Summer is the peak tourist season in Krakow, and July is the busiest month. Locals and tourists alike come out to enjoy the warm weather, and you’ll see plenty of people eating al fresco in the main Market Square by day and by night. Music festivals fill the air with opera, jazz, and modern, innovative tunes, and open-air markets are bustling with life.
When planning a trip to this Polish city, book flights and hotel rooms well in advance as prices are higher the closer you get to July. Allow extra time to get to important sites, as they tend to be crowded.
Krakow weather in July
July can be hot in Krakow, but the weather is generally quite comfortable, with average temperatures reaching a moderate mid-70s Fahrenheit. On warmer days, the temperature can reach 81 F (27 C), and on cold days, it can drop to 55 F (13 C). July is also the wettest month of the year, with an average of 3.5 inches of rain.
Foggy days are also quite common, giving you a little less sun than other European cities in summer.
What to pack
Even if you prefer sandals for the summer weather, it’s best to bring a reliable pair of walking shoes if you plan to explore the city on foot. Sandals or flip flops can get caught on the cobblestones and don’t provide the cushion or support you’ll want for a full day of sightseeing.
Cotton and linen clothing is good for sunny days, and more formal summer clothing (pants for men and airy dresses for women) will allow you to blend in with the locals for a night out on the town. In the evening, you may also want a light sweater or jacket to keep you warm.
As July is the rainiest month of the year in Krakow, pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket or umbrella.
July Events and things to do in Krakow
Krakow really comes to life in July thanks to its many summer festivals and events. Outdoors is the place to be during the warmest month of the year.
- EtnoKraków Festival – One of the biggest celebrations, this week-long event that combines two music festivals: Euroradio Folk Festival and Crossroads Festival. More than 200 artists, including orchestras, folk bands and emerging artists, from all over the world come to Krakow for the festival.
- The Summer Jazz Festival: Polish and international jazz musicians play free outdoor concerts throughout the city, is another attraction for music lovers.
- For small arts and culture events, check out the International Street Theater Festival. Pop-up performances take over the historic city and center around Rynek Glowny, the medieval main square in Krakow’s Old Town dating back to the 13th century. Here, you can watch dancing, circus stunts, puppet shows, and plays.
- The Polish Music Festival: The works of Polish composers from the Middle Ages to the present are performed in venues throughout Krakow. The festival also commissions and premieres new works.
- Shopping – Shop at Krakow’s open-air markets and find fresh local produce, meats and cheeses, old communist souvenirs, household items, vintage clothing, and interesting antiques.
- Vistula Cruise: July is an ideal time to take a boat cruise on the Vistula River. On board the «Sobieski», «Piotrus Pana» or deluxe, George «you move around and see the buildings and monuments of Krakow from a unique perspective.
- Take a stroll: stroll the streets with incredible works of street art such as Józefa Street or Plac Bawół. There are walking tours, maps, and even a free app to guide you and help you appreciate art.
- Cool off at Park Wadny: At this indoor water park, you can swim, slide, play games, have a snack at the café, and relax in the hourly paying hot tubs.
- Relax in the square: Hang out in the historic market square in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town. This is a place to relax, have a cocktail or coffee, and people watch. This famous square, with its beautiful architecture, has been a center of activity since the Middle Ages.
- Capture the view from Wawel Castle – This important place where Polish kings were crowned, married, and buried is ideal to visit in hot climates. The grounds of Wawel Castle, which you can explore for free, contain a cathedral, palaces and a lookout point over the city and the Vistula River.
July travel tips
July is high season in Poland. Planning ahead is essential if you want to avoid the high prices of last minute reservations, however you will find that food and drink are relatively cheap. There are free walking tours that meet every morning at Santa Maria church for a tour of the old town and in the afternoon for a walk through the Jewish quarter.
