The mythical Krakow is a great attraction for any visit to Poland, but visiting it in February is not for the faint of heart.
The city’s Wawel Castle is a big draw for most visitors, and Krakow’s Old Town is home to impressive churches, many museums, and Rynek Główny, the largest market square in Europe. Visiting in February means gloomy temperatures and gray days, but luckily, the city is home to numerous indoor attractions so visitors can still enjoy Polish culture while staying warm inside. Cold weather is also a good excuse to try a new coffee shop and warm up with coffee or tea.
Krakow weather in February
Krakow is very cold in February, although a little warmer than January. Average temperatures are just below freezing (28 degrees Fahrenheit, or -2 degrees Celsius) during this frosty and gloomy month, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius).
- Average High: 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius)
- Average Low: 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius)
February is typically a dry month, with the city receiving a little less than an inch of rain throughout the month, but snow is more likely given that temperatures are not likely to exceed freezing. Fog is also common in February, along with skies that are mostly gray and strong winds. In addition to the extreme cold, the sun is also minimal – expect just two hours of sunshine a day during February.
What to pack
Due to the cold temperatures, a heavy winter coat is an absolute must in Krakow if you will be spending any time outdoors. You’ll also want to have a hat, gloves, scarf, and other accessories in your suitcase, all of which can be critical to protecting your skin from frostbite!
Temperatures can rise slightly in Krakow during February, but you’ll still want to follow winter dressing tips to protect yourself from cold temperatures that can be felt especially intensely at night and on cloudy days. Consider packing:
- Well insulated coat
- Cold weather sweaters and accessories
- Waterproof and resistant boots
- Thick wool socks
- Light layers, such as long-sleeved shirts and sweaters.
- A heavy scarf, hat, and warm gloves
February events in Krakow
Krakow isn’t as bustling during February as it is at other times of the year, but the city still hosts some interesting events and holidays despite the freezing temperatures. While February is not the month for lively festivals and annual events, there are usually concerts, theater performances, and other cultural activities that vary from year to year.
- February 14 : Krakow is a romantic place to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one. Take a carriage ride, share a dessert in one of the historic restaurants on the main square, or buy gifts for your girlfriend in the Hall of Cloths.
- Sea Shanties Festival – Every February, this festival, also called the International Sailing Song Festival, comes to Krakow to celebrate the tradition of sailors’ songs in Poland and elsewhere.
- Fat Thursday : Keep an eye out for Fat Thursday during this month, a day dedicated to eating sweets, especially pączki , traditional donuts filled with rose marmalade. You can also try faworki , a crunchy puff pastry finger dusted with powdered sugar.
February Travel Tips
- Need a quick way to warm up if the air gets too cold? Order Polish honey vodka at any restaurant or bar. This slightly sweet alcoholic beverage goes down easily and is a Polish favorite.
- Krakow is as safe as any other large European city. Use common sense, such as not carrying large amounts of money or displaying flashy jewelry and other valuables, and beware of pickpockets in the busiest and touristy areas of the city.
- The currency of Poland is the Polish zloty. Euros and US dollars are not widely accepted, so be prepared.
- If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, look for traditional Polish products such as amber jewelry (made from amber from the Baltic Sea), folk art such as sewing or Boleslawiec pottery, Wedel or Zubrowka brand chocolate, bison grass vodka. Mead, the aforementioned Polish honey vodka, is also popular.
- Some public toilets in Poland are marked differently than most visitors might be used to. While many have switched to commonly used symbols, in some restrooms, women’s restrooms are labeled with a circle and men’s with a triangle. Public toilets sometimes charge a small fee, usually around 50 cents on the dollar.
