Krakow is situated in southern Poland on the River Vistula, approximately 100 km north of the Tatra Mountains. However, it is not a mountain town.

The city centre lies at an altitude of only around 200 metres, and summers here can be quite hot.

The weather varies significantly with the seasons. Winters are cold, summers are warm, and rain can occur at any time of the year.

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What temperatures can you expect in Kraków?

Krakow lies on the border between an oceanic and a continental climate, and the weather here is characterised by relatively large differences between winter and summer.

• January: 2 °C during the day and -5 °C at night
• April: 15 °C by day and 4 °C at night
• July: 25 °C during the day and 14 °C at night
• September: 20 °C during the day and 9 °C at night
• December: 3 °C during the day and -3 °C at night

In summer, it is not uncommon to have days with temperatures above 30 °C. In winter, on the other hand, temperatures can remain below freezing even during the day.

Weather throughout the year

Spring

March is still chilly and the weather changes quickly. April tends to be more pleasant, but mornings and evenings remain cold.

May is one of the best months to visit. The city is green, the gardens are open and daytime temperatures usually hover around 20 °C. However, this is also when the rainier part of the year begins.

Summer

From June to August, daytime temperatures are usually between 23 and 26 °C, and can be significantly higher during heatwaves. The city centre can get very hot, and there are usually large numbers of visitors in the Rynek or at Wawel.

Statistically, July sees the highest amount of rainfall. However, this often takes the form of short showers or thunderstorms, rather than several days of continuous rain.

Autumn

September is usually still pleasant and suitable for most outdoor activities. In the evenings, however, temperatures drop below 10 °C.

In October, the weather cools down rapidly and there are more overcast days. November tends to be damp, cold and less pleasant for long walks.

Winter

From December to February, expect temperatures around zero, short days and more frequent overcast skies. Snow falls regularly, but there’s no guarantee that the city centre will remain white for the duration of your stay.

On cold days, air quality may deteriorate due to temperature inversions.

The advantages of winter are usually lower accommodation prices (outside the Advent season), fewer visitors, and plenty of museums, cafés and restaurants where you can seek shelter from the cold.

When planning your stay, do also take a look at the sections on What to see in Kraków, Accommodation in Kraków and How to get to Kraków.