What is the best time to visit Poland? You can travel to this cultural gem of a destination year-round and have a great experience, but there are several important factors to take into consideration when choosing when to visit Poland.
Poland is a country known for its rich history and culture, beautiful cities, and delicious cuisine. It’s an emerging destination in Central Europe that is rapidly growing in popularity, especially among travelers who want to explore the country’s many historical sites and vibrant cities.
There’s no bad time to visit Poland, but the most popular season is summer, especially July and August. This is when the cities are at their most bustling. It’s also when many Polish travelers flock north to the country’s Baltic Sea beach resort towns. If you prefer warmer weather, summer is the best time to visit Poland.
However, late spring and early fall can also be lovely times to visit Poland, as well as winter – particularly the festive holiday month of December.
Let’s discover more about the country’s seasons and the best times to go to Poland.
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An Overview of Poland’s Seasons
Poland has a moderate climate and experiences four distinct seasons. The northern part of the country has a maritime climate and the southern part has a continental climate.
Spring in Poland usually brings brisk weather in March and April, followed by warmer weather in May.
June through August are the warmest months in Poland. Summer is generally quite mild, with temperatures rarely reaching more than 80° F, offering a welcome respite from the scorching summer highs of southern Europe. However, summer in Poland can bring some rainy days, too.
Fall tends to be mild, making it an excellent time of year to visit Poland for pleasant weather with sunny days, especially in September and October.
Winter in Poland is notoriously cold and snowy, with temperatures that regularly drop below freezing. But despite the cold, Poland is still a fantastic destination to visit in the winter months, especially in December during the festive Christmas season.
Here’s a further breakdown of all four seasons in Poland, including the advantages of visiting and the best places to go by season, to help you choose the best time to visit Poland.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Poland. The country is slowly starting to come out of hibernation after a long and cold winter, and things are gradually warming up. Days are getting longer and the sun is shining more, making spring – especially late spring – a great time to plan your trip.
Weather & Climate in Poland in Spring
Poland experiences a brisk early spring that eventually gives way to truly warm weather in May. March is typically still quite cold, with the average lows around 30° F and the average highs at about 45° F.
April begins to see more pleasant temperatures, with an average low of 39° F and an average high of 58° F. By May, the average low is 47° F and the average high is 67° F.
Spring tends to be drier than both winter and summer. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about rainy days if you travel to Poland during this time of the year.
Overall, spring is a fantastic time to visit Poland. Although you won’t want to leave your winter coat at home just yet, you won’t be freezing during spring in Poland either. While there may be occasional snowfall in March, April and May are typically much warmer.
Advantages of Visiting Poland in Spring
The advantage of visiting Poland during this time of year is that you can avoid the bitterly cold weather of winter and enjoy destinations as they begin waking up and blooming into spring.
The best time to visit Poland would have to be late spring in the month of May when you’ll experience the most pleasant weather and the longest days.
There are a few interesting celebrations that take place in Poland during the spring.
The first is the spring solstice, which was historically commemorated by burning a straw effigy of Marzanna, a Slavic goddess of death, who was associated with winter. Many cities and towns in Poland have a procession and festival on March 21 to honor this spring solstice tradition.
Another major celebration during the spring is Easter. Poland is a heavily Catholic country, and Easter is widely observed. The Holy Week festivities can include Palm Sunday processions, preparing Easter baskets, and painting colorful Easter eggs.
At the beginning of May, Poland has a three-day holiday celebrating Labor Day, Flag Day, and Constitution Day, all in succession.
Best Destinations To Visit in Poland in Spring
All destinations in Poland are lovely to visit in the spring. Cities start to become more lively and vibrant, especially in late April and early May. You’ll begin to see more people dining outside, having al fresco drinks, or gathering in public squares to soak up the sunshine.
Spring is the perfect time to visit some of Poland’s most popular cities, like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. If you want to get off the beaten path, Kazimierz Dolny is a delightful small town known for its art galleries and picturesque scenery. It makes for a great spring weekend trip from Warsaw.
All across Poland, you can see spring blossoms in the months of April and May. City parks and botanical gardens are full of colorful blooms, making spring an attractive time to visit Poland.
