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Christmas in Krakow: Explore Markets, Sightseeing, and Nightlife
Christmas in Krakow December - Krakow, Poland, is quickly becoming one of Europe's most sought-after tourist destinations. Especially during winter, the city attracts many visitors seeking to experience some magical holiday vibes. After all, Christmas time in Krakow is the stuff of legends. Local Christmas markets are colorful, bright, and warm; some have been around for decades, if not a century! The vendors, street food, pub culture, and holiday cheer in the air are undeniable. The Krakow Christmas Markets The Krakow Christmas Markets usually begin during the last week of November and take place up until the 26th of December. However, some markets stay open until about the week after New Year's Eve or even later. There are many small neighborhood markets throughout the city. Some are well-known, while others are a little more niche-based, catering to locals with fewer offerings. Having said that, the most notable Christmas markets in Krakow are the ones on the city’s Main Market Square. This is definitely a market setting that you don’t want to miss out on, especially during the holidays, when the place truly becomes alive. The markets sell a plethora of seasonal items and cool gifts, as well as a variety of souvenirs. More importantly, they are home to many amazing street food vendors who offer a broad selection of local specialties. From traditional classics like pierogis down to earthy hot soups, roasted chestnuts, and cured meats, anything goes. Christmas sightseeing. Another reason to visit Krakow during the winter holidays is the beautiful Christmas sightseeing. Don’t get us wrong: Krakow is pretty and charming throughout the year. However, there is something truly magical about the Christmas decor and the magical aura they bring to the city. The streets and buildings light up beautifully. Some of the city’s major monuments and landmarks also enjoy some beautiful decorations. These include Kraków Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. Christmas Parties and Nightlife. Christmas markets are charming and fun. Still, some people might have a different idea of spending their vacations. If you are a party person, Krakow is the place to be. Don’t forget that this is a well-known university town, which is an incredibly youthful city with an international vibe. Many of the students, especially those who come from other areas of the country or from other nations, tend to stay in the city throughout the holidays. This means that the nightlife is at its peak, especially during Christmas time! Krakow is an amazing place where to enjoy a relaxed, carefree party-based Christmas holiday. You can hit one of the many nightclubs in the city or enjoy a pub crawl with some amazing like-minded groups of people. In conclusion, these are only some of the many amazing perks you can enjoy if you spend your Christmas holidays in Krakow, one of Poland’s most beautiful destinations.
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How To Work With Our Pub Crawl & Our Party Hostel
Becoming Staff: Availability is Key We have had numerous guests ask how to get on staff, and truth be told, there’s no single way of doing it. The most important factor will always be availability, and volunteers are always coming and going. Some stay for an extended amount of time, and others will just stay the minimum, which is one month. In my case, I simply befriended some of the staff, and luck would have it that two of the volunteers were leaving, which bode well for me after being asked if I was interested in volunteering. I had a sit down with the managers, who asked me a bit about my background, interests, and if I’ve ever worked in a hostel or customer service. My Journey to Becoming a Volunteer Just like that, I was on staff and fully immersed into the hostel vibe. An important distinction, though, is that not all hostels operate the same. We are a party hostel, meaning we do pub crawls and other events every day of the week. Some hostels are quiet and calm and want a vibe that’s more relaxed. Not here. We are 100-percent committed to going hard every day, and if that’s not your thing, then this likely isn’t going to be the place for you. Most of the staff drinks a lot, and I mean copious amounts. You don’t necessarily have to drink much or at all yourself, but you’re going to have to be comfortable being around people who do. Understanding the Party Hostel Vibe The hostel will always have music blaring, people coming and going, some type of crazy ass out-of-the-blue situation, and drunks coming in at all hours of the night. So, peace and quiet is not in abundance, nor is it a place for families or seniors with all of the fuckery that ensues any given day. Likewise, the guests that come here are almost always going to be relatively young and usually come for the same reasons: nightlife, booze, a fling, or to not remember the next day. The Reality of Life in a Party Hostel That being said, you’re still expected to do your job when you’re on a shift or running a pub crawl. The managers are both super chill but set the expectation clearly that when you’re working, you need to be serious about being professional and friendly with our guests. It’s really just about a balance and knowing your limits if you do drink and/or decide to go on a pub crawl a day before a work shift. Balancing Work and Play Another important factor is good social skills. For example, if you’re on a reception shift, you are the guest’s first interaction at the hostel. If you’re glum or seem unapproachable, then that’s going to set a negative impression from the start. You don’t necessarily have to be an extroverted social butterfly, but reading the room and being friendly is key. Ironically, I’m more of an introvert, but I still understand the value in making people feel welcome, and therein lies the important distinction. Our guests come here to have a good time, and it’s our job to do everything we can to make sure that they have a memorable experience. Interested in Volunteering? Here’s How to Reach Us If this sounds like something you’re interested in or you’re curious about volunteering at a hostel, you can reach out to us on Instagram: @krakow.animals.crawl or email us at info@krakowanimalscrawl.com.
