vibrant, entertaining present. There are several historical buildings throughout the city that attest to the destruction here, but Dresden has rejuvenated itself since World War II, and today is one of Germany’s most tourist-friendly cities, with an enchanting energy and entertainment all year round. Famous for its Christmas markets, Dresden also has plenty to offer in the warmer months, from museums and memorials, to intriguing new architecture, pleasant parks, and nearby destinations for day trips. History comes alive everywhere you look in Dresden, and we highly recommend taking a closer look at the city’s museums and the traces of the past in the architecture. The city also has a rich cultural program, with numerous galleries and concert taking place quite regularly. You can certainly sample hearty German cuisine here, as well as more modern Continental flavours. You’ll love exploring this lovely city and the surrounding region.

   Welcome to Dresden! Your private driver will bring you directly to your accommodation in the center of Dresden.

   

   Germany's Christmas Hometown

   Dresden is the home to many of Germany’s Christmas traditions, and its oldest Christmas market: the Striezelmarkt. Here, you can find traditional wooden Christmas crafts. Be sure to visit the Christmas Arch, with its candles and ornate figurines representing the decorations placed on mine entrances. If you are into music, enjoy an evening in the Baroque ambience of the impressive Marble Hall in the Zwinger. During a festive Christmas concert, listen to the Dresden Residenz Orchestra play music by Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart. See our blog for plenty more details.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Dresden

   

   Dresden Private Christmas Tour

   Christmas season is without a question one of the best times to visit Dresden! Over the years the city became more and more prominent and popular tourist destination mostly due to its charming Old Town, which, during the winter, gains completely new, romantic allure, offering for the travellers possibility to browse through the Striezelmarkt - considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world, and much more. Feel the cozy atmosphere, while enjoying a Stollen cake and a pot of hot spiced wine.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 2 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Take a Museum Day

   Despite, or because of, Dresden's almost complete destruction during World War II, this city takes history seriously. The best museums in Dresden rank among the finest in Germany. The capital of Saxony offers such a diversity in this regard, that you can see everything from history, world art, and technology, to science and contemporary art, and more. You can read all about our favorites in this article on our blog.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Traveling to Berlin by Train / Arrival in Berlin

   

   Discover the capital city, Berlin. Regular train connections between Dresden and Berlin mean you can choose your departure time and the journey takes around two hours. A transfer from your accommodation to the train station will be taken care of so, all you need to do is unwind and watch the German countryside speeding by. Your package includes Second Class tickets with seat reservations, upgrades to First Class are available for an additional fee.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Berlin by Private Transfer with a Moritzburg Palace Stop

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   A vibrant cosmopolitan city that’s rich in history and contemporary culture, Berlin is constantly evolving. From the ruins of World War II to the Cold War division of the Berlin wall, Berlin has always managed to rebuild. Germany's largest city, this sprawling (by European standards) metropolis has excellent public transportation, from subways to an official rowboat ferry. You’ll find a little of everything here, from history to high gastronomy, art museums to palaces, and plenty of lively bars and nightclubs. The nightlife here is world-class, but there’s more than enough to see during the day. Berlin is made up of distinctive neighborhoods, each with a different character. We recommend several ways of exploring the city, from a Cold War walking tour to a bike tour to see all the must-see sights in a simple and easy way. An exploration of the long and volatile history of Jewish culture in the city is eye-opening as Jewish life in Berlin has been meticulously documented. Many of the city’s art and culture museums offer unforgettable glimpses into history. Potsdam offers the perfect diversion for an afternoon, and Sanssouci Palace, with its well-tended gardens, is a beautiful reminder of the city’s impressive past. The past comes alive in Berlin, but the present is very much alive as well.

   When you arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof you will easily find the station’s taxi rank signposted. We haven’t included a transfer here because in our experience meet & greet transfer services in Berlin are overpriced, unreliable and the driver can be hard to locate in the vast station. Berlin’s taxis are honest, reasonably priced and you’ll have no problem finding one at the station’s taxi rank, so you’ll save both time and money by taking one to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   Enjoy a Cup of Hot Chocolate

   Indulging in a delightful cup of hot chocolate is unbeatable on a chilly winter's day, and the finest option awaits at Rausch Schokoladenhaus on Gendarmenmarkt. The showcase area is a treat in itself, featuring chocolate volcanoes, a chocolate Brandenburg Gate, and even a colossal Airbus suspended from the ceiling (originally created for the grand opening of Berlin's new airport).

   Upstairs in the café, savor a steaming hot chocolate or explore the tempting array of mini delicacies. Just a short stroll away, Ritter Sport's flagship store, the Bunte SchokoWelt ("Colorful ChocoWorld"), awaits discovery. Perfect for families, you can immerse yourself in a chocolate workshop and craft your own version of the company's vibrant candy cubes.
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Your First Full Day in Berlin

   

   Private Christmas Markets Tour

   Berlin's Christmas Markets are a delightful way to spend an evening, with their mulled wine, and endless stalls featuring handmade crafts and artisanal goodies, like candles, festive decorations, wood carvings, and more. Perhaps even more tempting than the shopping is all of the delightful food, such as fragrant roasted chestnuts, savory sausages, delectable chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and hot drinks. Let's not forget Feuerzangenbowle, a photogenic sight in which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set aflame, directly above a bowl of mulled wine (the name translates to "fire tongs bowl"). Get into the holiday spirit while discovering Berlin Christmas markets with your local guide!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Winter in the City

   Ice skating is great fun for kids and adults alike. You will find an open-air ice rink, which is surrounded by enchanting Christmas light installations at the Christmas Garden, Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz, and between a Ferris wheel and Neptune Fountain at the Christmas market just west of Alexanderplatz. Take in the Christmas lights and other decorations with a stroll down Under den Linden or Kurfurstendamm (better known as Ku'damm). Sitting comfortably in a vintage theatre, watching silent films with live orchestra music, is just the perfect way of escaping the cold. Babylon Berlin (Kino Babylon) opens daily and still uses a preserved cinema organ. There, you can catch free silent films at midnight on Saturdays.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    A driver will pick you up at your Berlin accommodation and drop you off at Brandenburg Airport for your departing flight.