How to get to the fairs by train | PolishTrains

• Christmas markets: the 5 largest markets operate in Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Warsaw and Katowice.

• Locations: Kraków - Rynek Główny, Wrocław - Rynek and Plac Solny, Gdańsk - Plac Węglowy, Warsaw - Międzymurze Piotra Biegańskiego, Katowice - Rynek.

• Walk from the station: you can walk to the market - approximately 15 minutes in Gdańsk, approximately 13 minutes in Katowice, approximately 20 minutes in Wrocław, approximately 15-20 minutes in Kraków, approximately 20-25 minutes in Warsaw.

• Rail tickets: you can buy domestic tickets on PolishTrains up to 30 days before travelling; in December, seats sell out more quickly.

• Admission: entry to the market area is free, while only additional attractions and food stalls are usually paid for. ### At a glance

• Poland's largest Christmas markets are in Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Warsaw and Katowice
• Krakow Glowny station is approximately 15 minutes on foot from the Main Market Square
• Gdansk Christmas Market stalls are around 15 minutes' walk from Gdansk Glowny station
• Markets are quietest on weekdays and early afternoons - weekends and pre-Christmas days are most crowded
• Each Polish Christmas market has its own unique character, so visiting several is well worthwhile
• Book train tickets early, especially for Friday and Saturday travel, as seats sell out quickly

Christmas markets - a great idea for a winter trip

You don't have to travel far to feel the festive atmosphere, as Christmas markets have become a permanent feature of many Polish cities and towns, and their offer is not inferior to that from across our western border. It is a great idea for a short weekend getaway combined with sightseeing or other winter attractions, such as the ever-popular Garden of Lights.

Whichever location you choose, be sure to try mulled wine or mead in a variety of flavours at the fair and enjoy local (and slightly more exotic!) dishes and Christmas snacks.

It is also a great opportunity to stock up on beautiful and original gifts for your loved ones. There are many local businesses and craftspeople exhibiting at the markets, where you can find real gems and support small entrepreneurs at the same time.

Above all, take a long walk, because there you will feel the real magic of Christmas like nowhere else. Don't forget warm hats and gloves!

Where to go for a Christmas market?

Many towns and cities treat Christmas markets as an important part of their tourist offer, so every year they outdo each other with new ideas and additional attractions prepared with adults and children in mind. And most importantly for Christmas enthusiasts - each of the Polish markets has its own unique character and leitmotifs, differentiating it from others. As a result, you will not get bored of travelling to visit Christmas markets any time soon!

Where in Poland should you go to visit a Christmas market? We have prepared a short guide to the largest cities in various parts of the country, where fabulous attractions await you. You can get to all of them by train by buying a ticket on polishtrains.eu. Don't forget to book your train tickets and accommodation in advance, because during this period, places sell out in a flash!

Christmas market in Cracow

**where: Market Square

until when: 1 January 2023**

The uniqueness of the Cracow Christmas Market is primarily determined by its location in the very centre of the Main Square. Surrounded by the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall and St. Mary's Basilica, the fair is a picturesque sight as if from a Christmas postcard. This year, in addition to domestic vendors, merchants from Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary will be presenting their products. But there is more to the shopping and catering stalls, as the city has also prepared a rich programme of accompanying events. Competitions, concerts or performances by Polish and foreign folk ensembles await you daily on the nearby stage. When visiting the fair, be sure to look out for the traditional Cracovian Christmas Cribs presented in a post-competition exhibition in various corners of the Old Town. The tradition of making Cracovian Christmas cribs was the first Polish entry on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity and is an important element of the city's festive landscape.

Christmas market in Wrocław

**where: Market Square and Plac Solny

until when: 31 December 2022**

This is probably the most fabulous fair in Poland! In addition to dozens of market stalls, Wrocław's market square also boasts beautiful wooden chalets, a Christmas Windmill, Fairy Tale Forest, where fairy tales are read to children, as well as the "Rudolf and Friends" carousel.

On Salt Square, meanwhile, you'll find a three-level fairy tale house with an observation deck, from where you can admire the Fair's panorama illuminated by a million lights. When in Wrocław, make sure to try the mulled wine in two variants: white and red (plum, cherry, berry). And don't forget the regional and foreign Christmas delicacies.

