Operated by Trafalgar

Christmas Markets of Poland

From

CAD 3,825

Duration

11 days

Countries

Poland

Activity

easy

The adventure

<p>Celebrate the season in Poland as you journey through Warsaw, Gdańsk, Toruń, Poznań, Wrocław and Kraków, discovering Christmas markets, city legends and local traditions along the way. You’ll explore with Local Specialists who share stories of Poland’s heritage, from Gothic Old Towns to royal castles and medieval market squares. Meet cider maker Marcin for a Be My Guest experience on his organic farm and enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Wrocław’s oldest confectionery as you try traditional doughnuts. Browse for Bolesławiec pottery, Toruń gingerbread and Kraków crafts and warm up with hearty Polish dishes, returning home with festive memories, local flavors and thoughtful gifts.</p>

At a glance

Duration

11 days

Route

Warsaw → Kraków

Countries

Poland

Activity level

easy

Style

Culture & History

Group size

Ask

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Ask an agent

Day by day

Your journey through

Poland

Day 1Welcome to Warsaw

Contemporary living room in Warsaw with a grey sofa and yellow pillows, sleek interior design.

Welcome to Warsaw

Welcome to Warsaw, the Polish capital, known for its rebuilt Old Town, grand squares and rich musical heritage. During the festive season, Christmas markets and illuminated street displays fill the city with lights, music and the scent of spiced treats. After settling into your hotel, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers, then head out together to enjoy your first dinner in the city.

Day 2Christmas in WarsawStart the day with a sightseeing tour of Warsaw with your Local Specialist, taking in the restored Old Town, the Palace of Culture and Science, the Chopin Memorial and the Ghetto Heroes Monument. Later, visit the Christmas markets in the Old Town Square, where stalls, decorations and a seasonal light display fill the historic center. This evening, you can choose to join an Optional Experience to enjoy a live Chopin recital — a chance to hear the music of Poland’s most famous composer performed in the city he once called home.

Nighttime cityscape in Poznań, Poland with holiday decorations and neon sign lighting up the street.

Christmas in Warsaw

Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Warsaw with your Local Specialist, taking in the restored Old Town, the Palace of Culture and Science, the Chopin Memorial and the Ghetto Heroes Monument. Later, visit the Christmas markets in the Old Town Square, where stalls, decorations and a seasonal light display fill the historic center. This evening, you can choose to join an Optional Experience to enjoy a live Chopin recital — a chance to hear the music of Poland’s most famous composer performed in the city he once called home.

Day 3Onwards to Coastal GdanskTravel north through farmland and small villages to the historic port city of Gdańsk. On the way, you’ll stop at a small organic farm for a Be My Guest experience with your host Marcin, who shares his cider and a seasonal lunch made with local ingredients. Continue to the Baltic coast and arrive in Gdańsk, then walk the Christmas markets along the Royal Route on the Long Market, browsing local crafts and tasting winter treats.

Scenic twilight view of Gdańsk waterfront featuring architecture and ferris wheel.

Onwards to Coastal Gdansk

Travel north through farmland and small villages to the historic port city of Gdańsk. On the way, you’ll stop at a small organic farm for a Be My Guest experience with your host Marcin, who shares his cider and a seasonal lunch made with local ingredients. Continue to the Baltic coast and arrive in Gdańsk, then walk the Christmas markets along the Royal Route on the Long Market, browsing local crafts and tasting winter treats.

Day 4Christmas in GdanskSet out with your Local Specialist to get to know Gdańsk, from its colorful facades to the stories of the shipyards, then visit the European Solidarity Center to learn about the Solidarity movement and modern Polish history. In the afternoon you may choose an Optional Experience to Malbork Castle one of the largest brick castles in the world and a stronghold of the Teutonic Knights. If you stay in the city, use your free time to visit a museum, browse amber shops or warm up in a cafe near the Christmas lights. This evening, you could join an Optional Experience dinner to sample local dishes and hear how Gdańsk’s brewing traditions have shaped the beers poured here today.

A vintage carousel beautifully illuminated at night in a snowy Gdańsk cityscape, creating a magical urban scene.

Christmas in Gdansk

Set out with your Local Specialist to get to know Gdańsk, from its colorful facades to the stories of the shipyards, then visit the European Solidarity Center to learn about the Solidarity movement and modern Polish history. In the afternoon you may choose an Optional Experience to Malbork Castle one of the largest brick castles in the world and a stronghold of the Teutonic Knights. If you stay in the city, use your free time to visit a museum, browse amber shops or warm up in a cafe near the Christmas lights. This evening, you could join an Optional Experience dinner to sample local dishes and hear how Gdańsk’s brewing traditions have shaped the beers poured here today.

Day 5Onto Toruń & PoznanStop in Toruń, a UNESCO-listed medieval city on the Vistula founded by Teutonic Knights and known for its Gothic brick architecture. Join a Local Specialist for a walk through the Old Town, passing the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and former merchants’ houses. Then visit the Christmas markets to try Toruń’s famous gingerbread before continuing through Greater Poland to Poznań, with its colorful Old Town and Renaissance town hall, where you’ll spend the evening.

