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Have you always wanted to visit Poland? Are you looking for the best time to visit to save yourself some money? Or perhaps you’d like to visit when the weather is most favorable. Whatever information you’re after, you can find it here.
This article covers the best times to visit in terms of weather, crowds, activities, and prices. You’ll also learn which times to avoid planning a visit. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best time to visit the Land of Fields — Poland!
Why You Should Visit Poland
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One of the main reasons travelers choose to visit Poland is its rich history. When visiting Poland, you can view hundreds of medieval castles and historical sites, such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Wawel Cathedral.
Numerous museums are also devoted to educating the public about Poland’s past and present. Another reason for visiting Poland is the amazing natural scenery.
The Tatras mountain range is a real treat for nature lovers and hikers alike, while Poland’s northern coast is full of pristine white sand beaches. So there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast to enjoy.
If you’re more interested in city life, Poland has fantastic nightlife, especially in large cities like Kraków and Warsaw. You’ll enjoy tremendous cuisine and hip nightclubs and bars.
And, of course, you can forget about the famous Polish vodka! There are several tasting bars where you can order a flight of vodka and taste-test some of the best vodkas in the world. Perhaps one of the best features of visiting Poland is the incredible hospitality.
Polish people love having foreign visitors and are extremely welcoming. So if you have a friendly chat with a Polish person on the street, don’t be surprised if they invite you to their home for dinner.
Overall Best Time to Visit Poland
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The best months to visit Poland are May to June and September to October. Of course, you can expect to pay higher prices for accommodation and air travel during these months, but it’s worth it.
Let’s take a closer look at why you should plan your visit for these months.
Weather
May to June and September to October are when the weather conditions are most favorable in Poland. So if you visit during these months, you’re avoiding the highest temperatures of mid-summer and the lowest temperature extremes of winter.
If you travel in May or June, you can expect temperatures to be around 59°F to 71°F. In September and October, temperatures will sit around 50°F to 61°F.
Tourism
Since May to June and September to October are considered shoulder seasons, there will be a moderate amount of tourists. However, compared to the peak seasons of mid-summer, it’s relatively quiet.
Lines for popular tourist sites won’t be long, so you’ll have more time to explore. Plus, popular restaurants won’t be overly full, meaning you can enjoy your meals peacefully. And if you love dining al fresco, the weather will make your experience quite pleasant.
Activities
If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to visit some popular sites like Malbork Castle, Warsaw Old Town, and the National Museums of both Kraków and Warsaw. If you’re a nature lover, you can take advantage of the many beautiful hiking trails and idyllic beaches during these months.
If you’re looking for more structured outdoor adventures, you can try your hand at off-road quad biking or take a cable car tour through the Zakopane and Tatra mountains.
Cheapest Time to Visit Poland
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If you want a budget-friendly trip to Poland, February is the best month to visit. February is considered part of the low season and thus has the cheapest flights and accommodation.
Depending on the airline, flights range from $350 to $900 for a round-trip economy ticket. You must book the flight months in advance to get the absolute best flight prices.
For accommodation, you can find one-star hotels for as low as $30 per night or two- to three-star hotels for $60 per night. The overall cost for a solo traveler visiting for seven days during February is between $600 and $1,500.
However, if you’re traveling with a partner or friend, you can save even more money, as the average cost for a seven-day two-person trip is between $1,000 and $3,000.
Compared to visiting during the shoulder seasons, February will be relatively chilly. The average temperature ranges from 28°F to 32°F, feeling colder on rainy or windy days. So be sure to accommodate the weather.
Least Busy Time to Visit Poland
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March and April are the least busy months to visit Poland. March is part of the low season, while April is the beginning of the shoulder season, so you’ll be avoiding the budget travelers in February and pre-empting the tourist-heavy peak season of July to August.
The weather is also pleasant during these months, with highs of 44°F to 55°F and lows of 32°F to 40°F.
In this type of weather, you’ll be able to partake in outdoor activities comfortably and indoor activities without feeling overwhelmed by crowds. You can also find moderately priced flights and hotel stays during this time if you do some research in advance.
