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Manchester’s Christmas markets are now open, signalling the start of the festive season. Spread across 10 locations and featuring more than 200 stalls, the city’s markets are rather impressive. But the chances of experiencing snow in Manchester are pretty slim, so if you’re hankering after that fairytale Christmas market experience then you might want to venture further afield. Cities in mainland Europe are more likely to experience snow compared to us, especially in the east and the north. In fact, research by travel booking platform Omio has revealed the Christmas markets which are most likely to experience snow this year, where temperatures reaching below -2C. Join our Christmas in Manchester WhatsApp group HERE Krakow in Poland ranked fourth on the list, behind three destinations in Finland. Cheaper to fly to than the Scandinavian country, Krakow is a great option if you’re after frosty scenes and wallet-friendly prices. The Polish city can experience lows of -4C in December and the average high is a chilly 3C so it is a good idea to pack your thermals if you do plan a trip. But it does mean snow is more likely. Krakow is one of the most affordable Christmas market destinations in Europe. Skyscanner shows flights from Manchester Airport to Krakow starting from £38 in December, with returns available from £54 - but this does not include seat allocation or baggage allowance. The city’s markets are set to open on November 28 and will run until December 26. Some stalls remain open until New Years but as a rule the festivities end at Christmas. Rynek Główny, the main square in Krakow’s Old Town is the place to go. It’s surrounded by breathtaking buildings which add to the fairy tale charm, including St Mary’s basilica, while in the centre stands the impressive Cloth Hall. Market locations don’t get much prettier than this. One of the highlights of visiting a Christmas market abroad is trying different foods you wouldn’t get back here in the UK. An absolute must in Poland is pierogi, small dumplings which can be either savory or sweet, steamed or fried. Of course, in Poland meat and cheese is high on the list, and expect lots of stalls serving up grilled meats and skewers, and oscypek, a type of smoked cheese. Away from the markets, head to one of the ice rinks which pop up around the city at Christmas time. One of the most popular ones is located outside Krakow’s main shopping mall, Galeria Krakowska. Another festive feature in the city to look out for are the nativity scenes which appear across the city, and there’s even a competition held each year to find the best one, usually held on the first Thursday in December. For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