Summer (June to August)
The summer season is the most popular time to visit Poland. Although this country doesn’t receive nearly as many tourists as other European destinations like France, Spain, or Italy, summer is still a lively time of year in Poland.
However, most places in Poland don’t attract large crowds, not even during the peak season, which means this is still a great time of year to visit.
Weather & Climate in Poland in Summer
Visiting Poland during the summer means you’ll enjoy the warmest weather, without the risk of ever getting scorching hot. In fact, you will still want to pack a light jacket if you’re visiting Poland in the summer because it can get quite cool at night.
July is the hottest month of the year in Poland, with the average high hovering at around 78° F and the average low around 58° F. June and August both have similar average highs and lows, but these two months are usually a few degrees cooler than July.
One thing to note about summer in Poland is that it can often be the rainiest time of year. It’s not uncommon to have around eight rainy days per month during the summer. This can lead to high levels of humidity as well. However, summer in Poland is sunny and warm overall.
Advantages of Visiting Poland in The Summer
Why should you visit Poland in the summer? The biggest draw is the warm weather. This is one of the best times of year to walk around exploring Poland’s main cities or discovering the country’s natural beauty. Although summer in Poland is warm, it’s not as hot as in other destinations across Europe.
Poland also has a very lively atmosphere in the summer. Days are long, and the sun doesn’t set until 9 PM. You’ll find tons of people out and about, savoring a meal at a sidewalk café or sitting on a terrace enjoying drinks with friends.
Moreover, summer is the ideal season for outdoor concerts, festivals, cultural events, and other celebrations.
Just a few of the events happening in Poland in the summer include Krakow’s Pierogi Festival, which celebrates Poland’s most famous food every year in August, and the Jagiellonian Fair in Lublin, which also takes place in August and is the largest celebration of folk art and culture in Poland.
If you’re interested in live music, the Pol’and’Rock Festival and the Open’er Festival are two of the biggest music festivals that take place in Poland every summer.
Best Destinations To Visit in Poland in Summer
Summer is the perfect time to visit Poland’s popular cities, as well as nature destinations like the Baltic Coast in the north and the Tatra Mountains in the south.
Warsaw and Krakow, two of Poland’s largest cities, are amazing year-round destinations, but they are especially great to visit during the summer months. Both cities offer a mix of historical and cultural attractions, as well as tons of excellent restaurants and electric nightlife.
Poland’s northern coast is also best visited during the summer. The most popular destination in northern Poland is Gdansk, a beautiful, colorful port city. However, there are also many beach towns along the Baltic Coast. Although beaches in Poland are popular with Polish people, they are less well-known to foreign visitors.
Some of the loveliest beaches in Poland are Sopot Beach and Jelitkowo Beach, both within 20 minutes of Gdansk.
Another destination that is nice to visit for outdoor adventures in the summer is Zakopane. Located in southern Poland at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, this resort town is a great destination for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities during the summer.
Fall (September to November)
Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Poland. Nicknamed Golden Polish Autumn, this season, which lasts from September through November, is characterized by mild weather and fall foliage in rich hues of red, orange, and gold.
Weather & Climate in Poland in The Fall
Poland experiences a mild fall. The weather starts to cool down considerably, but it’s not too cold yet and winter is still way off. If you want to experience the last hints of summer, September is an ideal time to visit, with an average high temperature of 66° F and an average low of 48° F.
October brings chillier weather, with average highs around 55° F and average lows hovering at about 40° F. November starts to see colder weather and shorter days, and you can expect highs around 44° F and lows around 34° F.
September and October are the best months to experience fall in Poland before it gets too cold. You’ll definitely want to pack a coat and warm clothes to visit Poland in the fall because, while days can still be sunny and balmy, nights can be very chilly.
Advantages of Visiting Poland in The Fall
Much like spring, fall offers mild weather and a pleasant atmosphere for visiting Poland. It’s a scenic time of year to explore the country because you can admire the colorful fall foliage.
Although there aren’t quite as many notable holidays or celebrations happening in Poland in the fall, there are still a few interesting things going on. Polish Independence Day is celebrated on November 11, and there’s always a big parade in Warsaw on this day.
