The best time to visit Poland is May and September. These late spring and early fall months sit within Poland’s tourism shoulder season, offering a chance to escape the summer crowds while still enjoying comfortable temperatures and relatively drier conditions. Temperatures in both months are similar, with September slightly drier and May experiencing a few more hours of sun on average.
Summer is the definitive tourism high season in Poland, with big tourist crowds descending on popular travel destinations like Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk. Although temperatures are at their warmest, summer is also the wettest time of year in Poland, with peak rainfall hitting in July.
Still have some questions on when to go? Plan the perfect trip to one of Central Europe’s most popular countries with this complete Poland weather guide, including a breakdown by season and by month!
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Weather in Poland: An overview
Poland sports a typical European continental climate with four clearly distinguishable seasons. Summers are generally hot and wet, while winters are cold and grey. Spring and autumn fall somewhere between.
But that’s really oversimplifying things. The only thing predictable about Polish weather is that it’s impossible to predict!
Swooping over the weather in Poland in one swoop is difficult. To get a better idea of when exactly you should travel to Poland, you’ll need to dig deeper into the individual regions and cities you’re thinking of visiting. You’ll notice, for example, a big difference between Gdansk on the Baltic Coast and Zakopane in the High Tatras on any given day.
Just keep in mind: Even if you only spend as little as 10 days in Poland, you’re bound to run into some rough weather. Nonetheless, even with Poland’s unpredictable weather, there’s always somewhere to be and something to do year-round—as long as you’re prepared! Let’s see what this Central European country has in store for travellers throughout the year…
Weather By Season
Spring
- When is spring in Poland? Spring in Poland is from late March until May.
- What to expect in spring: The official start of spring in March brings a wave of warmer weather, at least in comparison to the chilly temperatures of winter. Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Poland as the weather becomes increasingly warm, moving into late April and May. Rain is also less frequent in spring than in summer, with more comfortable temperatures.
- What to wear in spring: Even with the warmer temperatures, throw a rain jacket into a small backpack to keep dry from the always-lingering possibility of showers. For hiking in places like Morskie Oko, grab yourself a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes to battle the spring puddles.
Summer
- When is summer in Poland? Summer in Poland is from June until August.
- What to expect in summer: The unpredictability of Polish weather is never more obvious than in the summer. Between bouts of sunshine and soaring temperatures, expect frequent rain showers and quick-brewing storms to sullen your mood. The weather, however, hardly stops the hordes from descending onto Poland’s top destinations. Summer is the high tourism season in Poland. In the summer months, accommodation availability gets scooped up fast, and prices rise along with the mercury. Visiting towards the end of summer in late August (or waiting until September) is more pleasant for both weather and crowds.
- What to wear in summer: The hot temperatures allow for lighter packing. On most summer days, T-shirts and shorts are perfectly comfortable. Bring along a compact travel umbrella and a lightweight waterproof jacket for the inevitable rainstorms.
Autumn
- When is autumn in Poland? Autumn in Poland is from September to November.
- What to expect in autumn: Don’t expect the unpredictability of Polish weather to let up in the fall. As with most of the year, autumn weather in Poland can change at the drop of a hat. Late September and October are still pleasantly warm, making autumn one of the best times of the year to travel to Poland. November is, like nearby Germany or the Czech Republic, often cold and wet. If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some of the famously sunny days of the “Polish golden autumn” (złota polska jesień).
- What to wear in autumn: In the cold and wet days of autumn, adding a warm, waterproof coat is always a good idea for any packing list for backpacking through Europe. Wearing warmer clothing set in layers will give flexibility. For outdoor activities, don some good waterproof shoes to keep your feet dry and warm.
Winter
- When is winter in Poland? Winter in Poland is from December to early March.
