Great — you’re coming to Krakow for two days at Christmas! It’s a magical time, but many places change opening hours and the market draws crowds. Key steps before you travel: book tickets online where possible; check museums’ and churches’ opening hours for the exact day; reserve tables at restaurants if you want to dine at a specific place. That way you minimize the risk of standing in queues and getting disappointed.
If you arrive on December 24–26, remember that many museums and some attractions may be closed or have reduced hours — it’s worth checking ahead. Plan flexibly: have a “plan B” in case a place is closed or a queue is long.
In this article I’ll give you a concrete, friendly 2-day plan plus practical tricks — when and where to go, what to avoid and how to save time when sightseeing and visiting the market.
- I don’t refer here to other guides or commercial offers — I focus on practical tips for visitors.
- If you want, I can later fine-tune the plan for specific dates (e.g. exact times, restaurant reservations).
Start early — the best way to beat queues is to be among the first at popular spots. In the morning the Main Square and its surroundings are the quietest, so use that time for a walk through the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and the Old Town’s streets.
If you plan to enter Wawel (state rooms or the cathedral) — buy tickets in advance and choose a specific entry time. Timed-entry tickets save you from standing in line at the ticket offices. If you don’t have time for interiors, consider walking around the hill and the gardens — the view and atmosphere are worth it, and queues are often much smaller.
Churches (for example St. Mary’s Basilica) often have limited visiting hours during the holidays and during services — if you want to see Veit Stoss’s altar without unnecessary crowds, come before opening or choose a time between services. Remember that on holidays some days are treated like Sundays and visiting hours may be moved to the afternoon.
If you want to avoid queues to viewing towers or mounds, check which entrances are paid and whether you can buy tickets online; often less crowded options are slightly outside the strict city centre.
- Quick reminder: many museums have free or special days, but those entries usually have to be collected on site and create queues — if your priority is avoiding lines, it’s better to pay for a timed ticket.
The Christmas Market on the Main Square attracts crowds in the evening — if you want the lights and concerts, go after dark, but expect more people. To avoid food stall queues, come earlier — early afternoon or before 5:00 PM is usually calmer than later evening hours.
If there’s a particular stall selling crafts or regional specialties that matters to you, visit the market outside the weekend or on an opening day (usually at the start of the season) when crowds are smaller. Alternatively, check smaller holiday markets, for example near shopping centres or at Plac Wolnica in Kazimierz — they are more intimate.
Book dinner in advance — popular restaurants fill up quickly during the holiday period. If you don’t have a reservation, consider less obvious locations — Kazimierz, Podgórze, or streets a few blocks from the Main Square often have free tables and shorter waits.
- An evening walk along the Planty or the Vistula after dark is a great way to relax after a busy day and to avoid the biggest crowds in the Main Square.
- Small rule of thumb: if you see a very long queue at a food stall, often tourists are standing there because they didn’t plan and now wait. Choose stalls with shorter lines — there’s a lot of variety and the taste is often similar.
On the second day go a bit further from the Main Square — Kazimierz offers a festive atmosphere but without the crowds you find at the Square. Cafés, galleries and smaller markets here are often quieter — ideal if you want a local feel.
It’s worth visiting places off the beaten path too: the Schindler Factory (check tickets in advance), the Museum of Nowa Huta, Kościuszko Mound or a walk along the Vistula. These places rarely create long lines and offer a lot of satisfaction.
If you plan museum interiors on the second day, opt for the morning opening hours — usually there are fewer people then than at midday. Keep in mind that some museums are closed on December 25 and January 1, and on December 26 some branches may operate different hours.
- If you have to choose between a very busy museum and a smaller museum with a similar educational value, pick the smaller one to save time.
- In the holiday season also consider visiting the cathedral and smaller churches outside the strict centre where crowds are usually lower.
If you want to bring souvenirs, don’t leave shopping to the last minute. Morning or early afternoon are hours when shops on the edges of the centre are less crowded. Choose craft shops outside the Main Square — prices are often better and queues shorter.
In the afternoon you can plan shorter attractions that give a lot of experience without long waits — a viewpoint, a short Vistula boat ride (if available in winter) or a visit to a café with a view. This is a good way to ‘complete’ your trip without standing in long lines for exhibitions.
- Always have a backup plan — a list of 2–3 alternative places to visit in case of closures or long queues.
- If you go to a popular place that offers timed tickets, buy online and arrive on time. It’s the most reliable way to avoid standing in line.
- Check visiting rules for holiday days ahead of time — opening hours may differ from usual.
Buy timed tickets where possible — this lets you skip the ticket office queue and enter directly at the scheduled time.
Arrive or head out for a walk before attractions open — 30–60 minutes earlier is often enough to be ahead of the bigger wave of tourists.
Pick days and times outside peak hours: early mornings and late mornings on weekdays are quiet; evenings (if you want the market atmosphere) will be crowded. If you can, plan visits to main attractions at the earliest available slot.
Use smaller markets and local stalls outside the Main Square — they are cozier, have shorter queues and often more interesting handicrafts.
Reserve tables at restaurants in advance — during the holiday season this is standard, especially if your time is limited.
Check public transport timetables for holidays — some lines run less frequently or are suspended in the morning; this affects travel plans and can cause extra queues at stops.
- Be flexible and have a plan B — if the queue to a museum is too long, visit a neighbouring exhibition or take a walk nearby and return later.
- Remember about ATMs and cashless payments — during the holidays the queue to a single till can be long, while online payments are often faster.
Winter in Krakow can be cold and windy — a warm waterproof coat, comfortable shoes with a good sole and layered clothing are essential. That way short waits in queues won’t be uncomfortable.
Bring a thermos or travel mug — on long walks a hot tea or mulled wine really improves comfort. A small kit with basics (tissues, power bank, small first aid items) is handy during short waits and plan changes.
If you go to the market in the evening, remember gloves and a hat — standing at a food stall you’ll be taking photos and sampling treats in the cold.
- Secure electronic tickets on your phone and take screenshots — sometimes connectivity is weak and a screenshot helps you show your entry faster.
- In crowds carry a small backpack instead of a shoulder bag — it’s easier to manoeuvre and your belongings are safer.
During the holiday season crowds are normal — be cautious about pickpockets, keep documents and wallet in a safe place and never leave belongings unattended.
Be polite to locals and museum staff — during holidays the staff are often tired from increased tourist traffic. A smile and patience often make things easier.
Avoid blocking passages on the Main Square and at attraction entrances — when you take a photo, step quickly to the side so you don’t create a bottleneck.
- If you travel with children, agree on a meeting point in case you get separated in the crowd.
- Use official tourist information points if you have doubts about hours and availability.
- Buy tickets online where possible and note entry times.
- Check current opening hours of museums, churches and markets for your chosen holiday days.
- Reserve a table at restaurants, especially for evenings.
- Check public transport timetables for holidays and plan alternative routes.
- Prepare warm clothes and comfortable shoes; carry a power bank and a printed copy or screenshot of tickets.
- Have a plan B in case an attraction is closed or queues are long.
Krakow at Christmas is beautiful — twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine and local handicrafts create a unique atmosphere. A little planning and a few simple tricks are enough to make your time here pleasant rather than stressful.
Don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path — often the most interesting discoveries are found in side streets, small cafés and lesser-known museums.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a personalised plan for the exact dates of your stay — I’ll take opening hours, reservations and your preferences into account. Have a great trip and a wonderful, peaceful holiday in Krakow!
- Best regards, Małgorzata Kasprowicz - zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
- If you want, I can add a list of tried-and-tested cafés and restaurants that are less crowded during the holidays.
