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Best time to visit Krakow: month by month
Short answer
May, June and September are the best months, with highs of about 18–24°C and outdoor cafés on the square. July and August are warm (about 24–25°C) and busiest; winter is cold, with highs around 3°C, but December has the Christmas market.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C | -2°C | 14 | low |
| Feb | 5°C | -3°C | 13 | low |
| Mar | 9°C | -1°C | 12 | low |
| Apr | 11°C | 2°C | 16 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 13 | high |
| Jun | 24°C | 13°C | 9 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 16°C | 16 | very high |
| Aug | 24°C | 15°C | 15 | very high |
| Sep | 20°C | 11°C | 13 | high |
| Oct | 16°C | 7°C | 8 | medium |
| Nov | 8°C | 2°C | 12 | low |
| Dec | 3°C | -2°C | 16 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cold in March (about 9°C) and April (11°C), warmer in May (about 18°C), with frequent showers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm, about 24–25°C, with showers on about 9–16 days a month; the busiest season.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 20°C) and October (16°C) are pleasant; November is grey and cold, about 8°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, about 3–5°C by day and −2 to −3°C at night, with poor air on still days; the Christmas market fills the Main Square in December.
Events worth planning around
- Jewish Culture Festival in Kazimierz (late June–early July)
- Nativity scene (szopki) competition on the Main Market Square (early December)
- Christmas market on the Main Market Square (late November–December)
When to avoid
Avoid July and August weekends if you dislike crowds and high hotel prices; avoid January and February if you dislike cold and poor winter air.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Krakow?
May, June and September.
When is the Krakow Christmas market?
From late November through December on the Main Market Square.
Is Krakow worth visiting in winter?
Yes for the Christmas market and fewer crowds, but it is cold and air quality can be poor.