Poland in Winter 2024: Top Destinations & Poland Travel Tips

Are you thinking of spending winter in Poland? You’ve come to the right place as I share all the essential travel tips I wish I had known before visiting Poland in winter, packing essentials, and all the fantastic cities perfect for winter months.

During winter, Poland turns into a magical winter wonderland with snowy-covered cities, bustling Christmas markets, and plenty of wonderful things to do. The country boasts a rich history spanning over a thousand years, tasty food, gorgeous national parks, and charming cities

Poland in winter

A lot of people think that Poland in winter is super cold, which is partially true, but if you are after less crowded cities, budget-friendly accommodation options, excellent ski slopes, and festive cities, Poland is a go-to winter destination. 

We’ve been to Poland a few times now, in spring, autumn, and winter. Therefore, this detailed deep dive into what to do in Poland in winter, how to plan winter vacations in Poland, what to pack, and what some of the essential Poland winter travel tips are based on our extensive travels through the country. 



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Is Poland worth visiting in winter?

Spending winter in Poland might be an uncommon choice. However, consider a trip to Poland if you are after less-known cities to spend your Christmas holidays or are tired of super busy skiing slopes. Whether you are a city explorer or adventure seeker, you can find all sorts of winter activities in Poland suitable to your needs. 

Polish charming cities are even more beautiful, illuminated by Christmas lights. And Christmas markets in Poland are as grand and lively as other central or western European cities. Hot mulled beer drink, Grzane Piwo, is a local specialty during the winter season, along with sizzling pierogi (dumplings), kielbasa (sausages), and osypek (smoked cheese) with jam, to name just a few. 

For those who are after winter sports resorts in Poland, Zakopane, a town in the Tatra Mountains, is the perfect winter destination. And whenever you get cold, you can enjoy numerous thermal baths to warm up after a long day of snowboarding or skiing in Poland.

What is the best time to visit Poland in winter?

The winter season in Poland starts in December and lasts till March. However, cold days may begin in November and continue till April. 

So how cold is Poland in winter? The answer depends on where you plan on traveling. Chilly and grey with occasional rainy days are standard winter weather. In some cities, you might even encounter a sleet climate. On average, Poland in winter weather temperature ranges from 7C to -6C. 

Does it snow in Poland in December? Yes, it does, and it is pretty standard, especially in the mountains and northern parts of the country. Sometimes, cities like Gdansk and Warsaw have snowfall in December. 

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On one of our trips to Poland in December, the temperatures in most cities we’ve been to were mild enough to enjoy sightseeing. However, walking around to see some landmarks on rainy and sleet days was not fun. 

That said, the beginning of December is the best time to visit Poland in winter if you want to see the cities in their festive vibe and attend some of its Christmas markets. 

Poland in January sees the coldest days, which last until February, with -3C being the average temperature. However, in ski resorts in southern Poland, temperatures might even drop to -20C. 

If you want to enjoy winter sports in Poland, plan your travels for the end of January or the beginning of February. During this time, the slopes in Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains see fewer tourists and locals.

Also read: my ultimate guide to the best time to visit Poland, with a seasonal overview, festivals, and best times to see the most popular cities.  

Is Poland a good destination for Christmas?

Yes, Poland is a good destination for Christmas and its markets. Europe is generally famous for its Christmas markets, especially Germany, Austria, Czechia, France, and Belgium. 

However, Polish Christmas markets are as fabulous, festive, and beautiful as elsewhere in Europe. Some cities have even won awards for best Christmas Markets in Europe, so make sure to plan your travels close to those dates. 

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Every city has a different date for setting up those markets, but they are open from the beginning of December as a general rule. 

All the major cities like Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Krakow, and Katowice all host a reasonably sized Christmas Market at their main squares. 

Each city has its grand decorations, making it one of the good reasons to visit Poland in winter and do a bit of city-hopping. That’s what we did one winter in Poland, and it was a pretty interesting way of spending our time here. 

Like other countries, there are winter traditions in Poland and Christmas Polish food that you can try and experience during these festive days. If the rest of the world has mulled wine, Poland has mulled beer they make at Christmas markets. 

And one of my favorite snacks was the osypek, the heated smoked cheese with cranberry jam. It is hard to picture these two together but trust me; it is absolutely delicious.

7 Best places to visit in Poland in winter

There are many fantastic places to visit in Poland in winter. Besides exploring some of its stunning cities, I suggest saving at least two or three days for winter resorts, even if you don’t ski or snowboard. 

Warsaw

The capital of Poland is beautiful year-round, but Warsaw in winter is particularly charming with plenty of exciting things to do to keep you busy. 

