Kraków is an inviting city to visit throughout the year, and brings a wealth of opportunities for city breaks regardless of the season.
image © andresumida
When To Go To Kraków: The Summary
- The best times to visit Kraków are May / June (spring), September / October (autumn), or December (Christmas and New Year)
- You can visit Kraków at any time of year. Temperatures are rarely extreme and you can remain comfortable if you dress appropriately
- Summer (July-September) in Kraków can be hot – and climate change is affecting temperatures – but it is rarely humid or stifling. However, these are peak months for crowds of tourists and there tends to be more rain during the summer months
- Winter (December-Febuary) in Kraków is cold, but not oppressively so, and there tends to be less rain at this time of year
- Easter (March or April) in Kraków is very busy and possibly best avoided, unless you want to make the pilgrimage
Kraków Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Kraków: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Kraków.
- Things To Do In Kraków: Check this huge list of Krakow activities that you can book online.
- Flights to Kraków: Find the cheapest flights to Kraków and flight times from scores of airlines with 12go.
- Kraków Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Poland.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
Kraków’s climate is often described as oceanic, which is typical of the west coasts at the middle latitudes of most continents, and generally features warm, but not hot summers and cool, but not cold winters, and a relatively narrow annual temperature range. It typically lacks a dry season, as precipitation is more evenly dispersed throughout the year. It is the predominant climate type across much of Europe, coastal northwestern North America, portions of southwestern South America and small areas of Africa, southeast Australia, New Zealand, as well as isolated locations elsewhere.
The summer can bring very hot days, but there are certainly many places to enjoy the open air both in the city and surrounding countryside, particularly the lakes near Kraków and the mountains to the south where you can find the outdoor activity capital of Poland, Zakopane.
Kraków Weather In January
- January temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 0°C / 32°F
- Average low: -5°C / 23°F
January is usually the coldest month in Kraków, with temperatures dropping as low as -5°C during the night. However, it remains fairly dry, with quick showers here and there, and there hasn’t been much snow in recent years. Wrap up warm, bring a brolly, and you’ll find it’s a great city to visit at this time of year.
Kraków Festivals And Events In January:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day: New Year’s Day concerts are traditional in many venues
- January 6 – Three Kings / Epiphany: Three Kings Day marks the end of Christmas, and is traditionally celebrated in Kraków with three parades, congregating on the main square shortly after 11am
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In January page.
Kraków Weather In February
- February temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 1°C / 34°F
- Average low: -5°C / 23°F
February in Kraków is slightly warmer than the previous month, but temperatures will still drop below zero at night. It remains reasonably dry, with short showers, but snow is possible. Stay comfortable with a warm layer, waterproofs, and appropriate footwear.
Kraków Festivals And Events In February:
- Shanties – Kraków’s Shanties has found itself unexpectedly fashionable, thanks to social media. But every February for over 30 years, Kraków has been serenaded by the songs of the sea
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In February page.
Kraków Weather In March
- March temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 7°C / 45°F
- Average low: 0°C / 23°F
The days are starting to get longer and the temperature should at least stay above zero during March in Kraków. However, there’s often a slight uptick in rainfall. As long as you dress warm and waterproof, there’s no reason to be uncomfortable.
Be aware that hotel prices tend to dramatically increase in the week before Good Friday and availability becomes scarce – something to bear in mind if Easter falls in March.
Kraków Festivals And Events In March:
- Easter – The dates for Easter change every year, so it’s good to keep them firmly in mind if you’re planning a Kraków trip in March or April. We’ve listed the dates for this year and the next
- Misteria Paschalia – Misteria Paschalia is an early music festival that coincides with Easter every year
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In March page.
Kraków Weather In April
- April temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 12°C / 54°F
- Average low: 3°C / 37°F
April can be something of a sweet spot for visiting Kraków. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are up, but there’s usually a slight dip in rainfall, compared to March.
Hotel prices tend to dramatically increase in the week before Good Friday and availability becomes scarce. Keep this in mind if Easter falls in April.
Kraków Festivals And Events In April:
- Easter – The dates for Easter change every year, so it’s good to keep them firmly in mind if you’re planning a Kraków trip in March or April. We’ve listed the dates for this year and the next, so you can plan accordingly
- Misteria Paschalia – Misteria Paschalia is an early music festival that coincides with Easter every year
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In April page.