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Why Kraków is the Perfect Destination Year-Round: Affordable Travel Tips and Insider Advice
Kraków: The Perfect Destination in Any Season More and more people are traveling to Poland and deciding it to be the destination in summer or winter. There is no special season to travel to Poland; every season is the perfect one. Why Kraków is Becoming a Top Tourist Attraction But why does Poland, especially Kraków, become more and more attractive for tourists? With all of the amazing sights, the savage parties, and the good food—it’s affordable for everyone! Understanding Poland's Currency: The Polish Zloty The currency in Poland is the Polish Zloty. 1€ = 4.6 Zloty (1£ = 5.4 Zloty). A full meal in a nice restaurant or a fancy Airbnb/Hostel in Kraków’s City Center or the parties—everything is affordable. How to Keep Your Expenses Low: A Crucial Tip If you want to keep your expenditures even lower, you should take one more piece of advice: Don’t exchange money in an exchange office—especially not in the main square. The Truth About Exchange Offices and ATMs There are almost a million exchange offices in the center, but going there will make you lose a lot of money. If you want to exchange, for example, 100€ into zloty, you will get around 345 zloty, which in reality is only 75€. The exchange fee is massively high, and it’s the same in most of the ATMs. The Best Way to Get Cash in Poland So how to get cash in Poland then? ATMs in the streets will cost you between 16 to 20 zloty for the withdrawal, then they’ll take an exchange fee, and you also have to consider that your bank may charge you for withdrawing money, too. PKO Bank Polski: The Most Affordable Bank for Tourists The cheapest bank is PKO Bank Polski. They were even nominated as the best bank for customers. The exchange fee is the lowest and fairest, and there will always be one bank in the city center. Recommended Credit Card for Free Withdrawals Also highly recommended is to have a credit card that allows you to cash out money for free, like the MasterCard Gold.
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New Year’s Eve in Krakow: The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife, Pub Crawls, and Celebrations
Start Planning Your New Year's Eve in Krakow It is almost time to start planning our New Year's Eve getaways! Krakow, Poland, is one of the most buzzed-about destinations this year, and it is the perfect place for enjoying a pub crawl and discovering some amazing nightlife tours. This stunning European city captures the timeless charm of the old world, but it is also a very vibrant, lively, and modern town with many things to do. In particular, Krakow's nightlife is booming. This makes it a charming option for an NYE getaway! Keep reading to learn more about the best things to do in Krakow if you are considering spending your last holiday in 2022 in this beautiful city. Celebrate Sylwester in Krakow The holiday is locally known as "Sylwester." It is one of the year's most highly anticipated and essential parties. Locals love it, but not only. Many visitors, tourists, and party-goers from all over the world visit this city during this time to get a piece of the action! If you’re looking for an amazing pub crawl experience or some awesome nightlife tours, this is the place to be. Spend Your Holiday at Main Market Square Many locals and tourists alike will be flooding Main Market Square. Suppose you like to experience New Year's celebrations in a public setting and immerse yourself in the city's spirit. In that case, consider going out in the square and checking out what's happening. Entry is usually free, with entertainment such as live concerts, DJs, and much more. More importantly, the big countdown to the new year is the best part! If you prefer to do something that’s a little more engaging, you should consider some pub crawls or nightlife tours instead. Enjoy NYE at Krakow's Best Clubs, Bars, and Restaurants Finding something to do in the city is not going to take a lot of work. After all, almost every club, restaurant, and venue in town will indeed have something planned. Still, you don't just want to wing it and jump into any random place: you probably want the best experience possible! If that's the case, you should consider going with a company or firm that can guide you through some of the city's truly most beautiful venues and events on New Year's Eve. Pub crawls, nightlife tours, and club trails are super popular in this city, so many companies focus on working with some of the most impressive establishments in