Weather and Climate in Eastern Europe

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a thriving 9th-century city featuring gorgeous architecture, diverse cultural experiences, and plenty of seasonal and yearly events.

The summers in Prague are generally hot and winters quite cold, but there's always something going on in this Eastern European city. Make sure you check out the Prague Castle, Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge while you're in the city in the summer.

July is the hottest month in Prague with an average temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C), the coldest is January at just below freezing, and the wettest month is May

Vilnius, Lithuania

The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius experiences moderately warm summers and cold winters, so it's no surprise that summer is the most popular season for travel to this southern Baltic city.

If you do travel in the winter, temperatures can reach below -13 F (-25 C) in December, January, and February, so you'll want to be sure to pack the right gear like a shearling or heavy down coat, well-insulated gloves or mittens, and fur or insulated caps.

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg is Russia's second capital, and like its first capital of  Moscow, the city experiences long cold winters during which its rivers freeze. The short warm-weather summer season is the favorite time to travel to St. Petersburg, but you can generally enjoy the sites and culture of this Russian city any time of the year.

January is the coldest month with temperatures reaching 25 F (C 16) and it can be snowy. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik rarely sees snow or freezing temperatures, but you can't expect beach-friendly weather year round. In the winter, you might not have to bundle up for New Years Eve festivities (of which there are many), but you won't necessarily want to spend New Years Day at the beach. 

Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate with the warmest weather in June through August and the chilliest month in winter having a mild 54 degree Fahrenheit (12 C) average temperature.

Dubrovnik is known for the 16th-century walls that surround the city, and you can take a look out at the ocean from one of the many vantage points on them. Both the Church of St. Blaise and the Cathedral of the Assumption are popular ​destinations for Catholic tourists, and the Onofrio Fountain and Luza Square and the Stradun are popular destinations for tourists of all persuasions.

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, but its weather varies drastically from the country's favorite coastal destination of Dubrovnik. Snow cover is typical for the latter half of winter, but spring, summer, and fall can offer good opportunities for outdoor adventure travel. 

July is the hottest month in Zagreb with an average temperature of 70 Fahrenheit (21 C) and the coldest month is January with average temperatures hovering around freezing. The wettest month is November.

Ban Jelačić Square, Dolac Market, and the Kaptol part of Zagreb's Upper Town are among the most popular destinations to discover in this Croatian city, so just because it lies inland don't overlook it as a good vacation spot.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is the capital of Poland and it offers tourists a variety of Polish cultural traditions depending on what time of year and season they visit. Though winters are cold in Krakow, air from the Tatras Mountains warms the air during the day, making it a great destination year-round. This is good news for Christmas market-goers, who flock to Krakow for its incredible holiday displays.

July is the hottest month in Krakow with an average temperature of 65 Fahrenheit (19 C) and the coldest is January with an average of 28 Fahrenheit (-3 C). The rainiest month is July.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is one of Europe's rainiest cities, so prepare for wet weather when you travel to Slovenia's capital. It's also small enough of a city that you can navigate it on foot—though there are buses and trains that stop in the city.

Winters are cold and wet (October has the most rain), much like Seattle, Washington, but you can still expect a variety of seasonal events in this small city.

July is the hottest month in Ljubljana with an average temperature of 67 Fahrenheit (20 C). January can reach below freezing temperatures. 

Bratislava, Slovakia

Although you could technically consider Slovakia Central Europe, this Eastern European's capital of Bratislava is slightly warmer and drier than other parts of the country.

July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 70 Fahrenheit (21 C) and the coldest is January with just below freezing temps. June has the most rain.

While warm summers draw visitors in the greatest numbers, December's holiday celebrations have tourists braving the cold in Old Town to experience the traditional market and festivities.

Moscow, Russia

Moscow can experience heat waves during its warm summers, but it's winters are harsh and last from mid-October through late April most years.

July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 65 Fahrenheit (19 C) and the coldest is January at 18 Fahrenheit (-8 C). You'll encounter the most rain in June.

Be prepared for these extremes when you plan your trip to Moscow, but don't be dissuaded by below-freezing temperatures in winter—Moscow locals know how to enjoy their snow and ice.

Budapest, Hungary

From April to September, you can generally count on good travel weather, though summer is Budapest's rainiest season. September is perhaps the best time to visit the city, with average highs reaching an average of 76 F (24 C) while lows remain above 56 degrees (13 C) until the very end of the month.

On the other end of the spectrum, January is the coldest month with average highs only reaching the freezing mark and lows dipping below just below zero Fahrenheit. Still, that doesn't stop the city from hosting its Christmas market or celebrating New Year's Day.

Warsaw, Poland

Expect warm summers, chilly winters, and pleasant spring and autumn weather in Warsaw, making it one of the best destinations no matter what time of year you're planning to visit Eastern Europe. 

July is the warmest month in Warsaw with an average temperature of 64 Fahrenheit (18 C) and the coldest is February at 28 Fahrenheit (-3 C). The rainiest month is June.

Summer brings the best the Polish capital city has to offer, with the Juwenalia students' festival and the Wianki summer solstice festival both taking place throughout the season. In the winter, you can enjoy winter sports and Christmas markets as well as unique cultural traditions and hearty meals to survive the cold.