'I went to one of Europe's best value Christmas markets - it didn't disappoint'
Krakow is already a firm favourite with Brits looking for a budget-friendly city break full of fun things to do, culture and a great nightlife - but in winter, it takes on a whole new charm.
I headed to the Polish city for a long weekend, using its famous Christmas markets as an excuse to do some exploring.
Booked with easyJet Holidays we stayed at the five-star Hotel Saski, which is located just a minute's walk away from the markets, not to mention it's a short journey to the city's historic monuments. The hotel itself boasts a rich 200-year history, and has just undergone a renovation that includes its 117 rooms decked out in intriguing, subtle nods to the city’s musical ties such as sleek trombone shaped bedside lights and a mini fridge designed to replicate an old school radio.
Krakow’s Christmas markets are branded some of the best value in Europe, which I found was certainly the case. When it came to food, street vendors piled plates of pierogies high with lashings of toppings, and I was impressed by the large variety of novel mulled wine flavours on offer (honey, raspberry and even hot chocolate!) not to mention the stream of tempting handmade gifts and trinkets that won't break the bank.
Krakow's Old Town is beautiful - leave time on the itinerary to wonder around (Getty Images)Surrounded by ancient buildings and quaint churches, the city is the perfect place to get yourself in the festive mood while wrapped up warm as you scope out the sights.
All the places you can fly to for less than a tenner including Italy and Spain
There's more good news too as you don't need to stretch the Christmas budget to enjoy this quaint historic city’s treasures.
For food, Sukiennice is based less than a minute’s walk away from the market stalls and serves up traditional Polish dishes with a view of the Town Hall Tower. Most of the main dishes come in at around £5-£12 each, making it a very tempting option for a budget but delicious meal.
The food in Krakow did not disappointI had the herring, which was gorgeous, tender and fell apart instantly, along with creamy potato salad and the traditional Polish pierogies, which came with a slight textured crisp on the outside. Portions are generous; schnitzels bigger than my head were served up, while the steins of beer left me gobsmacked at their sheer size.
If you fancy something a little more formal, The Garden Restaurant is also just a short walk away from the main action. We had a go at the 11-course menu with everything from beetroot jelly and wasabi sorbet to a light and fluffy potato foam. The courses are frequently changed to keep the menu fresh and visitors’ opinions are welcomed and taken into consideration when deciding what to include in the next rotation.
After a big meal, a stroll around the city is a must for digesting - not to mention Krakow comes alive with bustling bars and restaurants, as well as the twinkling festive lights that added a magical feel to the whole atmosphere.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine was absolutely incredibleTucked away through the back of an unsuspecting, downtrodden corridor behind a restaurant sits Mercy Brown, a hidden burlesque gem with moody lighting and a backing track of sexy jazz tunes. For a quiet, classy evening with juicy, punchy cocktails, this is certainly the perfect place to start your night.
If you’re still full of energy and fancy a late night activity, TasteVodka is an intimate and interactive vodka tasting session guaranteed to spice up your night. This is also a crash course Poland's deep rooted links to vodka, which offers seven vastly different samples along with Polish snacks and a super friendly guide who ensures the entire group is always having fun with regular quizzes and questions.
For a daytime excursion, just a 30 minute journey away from the main square is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a jaw-dropping 135 metres under the ground and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Used to produce table salt in the 13th century, nowadays the UNESCO World Heritage is a hugely popular attraction (so make sure you pre-book). Walking down the winding steps and hearing the wind whistling round your ears is a wildly surreal experience as visitors are faced with impressive, gigantic salt carvings depicting legends and stories of times gone by.
Book the holiday
Book a city break to Krakow with easyJet holidays. Book two nights at the 5* Hotel Saski Krakow Curio by Hilton on a Room-Only basis for £247 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, transfers and flights from London Gatwick Airport on 30 January 2024.
Experiences including TasteVodka and the excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mine can be booked through Musement.
EasyJet currently has a huge sale with up to £200 off Spain holidays
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