Wrocław is famous for its dwarves (you will find as many as 382 of them on the streets of the city!), so we could not miss the Wrocław Gift Dwarf, who appears only once a year at Christmas time. According to urban legend, you only need to touch his hat three times... to make your fondest dreams come true!

The train to Wrocław Główny arrives at the station located at 105 Piłsudskiego St. The journey to Plac Solny takes just 20 minutes on foot.

Christmas market in Katowice

**where: Katowice Market Square

until when: 8 January 2023**

A distinctive feature of the Katowice Fair are the charming display cases depicting Christmas themes and fairytale scenes, many of which move and play Christmas tunes! If you indulge in food debauchery (and there is plenty to try at the fair's stalls!) and would like to burn off some calories, it is very easy to do so, as a Christmas ice rink has been erected on Katowice's Market Square. It is also worth taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, which offers a beautiful view of the Christmas market and the decorated streets. If you are returning with a larger amount of shopping, check the baggage transport rules in the PolishTrains baggage guide. Dates, opening hours and the list of attractions change each season, so check the organiser's website before travelling. On 9 December, the city has also prepared a special surprise for the youngest - at 6 p.m., a real Santa Claus parade will set off from Mariacka Street! You can reach the parade site in just 13 minutes from Katowice Station.

Christmas market in Warsaw

**where: Międzymurze Piotr Biegański

until when: 6 January 2023**

Traditionally, the Christmas Fair in Warsaw has been set up on Miedzymurze Piotra Biegańskiego, right next to the Castle Square and the Market Square. Stalls with delicious delicacies, mulled wine or Christmas decorations and products that you can buy as souvenirs of your trip await visitors. You can buy domestic tickets on PolishTrains up to 30 days before travelling, so it is worth planning a December trip earlier. If you also want to see the Christmas market in Berlin, you can buy a Deutsche Bahn ticket in the same PolishTrains search engine.

• To Kraków you can travel from Warsaw to Kraków, from Wrocław to Kraków, from Gdańsk to Kraków, from Katowice to Kraków and from Poznań to Kraków.

• To Wrocław you can travel from Warsaw to Wrocław, from Kraków to Wrocław, from Poznań to Wrocław, from Gdańsk to Wrocław and from Katowice to Wrocław.

• To Gdańsk you can travel from Warsaw to Gdańsk, from Kraków to Gdańsk, from Wrocław to Gdańsk, from Poznań to Gdańsk and from Katowice to Gdańsk.

• You can arrive in Warsaw from Kraków to Warsaw, from Wrocław to Warsaw, from Gdańsk to Warsaw, from Poznań to Warsaw and from Katowice to Warsaw.

• To Katowice you can travel from Kraków to Katowice, from Wrocław to Katowice, from Warsaw to Katowice, from Gdańsk to Katowice and from Poznań to Katowice.

You can buy a ticket without registering, and after paying you will receive it by email and SMS. The market is accessible via the beautifully decorated and illuminated Krakowskie Przedmieście (if you are lucky, you will also meet Santa Claus there!), and on the Old Town Market Square an ice rink has been prepared around the statue of the Mermaid - a setting straight out of a Christmas romantic comedy!

Getting off the train at Warsaw Central Station? Head to Marszałkowska Street, then to Chmielna Street, then down Foksal Street to Nowy Świat. It's a straightforward route there, but so beautifully decorated with lights and bustling with local pubs and restaurants. Such a walk really has its charm!

Christmas Market in Gdańsk

**where: Coal Square

until when: 23 December 2022**

What makes the Gdańsk Christmas market special? First of all, a rich programme of accompanying events and attractions for small and big Christmas lovers!

And if it's Christmas, you can't miss St. Nicholas, who waits for children every day on the Shining Throne. However, before you go to see him, it is worth dropping a note with your present wishes into Catherine's Talking Box beforehand and trying out Santa's sleigh, which is... a flight simulator. And if you want to feel like Santa yourself, all you have to do is visit the Gift Factory and buy original fair gadgets to give to your loved ones.

It takes only 15 minutes to get from Gdańsk Główny train station to Długi Targ Street.

We wish you many unforgettable and magical moments while visiting the Christmas Markets.

This article was prepared by the PolishTrains editorial team. We follow the rail market in Poland and Europe, look for new connections and support you at every stage of your journey.