Kiedyś nie lubiłam zimy, ale postanowiłam, że skoro nie mogę jej unikać w nieskończoność, to znajdę sobie takie aktywności, które zimę w mieście uprzyjemnią, uprzytulnią i uczynią lepszą. Mam nadzieję, że wy też znajdziecie tu inspiracje, jak spędzić przyjemny zimowy weekend w Krakowie.
Winter in Kraków is a time when the city transforms. While summer festivals give way to cooler, longer evenings, Kraków still buzzes with life. Winter attractions in Kraków let you enjoy its unique atmosphere, even beyond the festive season.
From outdoor ice rinks to warming drinks in cozy cafes, to evenings filled with concerts and theater performances—winter in Kraków is also the perfect time to explore its restaurants and museums, which add a touch of warmth and charm to the season.
Here are a few inspirations for how to spend winter days in Kraków.
Kraków boasts the largest open-air ice rink in Poland! The rink features one large surface and an amazing long ice alley where you can feel like you’re in a movie, gliding between trees. Skates can be rented on-site. The rink is open from December 10 to March 3. For more information, opening hours, and ticket prices, check out the ICE PARK website.
One of my favorite cozy cafes for a frosty day. This small venue is tucked away in an old corner tenement house in Zaułek Niewiernego Tomasza, just around the corner from Kraków’s Main Square. The warmth of candles, charming retro decor, wooden furniture, and mementos create a space so relaxing and cozy that you won’t want to leave.
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Winter attractions in Kraków aren’t limited to the Christmas market! Performances, concerts, and hundreds of cultural events keep the city alive, even in the heart of winter, pulsating with artistic energy and a unique atmosphere. While summer fills the city with open-air festivals, in winter, all that magical energy moves indoors to theaters, concert halls, museums, and independent cinemas.
I personally love visiting the Słowacki and Stary theaters, but I also recommend checking out Bagatela, STU, Barakah, and Ludowy theaters. Many winter performances and concerts also take place at the Philharmonic, ICE Kraków, and Tauron Arena.
A classic spot on Kraków’s map. Since the Faculty of Polish Studies is just around the corner, I used to visit daily during my university years. Today, this place fills me with pleasant, nostalgic feelings. This cozy, atmospheric café always smells of homemade soup of the day. Be sure to stop by for their famous hot chocolate!
Zakochałam się w tym roku w witrażach, nie tylko tych Wyspiańskiego, ale także tych ukrytych w krakowskich kamienicach (w Muzeum możecie za parę złotych kupić mapkę, która poprowadzi was trasą najpiękniejszych witraży w centrum Krakowa). Pracownia i Muzeum Witrażu to najpiękniejsze i najbardziej wyjątkowe muzem w Krakowie. To przede wszystkim wciąż działająca pracownia witrażu (założona w 1902 roku!), w której można podejrzeć, jak powstają przepiękne i nierzadko ogromne ozdobne szkła, a nawet wziąć udział w warsztatach i stworzyć swój własny witraż w miejscu, w którym tworzyli je między innymi Józef Mehoffer czy Stefan Matejko. Poza tym Galeria Młodopolskich Mistrzów Witrażu to jedyne miejsce w Polsce, gdzie można podziwiać witrażowe dzieła czterech wybitnych artystów początku XX wieku: Wyspiańskiego, Mehoffera, Jastrzębowskiego i Stefana Matejki (bratanka Jana). Ciekawostka: jednym z założycieli pracowni był Stanisław Gabriel Żeleński, brat pisarza Tadeusza Boya Żeleńskiego.
Reservations are required in advance, and entry to the workshop is only possible with a guided tour (available in Polish or English).
This year, for the first time, I also saw the stunning Art Nouveau stained glass window Let There Be Light by Wyspiański, located in Kraków’s Franciscan Church. Stań się projektu Wyspiańskiego, który znajduje się w krakowskim kościele franciszkanów.
The best soup in town! The French restaurant Zakładka has maintained its high standard for many years. In the summer, it’s worth sitting at one of the outdoor tables, but in winter, warm yourself up with their hot caramelized onion soup topped with melted, gooey cheese on a baguette crouton. The interior is cozy and unpretentious, exuding the charm of a French bistro with character.
As someone who belongs to the small group of people who don’t like red wine or cinnamon, the mulled wines served at the Christmas market aren’t for me (though this winter, one stall offered white mulled wine). However, I discovered that at Dzikie Wino (a spot I highly recommend for social gatherings both in winter and summer) on Kraków’s Main Square, they serve not only red mulled wine but also white! It’s delicious and perfect for anyone who enjoys lighter flavors without the intense cinnamon and clove aromas. Plus, it’s lovely to take a moment to hide away in the old, atmospheric courtyard and escape the noise and hustle of Kraków’s busy market square.
Kraków offers a variety of interesting workshops, from the mentioned Stained Glass Museum, where you can learn the art of stained glass and create your first masterpiece, to culinary classes, ceramics, handicrafts, and floristry. Last winter, I attended a pasta masterclass workshop where I made delicious ravioli and spent a delightful January evening. I wholeheartedly recommend such activities for winter and as a way to kick off the new year.
For the brave souls who aren’t deterred by frost and wind biting at your cheeks, I recommend a walk along the Vistula River. The snow-covered boulevards look stunning, and in the quiet winter afternoons, the area is usually deserted, making it perfect if you’re seeking peace and quiet. For those less adventurous and fond of the classics, I suggest a stroll around Kraków’s Main Square, adorned with a beautiful Christmas tree and festive decorations. Snow-covered Kraków also looks magical on the Błonia Meadows, Planty Park, and around the city’s Mounds.