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Warsaw, steeped in history, was utterly destroyed during WWII and rebuilt right after from ground zero. What surprises me is that while walking through its winding streets, you can never tell that Warsaw was in ruins for many decades, including its historic Old Town, which enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The city has quite interesting museums to visit, offering a glimpse into its turbulent history, and plenty of restaurants and atmospheric cafes to enjoy local food. 

Wilanow Palace turns into a winter wonderland with its lights and illuminated figures. The palace, located 10 km south of the city center and easily accessible by public transport, got its monicker of “Polish Versales” due to its luxurious and grand rooms and garden. 

Krakow

The country’s second biggest city and former capital, Krakow, is one of the most popular cities to visit in Poland. Founded in the 7th century, Krakow has plenty of cultural and historical attractions to explore. 

Like Warsaw, Krakow’s Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful architecture. 

poland in winter

During your travels in Krakow in winter, you can admire the luxurious halls of the Wawel Castle and see how kings and queens lived back in the day, learn more about the dark history of the city by visiting some of its iconic museums, including Shindler’s Enamel Factory and Under the Egle Pharmacy. 

For the even more emotional and dark part of humankind, you can plan a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. However, note that most sights within the camp are outside, but during the winter season, there are fewer crowds. 

And for those who love stunning and one-of-a-kind experiences, consider visiting Wieliczka Salt Mine, which produced table salt until 1996, making it the oldest working mine and one more UNESCO Site of Poland. And if you want more, here are a few more day trip options from Krakow.

Gdansk

Gdansk was the first stop during our Poland winter trip, and I absolutely fell in love with the city and its architecture. This coastal city on the Baltic Sea is a must visit in Poland at any time of the year. 

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Gdańsk, mainly known for its amber cultivation and trade, is also the city where WWII started; therefore, if you are into exploring and learning more about that time, visiting Gdansk should be on your Poland itinerary. It was one of the most well-laid out and engaging World War II museums we’ve ever been to. 

Its Dlugi Targ, or the Long Market, is full of colorful and intricately decorated merchant houses and highlights the Gdank’s attractions. This is also where you’ll find part of its Christmas Market. 

Wroclaw

Located in the southwest of Poland, Wroclaw is another great city to visit in Poland during your winter holidays. This cute city is known for adorable dwarf statues, breathtaking Old Town, rich architecture, and historical landmarks. 

Because of its several islands and bridges, the city is also called the “Venice of the North” offering plenty of things to its visitors, from the gorgeous Old Town to fascinating monuments, pretty islands, secret gardens, and historical and modern cafes. 

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Its Market Square, surrounded by pastel-colored buildings, is where the Christmas Market is located, with a giant Christmas tree and gorgeous lights. 

However, besides that, Wroclaw’s Old Town has dozens of gorgeous buildings reflecting different architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque. 

While wandering its streets, don’t forget to cross the bridge to Ostrow Tumski, the oldest part of the city featuring historical buildings, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which dominates its skyline. 

Poznan

Located in the west of Poland, Poznan is one of my favorite cities, full of interesting landmarks and traditions. The central Market Square is one of the finest in Europe, with colorful townhouses adorned with intricate and gorgeous designs.

The Renaissance-style Town Hall with its clock tower dominates the skyline of the square, where two mechanical goats tribute to the ancient legend every day at noon. 

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Some of Poznan’s best things to do are experiencing its vibrant history and culture by visiting museums and hunting down gorgeous street art, for instance. 

Poznan is also home to one of the best croissants in the world, protected by EU Law – St. Martin’s Croissant. There’s even a museum dedicated to it where you learn the history of the city, the croissant, and how to make it. 

Wandering around the artificial Lake Malta is a great way to unwind and spend time with nature. And if you are in Poznan in winter, the frozen lake is a place to go ice skating. 

If you are up for exploring neighboring areas, here are my favorite day trips from Poznan.

Katowice

If you are looking for a less-traveled city, consider Katowice, the capital of the Silesia region, which has been an industrial hub of the country with its vast amount of mines. 

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Katowice is a perfect destination for history and culture lovers, with its engaging museums, gorgeous architecture, out-of-the-world concert venues, and beautiful street art. 

There are many things to do in Katowice, making it ideal for weekend trips or spending a few more days exploring neighboring Krakow as a day trip, or even visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.  

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You’ll learn more about the city’s history and mining heritage in the Silesian Museum. A walk through its charming mining neighborhood of Nikiszowiec, featuring brick residential places built for the workers, will give you a glimpse of worker’s everyday lives. However, Katowice has two more neighborhoods built for miners that contrast each other.