Kraków Weather In May
- May temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 20°C / 68°F
- Average low: 8°C / 46°F
Easter and Christmas aside, the Kraków high season really kicks off in June. May is busier than previous months but you shouldn’t find it at all overcrowded. On good days, the temperatures are reaching the low to mid teens and there’s a full day of sun in the sky. But, you should also expect a few days of rain, so bring a light waterproof layer and some protective footwear.
Kraków Festivals And Events In May:
- Photomonth – Kraków Photomonth, as the name implies, is a month-long photography festival, starting at the end of May, across the entire city
- May 1 – Labor Day / May Day: Although you may still witness political marches for workers’ rights, Labor Day is simply a public holiday for most
- May 3 – Constitution Day: This is a patriotic public holiday and often a good opportunity for Poles to get away for a few days
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In May page.
Kraków Weather In June
- June temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 22°C / 72°F
- Average low: 11°C / 52°F
As spring moves towards summer, the evenings start to warm up a bit in Kraków, and the daylight stretches out. However, June is also a notoriously wet month, so be sure to bring a brolly and light waterproofs.
Kraków Festivals And Events In June:
- Dragon Parade – Once a year, the dragon escapes from beneath Wawel Castle and becomes the star of this fun two-day pageant and parade
- Kraków Film Festival – Kraków Film Festival is an eight-day showcase of the best in contemporary international and home-grown cinema
- Jewish Culture Festival – The Jewish Culture Festival is a huge event with artists from all over the Diaspora
- Cracovia Cantans – Cracovia Cantans is an annual festival and competition, that brings choirs from all over the world
- Wianki – Traditionally a midsummer solstice festival, Wianki has been updated to a big music festival with medieval elements
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In June page.
Kraków Weather In July
- July temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 25°C / 77°F
- Average low: 12°C / 54°F
July is generally warm enough to dress light, even in the evenings. However, you can also expect rain for at least one or two days of your trip, so bring a brolly and a light waterproof jacket and footwear. In recent years, the climate has risen, and you may find it very hot. Luckily there is plenty of shade and covered cafés to laze away the afternoon.
Kraków Festivals And Events In July:
- Summer Jazz Festival Kraków – Summer Jazz Festival Kraków is a whole month of music from around the world
- Wawel at Dusk – The castle courtyard provides the atmospheric setting for Wawel at Dusk, a series of nine classical concerts that take place each weekend
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In July page.
Kraków Weather In August
- August temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 24°C / 75°F
- Average low: 12°C / 54°F
August is often the hottest month in Kraków, with less rainfall than the previous months. Dress for summer but keep one or two layers spare, just in case it cools down in the evening.
Kraków Festivals And Events In August:
- Kraków Live Festival – Kraków Live Festival takes place over nights on two stages and features some of the biggest names in pop
- Pierogi Festival – The second week of August sees this annual celebration of the humble Polish dumpling, the Pierogi Festival
- August 15 – Assumption Day / Polish Army Day: A military-focused public holiday with a number of historical and religious connotations
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In August page.
Kraków Weather In September
- September temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 19°C / 66°F
- Average low: 9°C / 48°F
Kraków is still relatively warm in September but there may be a slight chill in the evenings, and the days are definitely getting shorter. You should start to feel the change of season. Summer can be wet but this month sees a slight drop in rainfall.
Kraków Festivals And Events In September:
- Dachshund Parade – Every September, dozens of dachshunds take to the streets of Kraków for the Marsz Jamnikow, many of them in little costumes
- Kraków Film Music Festival – With previous visits from Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, and Cliff Martinez, the Kraków Film Music Festival celebrates the art of the score
- Sfogato Festival – Kraków’s annual tribute to national hero Frederic Chopin, the Sfogato Festival takes place over four days every September
- Sacrum Profanum – Sacrum Profanum is an experimental music festival with contemporary classical composition mixed with other modern genres
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In September page.
Kraków Weather In October
- October temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 13°C / 55°F
- Average low: 5°C / 41°F
For many, October is a perfect month to visit Kraków. The high season has ended and, though it may be chillier, there’s much less chance of rain. You’ll need to be a bit cannier with your packing, but autumnal city looks beautiful.