Krakow to provide their clients with amazing experiences. Discover Krakow's Best Club Crawl Krakow Animals Crawl (krakowanimalscrawl.com) is a unique company that will unlock the keys to the city's nightlife. The company provides unique experiences and crawls through some of the best clubs in the city, with special perks such as unlimited drinks for 2 hours and VIP entry passes to some of Krakow's hottest venues and parties! This is one of the most sought-after NYE activities, so act now to secure your chance to join in. Krakow Animals Pub Crawl: The Best NYE Deal for 35 Euro Krakow Animals Pub Crawl offers the best deal to make your New Year's Eve memorable in Krakow with only 35 Euro: 2 hours of open bar with unlimited vodka, gin, rum, beer, whisky & shots Magician Photographer Drinking games VIP entry to the best clubs Welcome shot in each club Professional party guides all night Meeting Point: St Wojciech Church at 18:45 (Black and Red Umbrella). Find Out More About New Year's Eve in Krakow Find out more about the best ways to spend New Year's Eve in Krakow, Poland, and check out the following link for further details: https://www.krakowanimalscrawl.com/newYearsEve.
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Exploring Krakow’s Nightlife: A Guide to Vodka, Beer, and Late-Night Snacks
Krakow: A City of History and Nightlife The medieval city of Krakow is stately and refined. Every inch of Krakow seems to ooze history. But beyond Old Town and not far from Wawel Castle is the thriving Krakow nightlife. Krakow is packed with interesting bars and clubs, and there are plenty of unique spots to sample Poland’s favorite alcohol — vodka. Check out our guide to Krakow nightlife. Vodka: Poland’s Beloved Spirit Some historians suggest that vodka originated in 15th century Poland. Whether or not Poland is the birthplace of vodka, Krakow is an excellent place to sample the distilled beverage. Vodka, or wódka in Polish, is a distilled beverage. Vodka usually has an alcohol content of about 40% and is produced from grains, potatoes, or, more rarely, sugar beets. Poland isn’t the only country to call vodka its own — Russia and other Central and Northern European countries are part of the “Vodka belt.” The Best Polish Vodka Zubrowka Known as Bison Grass vodka, this variety is herb-flavored and made with bison grass grown in the Białowieża Forest of Poland. Zubrowka has been made in Poland since the 16th century and is still extremely popular. Traditionally, a single blade of bison grass sits in the bottle. Vestal Polasie Founded in 2010, this young vodka has earned a stellar reputation. Vestal is a potato-based vodka, and the company is very selective about the spuds they use. Wyborowa This award-winning vodka has been in production since 1927, but its recipe is based on 500 years of knowledge. The vodka is made with rye or potatoes, and the unique bottle was designed by an architect. Popular Polish Beers Polish beer, or piwo, is nowhere near as popular as German or Czech beer, but this alcoholic beverage is still widely drunk in Poland. The country’s beer history can be traced back to the 9th century when Polish King Boleslaw I the Brave was nicknamed “The Beer Drinker.” Although three major companies now control 80% of the Polish beer market, there are about 100 microbreweries in Poland. Tyskie One of the oldest breweries in Europe, Tyskie has been brewed continuously for almost 400 years. Tyskie’s lagers are extremely popular. Żywiec This brewery was founded in 1856 and was once owned by the Habsburgs. Żywiec produces lagers and porters, and the brand is a source of pride for Poland. Okocim The brewery was established in 1845 by a German beermaker. During Poland’s communist era after WWII, Okocim was one of only two breweries allowed to sell beer. The brewery is now owned by the Danish Carlsberg Group but is still a popular Polish beer. Late Night Snacks After Drinking All the Vodka & Beer Zapiekanka: Poland’s Favorite Street Food Zapiekanka: hard to pronounce, easy to devour! Zapiekanka is an open-faced baguette sandwich topped with sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and sometimes other ingredients. It is often served with ketchup and is a popular street food in Poland. There are plenty of zapiekanka vendors in Kazimierz, but the best is Endzior in Plac Nowy. There is also a food truck near Hala Targowa (Market Hall) that serves sausages until 3:00 a.m. The mobile chefs roast the sausages over an open fire beside their food truck. Although this seems a little sketchy, the results are delicious, and the vendors are incredibly popular.
