March in Krakow: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Depending on your outlook, spring is a decent time to visit Krakow, one of Poland's most popular and prominent cities. Although temperatures still feel very chilly, especially in the evenings and on cloudy days, the weather is already milder than the bone-chilling days of February.

March is considered the off-season in Krakow with fewer tourists, so if you don't mind the cold, it's generally easier to find better travel deals. The exception is during the week before Easter which is typically spring break for students not just in Poland but across Europe. During this popular holiday period, expect flights and hotels to book up quickly.

Krakow Weather in March

Although March is technically the beginning of spring, it really feels more like the end of winter. Temperatures are rising throughout the month, and a visit at the end of March is likely to be much more comfortable than at the beginning. Even so, you should be prepared for cold and potentially freezing weather in March.

• Average High: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius)
• Average Low: 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degree Celsius)

The good thing about March is there is very little precipitation as the rainy season arrives later in May and June. March averages about 1.5 inches of rain throughout the whole month, but it may fall as snow on particularly cold days or nights.

While days last almost 12 hours in March, the month only sees about four hours of sunshine per day, on average, since there is almost constant overcast.

What to Pack

March weather is variable all over Central Europe, so keep this fact in mind when you pack for your trip. You'll want a heavy coat that will keep out the cold as well as a scarf, gloves, and a hat. If you see rain in the forecast, bring an umbrella, waterproof shoes, and a windbreaker. Since a snowstorm is still a possibility in March, make sure you have some thermal layers to wear underneath your clothes for staying warm.

Nightlife is a big part of Polish culture and some higher-end clubs have a dress code for getting in. If you want to have a night out, pack at least one elevated outfit which can be a button-up shirt and dark jeans for men and a nice top with dark pants for women (or make sure you have a nice coat to keep warm if you wear a dress).

March Events in Krakow

There are many holidays and festivities happening in Krakow come spring, especially when the Easter holiday falls in March, one of Poland's most important holidays. Make sure to plan ahead so you don't miss out on the fun.

• Krakow Easter Market: If Easter falls in March or early April, you can check out the Krakow Easter Market that takes place on the Rynek Glowny main square of the city. Stalls are set up for the two weeks leading up to Easter and sell all types of typical Polish handicrafts like pisanka, elaborately painted eggs made of wood or ceramic.
• Misteria Paschalia Festival: This classical and historical musical concert always takes place during the week leading up to Easter, often in mid to late March. Nationally-renowned bands and composers hold concerts in churches around the city as well as in the Krakow Philharmonic, a true treat for fans of classical music in the home country of Chopin.
• Bach Days: Classical music enthusiasts have even more to look forward to in March with Bach Days, a weeklong celebration of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Free concerts take place daily around Krakow featuring Bach's greatest symphonies along with works by contemporary composers as well.
• ​The Drowning of Marzanna: This pagan ritual offers Poles an outlandish way to say farewell to winter. On the spring equinox. March 21, school children decorate a doll or effigy of Marzanna the witch and then burn it and drown it in the river. It's one of the few pre-Christian Slavic traditions that is still practiced in Poland.

March Travel Tips

• March has good potential for travelers who want to avoid crowds and don't mind a bit of a nip in the air. Tourists flock to Krakow in the springtime, but not in the droves typical of summer.
• Just outside Krakow, you'll find many ski areas that are open from December through March. The small mountain village of Zakopane—in Tatra National Park—is one of the most popular. It's a two-hour drive south of Krakow.
• Carry a compact umbrella while trekking around Krakow in March, as sudden showers can pop up but won't completely wipe out portions of your trip.
• Daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday of March, so don't forget to adjust your clock if you happen to be in Krakow on this day.