BEST TIME TO VISIT POLAND
Vodka in Wroclaw and Warsaw in winter will warm you up although wolf and bison tracking in Bialowieza National Park will make a much deeper impression.![]()
Białowieża's primeval forest is incredibly atmospheric during the winter with thick snow providing ideal tracking conditions before returning to log cabins for steaming bowls of bigos (Hunter’s Stew). Further south, the snow-covered slopes of the High Tatras attract almost as many visitors as the Baltic beaches during the summer although hikers should consider spring the best time to visit Poland for exploring outdoors. Summer finds plenty of sunshine while a few extra layers make the autumn all the more bearable, especially when accompanied by fabulously fiery forest foliage followed by cultural sightseeing in Krakow or Warsaw outside of peak season.
Poland Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-6
-2
33
FEB
-5
-1
26
MAR
-2
4
25
APR
1
9
32
MAY
6
15
44
JUN
10
19
61
JUL
12
20
72
AUG
11
20
71
SEP
8
15
53
OCT
5
10
49
NOV
1
5
54
DEC
-3
1
42
THINGS TO DO IN POLAND
Things to do in Poland…
Things not to do in Poland..
Highlights of Poland vacation
Explore the historical highlights of Poland
From
US $1740 to US $1810
8 days
ex flights
Poland hiking vacation
Poland walking vacation taking in the Tatras Mountains
From
US $1740
8 days
ex flights
Lithuania to Poland self guided cycling tour
Explore the borderland of Lithuania and Poland by bike
From
€1099
9 days
ex flights
Krakow to Budapest vacation
Get a taste of Poland, Slovakia and Hungary
From
US $1820
8 days
ex flights
Poland tour, the crossroads of Europe
Medieval cities, historic architecture and primeval forests
From
£2849
12 days
ex flights
Bialowieza forest wildlife tour in Poland
Explore Poland's forests in search of Bison, Wolves & Lynx
From
£2145
8 days
ex flights
Travel Team
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POLAND TRAVEL ADVICE
Winter weather watch
Winter weather watch
Tomasz Jezierczuk, wildlife guide for our tour partners Wild Poland, shares some insider insights:
"Winter in Poland can either be cold and snowy or windy and rainy. You can expect everything from the weather here. The coldest months of the season are January and February where temperatures often drop to -20°C and there are frequent intervals of snow.”
"Winter in Poland can either be cold and snowy or windy and rainy. You can expect everything from the weather here. The coldest months of the season are January and February where temperatures often drop to -20°C and there are frequent intervals of snow.”
Where & when to track wildlife
Where & when to track wildlife
“I just can’t picture a situation where I haven’t seen bison while being in Białowieża forest. Winter is the easiest time and summer can be tricky, without the help of a good wildlife guide. There are also three to four packs of wolves in the forest (about 30 individuals) and, again, I can’t picture a time when I didn’t find wolf tracks in winter but summer is difficult as soil often turns into a solid ‘brick’.”
Flight of fancy
Flight of fancy
“The best places to see migrating birds and thousands of wildfowl are the Biebrza marshes (Biebrza National Park) and the mouth of the Warta River (Warta River Mouth National Park). Particularly spectacular is the spring migration of ruff in the Biebrza marshes.”
Cycling
Cycle out of Krakow
“If you’re looking for nature not too far out of Krakow then check out Saspowka valley in Ojcow National Park – around an hour’s cycle from the city center.”
Something for the suitcase..
Something for the suitcase..
Gosia Knas, Polish expert at our tour partners Exodus, shares her local knowledge:
“Oscypek is a highlander smoked cheese to buy in Krakow. Very specific, but very good! Polish vodka is considered one of the best in the world so buy a small bottle of Belvedere while you're in Warsaw. Visit a 'milk bar' for pierogi (dumplings) or grab a zapiekanka (sandwich) if on the go.”
“In Krakow, visit Cepelia, Polish Art and Handicraft Foundation to browse for some small, unique souvenirs. While up north, search for original gingerbread cakes - they don't get any better!”
“Oscypek is a highlander smoked cheese to buy in Krakow. Very specific, but very good! Polish vodka is considered one of the best in the world so buy a small bottle of Belvedere while you're in Warsaw. Visit a 'milk bar' for pierogi (dumplings) or grab a zapiekanka (sandwich) if on the go.”
“In Krakow, visit Cepelia, Polish Art and Handicraft Foundation to browse for some small, unique souvenirs. While up north, search for original gingerbread cakes - they don't get any better!”
Visiting the big cities
Visiting the big cities
“In Warsaw you may want to check out the old Fotoplastikon, a stereoscopic theatre based on the Kaiserpanorama system of rotating stereoscopic images. It's working and it's based in original location since it was open in 1905, making it the oldest in Europe.”
“If you are in Gdansk in the summer (July/Aug), you must visit St. Dominic’s Fair. It is the largest open-air trade and cultural event in Poland and one of the largest such events in Europe. It has enjoyed over 750 years’ of tradition; it was established by the Pope Alexander IV in 1260.”
“If you are in Gdansk in the summer (July/Aug), you must visit St. Dominic’s Fair. It is the largest open-air trade and cultural event in Poland and one of the largest such events in Europe. It has enjoyed over 750 years’ of tradition; it was established by the Pope Alexander IV in 1260.”
POLAND TRAVEL ADVICE
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Poland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Poland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
...Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable vacation.![]()
– Rosemary Richards
“Krakow is beautiful – buzzing but laidback at the same time – with great food and the most interesting places to see and visit. The walking tour gave a great insight into the history while Auschwitz was thought provoking but not to be missed. The Salt Mine is a must see – awesome. The good weather made the views from the top of Zakopane brilliant.” – David Harris
“Poland is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and a must for any animal/bird enthusiast. Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable vacation.” – Rosemary Richards
“Take some extra nibbles, dried fruit, bars, nuts etc as packed lunches ok but needed something extra. Mozzies get you through your clothes!” – Julie and James Dore
“Travel light and at Warsaw Airport a 250 metre walk to the bus-stop outside the new airport building for the no. 175 bus (2.40 zlotys) will save you GB £10 taxi fare.” – Mr C B Proctor
“Poland is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and a must for any animal/bird enthusiast. Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable vacation.” – Rosemary Richards
“Take some extra nibbles, dried fruit, bars, nuts etc as packed lunches ok but needed something extra. Mozzies get you through your clothes!” – Julie and James Dore
“Travel light and at Warsaw Airport a 250 metre walk to the bus-stop outside the new airport building for the no. 175 bus (2.40 zlotys) will save you GB £10 taxi fare.” – Mr C B Proctor
Make sure you bring a light fleece sweater and a real rain jacket – it was cold the day it rained (in July).![]()
- Jean Dewart
More Poland articles
Find out everything you'll need to know, before you go, with our handy guide to vacations in Poland.
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With walking vacations in Poland, every season offers a dose of mountain magic.
For a winter destination with a difference, head up into Poland’s magnificent Carpathian Mountains.
