The period between Christmas and New Year — otherwise known as ‘Twixmas’ — is a funny one.
We live in limbo, devouring leftover turkey dinners and watching festive reruns. In truth, no one really knows what to do with themselves.
But what if you swapped the sofa for a last-minute break?
New research by M&S Travel Money has crowned Kraków, the ‘picturesque’ and historic Polish city, as the most affordable destination in Europe for a getaway in the lead up to 2026.
The study found that a three-night break between December 27 and 30 costs around £316, including flights, accommodation, food, and transport.
In comparison, a visit to Zurich is almost £600 more expensive, ringing in at around £897 for three nights.
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Take a look at the breakdown here:
- Direct return Ryanair flights from London Stansted to Kraków: £93 (Skyscanner)
- 4-star accommodation for 3 nights: £150 (Booking.com)
- Average cost of daily meals x3: £56.91 (BudgetYourTrip)
- Average cost of transport for 3 days: £16.08 (BudgetYourTrip)
So, if a cheap city break is just what the doctor ordered, here’s everything you can get up to over a long weekend in Kraków.
Things to do in Krakow
Just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from London, the cobbled streets of Poland’s former royal capital are medieval and modern all at once.
I spent three days in the ‘Florence of Poland’ just a few weeks back, and despite the 3°C temperature, it’s one of my favourite city breaks to date.
A quick fact check on how Kraków got this nickname: much like the Italian city, Kraków is known for its beautiful, well-preserved Renaissance and Gothic architecture.
Examples are seen in the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Old Town, which remained largely unscathed during World War II (unlike poor old Warsaw, which was practically razed).
The most famous landmark is Wawel Castle; the 13th-century fortress is widely considered the most historically and culturally important site in Poland. Once the residence of kings, it’s now open to the public so you can get a taste of how the other half used to live.
You can take tours of the castle (£18) and visit contemporary art exhibitions (£1). There’s also an underground architectural site that dates back to the sixteenth century (£8.87).
While in the Old Town, visit the Main Market Square, which is home to cafés, florist stalls, museums, and landmarks such as St. Mary’s Basilica, a historic Roman Catholic parish church (beware of the pigeons).
Most museums and galleries are free to visit one day a week, usually Tuesdays. For something a bit different, try the Arcade Museum and the House of Attractions.
Don’t forget to check out the Jewish Quarter in the historic Kazimierz district. With centuries-old synagogues (including the Old Synagogue, which now houses the Jewish Museum) and narrow cobbled streets, Szeroka Street is at the heart of the Quarter. Here, you’ll find traditional Jewish restaurants, cafés, and trendy bars.
Elsewhere, Schindler’s Factory is in the adjacent Podgórze area, over the river Vistula. This emotional and at times harrowing museum explores the life of Oskar Schindler and the Jewish people he saved during the war. Entry costs around £6.
A treat for the taste buds
While at one of the many cafés and restaurants, indulge in traditional Polish pierogi — sweet and savoury dumplings filled with jam or ground meat.
We found Restauracja Galicyjska to be one of the best places to grab dinner. Located in a 17th-century cellar, we dined by candlelight on a feast of Polish delicacies including a mound of Pierogi Ruskie topped with fried onions for just £5.78.
These are popular in both Poland and Ukraine, and the restaurant’s version has been featured in the Kraków Pierogi Festival (held every August) eight times.
Personal favourites included the Galician Żurek soup with sausage and egg in a bread bowl, Polish smoked cheese with cranberries, and dumplings — all for £14.
If you need a minute to walk off the dozens of pierogis, stroll up to Józef Piłsudski’s Mound and its surrounding woodland.
The mound stands atop Sowiniec Hill in the Lasek Wolski forest, and commemorates Józef Piłsudski and Poland regaining independence in 1918.
See? Not only will you find affordability in Kraków, but you’ll also experience one of Europe’s most culturally rich cities.
Day trips from Kraków
Auschwitz-Birkenau is the most popular day trip from Kraków. It’s the largest of the WW2 German Nazi concentration camps, where during the Second World War, over one million men, women and children lost their lives.
Auschwitz isn’t an easy visit, but it’s a sobering necessity. It demonstrates the importance of the fight against discrimination and hate, and allows us to remember the many victims.
The grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial are free. However, you must reserve an entry card in advance.
Local hourly trains connect Kraków Glowny with Oswiecim, and cost £3 each way. The journey takes an hour and a half. From the station, Auschwitz is a 25-minute walk. You can also reach it by bus or taxi if you prefer.
Another option is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Just 14km southeast of Kraków, the salt mine has been welcoming tourists since 1722 and is now one of Poland’s top attractions.
It’s a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels and chambers – about 300km distributed over nine levels, the deepest being 327m underground – of which a small part is open to the public via two-hour guided tours.
To reach Wieliczka, both trains and buses depart regularly from the main train and bus stations.
