Incredible Christmas Markets In Poland (To Visit In 2024)

With their spiced wine and festive spirit, Christmas markets in Poland are an unforgettable experience. Here are the best markets to visit.

If you’re visiting Poland this winter, don’t miss these festive markets full of mouthwatering aromas and glittering lights – all against the backdrop of historic market squares.

Christmas markets originated in Germany in the medieval ages. And they’re a beloved tradition that’s swept across Europe and beyond.

Today you’ll find a Christmas market in every major Polish city – and even in the smallest villages and towns.

Add one of these festive markets to your Poland itinerary and their delectable foods, quirky souvenirs and carnival games will surely put you in the holiday spirit.

These unique markets boast regional specialties, quaint architecture and the most beloved festive traditions.

Here are the best Christmas markets in Poland:

1. Wroclaw

The Christmas market in Wroclaw, Western Poland, is a festive feast for the senses with its colorful lights and international fare. The enormous market stretches from Wroclaw’s market square through Plac Solny and includes amusement rides, various flavors of mulled wine and a fairy tale forest.

Craftsmen from across Europe sell their trinkets inside rows of small wooden huts.

Dating back to the sixteenth century, Wroclaw’s Christmas market is one of the largest and most atmospheric in Poland. With its fairground games and fairytale characters, it’s also a favorite with children.

You’ll find all the traditional Polish specialties like smoked cheese with cranberries, sauerkraut stew (bigos) and potato pancakes. There are also foreign delights like Spanish churros, crepes and Hungarian fried flatbread.

Special annual events include a Christmas parade, carol singers and choir concerts.

Read 4 Festive Polish Christmas Traditions (And Dishes) for more on celebrating the holidays in Poland.

2. Warsaw

Warsaw’s Christmas Market in the Old Town Square is a great way to sample regional delicacies from across Poland. And the Old Town, rebuilt after the bombardment of World War II, features a Christmas tree in front of the Royal Castle.

At this market you can find oscypek, a smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk from Poland’s Carpathian Mountains. Thick woolen socks, hats and mittens are also popular as temperatures dip below zero.

But Poland is best-known for its handmade glass Christmas ornaments. They’re often colorful round balls decorated with snowflakes or religious scenes. More creative pieces are made in the shape of bumblebees or Queen Nefertiti’s bust. There are also quirky wooden toys from the Czech Republic and Lithuanian black rye bread.

Food stalls fill the air with the smell of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine or pierogi, Polish dumplings stuffed with potatoes, sauerkraut, meat, cheese or fruit. Pierogi are so popular that restaurants like Pierogarnia specialize in numerous variations on the dish.

I would love to hear from you. What Christmas markets are on your itinerary?