In general, the best time to visit Poland in terms of weather is from the middle of spring (mid-April) to the middle of autumn (mid-October). That’s when the weather in Poland is the most pleasant.
Find out more about when it’s the best time to go to Poland, depending on the circumstances, in the detailed guide below.
About Poland
Poland is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north.
Poland has a population of 38 million people. The capital city is Warsaw. The country is one of the most affordable European destinations, with prices for food and accommodation often below those in Western Europe.
Poland has a rich history that can be seen from its architecture and cultural heritage. There are many beautiful places to visit when you are in Poland, including historic castles, museums, and churches.
When you go to Poland, you’ll be able to explore the countryside and see many historic sites as well as enjoy some of the best Polish cuisine.
Climate in Poland
Poland is a country with a Temperate Climate. It’s characterized by warm summers and cold winters.
The climate in Poland is not extreme, but it can be quite unpredictable.
Average temperature
The average temperature in Poland ranges from -4°C (25°F) in the coldest months of January and February to 25°C (77°F) in the warmest month of July.
Number of monthly rainy days
In the graph below, you can see that the average number of rainy days in the month is rather similar throughout the year.
The highest amount of rainfall is during summer and autumn. In summer the rain falls in the form of intensive and quick showers. In autumn rain is slower and more persistent.
Number of monthly sun hours
The months with the highest number of sun hours are May (the last month of spring) and all three months of summer – June, July, and August.
The lowest number of sun hours have November (the last month of autumn) and all three months of winter – December, January, and February.
Seasons in Poland
Poland has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Spring (March to May)
Spring in Poland lasts from March to May. It’s a time of renewal and rebirth that the whole country enjoys.
The weather during this time is usually mild and pleasant. The air is fresh with a lingering scent of blossoming flowers and bushes.
If you are planning to come to Poland in spring, try to choose April or May. March is the first month after winter when the weather is still cold, gloomy, and very unpredictable.
| SPRING | MAR | APR | MAY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 7°C / 44°F | 14°C / 57°F | 20°C / 67°F |
| Min temperature | 0°C / 31°F | 4°C / 39°F | 9°C / 48°F |
| Monthly sun hours | 110 hours | 156 hours | 220 hours |
| Monthly rainy days | 12 days | 13 days | 14 days |
| Weather conditions | Bad | Tolerable | Good |
Summer (June to August)
Summer in Poland lasts from June to August. The weather in Poland in summer is warm and sunny with a few rainy days here and there.
In recent years, due to global warming, summers in Poland started to be very hot with several days exceeding 30°C (86°F).
| SUMMER | JUN | JUL | AUG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 22°C / 72°F | 25°C / 76°F | 24°C / 75°F |
| Min temperature | 12°C / 54°F | 14°C / 57°F | 13°C / 55°F |
| Monthly sun hours | 231 hours | 235 hours | 221 hours |
| Monthly rainy days | 15 days | 14 days | 13 days |
| Weather conditions | Great | Great | Great |
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn in Poland lasts from September to November. The weather in autumn in Poland can be described as mild, but with colder nights.
The days start to be shorter and it starts to rain more often. With fewer daylight hours and more rain, the trees start to change color to golden and burgundy and eventually fall from the trees.
If you’re planning to visit Poland in autumn, try coming in September or October when the weather is still pleasant. November is the last month before the winter and it tends to be cold, wet, and very gloomy.
| AUTUMN | SEP | OCT | NOV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 19°C / 65°F | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F |
| Min temperature | 9°C / 48°F | 5°C / 41°F | 1°C / 33°F |
| Monthly sun hours | 145 hours | 103 hours | 42 hours |
| Monthly rainy days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days |
| Weather conditions | Good | Tolerable | Bad |
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Poland lasts from December to February. Traditionally, it’s been a season of snow, ice, and cold.
In recent years, however, due to global warming, there is much less snow and the temperatures are warmer.
It’s a bad idea to come to Poland in winter for general sightseeing, but it is the best season to come over if you want to ski in the Polish mountains.
| WINTER | DEC | JAN | FEB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 2°C / 35°F | 1°C / 33°F | 2°C / 36°F |
| Min temperature | -3°C / 27°F | -4°C / 25°F | -4°C / 26°F |
| Monthly sun hours | 28 hours | 40 hours | 67 hours |
| Monthly rainy days | 14 days | 12 days | 10 days |
| Weather conditions | Bad | Bad | Bad |
Best time to visit Poland weather-wise
The best time to visit Poland weather-wise is from the middle of April to the middle of October. This is when the weather is the most pleasant.
In the middle of April, the weather is already pleasantly warm and trees, bushes, plants, and flowers are already green.
In June, July, and August (summer) the weather is at its warmest and the sunniest. Locals go on holiday at this time. It’s, therefore, the busiest and the crowdiest time in the holiday resorts, especially at the seaside.
From the middle of October, the weather starts to be cold, wet, and generally unpleasant. The trees start losing their leaves and the ambient looks grey and tired.
Best time to visit Poland for sightseeing
Poland is a popular tourist destination because it offers a lot of historic and cultural places to visit.
If you’re planning to come to Poland with sightseeing in mind, then the best time to come over is from April to June and from September to October.
These two periods in spring/summer and autumn are characterized by pleasant weather, at the same time, it’s not a peak season when it’s overcrowded with tourists and locals.
July and August mark the peak of summer when it’s a high season in Poland and a lot of tourists, as well as, locals make some places of interest in Poland very crowded.
Another point to bear in mind is that, especially recently, because of climate warming, some days during July and August can be extremely hot. This can make the sightseeing experience tiresome and inconvenient.
October is the last month in autumn when the weather is tolerable. After that, the weather becomes cold, rainy, windy, and dumpy. Trees are losing their leaves and the ambient looks grey and depressing, definitely not great weather for enjoyment.
FURTHER READING
Best time to go to Poland for beach holidays
Poland is a country with a long and beautiful coastline, so it is no surprise that there are many great beaches to enjoy.
The best time to visit Poland for beach holidays is definitely when the weather is the warmest and the sunniest, which is from July to August. These two months offer the warmest and the sunniest weather.
The seaside resorts during the high season are the busiest, but also the merriest, so you’ll have a lot of fun during this period at Polish beaches.
If you hate crowds, however, then you might consider going for beach holidays a bit earlier, from the middle of June. The temperatures might not be the hottest yet, but you may experience less people-crazy at the spot.
Going to the Polish seaside in autumn is recommended if you are a fan of amber. The windy weather in the autumn season makes the sea spit out small pieces of amber which you may be lucky to find.
FURTHER READING
Best time to tour Mazuria lakes
Mazuria (Polish: Mazury) is a region in Poland that is famous for its beautiful, wild lakes. In the summer, the region becomes a popular tourist destination.
Mazuria lakes are beautiful and worth visiting during any season of the year. But if you want to see them in their full glory, you should come during the summer when they are at their fullest and most beautiful.
Best time to go to Poland for skiing
Poland is a country with a lot of mountains, so it is no surprise that it’s one of the most popular winter destinations for skiers.
The best time to visit Poland for skiing is from December to February when the snow falls in the mountains and there are plenty of ski resorts open.
See more guides about Poland
