Poland
Medieval old towns, a rebuilt capital, castles, mountains and a Baltic coast, with a history that runs from the first Polish state to the twentieth century.
Poland is a country in Central Europe, between the Baltic Sea to the north and the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains to the south. Warsaw is the capital and largest city. Kraków was the former royal capital and coronation city, and its Old Town is among the most visited places in the country. Warsaw's Old Town was rebuilt after World War II, when much of the city was destroyed. Malbork Castle, in the north, is the largest castle in the world by land area.
Poland suits first-time visitors who want old towns, castles, mountains and coast in one route. The Tatra Mountains in the south include Rysy, Poland's highest point. Auschwitz, the German camp in Oświęcim, is a major memorial to the Holocaust. Late spring to early autumn suits most trips, since winters are cold and mountain temperatures can fall to minus 30°C. Plan about ten days to cover two or three cities and one landscape stop.
Five things to know before Poland
- Reserve Auschwitz-Birkenau online
Admission is free, but entry needs a personalized pass reserved only on the Memorial's booking site; none are sold at the entrance. Arrive 30 minutes before your slot for security checks. Kraków
- Choose to pay in złoty
When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge in your home currency, decline and pay in złoty; that conversion is usually the worse rate. Carry some cash for small purchases. Money and cards
- Buy train tickets on the operator's site
Trains link the main cities, including Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Poznań and Wrocław. Buy from the official operator where you can, and see how it compares with resellers. Buying train tickets
- Shop before Sunday
Retail trade is banned on Sundays and public holidays, with exceptions set in the law, so buy groceries and gifts earlier. Check opening hours for the day you need a shop. Trading rules (Polish)
- Count your Schengen days
Visa-free visitors get 90 days in any 180, shared across every Schengen country, so add up earlier trips before you book. Poland also checks some land borders; see the rules below. The 90/180 rule
Poland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The old town, Wawel, Kazimierz and day trips.
Read the guideWarsawThe rebuilt old town, museums and where to stay.
Read the guideGdańskThe Main Town, the Baltic coast and Malbork.
Read the guideWrocławMarket Square, Panorama and a trail of bronze dwarfs.
Read the guideZakopaneTatra trails, Morskie Oko and where to stay.
Read the guideSzczecinThe Oder port, with a rail link to Berlin.
Read the guideVisa checkerCheck the entry rule for your passport.
Read the guideThe 90/180 ruleHow Schengen days add up across every member country.
Read the guide
Destinations in Poland
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- PLN 100
- Food
- PLN 60
- Transport
- PLN 15
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- PLN 250
- Food
- PLN 150
- Transport
- PLN 35
- Sights
- PLN 40
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- PLN 450
- Food
- PLN 300
- Transport
- PLN 100
- Sights
- PLN 150
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°ColdJanuarySnow
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low-1°ColdFebruaryCloudy
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh9°Low1°CoolMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°SpringAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Warm, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°WarmJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°WarmestJulyRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Busy, warmAugustPartly cloudy
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy, warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°MildSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°GrayNovemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray
- DecemberCloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°MarketsDecemberCloudy
Best
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Markets
Average daily high and low in Kraków, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Poland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Warsaw
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°7°0%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°5°7%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Wed9°2°2%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu9°0°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°5°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat6°1°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun7°0°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 07:00 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.951 PLN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- JunScience PicnicWarsawMalta Festival PoznanPoznań
- JulPol'and'Rock FestivalAcross PolandJarocin FestivalPoznań
- Aug
- SepWarsaw AutumnWarsawWratislavia CantansWrocław
- OctJazz JamboreeWarsaw
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Poland: Rush Fifty Something Tour Kraków, Mar 27, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Łódź, May 5, 2027 · Nickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027 Łódź, Jul 1, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour Warsaw, Jul 14, 2027 · Rod Stewart The Final Encore Kraków, Jul 20, 2027
Before you go to Poland
Poland FAQ
Do I need to book Auschwitz in advance?
Yes. Admission is free, but entry needs a personalized pass that you reserve online, and none are sold at the entrance. The Memorial charges separately for a guide-educator.
Is Poland in Schengen?
Yes. Visa-free visitors can stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries, and non-EU visitors register in the EES at the external border instead of getting a stamp.
Are there border checks when I arrive from Germany?
Yes, expect them. Poland runs temporary checks on its borders with Germany and Lithuania, and Germany checks its border with Poland, so carry your passport and allow time.
How many days do I need in Poland?
A week fits Kraków with Auschwitz, plus Warsaw and Gdańsk. Add Wrocław for a lighter city stop or Zakopane for the Tatras. Give Kraków at least three days.
Does Poland use the euro?
No. The currency is the złoty (PLN), and prices are almost always in PLN. Decline any offer to convert the bill to your home currency.