The best time to visit Poland
Poland’s main tourist season is in the Summer (June – August), when the resorts on the Baltic coast get the warmest temperatures.
For exploring the mountainous regions, the best time to visit is in the Spring (April/ May) when the flowers are at their most vivid. You will find this is the best time of year if you want it a little quieter and you won’t be queuing for anything.
Autumn is the Polish cultural season, and hotels tend to be emptier after the holiday period.
In Winter, the icy temperatures mean the South of the country is perfect for skiing. It can be bitterly cold in winter. Be sure to check out Krakow’s Christmas Markets if you go around this time of year.
Here are the best times to travel to Poland!
The best time to visit Poland is between May and October. The beaches are packed during July and August, so if you’re hoping for some peace and quiet it’s best to go during May/June or September/October. Plus the weather’s pleasant at these times of year. If you’re heading to the mountains, bear in mind that, whatever time of year, it rains a lot and without warning!
Spring
When is spring in Poland: From late March until May.
What to expect in spring in Poland: 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 times 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 Poland 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.
Events in Poland during spring
- Ludwig van Beethoven Festival, Warsaw(April): Even Though this festival bears Beethoven’s name, it’s not just all about him. This program features classical composers from around the world, who perform in concerts that are held in the city. The festival goes on for more than two weeks and is timed perfectly to coincide with the Easter holidays.
- Florianski Fair, Warsaw(May): This is a popular street fair which takes place across the river in Warsaw‘s district of Praga. The highlights of this festival are live music shows, and a street full of art and craft, food and local celebs.
- Juwenalia, Kraków(May): Juwenalia is a fun fair dedicated to the city’s students, where the mayor gives the students the keys to the city. Lots of concerts, shows, and parades are held along with food and alcohol.
- Film Music Festival, Kraków(May): For film and music lovers, this three-day concert is a must-visit. It pays tribute to all the music composers on the silver screen with live performances and film screenings. Composers also join the audience for concerts accompanying film screenings.
- Night of Museums, Warsaw(May): Every year, for one night, the city’s museums, art galleries, and other creative institutions stay open late at night for tourists. The exciting part about this event is mostly the late-night street parties which you can attend after visiting the museums.
Summer
When is summer in Poland: From June until August.
What to expect in summer in Poland: The unpredictability of Polish weather is never more obvious than in the summer. Between bouts of sunshine and soaring temperatures, expect frequent rainshowers and quick-brewing storms to sullen your mood. The weather hardly stops the hordes from descending unto Poland’s top destinations. Summer is the tourism high season in Poland when accommodation availability get sopped up fast and prices rise along with the mercury. Visiting Poland towards the end of summer in late August is more pleasant for both weather and crowds.
What to wear in Poland 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.
Key Events in Poland during summer
- Fair Hetmanski, Zamosc ( first or second week of June): To mark the anniversary of granting Zamość a town charter by the King , a fair is put up where folk artists from different parts of Poland come to participate. You can try interesting activities like oil pressing, clay pot making, buy traditional products and listen to music and dance shows put up by the artists.
- Jewish Cultural Festival, Krakow (June): This festival goes on for nine days every year, where different cultural events,shows, workshops, lectures and plays are organized. At this festival, you can learn all about Jewish history, traditions,cuisine and culture.
- Malta International Theatre Festival, Poznan (June): The Malta International Theatre Festival in Poznan is one of Poland’s oldest festivals, which started more than 25 years ago.Initially, it was only restricted for theatre enthusiasts but now it includes dance,music,art and even films. All the performances are held on the streets mostly and everyone is free to watch.
- International Street Arts Festival, Warsaw (July): This festival is Warsaw’s largest outdoor festival featuring musical and dramatic arts in some of the most popular public spots in the city.
- Open’er Heineken Festival(July): One of the most famous music festivals in Poland, Open’er Heineken Festival attracts tourists from around the world during summer. In this festival, you can get a chance to see Florence, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Machine, Chemical Brother and many more such starts live.
