Best Time to Visit Poland 2025: Seasons, Cities, & Climate

Poland is a diverse country offering a captivating history and breathtaking nature. Therefore, knowing the best time to visit Poland will help you make the most of your travels here.

The country has a characteristic European continental climate and four distinctive seasons. Hot, wet summers and cold, grey winters are typical here. Spring and autumn are some of the best times to visit Poland. However, choosing the season for your visit depends on what you want to do here and what kind of vacation you want to enjoy. 

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Best time to visit Poland by season

Spring: March-May

After a cold winter in Poland, spring brings warmer weather throughout the country. A bit of rain and snow is still standard in March; however, the season is still open in Zakopane and Tatra Mountains if you’d like to ski. 

As temperatures continue to rise in Poland in April, particularly from mid-month, it is much more pleasant to wander through the streets of various cities. 

While spring rain is frequent in southern Poland, the rest is somewhat dry. Therefore, this is ideal for visiting cities like Gdansk, Poznan, and Wroclaw until they get overcrowded and hot in summer. Make sure to bring a packable raincoat for this time of the year.

May is the best time of year to visit Poland in spring as the days are longer and the temperatures are enjoyable with lots of sunny days. 

Summer: June-August

Polish summers have pretty unpredictable weather. Frequent rain showers and sudden storms are typical for this season, along with sunshine and warm temperatures in between. 

June is the wettest month in Poland, specifically in Warsaw and Zakopane. July is the hottest month in Poland, characterized by high humidity and temperatures. 

Moreover, it’s also the peak season, bringing many travelers to Poland’s main cities. Expect high prices in restaurants, hotels, and pretty much everywhere. However, lots of festivals and events happen during the summer months. 

Summers are pleasant on the Baltic coast of Poland. Therefore, many locals hit cities like Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia, making it a must visit in Poland for a local summer getaway. 

If you still want to experience summer with fewer crowds, plan your trip to Poland in August, especially at the end of the month.

Autumn: September-November

Even though the unpredictable weather persists, late September till mid-October is another best time to visit Poland. September has warm days with less rainfall than spring, making it an ideal time for traveling to Poland. 

The average temperatures start to fall in October, and the days are not warmer, but it could be better than November. 

It is a great time to enjoy the foliage, outdoor activities, a scenic Poland road trip, or hiking around Tatra National Park and Zakopane, for instance. 

November brings wet and cold days, but there are occasional warmer and sunnier days too.

Winter: December-mid-March

Visiting Poland in winter might not be the most comfortable choice, as it brings heavy wind, snow, and colder temperatures. However, it is the best time to visit Poland for Christmas markets and festive vibes. 

Even though every major city hosts these markets, Krakow Christmas Cribs is one of the finest celebrations where you can experience local traditions and culture, making it one of the best places to visit in Poland in winter for city explorers. 

With heavy snow in the mountains, winter is also the best time to visit Poland for skiing and snowboarding.

If you love peculiar customs, one of the Polish traditions is Tlusty Czwartek or Fat Thursday, or eat-as-many-sweets-as-you-can-day! For many locals, it is the last day to eat lots of sugary and fatty foods and drink alcohol before the Christian festival of Lent leading to Easter. The date of this day varies as it is linked to the Christian Church Calendar, but for 2024, it falls on February 8th. 

Public holidays in Poland

In Poland, national holidays are important occasions that reflect the nation’s history, culture, and traditions. Most tourist attractions, shops, and museums are closed these days, so remember to check the opening hours beforehand. 

Attending some of these holidays is exciting for learning more about Polish culture and traditions, as there are parades and various cultural events – for example, Independence Day and Easter. Moreover, special, city-specific events such as St. Martin’s Day in Poznan exist. 

Public transportation still works, so you won’t have problems getting around. However, the trains and buses are packed for big holidays like All Saints Day on November 1st; therefore, buy tickets as early as possible. 

Here are the most significant public holidays in Poland for 2024 with exact dates: 

Best time to visit Warsaw

Late spring or early autumn is the best time to visit Warsaw. During these months, the weather temperatures are ideal for wandering the streets of Warsaw. 

The summer months of June and August are a high season with many tourists, and the temperatures are pretty high, while June, July, and September are considered the busiest months for Warsaw. 

October, February, and March have the lowest chance of rain and snow, while the windiest months in Warsaw are January, February, and March. 

If you’d like to experience Warsaw in winter with its Christmas markets and festive lights, December is the best time for it.  

Warsaw festivals

• Ludwig van Beethoven Festival brings classical musicians worldwide. 
• The International Street Art Festival is Poland’s most extensive outdoor event, bringing artists from all the cities.
• Warsaw Autumn is another international festival of contemporary music.

