Travel to Poland during the summer months of June, July, and August, and you’ll be greeted with festivals, open-air concerts, and warm weather.
Poland’s climate can be divided into three distinct parts: the coast, the inland areas, and the mountains, each of which has its own slightly different weather patterns throughout the season. In summer, coastal cities like Gdynia, Szczecin, and Gdansk and inland cities like Warsaw experience warm, mild days and cold nights, while cities in the mountains like Zakopane experience cooler days and nights throughout the year.
When visiting this season, opportunities for outdoor fun and leisure abound. Soak up the sun in the historic squares and unwind with a fresh Polish beer or your favorite flavor of lody (“ice cream” in Polish), or take tours of the countryside attractions to learn more about what the country of Poland has to offer.
Poland Weather in the summer
Summer is the warmest season in Poland in the whole country. As a result, even mountain towns can see temperatures in the upper 50s and 60s, while lowland areas see temperatures as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Overall, the country experiences an average daytime temperature of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) and an average nighttime low temperature of around 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius).
Unfortunately, summer is also the rainiest season for much of the country, when Polish cities can see rainfall for up to 10 days a month. While Poland doesn’t get as much rain overall during the year, it does get two to three inches each summer month, no matter where you visit.
What to pack
Whether traveling to the mountains or the coast, you will need to bring a variety of clothing that you can wear for the changing temperatures from day to night. While you can go out in shorts and a T-shirt during the day along the coast, you can opt for pants and a long-sleeved shirt if you’re heading to the southern mountains. Be sure to pack an umbrella and waterproof shoes, as thunderstorms occur almost daily in much of the country.
Summer events in Poland
Summer trips to Poland require advance planning, especially if you arrive in your destination city before or during a major festival like Wianki. During these annual events, the streets are packed with locals and tourists, and hotels and restaurants often fill up long before the event even begins. To avoid the hassle, check the event calendar for festival dates this summer before you go.
- Juwenalia – This summer music festival usually takes place in late May or early June and offers students an excuse to celebrate the accumulated stress of a year of study.
- Wianki: This Polish midsummer tradition takes place along riverbanks, such as the Vistula in Krakow, where wreaths float downstream in continuation of a summer solstice practice dating back to pagan times.
- International Festival of Jewish Culture – This festival in Krakow draws thousands of visitors to Poland’s cultural capital in early summer for a variety of performances, processions, and religious services in the city’s synagogues.
- Folk Art Fair – This festival in Krakow takes place during June or July each year and celebrates the rich folk art culture of the city.
- Krakow Summer Jazz Festival – One of the largest jazz celebrations in Europe, the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival is an annual tradition that usually takes place in July or August.
- New Town Summer Festival – Warsaw’s parks and gardens host an annual open-air concert program throughout the summer. Stop by genres and performances from around the world.
Summer travel tips
- June, July and August are the most popular times to visit Poland; The resorts are full of visitors from all over the world for sightseeing, taking photos, shopping and eating.
- These crowded areas attract pickpockets, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to your body at all times.
- Most inland waterway cities, including Warsaw, Sandomierz, and Stalowa Wola, offer river cruises, which is a great way to take in the view. For a fun summer afternoon, consider seeking out musical performances in the park, such as those dedicated to Chopin at Warsaw’s Lazienki Park.
- If you are traveling in the western part of Poland, go on a dwarf hunting expedition in Wroclaw; In coastal cities like Gdansk, it is possible to sunbathe or look for amber nuggets on the beach.
- When you’ve exhausted your options within major cities, head out into the countryside to visit attractions that are especially attractive when the weather is warm and tours abound.
- From Krakow, it is possible to visit the underground chambers of the Wieliczka Salt Mine or the holy Black Madonna of Czestochowa. From Gdansk, Malbork Castle is a short train ride away, but many other Polish castles and Polish World Heritage sites are accessible from destination cities.
- You can also use the summer to visit some of the regions of Poland. For example, Silesia is known for its striking natural landscapes and notable sites such as the Swidnica and Jawor Churches of Peace. Meanwhile, Malopolska is rich in castles and history.