A scenic view of a sandy beach with a historic city skyline under a bright blue sky with clouds.

Onto Toruń & Poznan

Stop in Toruń, a UNESCO-listed medieval city on the Vistula founded by Teutonic Knights and known for its Gothic brick architecture. Join a Local Specialist for a walk through the Old Town, passing the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and former merchants’ houses. Then visit the Christmas markets to try Toruń’s famous gingerbread before continuing through Greater Poland to Poznań, with its colorful Old Town and Renaissance town hall, where you’ll spend the evening.

Day 6Christmas in PoznanJoin a Local Specialist to visit Poznań’s cathedral, the oldest in Poland and burial place of the country’s first rulers. Continue with a walking tour around the Stary Rynek, the Old Market Square, where historic facades frame the Christmas market. Hear the legend of Poznań’s famous goats and spot their symbols around the square. Afterwards, enjoy free time to browse the stalls, visit a museum, warm up with a hot drink or try a St. Martin’s croissant from a local bakery.

Christmas in Poznan

Join a Local Specialist to visit Poznań’s cathedral, the oldest in Poland and burial place of the country’s first rulers. Continue with a walking tour around the Stary Rynek, the Old Market Square, where historic facades frame the Christmas market. Hear the legend of Poznań’s famous goats and spot their symbols around the square. Afterwards, enjoy free time to browse the stalls, visit a museum, warm up with a hot drink or try a St. Martin’s croissant from a local bakery.

Day 7Onto Lower Silesia & WroclawJoin a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Wrocław, taking in the main Market Square, the Gothic Old Town Hall and the neighboring Salt Square. Then visit the city’s oldest confectionery for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll learn how traditional doughnuts are made and hear how this local shop keeps Wrocław’s sweet-making traditions alive. Later, you’ll head to the Christmas market to browse the stalls and look out for Bolesławiec pottery. This afternoon, you may choose to join an Optional Experience to discover more of Wrocław’s treasures, including the Racławice Panorama.

Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Wrocław, taking in the main Market Square, the Gothic Old Town Hall and the neighboring Salt Square. Then visit the city’s oldest confectionery for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll learn how traditional doughnuts are made and hear how this local shop keeps Wrocław’s sweet-making traditions alive. Later, you’ll head to the Christmas market to browse the stalls and look out for Bolesławiec pottery. This afternoon, you may choose to join an Optional Experience to discover more of Wrocław’s treasures, including the Racławice Panorama.

Day 8Wroclaw Your WayEnjoy a full day to explore Wrocław at your own pace. You might return to the Christmas market for any last-minute gifts, search for the city’s dwarf statues, visit a museum or warm up in a local cafe. You can also consider joining an Optional Experience to Książ Castle and UNESCO-listed Świdnica Church of Peace.

Street view of residential buildings and a car in Wrocław, showcasing city life.

Wroclaw Your Way

Enjoy a full day to explore Wrocław at your own pace. You might return to the Christmas market for any last-minute gifts, search for the city’s dwarf statues, visit a museum or warm up in a local cafe. You can also consider joining an Optional Experience to Książ Castle and UNESCO-listed Świdnica Church of Peace.

Day 9Venture to Auschwitz and on to KrakowKrakówTravel to the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum for a guided visit of the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, preserved as a memorial to the people imprisoned and killed here during the Holocaust. Afterwards, continue to Kraków, the former royal capital. This evening, you may choose to join an Optional Experience to a local restaurant for a farmhouse-style dinner with traditional food, live music and polka dancing.

Charming Krakow street with St. Mary's Basilica, capturing historic architecture under a bright sky.

Kraków

Travel to the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum for a guided visit of the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, preserved as a memorial to the people imprisoned and killed here during the Holocaust. Afterwards, continue to Kraków, the former royal capital. This evening, you may choose to join an Optional Experience to a local restaurant for a farmhouse-style dinner with traditional food, live music and polka dancing.

Day 10Christmas in KrakowBegin the day with an Optional Experience to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, exploring its underground chapels and carved salt chambers. Later, join a Local Specialist for a tour of Kraków, visiting the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill. Continue on foot through the Old Town to see Kraków’s szopki nativity scenes, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church. You’ll then have time at the Christmas market in the Main Market Square, your final chance to pick up gifts and Polish souvenirs. This evening, share dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers and raise a glass to your Christmas markets journey through Poland.

Festively adorned horses in Kraków's old town, captured on a winter day.

Christmas in Krakow

Begin the day with an Optional Experience to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, exploring its underground chapels and carved salt chambers. Later, join a Local Specialist for a tour of Kraków, visiting the Royal Castle and Cathedral on Wawel Hill. Continue on foot through the Old Town to see Kraków’s szopki nativity scenes, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church. You’ll then have time at the Christmas market in the Main Market Square, your final chance to pick up gifts and Polish souvenirs. This evening, share dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers and raise a glass to your Christmas markets journey through Poland.

Day 11Farewell KrakowBid farewell to Kraków, your Travel Director and fellow travelers after your festive journey through Poland’s Christmas markets.