Best time to visit Krakow

Like Warsaw, spring or autumn is the best time to visit Krakow. March through May and September through November have pleasant weather for sightseeing, fewer crowds, and to enjoy your time at various cafes and bars in Krakow. This is also the best time to visit Auschwitz from Krakow since most sights are outside. 

June through August is the high season bringing many tourists to the city. However, many festivals are held in summer, so if you are into them, these months should be the best time to visit Krakow. 

Both spring and summer are great seasons to embark on a few day trips from Krakow to explore neighboring landmarks and charming towns, including the painted village of Zalipie. And if you wonder what to pack for Krakow, I’ve got you covered on that one, too, providing a detailed list of what to wear in the city based on seasons and months.

Generally, winter in Krakow gets cold, but it is an ideal time if you’d like to ski in Polish Tatras. Winter is the low season for Krakow unless you travel here during Christmas and New Year. 

Krakow festivals

• The Jewish Cultural Festival is an annual event showcasing Jewish culture and history. 
• EtnoKrakow/Crossroads Festival is great if you are interested in local folk music from the Tatra Mountains. 
• All Souls’ Jazz Festival is Poland’s oldest jazz festival, bringing worldwide performers to play at various venues.

Best time to visit Gdansk

The climate in Gdansk is milder than elsewhere in Poland, as the city sits on the Baltic Sea coast. Summers are chillier than in southern Poland, while winter temperatures are above zero. 

In Gdansk, the beginning of spring still feels like winter. Therefore, the best time to visit Gdansk is late May, June, and September, when the days get warmer and plants start to turn green.  It is also a great time to do some day trips from Gdansk to explore more of the country.

July and August are the peak season for Gdansk, and the hotels get booked far in advance. Many locals also choose these months to spend their vacation in Gdansk due to its access to the sea. 

Autumn in Gdansk brings lots of rain, and the temperatures start to lower in October. Winter brings festive decorations and Christmas markets to the city, where the temperatures can go below zero, and the days are shorter but have fewer crowds and lower prices. 

Gdansk-Gdynia festivals 

• Open’er Heineken Festival in Gdynia is a music festival headlining the most famous world-class musicians.

Best time to visit Wroclaw

Considering the climate, cost of travel, and peak seasons, the best time to visit Wroclaw is from March to May. Although frequent rain is expected in May, so bring a rain jacket. 

Summer brings warmer and longer days to Wroclaw. August is the warmest month; however, like elsewhere in Poland, summer is the peak season with high prices and many tourists. So another best time to visit Wroclaw is early summer, i.e., the beginning of June. 

Autumn in Wroclaw is short with a not-so-impressive climate and a bit colder days; however, it still is a pleasant season to consider for visiting Wroclaw for fewer crowds and lower prices. 

Winter in Wroclaw can be pretty cold; however, when visiting it during Christmas markets in December, the weather was reasonable, with a bit of sun. Winter also brings snow to Wroclaw, so this should be an ideal time to visit if you like snow-covered cities. 

Wroclaw festivals

• Good Beer Festival celebrates international and local brews.

Best time to visit Poznan

The beginning of spring brings warmer days, making it the best time to visit Poznan, ideally in late May. 

Even though summer is perfect for Poznan, it’s a high season with many tourists and high accommodation and restaurant prices. If you want to explore some interesting, historical, and charming towns as day trips from Poznan, aim for warmer months.

September is another good time to visit Poznan as the days are still long and sunny before the weather changes in October. 

Poznan also hosts Christmas markets in December, making it one of the top destinations in Poland for winter. 

The month of January is the least favorite time to go to Poznan. It is the coldest month of the year, limiting your opportunities to wander around the city. The rest of the months are not great either, with a very unfavorable climate until March. 

Poznan festivals 

• Malta Festival is the most prominent and popular festival promoting street art and theatre.
• Good Taste Festival is ideal for food lovers bringing international cuisines under one roof.

Best time to visit Katowice

Katowice, located in the Silesian region, has varied average temperatures. Here, days feel cold for half of the year, considering the humidity. The best time to visit Katowice is July, August, and June for its warmest climate. The hottest month is July when the average temperature goes up to 26C in the middle of the month during the day and 13C during the night. 

Winters here can be cold, but it is also a great time to attend the Christmas Market in its main square and wander through the snow-covered red brick neighborhood of Nikiszowiec, the mine worker’s estate. 

We traveled to Katowice in late autumn, and while the weather was slightly rainy one day, it still was a pleasant temperature to enjoy walks and sightseeing around the city.