poland tourist season

First-timer's guide to Poland

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Jun 11, 2024 • 7 min read

Everything you need to know about visiting Poland for the first time © Getty Images

Poland  has a long, fascinating, sometimes tragic history, played out against a backdrop of royal castles and palaces, picturesque old towns and incredible landscapes.

From the Carpathian Mountains in the south to the Great Masurian Lakes in the north, Poland is a dream destination if you’re up for an activity-driven vacation – hiking, cycling and kayaking opportunities are abundant, plus there’s skiing in the winter.

If urban pleasures are more your thing, vibrant cities like the capital Warsaw , the atmospheric old capital Kraków  and revamped 19th-century industrial powerhouse Łódź do not disappoint. Each offers masses of cultural attractions alongside delicious dining and lively nightlife scenes.

As Poland is a big country packed with travel possibilities, you’re sure to have questions. Here are some tips and practical advice on how to get the most out of your first trip to Poland.

When should I go to Poland?

There’s no time of the year to specifically avoid when scheduling a trip. For fine weather and the chance to join summer festivals and events such as Kraków’s Jewish Culture Festival and Warsaw’s Summer Jazz Days , come between May and early September.

Towns and cities come alive as the warmer temperatures tempt everyone outside for alfresco dining and drinking. This is peak season, too, for visiting Poland’s 23 national parks.

The countryside in spring and autumn can also be very beautiful. Winter is the quietest season, except in ski resorts such as Zakopane ; come prepared for frigid temperatures and sloshing through snow and rain.

Compensations include low season rates at hotels and plenty of excellent museums in the major cities in which to shelter from the elements. Autumn through early spring is also when performing arts institutions such as Warsaw’s Teatr Wielki and Filharmonia Narodowa run their season of top-grade shows.

How much time do I need to visit Poland?

Two – or better, three – days is the minimum needed for a short city break to either Warsaw or Kraków. You won’t have enough time to cover everything, but you will be able to get a feel for these places and tick off the main attractions.

If you’re prepared to move around quickly, you could cram in more of Poland over 10 days to two weeks, adding to your itinerary metropolises such as Gdańsk (also close to the Baltic seaside resort of Sopot ) and Łódź, as well as smaller historic towns like the artists’ retreat Kazimierz Dolny and Zamość , a perfectly preserved 16th-century Renaissance town.

Have a month to spare? Now you’re talking! This will give you the opportunity to explore rural backwaters and national parks such as World Heritage-listed Białowieża National Park , home to some 800 free-roaming European bison, Poland’s national symbol and Europe’s largest land mammal; and Karkonosze National Park with its spectacular Ice Age glacier-carved landscapes.

Is it easy to get in and around Poland?

Poland is tethered to the world by international flights. The capital’s main airport is the central Warsaw Chopin Airport , with Modlin Airport , 39km (24 miles) north of the city, handling budget carriers.

Other international airports include Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, Katowice Airport, Kraków John Paul II International Airport, Łódż Airport and Wrocław Airport . There are also excellent rail and bus links, especially with Western European neighbors, including overnight train services to Berlin and Vienna .

Getting around Poland itself is a breeze. There’s a comprehensive system of buses and trains offering both frequent services and affordable prices. For more remote parts, including nearly all the national parks, you’ll really need your own set of wheels.

Hiring a car is straightforward and the roads have vastly improved in recent years (although you will encounter some unsealed roads in the most rural regions). Major cities and towns all have decent public transport, and you can easily cover historic old town centers on foot.

Top things to do in Poland

Kraków, the former royal capital, is a stunner with its heady blend of history and harmonious architecture. At its heart are the vast Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest medieval marketplace, and the magnificent Wawel Royal Castle , on a hill above the Old Town.

But that's just the start – every part of the city is fascinating, from the former Jewish district of Kazimierz and its lively nightlife to the atomic fallout shelters of Nowa Huta .

Warsaw had to be almost completely rebuilt after WWII. The powerful Warsaw Rising Museum focuses on the darkest hours of WWII, while the Museum of Warsaw superbly documents the city's rise, fall and resurrection. Also don’t miss the award-winning POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews , and regal Wilanów Palace and surrounding lush parkland.

Toruń , a walled Gothic city on the Vistula River, miraculously escaped WWII intact. Wander through the UNESCO-listed Old Town crammed with museums, churches, grand mansions and squares. When you’re flagging, perk up with a peppery gingerbread cookie, Toruń’s signature snack, which you can make yourself at the Gingerbread Museum .

The UNESCO-listed Białowieża National Park holds one of Europe’s last vestiges of primeval forest, which you can visit in the company of a guide. The bison, which was once extinct outside zoos, has been successfully reintroduced here, although your best bet for seeing these magnificent animals is the region’s European Bison Show Reserve .