- What to expect in winter: For those unaccustomed to colder winters, don’t expect winter to be the most comfortable time of year to travel in Poland. Heavy winds and snowfall chill the experience, especially in eastern Poland and in the High Tatras around Zakopane. Average temperatures usually range between 0°C (32°F) and -10°C (14°F). Dips to below -20°C (-4°F) aren’t uncommon. While much of Poland is quiet, tourists flock to the mountain ski resort of Zakopane with gusto despite the winter chill. Book far ahead of time if you’re planning to head down here.
- What to wear in winter: Our best advice? Bundle up! With temperatures dropping below 0°C frequently, a weatherproof winter coat will come in handy. Pack warm sweaters, toques, and gloves into your travel backpack if undertaking outdoor activities in Poland in winter. A pair of warm and sturdy winter boots will also protect your feet from the cold.
Visiting other destinations? Time your trip just right with our other when to go & weather guides!
Weather By Month
January
- Overview: With the Polish winter deep upon you, January is, on average, one of the two coldest months of the year. It’s also one of the driest. Expect average highs throughout Poland to hover around 0°C (32°F) and average lows to dip anywhere between -3°C (25°F) in Warsaw and -6°C (21°F) in Zakopane.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 0°C / 32°F -5°C / 23°F -3°C / 27°F 24mm Gdansk 1°C / 34°F -4°C / 25°F -2°C / 28°F 21mm Zakopane -1°C / 30°F -6°C / 21°F -4°C / 25°F 7mm Warsaw 0°C / 32°F -3°C / 25°F -2°C / 28°F 30mm - Where to go: Poland’s ski season hits full swing in January when winter lovers take to the slopes in top Polish mountain resorts like Zakopane. Book ahead if you’re looking to avoid disappointment.
February
- Overview: Expect cool winter temperatures to continue into February. On average, February is the coldest month in Krakow and Warsaw but also one of the driest.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 1°C / 34°F -5°C / 23°F -2°C / 28°F 24mm Gdansk 1°C / 34°F -3°C / 25°F -2°C / 28°F 17mm Zakopane 0°C / 32°F -6°C / 21°F -3°C/ 27°F 9mm Warsaw 0°C / 32°F -5°C / 23°F -3°C / 27°F 20mm - Where to go: The winter activities continue unabated around the country, particularly Poland’s favourite winter wonderland of Zakopane in the High Tatras.
March
- Overview: After a cool winter, temperatures throughout Poland start to pick up, along with increased precipitation as both snow and cool rains.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 7°C / 45°F 0°C / 32°F 4°C / 39°F 41mm Gdansk 4°C / 39°F -3°C / 27°F 1°C / 34°F 22mm Zakopane 4°C / 39°F -3°C / 27°F 1°C / 34°F 19mm Warsaw 6°C / 43°F -1°C / 30°F 3°C / 37°F 30mm - Where to go: The ski season in Zakopane is still kickin’ in March. Although ski conditions are generally better earlier on in the year, especially in January, you should be able to get some good runs in with relatively mild weather in March.
April
- Overview: Heading into April, the temperatures continue to rise, leaving winter well behind. The end of the month, in particular, sees increasingly comfortable mild weather. While the spring rainfall is ramping up in southern Poland, signalling the official end of the ski season, much of the country remains relatively dry by Polish standards.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 12°C / 54°F 3°C / 37°F 8°C / 46°F 39mm Gdansk 10°C / 50°F 1°C / 34°F 6°C / 43°F 26mm Zakopane 8°C / 46°F 1°C / 34°F 5°C / 41°F 39mm Warsaw 12°C / 54°F 3°C / 37°F 8°C / 46°F 30mm - Where to go: The spring meltdown and increasing rainfall make outdoor activities in the south of the country, such as the hike to Morskie Oko, more difficult. Cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Poznan start to spring to life in April, recovering from their long cold winters. April is, on average, drier than summer, making it a great month to explore Poland’s most popular travel destinations before the summer tourist hordes, heatwaves, and storms descend.