Worst Time to Visit Poland
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January is the worst time to visit Poland. While the prices for flights and accommodation are low, the weather can be extreme for some. January is the coldest month in Poland. You can expect daily temperatures to range between 24F and 33°F.
So, if you plan a visit in January, pack warm clothes and be prepared for adverse weather conditions like heavy snow and high winds.
While not as cheap as February, you’ll still get some of the lowest prices for flights and accommodation. But, again, be sure to plan far in advance to secure the best deals.
You won’t have to worry much about crowds, as January is part of the low season. However, you’ll still run into some budget travelers and those looking to take advantage of winter activities like skiing and snowboarding.
Things to Consider
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Whenever you travel abroad, it’s best to keep a few things in mind regarding the culture and customs of your travel destination. Here are some things to consider about traveling to Poland:
- Educate yourself on geography. Don’t call Poland “Eastern Europe.” It’s not Eastern Europe; it’s Central Europe. While it won’t cause much offense or upset, Poles will quickly correct you!
- Know your currency. You might assume Poland uses the euro, as it’s in Europe. But that’s not the case. Instead, the Polish currency is the złoty.
- Try to learn some common Polish words. Not only will this help you to order food, take public transportation, and ask for directions or help when needed, Poles will appreciate the effort, even if you butcher most of the words.
- If you’re female, don’t be alarmed if a man greets you with a kiss on the hand. While this is an older tradition, it still exists in Poland, mainly among the older generations. So, if you’re female and an older male greets you with a kiss on the hand, just remember it’s not anything untoward; it’s customary.
- Reserve some time to explore smaller cities and towns. It can be tempting to plan your whole trip around visiting big cities since they have so much to offer. But don’t underestimate the quaintness and culture to be found in smaller cities.
- Be careful where you imbibe. Like many countries, drinking in public is illegal. So keep your enjoyment of libations to bars, restaurants, or your hotel room, or you’ll risk getting a fine.
- Take your shoes off. It’s considered rude to wear your shoes inside someone’s home. So, if you find yourself visiting a Polish home, make sure you leave your shoes at the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you still have questions about visiting Poland? Here are some common questions to help you prepare for your trip:
What is the best month to visit Kraków?
The best month to visit Kraków is April. Since April is a part of the shoulder season, you’ll be avoiding the summer crowds and the winter chill.
You’ll also be paying lower prices for accommodation. Plus, the city has festivities and art expositions to check out, such as the Rekawka Traditional Medieval Fair and the Krakers (Kraków Art Week).
How many days in Poland is enough?
It depends on what you plan to do while in Poland. If you’d like to visit the three most popular cities — Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdansk — then seven days will give you enough time to explore each as well as travel between the three.
If you also want to visit popular tourist attractions, like Malbork Castle and Auschwitz-Birkenau, then you should plan at least ten days in Poland. If you’d like to visit all of the above plus some of the smaller cities like Sandomierz and Kołobrzeg, then 14 days should be sufficient.
Is Poland cheap to visit?
Overall, Poland is relatively cheap to visit. However, prices will change depending on what season you visit. For instance, if you travel in the summer, hotel and flight prices will be at their highest. On the other hand, if you don’t mind the cold, then you can save a lot of money visiting the country in winter.
What’s the rainiest month in Poland?
The number of rainy days in Poland is pretty even across all months, with each month only seeing seven to ten days of rain at most. However, the amount of rain that falls each month varies quite widely. You’ll see the most amount of rain in June and July, and the least amount in February and March.
Are there any travel restrictions for visiting Poland?
No. Poland is open to visitors from all countries. No medical screening or precautions are required upon arrival. You won’t require a visa to travel to Poland if you’re staying under 90 days.
However, if you plan to stay beyond 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a visa before traveling. All visitors require a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of arrival.
Is Poland safe to visit?
Poland is generally safe to visit. However, it’s pretty far down the list of safest countries, taking 25th place. While violent crime is rare, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, is more common.
You should take all the precautions you would normally take when visiting a foreign country, such as keeping your valuables close, staying in well-lit places after dark, and leaving your passport in a secure location.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Poland?
The overall best time to visit Poland is May to June or September to October. These months have the best weather, moderate to low amounts of tourists, and reasonable prices. Happy travels! Or, as they say in Poland, szczęśliwej podróży!