Best Time To Visit Poland: When To Go?

You’re probably reading this article because you’re planning a trip and wondering what’s the best time to visit Poland. I’ve got you covered. Having been living in this country for many years, I can give you a few recommendations that will help to decide when is the best season to visit Poland.

I will make a seasonal breakdown and include the weather in Poland by month for more practicality. While there’s no bad time to come to the country, some months are better than others. You will also discover the top events that take place here for a bigger picture. 

Let’s go, here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit Poland.

Here’s a quick breakdown of seasons in Poland:

Spring: best for relaxed sightseeing

Summer: best for outdoor fun and festivals

Autumn: best for fall foliage and hotel deals

Winter: best for Christmas markets and winter sports

Spring in Poland (March to May)

I love Polish spring. One thing to understand, though, is that the bloom here comes a little bit later. Polish spring weather can be quite unpredictable too. March may be closer to winter in a vibe, but starting from April it all becomes very nice and cozy.

March 

March still has that freezing winter wind and snow sometimes doesn’t melt until the middle of the month. As days become longer, life returns to nature and greenery slowly goes back. Sometimes in March, you wonder how is it possible that freezing days last so long in this country. 

Average temperature in March: 2°C to 8°C

April

Slowly but firmly, nature starts to wake up. It may be chilly, rainy and windy, but there’s this spring feeling in the air. I personally love April in Poland as the tourist crowds aren’t yet there and you can enjoy all the cafes and restaurants more calmly.

Average temperature in April:  8°C to 16°C

May

May is your best pick for visiting Poland. The weather is comfortable, the sun is shining and the summer crowds haven’t come yet. It’s an ideal month for visiting Krakow’s top attractions like Wawel Castle and Wieliczka Salt Mine too. There can be rainy days and it’s not that warm yet, but pack a jacket and umbrella and you’ll be totally fine.  

Average temperature in May: 12°C to 20°C

Summer in Poland 

Let me start by saying this: visiting Poland in the summer is always a great idea. Summers here are hot, events-packed and lively. The Old Towns around the country put the tables outside and the terrace lifestyle persists. Poland’s summer events include many music festivals (like the glorious Open’er in Gdynia) and outdoor shows. 

Yes, crowds appear too when it gets warm. But hey, Poland isn’t Italy and you won’t get the Venice-level tourist numbers in cities like Wroclaw, Gdansk or Poznan. Krakow, on the other hand, can be quite packed in the very central areas of the Old Town and Kazimierz, but otherwise chill in the outer central neighborhoods like Krowodrza, Podgórze and Piasek Nowy. 

Basically, any summer month is among the best times to visit Poland. You can’t miss here. The weather will be fine and the things to do will be plenty.

Going to Krakow? Here’s where to store your luggage.

June

Days become longer, the sun’s rays finally grace cities with their presence and Poland becomes as fun as it gets. The high season officially kicks off and you will see more tourist groups in Krakow and Warsaw. Weather-wise, June can “gift” you with a few cold and rainy days. But overall it’s a nice, mild month. 

Average temperature in June: 15°C to 22°C

July

Welcome to the peak season in Poland. July is hot in all senses of the word. Expect packed outdoor terraces, crowded Old Towns, and queuing to sit at your favorite eating spot. Apart from Krakow, other cities don’t have the crazy Italy, France, or Spain numbers of tourists so you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s the ultimate month to go outdoors. Poland has several mountain ranges, a superb Baltic Sea, and many many forests. 

Average temperature in July:  17°C to 25°C with the possibility of heatwaves

August

Polish summer is in full swing in August. Similarly to July, this is the time of outdoor festivals, street food sampling, hikes in the mountains and beach chillouts. Expect more people in the touristy places as it’s the high season too.

Average temperature in August:  16°C to 26°C

Fall in Poland

Fall in Poland is autumn from the postcards. As the temperatures drop, the crowds evaporate too giving you a perfect season for a more tranquil visit. Accommodation cost also goes down and you can expect some crazy deals during the weekdays in major cities like Krakow, Wroclaw and Poznan.

If you don’t mind unstable weather and occasional drizzle, early autumn is one of the best times to visit Poland. And then October is for Poland fall foliage, a truly exceptional sight.

September

Along with May, it’s the best month to come basically anywhere in the country. It’s still warm but without the heat. It’s still lively but without the queues. You can fully profit from the mountain hikes in the High Tatras and breathe in the breeze of the Baltic Sea in Sopot or Hel peninsula. September is a great time to be here. 

Average temperature in September:  12°C to 20°C

October

Come in October for the magical fall foliage season in Poland. A country of forests and mountains, it shines in all shades of orange starting from the beginning of the month. It’s especially atmospheric in the historic city cores of Krakow and Wroclaw when the local parks get that foliage look. Be aware, though, that the temperatures drop and it’s not warm anymore. 

Average temperature in October: 7°C and 14°C

November

I’m writing this in November. While it’s a month when I was born, I can’t say I am a big fan of this time of the year. The country goes into daylight saving time and it gets dark around 5 pm. Going outside becomes a bone-chilling ordeal as your body hasn’t yet adapted from the post-summer warmth.

Temperatures drop to zero and below during the night. But here’s the silver lining. The second part of November is also when Poland kicks off the Christmas markets. So I’d suggest skipping the first part and come around the 25th of November to get a taste of Christmas markets without the crazy December crowds.

Average temperature in November: 1°C to 8°C

Winter in Poland

Poland’s winter weather is a showcase of contrasts. On the one hand, you’ve got those fairytale-like days when everything is covered in white-white snow, the Christmas illumination turns cities into postcard-perfect Santa towns and the ski season comes to the mountains. On the other hand, it’s so cold. And dark. And there are the days when snow and dirt become one and the rain mercilessly adds to the misery. 

You get the picture. Christmas Poland is a must, though. And skiing here is one of the best-kept secrets of Europe (if it’s not a weekend in Zakopane resort on New Year’s Eve). So definitely explore spending some winter days in Warsaw or Krakow. 

December

BEST FOR CHRISTMAS MARKETS

If you think that December in Poland might be that magical time when the mulled wine aroma is in the air and everything glistens with a festive atmosphere, you’re absolutely right. Big and small cities compete between themselves for the best Christmas market and the vibe is as holiday-sy as it gets.

Krakow, Warsaw and Wroclaw regularly throw some of the best Christmas markets on the continent so don’t miss a chance to come here during that time. 

Average temperature in December: -2°C to 4°C

January

Christmas is out and the true Polish winter is in. Along with November, January is kind of the lowest season for most things. Except winter sports. If you’re into that kind of thing hurry up to book cheap flights to Poland and head to the many ski resorts of several mountain ranges around the country. The snow conditions will be great and the proposition will be cheaper than Austria, Switzerland and Italy. 

Be aware that January is the coldest month.

Average temperature in January: -6°C to 1°C

February

February is a good month to save money while exploring Poland. But it’s also really cold and not much is going on. It’s that low season that’s low for a reason. Again, the winter sports aficionados will have a blast in the High Tatras and Beskids as all the action is still there in February. This month is good for getting the best accommodation deals too.

Average temperature in February: -5°C to 2°C

So when is the best month to travel to Poland?

Okay, let’s conclude by saying that there’s not a bad month to come to Poland. Each season has its perks and downfalls. But there are no major downfalls that preclude you from booking a trip to this beautiful country throughout the year. 

If we’re talking about the best time to visit Poland, my suggestion would be either May or September. These months give you the best value + weather and fewer crowds too. 

Any summer month is an awesome pick too. But be prepared to spend a little bit more and navigate the crowds in top tourist locations such as Krakow and Warsaw.