May
- Overview: The late spring month of May is one of the best times of the year to travel to Poland. The temperatures in May extend into far more pleasant ranges without the heavy rains that characterize much of the summer in Poland.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 20°C / 68°F 8°C / 46°F 14°C / 57°F 49mm Gdansk 16°C / 61°F 6°C / 43°F 11°C / 52°F 36mm Zakopane 16°C / 61°F 5°C / 41°F 11°C / 52°F 79mm Warsaw 19°C / 66°F 8°C / 46°F 14°C / 57°F 50mm - Where to go: The southern High Tatras around Zakopane experience a torrent of precipitation heading into the rainy season. May offers an ideal combination of mild temperatures and sunny days for travelling throughout much of Poland. With the high season just on the horizon, May is the perfect time to dig into cities like Gdansk, Krakow, or Wroclaw before the summer holidays hit.
Planning a spring or summer trip to Krakow? Get started planning with this one-day Krakow itinerary and this guide to the best things to do in Krakow!
June
- Overview: Overall, June is the wettest month in Poland, particularly in Warsaw and Zakopane. The weather is, however, pleasantly warm.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 22°C / 72°F 11°C / 52°F 17°C / 63°F 60mm Gdansk 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 14°C / 57°F 45mm Zakopane 19°C / 66°F 7°C / 45°F 13°C / 55°F 97mm Warsaw 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 16°C / 61°F 80mm - Where to go: There’s no better time than June to head to Wroclaw for its Good Beer Festival, a celebration of refreshing Polish and international brews. The summer high season begins in June, so expect major tourist cities like Gdansk, Poznan, Krakow, and Warsaw to start picking up steam. Book your rooms well in advance.
July
- Overview: July is the hottest month in Poland and one of the wettest. Even so, July is the most popular month to visit Poland, though, in my opinion, it’s not necessarily ideal. Average rainfall in Poland’s top destination, Krakow, is at its yearly peak in July. And, like in other Central European destinations, the heat can get downright oppressive and uncomfortable.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 25°C/77°F 12°C/54°F 19°C/66°F 69mm Gdansk 21°C/70°F 12°C/54°F 17°C/63°F 55mm Zakopane 20°C/68°F 9°C/48°F 15°C/59°F 103mm Warsaw 23°C/73°F 13°C/55°F 18°C/64°F 70mm - Where to go: Most of the country becomes blanketed in frequent rainfalls, heat, and humidity throughout July. The most popular places to visit in Poland, especially the ever-popular Krakow, are often overcrowded. Not only does that mean more waiting and less space, but also higher prices for accommodation. Lesser-known Polish destinations like Torun, Tarnow, Zamosc, or Lublin might be more convenient during the high season.
Want to travel beyond Krakow in the summer? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Warsaw!
August
- Overview: Rainfall throughout Poland, except on the northern coast, drops from July to August. Warm temperatures still remain steady into late August as the holidays draw to a close.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 24°C / 75°F 12°C / 54°F 18°C / 64°F 45mm Gdansk 21°C / 70°F 12°C / 54°F 17°C / 63°F 49mm Zakopane 20°C / 68°F 9°C / 48°F 15°C / 59°F 81mm Warsaw 23°C / 73°F 12°C / 54°F 18°C / 64°F 60mm - Where to go: Escape to the northern coast for the quintessential Polish beach experience. Water temperatures around Gdansk and the resort areas on the Baltic are at their warmest in August. During most of August, Gdansk is also embroiled in celebration as the St. Dominic Fair rolls in.
September
- Overview: Although summer is past its apex, September is one of the best months of the year to travel to Poland. Temperatures throughout the month are still pleasantly warm, with lower rainfall than during the spring shoulder season. By now, a sizeable chunk of tourists have returned home to take on new school years and get back to the grind.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 19°C / 66°F 9°C / 48°F 14°C / 57°F 45mm Gdansk 16°C / 61°F 8°C / 46°F 12°C / 54°F 44mm Zakopane 13°C / 55°F 6°C / 43°F 10°C / 50°F 66mm Warsaw 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 14°C / 57°F 40mm - Where to go: Poland is close to its best in September. The fall colours haven’t yet emerged, but the warm and sunny leftover summer days (with fewer tourists to get in your way) make travelling nearly anywhere in the country special. September is a great month for music lovers, with the Warsaw Autumn International Festival of Contemporary Music and Rawa Blues Festival in Katowice rolling in.