A unique holiday that also happens on November 11 is St. Martin’s Day. In the city of Poznan, this day has always been a big celebration. Poznan is famous for producing the St. Martin’s croissant, a delicious pastry with white frosting and poppy seed filling, one of the most delicious things to eat in Poland.
Best Destinations To Visit in Poland in The Fall
Where should you go in Poland during the fall? Once again, this is an excellent time of year to visit any of Poland’s big cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and Poznan.
It’s also the perfect season for day trips to Poland’s countryside and rural areas. There are many picturesque historic castles in southern Poland that you can visit on day trips from major cities like Krakow and Wroclaw, and this is a great time of year for it because you can enjoy the colors of the changing leaves.
Fall is also the best time to visit Bialowieza, a national park and one of Poland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bialowieza Forest is famous for being the last primeval forest in Europe, and it’s a unique destination for nature lovers.
You can see the fall foliage in Bialowieza Forest during this time of year, and late fall is also the best season to see the European bison that call this forest home.
Winter (December to February)
Although Poland can be bitterly cold during the winter months, it’s still a good time of year to visit. December is a magical time to visit Poland if you want to experience the festive Christmas season, while certain destinations are ideal for popular winter sports, like skiing and snowboarding.
Weather & Climate in Poland in Winter
Winter is by far the coldest time of year to visit Poland. Regardless of what part of the country you visit, temperatures are uniformly freezing during the winter season, and heavy snowfall is common, especially in January and February, Poland’s coldest months.
You can expect average lows of 25° F to 30° F during the winter, and average highs of 37° F to 40° F. Needless to say, you’ll want to pack lots of warm clothing for visiting Poland in the winter. You’ll also want to pack snow gear, including waterproof boots and a waterproof parka.
It’s also important to note that days are short in Poland during the winter. In December, around the winter solstice, the sun sets before 3:30 PM. Therefore, you won’t have as many daylight hours for sightseeing if you choose to visit Poland during the winter.
Advantages of Visiting Poland in Winter
Poland in the winter isn’t entirely dark and dreary, though. There are actually quite a few advantages to traveling to Poland during the winter months.
The best time to visit Poland in the winter is the month of December. For several weeks leading up to Christmas, almost every city and major town in Poland has a Christmas market. Many cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw go all out in decorating for the holidays.
It’s a wonderfully festive experience, and Poland’s Christmas markets are among the best in Europe. Even though the sun sets early, you can enjoy strolling around cities lit by Christmas lights as you explore the many market stalls selling delicious food, beverages, gifts, and souvenirs.
At the Christmas markets, you can enjoy Polish foods like pierogi and kielbasa, as well as borrowed fare like German gingerbread and Hungarian goulash or langos that are popular at other Christmas markets around Europe.
Another reason to visit Poland in the winter is for winter sports. The Tatra Mountains in southern Poland are a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, offering excellent value for your money along with world-class slopes and ski resorts.
Best Destinations To Visit in Poland in Winter
You can visit any part of Poland during the winter as long as you come prepared for the cold weather with warm clothing and plenty of layers.
If you want to tailor a December trip around visiting Poland’s best Christmas markets, we recommend Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. These three cities have fantastic festive markets as well as many other activities and main attractions for tourists. Gdansk and Poznan are also worth a visit during the Christmas season.
For winter sports enthusiasts, Zakopane is the top destination in the country. This resort town at the base of the Tatra Mountains is very picturesque with its wooden chalets and surrounding scenery.
Poland is a year-round destination, and even though there might be fewer tourists overall in winter, everything is still open and you can have a very enjoyable visit at this time of year.
Pick The Best Time To Visit Poland & Leave The Rest To JayWay
The best time to visit Poland might differ from person to person, but one thing remains the same: if you want to experience the best of Poland, leave it to JayWay’s expert hands to plan the perfect Poland itinerary for you.
Whether you want to splurge on a luxury trip across Poland, explore Poland’s rich Jewish heritage, dive into Poland’s WW2 history, or traverse Poland’s splendid natural landscapes, we can craft the most memorable private tour of Poland for you.
Get in touch now to turn your dream Polish adventure into an actual travel plan.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.