10 Things to Do in Krakow in February

Buying a flight to the capital of Lower Silesia will give you the opportunity to discover a charming city without spending an arm and a leg. And when the temperature drops, you can warm up with Polish comfort food or a cup of mulled wine.

February is the third coldest month of the year. Fortunately, you can warm up with the generous dishes of Polish cuisine. The local food has a lot of influence from neighboring countries, especially Lithuania, Hungary, Russia and Germany, as well as from further afield. For example, Italian influence dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries when there were important trade links with Genoa, Florence and Venice.

Another culture that has left its mark is Turkish, as spices and coffee came to Poland through contacts with the Ottoman Empire. The result is a varied and tasty cuisine, perfect to combat the cold. Here is a short list of dishes that you absolutely must try and that you will surely have the opportunity to try if you book a gastronomic tour of the Jewish quarter:

• Pierogi, the comfort food par excellence. They are thin dumplings with different fillings: meat, mushrooms, seasonal fruit (blueberries, strawberries and cherries), buckwheat, cottage cheese or potatoes with fried onions.
• Golabki, minced pork with rice, onion and mushrooms wrapped in a white cabbage leaf.
• Oscypek, a semi-hard cheese obtained by mixing cow's and sheep's milk. It is served hot and is usually accompanied by a red fruit jam.
• Bigos, the hunters' dish. The traditional recipe calls for sour cabbage, various types of fresh meats, sausages, mushrooms and dried plums.
• Czernina, a soup of duck or goose blood. In the Polish countryside of the 19th century, receiving this dish meant that your marriage proposal had been discarded. Today, however, it is a much-loved recipe.

If you want to know more about the local gastronomy, I advise you to read the article about the best restaurants in Krakow.

From mid-December to the end of February, Krakow has an ice skating rink. The structure is erected in Jordan Park and in the nearby Błonia Meadow (both located in Al. 3 Maja).

This area has playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts; therefore, it is a favorite place for children and families. In the winter months, these places become popular destinations for sports.

The skating rink consists of three areas: a large 1,200 square meter square, a ring and a 400 square meter area for the little ones to practice their skills. It is open every day of the week from 9 am to 9 pm. On Fridays and Sundays, however, they close at 10 pm. You can rent all the equipment on site. In this area of Krakow you can also go sledding. For more details you can book a tour of Krakow's Old Town and get an update.

A museum is always a good option to avoid feeling the cold. In Krakow, one of the most interesting cultural institutions is the Czartoryski Museum, which houses antique pieces including furniture, porcelain and weapons. However, the flagship is Leonardo da Vinci's The Lady with the Ermine, where you can enter comfortably and for free if you book Krakow Card with museum pass and transportation.

The painting was acquired by the Polish nobleman Adam Jerzy Czartoryski during a trip to Italy along with a portrait of a young man painted by Raphael. The lady with the ermine portrays Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza nicknamed "the Moor". The ermine symbolizes the girl's purity and also alludes to her surname, since in Greek, this animal is called "galle". It is one of Leonardo's best preserved paintings.

When the temperatures drop, there's nothing better than warming up with a hot cup of coffee with a chocolate bonbon on the side. If you like the plan, we have the activity for you. Every year, the Chemobudowa Shopping Center (ul. Klimeckiego,14) hosts the Chocolate and Coffee Festival that is not limited to cocoa derivatives, as it includes doughnuts, ice cream and other sweet treats.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to admire an exhibition of chocolate figures and other decorations. This activity is usually very popular with the kids. If you are looking for other ideas, I recommend reading the post 10 things to do in Krakow with kids.

If you are passionate about Soviet history, in Krakow you will find Nowa Huta, a city designed and built according to the dictates of socialist realism. The architects planned everything down to the smallest detail: the blocks of buildings had central heating and running water, citizens could leave their cars in underground parking lots, the wide streets served to prevent the spread of fire, and the extensive system of subway bunkers and tunnels could have accommodated the entire population in the event of a nuclear attack.

Booking a tour of Nowa Huta is a must. It is a showcase of the Soviet regime that with the construction of this city tried to demonstrate the superiority of socialism. In February, you'll have one more reason to visit this unique neighborhood: the Children's Theater Festival, a series of theatrical performances designed specifically for young audiences.

The kermesse is held at the Nowa Huta Cultural Center. To get here, you can take the streetcar from Teatr Slowackiego (near the train station). Lines 4 and 70 will take you to Nowa Huta in about 20 minutes. If you are interested in other day trips, I recommend you to read the post What to see and do around Krakow.

To combat the cold, there's nothing better than a hot drink. If you're sick of coffee and tea, you can opt for a hot beer. Yes, you got it right. In Poland, the amber-colored elixir is usually consumed even lukewarm and with a few spices to bring out its flavor.