October
- Overview: Not as warm as September but generally more pleasant than November, October is among the most ideal months to visit Poland. That’s assuming you don’t mind the slowly descending temperatures. Throughout much of the country, rainfall is lower or at least equal to September.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 9°C / 48°F 33mm Gdansk 11°C / 52°F 4°C / 39°F 8°C / 46°F 36mm Zakopane 10°C / 50°F 3°C / 37°F 7°C / 45°F 42mm Warsaw 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 9°C / 48°F 40mm - Where to go: Rainfall in southern Poland decreases significantly into October. Take advantage of drier days and the explosion of fall colours to go hiking around Zakopane, one of the most popular day trips from Krakow. Towards the end of the month, movie lovers should warp over to Warsaw for the Warsaw Film Festival.
November
- Overview: Like October, November is reasonably dry throughout most of Poland, especially in comparison to the wet summer. The caveat is that temperatures in November begin to dip into uncomfortable territory. Even with the lower rainfall, days are grey and cold, especially towards the end of the month when sub-zero temperatures are a possibility.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 5°C / 41°F 0°C / 32°F 3°C / 37°F 33mm Gdansk 4°C / 39°F 0°C / 32°F 2°C / 36°F 36mm Zakopane 3°C / 37°F -2°C / 28°F 1°C / 43°F 23mm Warsaw 5°C / 41°F 1°C / 34°F 3°C / 37°F 40mm - Where to go: The northern coast is at its wettest during November. Other parts of Poland, including Krakow, Wroclaw, and Poznan, are more pleasant than coastal destinations like Gdansk or Sopot. Even so, November drags in cooler temperatures, with a noticeable drop from October. Dress warmly with a waterproof winter coat wherever you decide to go.
December
- Overview: The first month of winter in Poland lives up to its name. Temperatures throughout much of the country often peek below 0°C (32°F). Snow is, of course, always a possibility in December. Be sure to bundle up with warm outerwear, toques, gloves, and waterproof boots wherever you choose to visit.
City Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Temp Rainfall Krakow 2°C / 36°F -3°C / 27°F -1°C / 30°F 27mm Gdansk 1°C / 34°F -4°C / 25°F -2°C / 28°F 29mm Zakopane 1°C / 34°F -4°C / 25°F -2°C / 28·F 9mm Warsaw 1°C / 34°F -2°C / 28°F -1°C / 30°F 40mm - Where to go: With most of the tourists reaching for warmer climes, Poland is fairly quiet in December. The holiday season brings colour to Krakow as its Christmas markets jump into full swing. Under a thin blanket of snow and lit with festive cheer, Krakow may even be at its most magical at this time of year!
Final recommendations
The best month to visit Poland is May or September.
Why visit in May?
With the cold winter left long behind, May brings (finally!) warm temperatures to much of Poland. Although generally rainier than April, the temperature boost in May is enough to give it a thumbs up over visiting earlier in the spring.
Firmly in the shoulder season, May is a fantastic time to go to Poland to escape the crowds of summer. Tourism numbers in Poland are much lower in May than in June when the high season ramps up.
The result is better availability for accommodations and cheaper prices. May is also much drier than in summer when rain showers collude with intense heat and humidity to sully your travel experience.
Why visit in September?
Like May, September sits in the tourism shoulder season. Most of the crowds that swarm popular Polish destinations like Krakow have returned home by September, leaving the country ripe for off-season exploration.
Temperatures throughout Poland are still warm and comfortable in September. Rainfall also slopes down to more manageable and drier levels compared to the hot and wet Polish summer. September is, on the whole, even drier than May, especially in Zakopane and the High Tatras, even if slightly cooler.