And if you like modernist architecture, Spodek, a UFO-looking concert venue, is another city highlight, along with the massive Silesian Uprising Monument. 

Karpacz

If you want to spend your winter in the Polish mountains, consider the charming town of Karpacz in the Karkonosze Mountains, close to Wroclaw.

This ski and spa town of Lower Silesian Voivodeship in the southwestern part of the country is one of the best places to ski in Poland, offering stunning mountain views, particularly to the highest peak, Śnieżka. 

Considered an alternative to the Alps, Karpacz offers more than skiing to its visitors. Besides skiing, hiking, or ski jumping, the town has museums, galleries, stylish cafes and restaurants, and various entertainment venues. 

One of the top attractions is the gorgeous Norwegian medieval wooden church, which was moved here from Vang in Norway in the mid-19th century. 

Zakopane

Zakopane is the most popular winter destination in Poland for skiing and snowboarding. Its excellent location at the foot of the Tatra Mountains gives visitors easy access to the slopes. 

The slopes are designed to suit newbies and pros, with Nosal and Kasprowy Wierch being the must-visit ski resorts. However, don’t worry if you are not into skiing, as Zakopane offers plenty of activities for non-skiers. For those who love thermal baths, Chocholowskie Termy is one of the favorite places for many.

What to wear in Poland in winter?

Since the weather can be unpredictable in winter, I advise being well prepared, especially since you’ll be spending half of the way walking around the city in cold temperatures. Here are my general recommendations on what to pack for Poland, as well as some winter-specific items:

Backpack or suitcase? – we prefer backpacks over suitcases. For us, a backpack is much more comfortable to carry than a suitcase. I have a 55 Liter Osprey Farpoint (read my full review here), and Oto has a Cobra 60 from The North Face. Both have plenty of space but are small enough to carry it on board of budget airlines as purchased luggage.

Day pack for shorter trips – if we have a short city break that doesn’t require us to bring our big backpacks, we travel with smaller ones. I typically take my CITYC 2 in 1 Backpack from Driibe (read my full review here) while Oto uses his Burton backpack.

Scarf –  I rarely travel without a scarf, no matter the season. Bring a warm and fluffy scarf for Poland. 

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Hat  – A warm winter hat is a must. I sometimes bring my red fedora or the winter hat with pom poms. Oto is inseparable from his beanies

Winter jacket – a warm and cozy winter jacket goes without saying. It’s even better if it has a hood for sleet weather days. 

Winter boots – I have traveled to Poland in my Timberland boots with warm insoles on several occasions. However, it might not be a good choice for colder places and mountains.

Mittens/gloves – I am not a big fan of gloves, but having them during winter in Poland is essential. 

Thermal clothes – these come in handy if you prefer to dress lighter. Thermal t-shirts or leggings will keep you warm during your sightseeing walks. 

Umbrella – another essential item for rainy days in Poland. Alternatively, pack this packable raincoat.

Water bottle –  tap water is safe to drink in Poland. However, bringing your own water bottle and refilling it will save you some money and make you a responsible traveler without adding your footprint to the fragile environment. I don’t go anywhere without my Stojo collapsible water bottle.

Reusable and collapsible coffee cup – if you are like us and love coffee or tea while wandering the streets, we always have collapsible cups from Stojo, which use a tiny space in our backpacks. 

Power adapter –  sockets in Poland are standard, just like in Europe, some parts of Asia, and Australia. However, having the universal adapter is handy if you come from a country that uses different sockets.

Battery charger – Poland winter is lovely, and you’ll be exhausting your smartphone battery very soon, so always bring an external charger to keep you on the go. I have this Anker power charger for its durability, quality, and fast charging.

13 Poland winter travel tips

After spending one week in winter in Poland, there are some things that I wished I had known beforehand, even though I thought I had done thorough research. We managed to avoid all the mistakes, but there were a few that I hadn’t predicted.

Poland doesn’t use Euros

Poland is part of the European Union, but their national currency is the Polish Zloty, not the Euros. Therefore, you must exchange money once you get in the country. You simply can’t pay anywhere in Euros or any other currency. 

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Don’t bring too much cash

Cash in some countries is essential, especially for buying public transport tickets. But in Poland, you don’t need it. You can buy almost everything with your credit or debit cards, even tickets for buses and trams, from the ticketing machines. Have enough cash, and don’t solemnly rely on cards. 

