Backpacking Poland
As tourism is a significant part of Poland’s economy, the government has taken extensive measures to improve this sector and provide visitors with better opportunities as well as available facilities. Depending on what you are looking for, the best time to visit Poland may change respectively. Generally speaking, there are three main reasons for people to decide on making a trip to Poland.
The vast stretches of stunning, still untouched nature that cover a substantial part of the country are one of Poland’s most alluring features and a major attraction for people to come for a visit. The towering Tatra Mountains, impressive lake reserves, seashores and lush forests provide travelers with many reasons to fall in love with the country.
Secondly, the country’s role in history often moves people to travel to Poland. The old town of Krakow, the National Museum in Warsaw and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum are all highly significant places that you should definitely visit. There, you get the opportunity to gain insight into the country’s past and learn more about the specific situation in Poland during the World Wars and the communist regime.
The large number of annual cultural events is the last reason to visit this charming country. Regardless of the month you choose to visit Poland – you’ll surely be able to find festivals or events that perfectly suit your taste.
If you are looking to find out the best time to visit Poland, this climate guide will assist you in picking the perfect time for your trip.
At a Glance:
| Peak Season | May to September |
| Off-Season | October to April |
| Sightseeing | April to June/September |
| Bird Watching | March to May |
| Biking | April to September |
| Hiking | May to September |
- Peak Season: May to September
- Off-season: October to April
- Sightseeing: April to June/ September
- Bird Watching: March to May
- Biking: April to September
- Hiking: May to September
What is the climate like in Poland?
Poland is located in a transition zone between the moderate, oceanic influenced western European climate and the continental climate of Eastern Europe. In the skies over Poland, cold polar air currents meet the tepid, subtropical air coming from the south. The coastal regions, bordering the Baltic Sea in the north and west of the country, are dominated by the moderate climate. By contrast, the climate in the south and east is predominantly continental.
With its proximity to the sea entailing masses of humid air drifting over from the Atlantic Ocean, you can expect a damp climate when visiting the west of Poland. The summers there are warm, the winters not too cold, and the sky is mostly clouded. In the east of Poland, on the other hand, the summers are very hot and dry and the winters are cold, bringing along a lot of snow. In summer, the wind mostly comes from the west and in winter from the east. During the transitional period, the wind directions tend to change and the collision of both air masses causes the weather conditions in Poland to change frequently.
You can expect the highest temperatures to occur in July and the lowest to occur in January. Generally speaking, there is also more rainfall during the summers than there is during the winters. Regardless of the season, Poland doesn’t get a lot of bright sunlight. Nine hours of sunshine per day are the absolute maximum, even during the summer months. In many places, seven hours are the best you can hope for.
Climate in Warsaw
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature in °C | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 2 |
| Minimum Temperature in °C | -6 | -6 | -3 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 | -3 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Days of Rain | 14 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 15 |
Climate in Krakow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature in °C | 0 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 6 | 3 |
| Minimum Temperature in °C | -5 | -5 | -1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 0 | -2 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Days of Rain | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 15 |
Climate in Danzig
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature in °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
| Minimum Temperature in °C | -3 | -4 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 2 | -1 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Days of Rain | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 |
Seasonal Climate Guide for Poland
Off-season (October to April)
During Poland’s low season, it can get pretty cold. While temperatures may still be pleasantly mild during October, they usually drop into the single-digits by November. The amount of rainfall steadily decreases and reaches its minimum in January. With temperatures frequently hovering just over 0 °C (32 °F) or even falling below the freezing point, January is also the coldest month.
During the winter months, the sun really only shines for a few hours a day and there is a lot of snowfall, especially in the southeast. Still, there are things to discover even in this cold time of year. Poland’s beautiful Christmas markets, for example, are always a delight, and you may even be able to watch the ski jump world championship if you visit the country in winter.
From March onwards, the weather slowly begins to get warmer and in April temperatures may already exceed 10 °C (50 °F). Anyone who travels to Krakow in April can already visit the Botanical Garden of the Jagiellonian University. In autumn, the garden closes in mid-October or by the end of the month at the latest.
Peak Season (May to September)
Temperatures in May sometimes can already reach 20 °C (68 °F) and travelers can expect about six to seven hours of sunshine a day. The pleasant temperatures in May and June are used to hold festivals such as the Krakow International Film Festival. In July, the warmest month of the year, Poland is in full bloom. In August, there is a 50% chance of rain on any day of the week. Starting from September, temperatures slowly begin to cool down. Nevertheless, most days are still agreeably warm and temperatures tend to remain in the double-digits.
Exception: Christmas Market
If you happen to travel to Poland in December, you should definitely visit at least one of the Christmas markets. They last the whole month and the most popular market is the one in Krakow. The Christmas market in Wrocław, on the other hand, is renowned for its beautiful location near the marketplace. You can, of course, also find Christmas markets in many other cities and villages. One thing is for sure: These markets are perfect for trying traditional Polish dishes!
International Shanties Festival
Every year in February, Krakow hosts the annual Shanties Festival and hundreds of people gather in the city to celebrate the art of sea shanties. If you are interested in sailing, the festival might be worth a visit.
The Best Time to Visit Poland
Winters in Poland can be quite harsh and cold. If being exposed to the cold Siberian wind is not your cup of tea, and you also aren’t eager to feel the chill of the Polish winters persistently seeping into your bones, you should consider visit the country during the high season instead.
In spring, you can enjoy the country’s lush greenery and beautiful peonies. The weather is quite mild, and you have the opportunity to engage in a lot of outdoor activities such as bird watching, cycling, hiking and climbing in the famous Tatra Mountains. If you want to, you can also explore some of the historical sites.
Poland’s summers are rarely truly hot; they are usually comfortably warm, and there tends to be more rain than during other parts of the peak season. Autumn is also a wonderful time to visit Poland. Even with the onset of winter waiting just around the corner, the weather in fall is still very pleasant.
