BEST TIME TO VISIT POLAND
Vodka in Wroclaw and Warsaw in winter will warm you up although wolf and bison tracking in Bialowieza National Park will make a much deeper impression.
Białowieża's primeval forest is incredibly atmospheric during the winter with thick snow providing ideal tracking conditions before returning to log cabins for steaming bowls of bigos (Hunter’s Stew). Further south, the snow-covered slopes of the High Tatras attract almost as many visitors as the Baltic beaches during the summer although hikers should consider spring the best time to visit Poland for exploring outdoors. Summer finds plenty of sunshine while a few extra layers make the autumn all the more bearable, especially when accompanied by fabulously fiery forest foliage followed by cultural sightseeing in Krakow or Warsaw outside of peak season.
Poland Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-6
-2
33
FEB
-5
-1
26
MAR
-2
4
25
APR
1
9
32
MAY
6
15
44
JUN
10
19
61
JUL
12
20
72
AUG
11
20
71
SEP
8
15
53
OCT
5
10
49
NOV
1
5
54
DEC
-3
1
42
Our Poland Holidays
Poland bison safari in the Primeval Forest
Short break wildlife adventure in the Bialowieza Forest
From
PLZ2420 to PLZ3310
4 days
ex flights
Poland walking holiday in the High Tatras
Rugged mountains and the historic city of Krakow
From
£929 to £1099
8 days
inc UK flights
Poland holiday, small group tour
A beautiful country full of history and a proud people
From
£1099 to £1219
8 days
inc UK flights
Poland wildlife holiday, birds & mammals
Wildlife tour in Bialowieza Forest and Biebrza Marshes
From
PLZ5560
8 days
ex flights
Poland adventure holiday
Hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching plus Kraków and Warsaw
From
PLZ8700
15 days
ex flights
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland family tour
Action-packed Eastern European family week.
From
€899
8 days
ex flights
Cycling holiday in Poland
Cycle in medieval towns & unspoilt Poland
From
£970 to £1055
8 days
inc UK flights
Poland wildlife short break, beaver and balloon adventure
Short break wildlife adventure in the Biebrza Marshes
From
PLZ3870
4 days
ex flights
Tatra mountains winter holiday
Wander through the stunning Tatra Mountains
From
£740 to £915
8 days
ex flights
Poland and the Baltics small group holiday
Uncover the treasures of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia
From
£1830
11 days
ex flights
Poland cultural short break
Visit the most exiting medieval castles in Poland!
From
£699
4 days
ex flights
Wolf tracking short break in Poland & Slovakia
Wildlife & wolf tracking in the Eastern Carpathians
From
PLZ3875 to PLZ4320
4 days
ex flights
The Baltic experience tour
Experience the diverse delights of the Baltic states
From
£1945 to £2100
15 days
ex flights
Single track cycling holiday in Poland
Cycle through one of the best mtb Single Tracks in Europe
From
£699
4 days
ex flights
Eastern Europe overland tour
A fascinating overland tour of Eastern Europe
From
£7325
4 weeks
ex flights
Poland horse riding holiday
Feel like a pioneer riding through the Bieszczady wildlands!
From
£999
5 days
ex flights
Central European tours
A fascinating and varied journey through the heart of Europe
From
£1749 to £1849
14 days
inc UK flights
North Eastern Europe motorcycle tours
Enjoy North Eastern Europe with friendly guides + good bikes
From
€6299
18 days
ex flights
Vienna to Budapest tour
Travel five countries for memories to last a lifetime
From
£1660 to £1825
15 days
ex flights
Berlin to Venice small group holiday
Adventure-filled Central Europe tour from Germany to Italy.
From
£1535 to £1735
15 days
ex flights
THINGS TO DO IN POLAND
Things to do in Poland…
Things not to do in Poland..
Our top Poland Holiday
Poland bison safari in the Primeval Forest
Short break wildlife adventure in the Bialowieza Forest
From
PLZ2420 to PLZ3310
4 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2018: 23 Nov
2019: 22 Feb, 5 Apr, 19 Jul, 6 Sep, 4 Oct, 22 Nov
2018: 23 Nov
2019: 22 Feb, 5 Apr, 19 Jul, 6 Sep, 4 Oct, 22 Nov
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Poland or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
POLAND TRAVEL ADVICE
Winter weather watch
Winter weather watch
Tomasz Jezierczuk, wildlife guide for our tour partners Wild Poland, shares some insider insights:
"Winter in Poland can either be cold and snowy or windy and rainy. You can expect everything from the weather here. The coldest months of the season are January and February where temperatures often drop to -20°C and there are frequent intervals of snow.”
"Winter in Poland can either be cold and snowy or windy and rainy. You can expect everything from the weather here. The coldest months of the season are January and February where temperatures often drop to -20°C and there are frequent intervals of snow.”
Where & when to track wildlife
Where & when to track wildlife
“I just can’t picture a situation where I haven’t seen bison while being in Białowieża forest. Winter is the easiest time and summer can be tricky, without the help of a good wildlife guide. There are also three to four packs of wolves in the forest (about 30 individuals) and, again, I can’t picture a time when I didn’t find wolf tracks in winter but summer is difficult as soil often turns into a solid ‘brick’.”
