Kraków features a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and often snowy, while summers are warm and occasionally hot. Rainfall is moderate and spread throughout the year, with the wettest months in summer. Dramatic changes in daylight and temperature make Kraków a dynamic destination for travellers in every season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kraków’s climate is shaped by its location in southern Poland, near the Carpathian Mountains. Winters (December–February) are cold, with average highs around 0–2°C and lows often dropping to -4°C or lower. Snowfall is common, especially in January and February, and cold spells can bring temperatures below -10°C. Daylight is limited in winter, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine per day, and humidity is high, making the cold feel even sharper. Despite the chill, the city’s festive atmosphere and picturesque snowy streets attract winter visitors.
Spring (March–May) brings a gradual warming, with temperatures rising from 4°C in March to 17°C by May. Rainfall increases, and blooming parks make this a pleasant time for sightseeing. Summers (June–August) are warm and sometimes hot, with average highs of 22–26°C in July and August. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C, but nights remain cool. Summer is also the wettest period, especially in June and July, with thunderstorms and 12–16 rainy days per month. Sunshine peaks at 6–7 hours per day in July. Autumn (September–November) is marked by cooling temperatures (17°C in September to 6°C in November), colourful foliage, and less rainfall than summer, making it ideal for relaxed sightseeing before winter returns. Winds are generally mild to moderate year-round, but can pick up in transitional seasons. Kraków’s weather can change rapidly, so packing layers is always wise.
| Average climate data for Kraków, Poland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -5 | -4 | -1 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 0 | -4 | -5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 39 | 33 | 39 | 47 | 82 | 89 | 84 | 74 | 60 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 668 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 15 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 147 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 82 | 78 | 71 | 72 | 74 | 74 | 76 | 81 | 83 | 87 | 88 | 79 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
The best times to visit Kraków are spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild (15–23°C), crowds are smaller, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most beautiful. These seasons offer ideal weather for sightseeing, outdoor cafés, and cultural events, with comfortable conditions and fewer tourists than in peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit is winter (December–February), when temperatures often remain below freezing, snow and slush are common, and daylight hours are shortest. While the city’s festive charm endures, outdoor activities can be less appealing due to the cold, damp, and limited sunshine.
Kraków has a temperate continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, sometimes hot summers. Rain falls year-round, but is heaviest in summer, while spring and autumn offer mild, pleasant weather.
Summer temperatures in Kraków typically reach 22–26°C, with occasional heatwaves pushing highs above 30°C. Nights remain cool, and thunderstorms are common, especially in June and July.
Yes, snowfall is common in Kraków from December to February. Snow cover can last for several weeks, especially in January, creating a picturesque winter atmosphere.
The rainiest period in Kraków is summer, especially June and July, with frequent thunderstorms and 12–16 rainy days per month. Rain can fall at any time of year, but summer is wettest.
Pack warm, waterproof layers and insulated boots for winter. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For summer, pack light clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella for sudden showers.
Sunshine varies by season: winter brings only 1–2 hours per day, while summer peaks at 6–7 hours daily in July. Spring and autumn offer moderate sunshine, with longer days than winter.
Humidity is high year-round, especially in winter and summer. Winds are generally mild to moderate, but can be brisk in spring and autumn, especially during weather changes.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (24.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 12.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (13.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-4.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 4.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (89.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (33.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 668.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (15 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is April (8.9 days). Over the whole year there are 147.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (87.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (71 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 79.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 6.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 0.9 h). Over the whole year there are 3.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.6.