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Krakow’s Club Scene: Exploring the Best Nightlife Spots
Krakow: A Cultural Pulse with a Rich Club Scene Krakow, as one of the cultural pulses of Poland, boasts a rich club culture within its streets. The expansion of Krakow’s alternative scene is the result of a growing number of artists and organizations that aim to share their vision and bring out the best from the other side of Krakow’s cultural coin. The city's nightlife thrives in its diversity – from pubs to various types of clubs and open-air events. Prozak 2.0: The Underground Maze Prozak 2.0 is a maze that spreads over two levels with three dance floors, bars, and chillout zones. It often hosts prominent names in the techno scene, such as SNTS, Kollektiv Turmstrasse, and others. Situated in a medieval basement at Plac Dominikanski, this place has persisted as one of the oldest underground epicenters of Krakow. Szpitalna 1: The Hidden Rabbit Hole Szpitalna 1 is the “rabbit hole” that’s not easy to find at first sight. The entrance seems like a chill, casual cocktail bar, but once you get in, the stairs lead you to an underground, dark environment equipped with a powerful sound system. The labyrinth-like spacious venue allows people to circulate between bars and chillout zones. Don’t miss the great cocktails, and ask for recommendations if you are unsure which one to try. The program this place offers varies from raves (techno, acid, electro, disco) to rock and blues concerts. Święta Krowa: A Cozy Underground Nest Święta Krowa is another rabbit-hole bar/club. As you approach the stairs at the end of the hallway on Florianska Street, the music becomes louder. The stairs lead to this lovely little underground, cozy nest, with a small bar, chill zone, and a dancefloor. Various parties and performances happen here as well. BARKA: A Floating Party Experience BARKA is a popular restaurant that morphs into an unforgettable party experience when the sun goes down. Live performances, karaoke, raves – you name it! Often, this lovely little ship sails the river Wisla into the unknown, and it’s worth checking its calendar in advance to get informed about these events. Teatro Cubano: Latin Vibes and Dance Teatro Cubano is the perfect place for all who enjoy Latin dances, culture, and fiery vibes. Professional dancers often come to create a show and teach you some moves in case you feel uncomfortable dancing. Spice up your good time with a shot or cocktail. Coco Club: Good Vibes for Every Taste Coco Club is the place that promises good vibes, various music genres, and parties for everybody’s taste, attracting an international audience. A perfect combination of a modern, bold arrangement with the brick basement atmosphere of a historic tenement house creates an exclusive and cozy interior. La Bodega: A Refined Drink Experience La Bodega is located in a 15th-century cellar and is perfect for those with a refined taste in drinks. With its Rum Cellar straight from the Prohibition era, Latin rhythms mixed with modern pop culture, and cocktails that encourage socializing, it’s a must-visit spot. BRACKA 4 (B4): A Unique Music and Dance Venue BRACKA 4 (B4) is a unique place on the club map of Krakow. It’s made from a love for music and dance, consisting of several rooms and a dance floor with house, R’n’B, and old-school music. This combination is perfect for those who value a chill and unique atmosphere both during the day and at night. The café, gallery, and live music performances make every evening unforgettable.
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