- Crossroads Traditional Music Festival, Kraków(July): Crossroads is an annual music festival held every year on the streets of Kraków with folk music from Tatra Mountains. Several concerts take place in Kraków‘s Market Square where musicians put up their own versions of traditional music, mixed with other genres like jazz.
- Good Taste Festival, Poznan (August): Good Taste Festival in Poznan is on every foodie’s bucket list. This international food fair hosts culinary shows, workshops, competitions and workshops every year. Every year, for one night, the city’s museums, art galleries, and other creative institutions stay open late at night for tourists. The exciting part about this event is mostly the late-night street parties which you can attend after visiting the museums.
Autumn
When is autumn in Poland: From September to November.
What to expect in autumn in Poland: Don’t expect the unpredictability of Polish weather to let up in fall! As with most of the year, autumn weather in Poland changes 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 Czech Republic, often cold and wet. If you’re lucky while travelling to Poland in fall you’ll catch some of the famously sunny days of the “Polish golden autumn” (złota polska jesień).
What to wear in Poland in autumn: In the cold and wet days of autumn, add 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.
Events in Poland during Fall
- Warsaw Autumn International Festival of Contemporary Music (September): This highly esteemed music festival presents classical contemporary music, performed by different artists from around the world. The performances are usually held at the National Philharmonic Hall and other venues across the city.
- Cross Culture Festival, Warsaw(September): During this festival in Warsaw, Musicians from all around the world gather at the Palace of Culture and Science for week-long concerts, and celebrate world music in all its diversity. Several workshops and films also conducted on the program.
- Festival of Four Cultures, Lódz(September): The festival of four Cultures namely, Polish, Jewish, German and Russian, is celebrated at the city’s traditional crossroads with popular music, culture, and a popular film festival.
- International Film Festival, Warsaw (October): This famous festival at Warsaw is one of Europe’s largest film festivals which attracts a large crowd every year. It festival presents unique films that you might never get a chance to watch again.
- Rawa Blues Festival, Katowice(October): Known to be the world’s largest indoor blues festival, it takes place every year at futuristic Spodek concert hall in Katowice.
- European festival of Taste, Lubin (September): This festival in Lubin, celebrates food, music and culture with food stalls offering traditional food, alcohol and other regional items, open-air concerts and much more.
- All Souls’ Jazz Festival, Kraków(November): Every year on All Souls’ Day (Nov 2), musicians from around the world come to Krakow and perform at bars, churches and other areas. This is Poland’s oldest jazz festival. Every year on All Souls’ Day (Nov 2), musicians from around the world come to Krakow and perform at bars, churches and other areas. The All Soul’s Jazz Festival in Krakow is Poland‘s oldest jazz festival.
Winter
When is winter in Poland: From December to early March.
What to expect in winter in Poland: 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 0ºC (32ºF) and -10ºC (14ºF). Dips to below -20ºC (-4ºF) aren’t uncommon. While the 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 there.
What to wear in Poland in winter: The best advice is to bundle up! With temperatures dropping below 0ºC 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.
Events in Poland during winter
- Kraków Christmas Cribs(December): This is an unusual competition where the person who builds the most amazing Christmas crèche wins. Christmas Cribs festival is a fun festival and one can just spend an entire winter day looking at how the participants build the crèche.
- Barbican Christmas Market, Warsaw( December): Christmas is celebrated throughout the country but the city of Warsaw is especially beautifully decorated with market stalls selling traditional home made bakery and other cuisines, gift stalls and a lot more. The highlight is the christmas tree at Zamkowy Square which is lit all night.
- Kraków New Year(December): Kraków‘s main square celebrates New Year’s Eve with great live shows and a stunning fireworks display sharp at midnight. This brings in large crowds and hence screens are put up everywhere to help them see all the action onstage.
- Fat Thursday( February): This fun festival is all about gaining calories! It is a day fully dedicated to eating sweets like pączki and traditional donuts filled with rose marmalade, faworki which is a crisp pastry finger sprinkled with powdered sugar and many more such mouth watering items.
- Shanties: International Sailors’ Song Festival, Kraków(February):Kraków hosts an international festival, every year in February, which is dedicated to maritime and sailors’ songs. Events like nautical poetry and ballads are held all around the town.
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