Easter in Poland – Travel notes, food and more

An Easter Adventure in Historic Poland

Poland is a vast country, one of the largest in the European Union, and we’d often sped through it as a mere transit route. But we knew it was a place brimming with history and culture, just waiting to be explored. So, one year, we decided to dive deep and experience one of its most important celebrations firsthand: Easter.

These are the notes from our journey during the Easter holidays of 2010. We chose this time precisely because Poland is a nation of devout Catholics, and we wanted to witness the profound and beautiful traditions that bring the country to life each spring. Our itinerary, as a result, was wonderfully steeped in faith and history.

Kraków: The Royal Heart of Poland

Our base for this adventure was the magnificent city of Kraków. As one of Poland’s oldest cities, it sits in the Lesser Poland region, a treasure trove of stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage. Its entire Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, and it’s easy to see why.

Kraków isn’t just historically significant. It’s Poland’s second-largest city and pulses with energy. From the sprawling Main Market Square and the majestic Wawel Castle to the charming St. Andrew’s Church and the trendy Kazimierz district, every corner tells a story of its centuries as the royal capital.

Visiting during Easter, one of the busiest times of the year, was a gamble. Yet, we managed to secure a short-term rental apartment right in the heart of the Old Town, a mere stone’s throw from the Main Market Square. We booked, as we always do, through Booking.com.

Here’s a travel tip born from a hiccup: shortly before arrival, we discovered our chosen apartment was already occupied! A moment of panic was swiftly alleviated by a call to Booking.com’s customer service. To our immense relief, they resolved the issue within hours, securing us an even better room. This was our first major issue with them, and we were genuinely impressed by how efficiently it was handled – a true travel saviour.

Immersed in Easter Traditions

Our primary goal was to see an authentic Polish Easter celebration. On Holy Saturday, we joined the locals flocking to one of the city’s many churches. The atmosphere was electric with quiet devotion.

The most fascinating tradition we witnessed was the “Święconka,” or the blessing of the Easter baskets. Families arrived carrying small, beautifully decorated baskets filled with symbolic foods: painted eggs, bread, sausage, salt, and a lamb made of sugar. They placed these baskets on tables in the church to be blessed by the priest.

After the service, everyone collected their consecrated baskets and took them home. The contents are not eaten until Easter Sunday morning, forming the centrepiece of a grand family breakfast. Having never seen this beautiful custom before, we found it incredibly moving. And, just for the record, the taste of the blessed eggs from our own basket the next morning was truly excellent!

Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of Kraków

Beyond the religious observances, we soaked up the festive atmosphere for two glorious days. The Main Market Square was alive with colour and energy. We indulged in a charming horse-drawn cart tour for a royal sightseeing perspective, sampled countless traditional sweets, and toasted with excellent local beer, which, in our opinion, far surpassed the fermented grape juice masquerading as wine in some pubs.

We explored the grand corridors of Wawel Castle and wandered through the historic centre, utterly captivated by Kraków’s timeless beauty. It was an Easter celebration we would never forget – a perfect blend of profound tradition and sheer touristic delight.