My favorite thing to do in Poland

I’m a huge fan of street art and Łódź has embraced this public form of creative expression unlike anywhere else in Poland – the city is practically one giant art gallery! There are well over 200 public works of art ranging from massive painted murals to installations involving neon, nails and porcelain tiles.

Among my favorites are Pasaż Róży, a dazzling courtyard completely plastered with mirror fragments arranged in swirling rose patterns, and Wiedźmin, a 70m tall mural designed by Jakub Rebelka on the sides of adjacent apartment blocks – it’s a homage to the Witcher series of fantasy books by Łódź-based author Andrzej Sapkowski.

Is Poland part of the EU?

Yes, which means if you’re crossing into the country from neighboring EU countries – the Czech Republic (Czechia), Germany , Lithuania and Slovakia – there are no border formalities. However, rather than the euro, Poland’s national currency is the złoty (zł, sometimes also abbreviated as PLN) which dates back to the 14th century.

Most places accept card or electronic payments but sometimes you will need to pay in cash so it’s handy to keep some money in your wallet.

How much money do I need for Poland?

Like everywhere in Europe in recent times, prices have been rising in Poland. That said, the country offers great value, especially when it comes to accommodation, dining out and entertainment. Getting around by public transport is also a bargain.

• Hostel room: 60 zł
• Basic room for two: 200 zł
• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): 120 zł
• Public transport ticket: 3.40 zł
• Coffee: 15-20 zł
• Sandwich: 15 zł
• Dinner for two: 150-200 zł
• Beer/pint at the bar: 12 zł

How easy is it to get online?

Very easy. Depending on your home mobile phone/internet plans, you should be able to surf the web and stay in touch using a smartphone or tablet. There are plenty of wifi hotspots and some of them are free.

What’s Polish food like?

Locals like nothing better than scarfing comfort foods such as pączki (rose-jam filled doughnuts) or a plate of pierogi , dough dumplings stuffed with anything from cottage cheese, potato and meat to blueberries or other fruits.

Traditional cooking is rustic and flavorful and can be summed up by Poland’s signature kiełbasa sausages. These are usually made with pork and various seasonings, though other meats, like beef and veal, can be added.

Beyond such staples Polish cuisine also includes hearty soups and dishes such as beef tartare. In the major cities and towns, there’s a wide choice of world cuisines alongside creative renditions of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Keep planning your trip to Poland:

Attention, foodies, Poland should be your next destination Plan a perfect weekend in Krakow Make sure these top 10 things are on your Poland itinerary

Editor's note: This article was sponsored by Poland NTO after the city was selected for Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2024. Sponsors do not influence a destination's inclusion in Best In Travel, which is determined solely by Lonely Planet's editorial team.

This article was first published Sep 29, 2023 and updated Jun 11, 2024.

Supported by Poland NTO

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The Best Time to Visit Poland for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Poland for ideal weather are

May 21st to September 16th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Poland Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Poland Travel Info

Weather in poland.

Average temperatures in Poland vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 46th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Poland, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid August where highs are regularly around 77.3°F (25.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 58.3°F (14.6°C) at night.

Poland Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Poland temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Poland Perceived Temperature (F)

Poland perceived temperature (c), average poland temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Poland are February, April, and then October. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late October to early November. For example, on the week of October 29th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late May to early June with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of May 28th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Poland.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Poland (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Poland has some extremely humid months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is April (58.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is November (84.1%).

Wind in Poland is usually calm . The windiest month is January, followed by March and December. January’s average wind speed of around 8.1 knots (9.3 MPH or 15 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid January where average top sustained speeds reach 13.7 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Poland.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to poland.

Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Poland; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Nov 24, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Poland is July, followed by January and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Poland in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall poland travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 69.1°F (20.6°C) and 42.3°F (5.7°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 3 to 5 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 4 to 5 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Poland, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 67.6°F (19.8°C) and 40°F (4.4°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 3 to 4 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is far too cold this time of year in Poland to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 42.3°F (5.7°C) and 29.8°F (-1.2°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 2 to 4 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Poland

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Best Time To Visit Poland

What is the best time to visit poland.

Like many countries in Europe, Poland is an excellent place to travel all around the year, depending on your choice of weather. However, the best time to visit Poland is during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). This country has a typical European temperate climate with six distinctive seasons where summers are mostly hot and wet while winters are frigid. Despite these seasons and their typical conditions, the weather in Poland is highly unpredictable. During spring and autumn, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold and is just pleasant for roaming in and around the cities of Poland and engaging in several events and activities that Poland has to offer. From a tourism point of view, summertime in Poland is fully crowded, so fewer tourists travelling during this period is an added advantage so you won’t have to wait in a long queue outside the tourist spots.

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• 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.

Fall in Poland (September-November)

• 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 in Poland (December-March)

• 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.

Spring in Poland (March-May)

• 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.

Best time to visit the top destinations in Poland

Best Time to Visit Warsaw

Best Time to Visit Krakow

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Tourist Places to Visit In Poland

Krynica Zdroj

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