Flight of fancy
Flight of fancy
“The best places to see migrating birds and thousands of wildfowl are the Biebrza marshes (Biebrza National Park) and the mouth of the Warta River (Warta River Mouth National Park). Particularly spectacular is the spring migration of ruff in the Biebrza marshes.”
Cycling
Cycle out of Krakow
“If you’re looking for nature not too far out of Krakow then check out Saspowka valley in Ojcow National Park – around an hour’s cycle from the city centre.”
Something for the suitcase..
Something for the suitcase..
Gosia Knas, Polish expert at our tour partners Exodus, shares her local knowledge:
“Oscypek is a highlander smoked cheese to buy in Krakow. Very specific, but very good! Polish vodka is considered one of the best in the world so buy a small bottle of Belvedere while you're in Warsaw. Visit a 'milk bar' for pierogi (dumplings) or grab a zapiekanka (sandwich) if on the go.”
“In Krakow, visit Cepelia, Polish Art and Handicraft Foundation to browse for some small, unique souvenirs. While up north, search for original gingerbread cakes - they don't get any better!”
“Oscypek is a highlander smoked cheese to buy in Krakow. Very specific, but very good! Polish vodka is considered one of the best in the world so buy a small bottle of Belvedere while you're in Warsaw. Visit a 'milk bar' for pierogi (dumplings) or grab a zapiekanka (sandwich) if on the go.”
“In Krakow, visit Cepelia, Polish Art and Handicraft Foundation to browse for some small, unique souvenirs. While up north, search for original gingerbread cakes - they don't get any better!”
Visiting the big cities
Visiting the big cities
“In Warsaw you may want to check out the old Fotoplastikon, a stereoscopic theatre based on the Kaiserpanorama system of rotating stereoscopic images. It's working and it's based in original location since it was open in 1905, making it the oldest in Europe.”
“If you are in Gdansk in the summer (July/Aug), you must visit St. Dominic’s Fair. It is the largest open-air trade and cultural event in Poland and one of the largest such events in Europe. It has enjoyed over 750 years’ of tradition; it was established by the Pope Alexander IV in 1260.”
“If you are in Gdansk in the summer (July/Aug), you must visit St. Dominic’s Fair. It is the largest open-air trade and cultural event in Poland and one of the largest such events in Europe. It has enjoyed over 750 years’ of tradition; it was established by the Pope Alexander IV in 1260.”
POLAND TRAVEL ADVICE
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Poland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Poland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
...Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable holiday.
– Rosemary Richards
“Krakow is beautiful – buzzing but laidback at the same time – with great food and the most interesting places to see and visit. The walking tour gave a great insight into the history while Auschwitz was thought provoking but not to be missed. The Salt Mine is a must see – awesome. The good weather made the views from the top of Zakopane brilliant.” – David Harris
“Poland is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and a must for any animal/bird enthusiast. Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable holiday.” – Rosemary Richards
“Take some extra nibbles, dried fruit, bars, nuts etc as packed lunches ok but needed something extra. Mozzies get you through your clothes!” – Julie and James Dore
“Travel light and at Warsaw Airport a 250 metre walk to the bus-stop outside the new airport building for the no. 175 bus (2.40 zlotys) will save you GB £10 taxi fare.” – Mr C B Proctor
“Poland is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and a must for any animal/bird enthusiast. Put a tour together with the guides who are very passionate and knowledgeable about life in the forests and you are in for an unforgettable holiday.” – Rosemary Richards
“Take some extra nibbles, dried fruit, bars, nuts etc as packed lunches ok but needed something extra. Mozzies get you through your clothes!” – Julie and James Dore
“Travel light and at Warsaw Airport a 250 metre walk to the bus-stop outside the new airport building for the no. 175 bus (2.40 zlotys) will save you GB £10 taxi fare.” – Mr C B Proctor
Make sure you bring a light fleece sweater and a real rain jacket – it was cold the day it rained (in July).
- Jean Dewart
More about Poland
This Poland travel guide is full of highs. The High Tatras Mountains, the highlights of this wonderful country's natural heritage, which include the ancient Bialowieza National Park with its towering oaks and great bison. And then the high importance of this country's history, from the indigenous mountain Goral people, the destruction of its cities during WW2, the tragedy of Auschwitz-Birkenau to the reconstruction during and after the Soviet era. And now to modern Poland. A new towering strength in responsible tourism.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Piotr Zajc] [Temp Chart: Frank Vassen]
[Things to do: Pawel Pacholec]
[Winter weather: Rising Damp]
[Where and when to track wildlife: Mariusz Chilmon]
[Flight of fancy: Frank Vassen]
[Cycle: Alexander Baxevanis]
[Suitcase1: Otwarte Klatki]
[Big cities1: Brosen]
[Review intro: Dawid Zawi?a]
[Review1: Sylwia Bartyzel]
[Review2: David long]
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