Christmas 2026
Poland’s best Christmas markets – and the gifts worth bringing home
Dates for Wrocław, Kraków, Gdańsk, Warsaw and more, Polish Christmas traditions, and the presents you won’t find at home. Heading to Kraków? Read Kraków in December.
Money, phone & health
More →
Photo: Karina Syrotiuk / UnsplashFeatureBolesławiec pottery, from the kiln to your kitchenPatterns, marks on the base, outlets and how to visit.
Shopping by city
The guide, chapter by chapter
Guide A–Z →I
Money & payments
- The złoty, cards and cash
- Kantors: exchanging money fairly
- BLIK and contactless payments
- Tax Free for non-EU visitors
III
Health & insurance
- Emergencies: 112, hospital ER and night pharmacies
- Seeing a doctor: public vs private clinics
- Dentists in Poland: prices and quality
- Pharmacies and buying medicines
- Travel insurance for Poland
- Health insurance for foreigners: EHIC and private cover
IV
Safety & scams
- Is Poland safe? What visitors should know right now
- Is Kraków safe? Areas, nights out and scams to avoid
- Is Warsaw safe? Neighbourhoods and night-time tips
- Taxis in Poland: airport rides, apps and fair prices
- Common scams: ATMs, kantors, bars and fake souvenirs
- SMS, parcel and BLIK scams (for longer stays)
V
Shops & opening hours
- The Sunday trading ban
- Supermarkets: Biedronka, Lidl, Żabka
- Drugstores: Rossmann, Hebe and Polish cosmetics
- Outlets and shopping centres
VI
What to bring home
- Souvenirs from Poland: the full list
- Christmas markets and Christmas gifts from Poland
- Baltic amber: real or fake?
- Polish vodka and Żubrówka
- Sweets, snacks and food gifts
- Folk art and Christmas ornaments
- Polish cosmetics to stock up on
VII
Bolesławiec pottery
- Polish pottery: the complete guide
- Patterns and Unikat explained
- Marks, stamps and value
- Outlets and where to buy
- Visiting Bolesławiec
IX
Living in Poland
- Shopping online: Allegro in English
- Food delivery: Wolt, Glovo, Uber Eats
- Grocery and shopping delivery
- InPost parcel lockers
- Moving to Poland: the checklist
X
Einkaufen in Polen
- Polenmärkte an der Grenze
- Polenmarkt Hohenwutzen (Osinów Dolny)
- Polenmarkt Słubice
- Polenmarkt Swinemünde
- Tanken in Polen
- Zoll und Freimengen
- Bunzlauer Keramik
- Zahnarzt in Polen
Companion guide
Hungry? Milk Bar Crawl maps Poland’s traditional milk bars – honest Polish food for a few złoty – in five cities.