Kraków Festivals And Events In October:
- International Royal Cracow Piano Festival – Designed to encourage the best pianists in the world to perform in Kraków, the International Royal Cracow Piano Festival showcases masters and prodigies
- Unsound Festival – Unsound Festival features electronic, experimental, and dance music at a number of venues across Kraków
- Conrad Festival – Some of literature’s heavy hitters gather each year at the Conrad Festival. The festival coincides with Kraków Book Fair
- Jazz Autumn – Taking place in a number of cool locations, Jazz Autumn is a festival with the best of contemporary and improvisatory music
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In October page.
Kraków Weather In November
- November temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 5°C / 41°F
- Average low: 0°C / 32°F
Like February, November is an unusual month to visit Kraków. It’s definitely getting cold and the days are much shorter. But there’s relatively little rainfall and the peak-season crowds have fallen away.
Kraków Festivals And Events In November:
- Jazz All Souls’ Day – As the oldest jazz festival in Kraków, Jazz All Souls’ Day has a venerable history behind it
- Etiuda & Anima International Film Festival – Etiuda & Anima has twin ambitions: to highlight the work of film students and art schools around the world, and to bring the best in animation to the festival
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day: All Saints is a day for remembering the departed with candlelit vigils in Kraków’s cemeteries
- November 11 – Independence Day: Marking the restoration of Poland’s independence at the end of WWI, this is public holiday with parades and a show of patriotism
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In November page.
Kraków Weather In December
- December temperatures in Kraków:
- Average high: 2°C / 36°F
- Average low: -3°C / 27°F
Festive weather definitely adds to the atmosphere of Christmas and New Year. Temperatures drop to somewhere around freezing and it gets dark pretty early. There’s a chance of snow, so make sure you pack to stay warm. On the plus side, there’s relatively little rain at this time of year.
Kraków Festivals And Events In December:
- Silent Film Festival – Every December, Kino Pod Baranami – a cute art cinema tucked into a palace on the main market square – organises a festival of silent films, accompanied by live music
- December 24 – Christmas Eve: Though not a public holiday, Christmas Eve (or Wigilia) is one of the most significant dates on the Polish calendar. This is a great time to visit – see our Christmas in Kraków guide for more details
- December 25 – First Day of Christmas: Although the main Christmas meal takes place on December 24 in Poland, the following two days are public holidays
- December 26 – Second Day of Christmas: As with December 25, banks, malls, and larger shops will be closed today. But plenty of restaurants, bars, and convenience stores will be open, as well as most museums and galleries
- December 31 – New Year’s Eve: Sylwester is not an official public holiday – see our guide to New Year’s In Kraków
For more information, see our Kraków Weather In December page.
Other Considerations
It’s also important to consider your hotel location for making the most of your time in Kraków. See Where To Stay In Kraków for a rundown of the most convenient districts for sightseeing. You might also find our recommendations for the best places to stay in Kraków helpful.
For more details on the festivals and events taking place in Kraków each month, as well as information on what is open on public holidays, visit our Kraków Public Holidays page.
For advice on how to dress for the Polish climate, see our Packing List For Kraków page.
Kraków Weather Month By Month
- Kraków Climate – When Is Best To Go To Kraków?
- Kraków Weather In January
- Kraków Weather In February
- Kraków Weather In March
- Kraków Weather In April
- Kraków Weather In May
- Kraków Weather In June
- Kraków Weather In July
- Kraków Weather In August
- Kraków Weather In September
- Kraków Weather In October
- Kraków Weather In November
- Kraków Weather In December
Things To Do In Krakow
Start Planning Your Kraków Trip Now!
:: Find available Kraków hotels on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.
:: Wondering where to stay in Krakow before you book your hotel? See our comprehensive guide to the city's most convenient areas for visitors.
:: Find the cheapest flight to Kraków with 12go - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.
:: Book an airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.
:: Find out how to get your phone set up with a SIM card in Kraków.
:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Kraków.
:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
:: Get a KrakowCard 1-, 2- or 3-day pass that gives entry to almost 40 of the Kraków's fantastic attractions and unlimited use of the city's bus and tram network.
:: Need inspiration? Check our Kraków Itineraries for two-day, three-day, and four-day trips, as well as our Things To Do In Kraków guide for ideas of where to do and what to do.