Locals usually add ginger (imbirowy) or raspberry (malinowy), although there is also a version that uses oranges, a touch of honey and an egg yolk. The hot beer is usually drunk mid-afternoon or in the evening when temperatures start to plummet. If you feel like tasting this Polish specialty, I recommend the following options:

• Eszeweria (ul. Józefa 9).
• KORBA Piwo Kawiarnia (plac Jana Matejki 6).
• Arkady Cafe & Cocktail Bar (Sukiennice, Rynek Główny 1).
• C.K. Browar (Podwale 7).
• Ambasada Śledzia (Stolarska 8/10).
• Pierwszy Lokal na Stolarskiej (Stolarska 6).

Christmas scenes are very common in the Christian tradition. The first nativity scene dates back to 1223 and is linked to the figure of St. Francis of Assisi. However, this custom took root in Europe and upon its arrival in Poland, it acquired peculiar characteristics.

The szopki are original nativity scenes, more like colorful castles or elaborate dollhouses. The common thread is the typical architecture of Krakow, so you will see spires and pinnacles reminiscent of St. Mary's Basilica. They often include figures of historical figures, saints, artists and protagonists of legends.

Although they are made in the last month of the year, the best ones are exhibited in the Krzysztofory Palace, a baroque building that now houses the Historical Museum of the city. The exhibition lasts until February and I recommend you to visit it because you will discover a facet of local culture and you can take shelter from the cold. You can get there comfortably if you book the Krakow tourist bus.

When strolling in the Market Square (Sukiennice), you will see carriages pulled by beautiful horses. The drivers usually take a route through the old town that ends at the foot of the castle.

In any case, you can ask for a few changes of route by paying a little extra. It can be an unusual way to walk through the streets of the center and enjoy the charm of Krakow. As usual, these carriage rides usually cost about 200-250 zloty. A valid alternative can be a river cruise on the Vistula.

With an average temperature of -2°, February is one of the coldest months in Krakow. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid freezing, for example, by opting for a spa. Some hotels in the Old Town are known for their facilities. Just 300 meters from St. Mary's Basilica is the Unicus Palace, a five-star with an indoor pool, hammam and whirlpool.

Another noteworthy hostel is the Hotel Copernicus in a Renaissance building on Kanonicza, one of the city's oldest streets. If you are fascinated by the east, you can opt for the Farmona Wellness & SPA that proposes an exclusive program designed by the best therapists of Bali. In this last case, you will have to move away a little of the city, but I assure you that the experience is worth it.

If you travel in couple, this is an ideal option. After an invigorating massage you can finish off the day with a dinner in a romantic restaurant. One of the most elegant establishments is Pod Nosem, which occupies the first floor of a residence at 22 Kanoniczna Street. Its menu changes every month to suit the seasonality of the ingredients.

Pierogi are delicious dumplings halfway between Japanese gyozas and Italian ravioli. These delicacies arrived in Poland in the 13th century. In all likelihood, they come from Kievan Rus, a federation of Slavic tribes that maintained trade ties with the Far East. Pierogi is the most famous Polish dish.

In Krakow you will find dozens of courses that teach how to prepare the dough (the most complicated aspect) and the filling. Doing this activity can be a good idea to escape the low temperatures - you will be very warm near ovens and pans! Most of them start with a brief introduction to the local cuisine followed by a few tips on how to amalgamate the mixture. Once the explanation is over, you'll sprinkle some flour on the surface and get to work!

Here is a short list of some recipes that you can make with your own hands:

• Ruskie, one of the most popular in the country. The dough is wrapped in a delicious filling of cottage cheese, potato and onion. It is usually accompanied by sour cream (smietana) and pork crackling.
• Pierogi Lubelskie, a surprising mixture of buckwheat, mint, bacon and onion. This recipe originates from Lublin, a commercial city just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
• Pierogi z miesem, dumplings with veal that has been previously used to make a broth.
• Pierogi z kapustą i grzybami, a Christmas classic. The filling is made by amalgamating sauerkraut, onion and mushrooms.

If you like tea, I recommend taking a break at Herbaciarnia Czajownia, a tea shop famous for its exquisite infusions and cozy atmosphere. This place is highly recommended for digital nomads who can find here a place where they can work in peace and quiet.

Another place worth a visit is the Rynek Underground, a museum located a few meters below the Market Square. This cultural institution traces more than a thousand years of Krakow's history, from its foundation in the 4th century to the Middle Ages. If you like history, you can visit the Collegium Maius, the Jagiellonian University Museum which houses the Jagiellone Globe, the world's first globe representing America.

Spring and autumn coincide with the high season. Most tourists visit Krakow at these dates while, in winter, the number is undoubtedly lower. Therefore, in February you will find affordable prices and a relatively tourist-free city.

In general, Krakow is not expensive, especially when it comes to gastronomy. A meal in a budget restaurant costs about 5 € per person while a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant costs about 15 €. If you want to travel on a budget, I recommend you to read the post 10 things to do in Krakow in November.