On our last visit, though, I needed cash only twice – to pay for luggage storage in Krakow’s main train station (as opposed to Poznan, where you can pay with a card) and to pay for a small local bus to get us from Tarnow to Zalipie village

I typically use the Wise debit card to make card payments and withdraw money in local currency without hidden fees.

Exchange all your money when you find a reasonable exchange rate

However, if you bring some cash, you’ll need to find Kantor exchange offices in Polish. They are almost everywhere, especially in touristy places, but you can search for them in Google Maps. 

We found a different exchange rate in each city we went to. Therefore, we regretted not exchanging all our money at the best rate we randomly found in the small town of Sopot’s train station. 

With lower exchange rates in other cities, we would lose 10-15 Zloty every time. It’s not much at first glance, but if you add up several transactions, it might be the price of two plates of pierogi (local dumplings), and two beers in a cafe. 

Everything is closed on Sundays

This is not a winter season-specific tip, but I still included it here. As someone from a country where everything is working 24/7, it sometimes slips my mind to check whether a particular destination has Sundays off. 

We arrived in the Baltic city of Gdansk very late on Saturday with no Polish Zloty in our wallets, hoping that we could exchange money the next day. Well, we were so wrong. 

90% of the shops, except for convenient and souvenir ones, were all closed. We found one Kantor open, but the rate was so terrible we decided to wait for the other places to open. 

That said, Zabka, a local convenience shop chain, is open every day, from early morning to late evening, including Sundays. You can find Zabka everywhere, literally in every two steps. 

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Be prepared during Christmas festivities

Suppose your winter in Poland vacation falls during Christmas and New Year festivities. Remember that shops are closed on December 25-26 and January 1 and 6. Also, shopping on December 24 or 31 might be risky, and some shops might be open for half the day. 

The early bird catches the worm

One of the drawbacks of having a vacation in winter in Poland is that it gets very pitch dark at 4 pm, limiting outdoor sightseeing. Waking up early to manage and see the cities during the daylight is essential. 

Therefore, 

Plan longer stays 

Since it gets dark very early during the day, one mistake to avoid when planning your trip to Poland in winter is to stay longer in the cities you want to explore. I planned my two-day stay in each city, which felt rushed. Moreover, some venues close earlier in the winter months as it’s a low season for tourism. 

Some museums close at 4 pm

When researching and planning the trip and places to visit in Poland, I found that some museums close at 4 pm in some cities. One example is Gdansk, and another is POLIN Museums of History of Jews in Warsaw. Even though it doesn’t close this early, the last admission is at 4 pm. 

I hoped to save museum visits when it gets dark outside so I could take full advantage of daylight. Therefore, I had to readjust our itinerary when planning our Poland winter trip. 

Use trains as your main intercity transport

Trains are my favorite means of transportation, and train travel here is a breeze, comfortable, and convenient for visiting cool places in Poland. 

Trains frequently run from early in the morning until very late at night. Depending on the destination, they might take a few hours to get to the city, but they are faster than buses. 

Purchase public transport tickets in advance

Almost every bus/tram stop has a ticket machine nearby. Depending on the city, some even have ticket machines inside the trains and buses; however, not always. 

My advice is not to rely on them, and if you’ll be using public transport often, purchase bus/tram tickets in advance once you see those ticket machines. 

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Almost everyone speaks English

Even though Poland is a popular tourist destination, only some people speak English. You will be fine communicating with Poles working in central touristy places and big cities, but you might need to use gestures if you go to very local restaurants or small towns. 

From what I have heard, Poles are shy about their language skills. They might understand you speaking English but might respond in a different language.  

Learn a few words in Polish, even if you’ll mispronounce them

Poles really appreciate it when foreigners try to learn their language, even if their pronunciation isn’t excellent. Trying to say simple words such as “hello” and “thank you” shows you respect their culture. 

  • Hello/Good Day – Dzień dobry – Jen doh-bri
  • Thank you – Dziękuje – Jen-koo-yeh
  • Please – Proszę – Prosheh
  • Yes – Tak – Tahk
  • No – Nie – Nyeh

Don’t drink in public places

Drinking alcohol in public places is illegal in Poland. When traveling in winter in Poland, you might be tempted to buy a small, 100 ml bottle of vodka in a shop to warm up, but think twice! Even though we’ve seen people drinking beer in the streets, you might get a fine if the police spot you. So be aware and mindful.


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One Comment

  1. ssspinterest says:

    I absolutely loved this post! Poland looks stunning in winter, and your tips on where to go and what to do are super helpful. I’m especially intrigued by the suggestions for Zakopane and the Christmas markets. Can’t wait to plan my trip!

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