Poland in February: tips for making the most of your winter in Poland

Weather in Poland in February

The average temperature in February in Poland remains below 0 (-0,3°C / 32°F). February is the least rainy month in Poland. The average rainfall level in Poland in February is 31 mm.

What does the word luty – February – mean in Polish? The word luty in the old Polish language meant fierce, very cold.

The day will keep getting longer! Sunset on February 1: 4.21 pm, February 28: 5.14 pm.

Winter in Poland is cold and usually snowy. To stay warm in Poland’s cold weather, you will need a hat, coat, scarf, gloves, and winter boots. The weather in Poland varies during the winter. Typically, the temperature is around freezing or a few degrees below, but it can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F). Recent years have seen higher average winter temperatures than in previous years.

Read more about the weather and winter in Poland.

Trade ban Sundays in Poland in February 2026

In February, there is no shopping Sunday in Poland; all Sundays are trade ban days. The next shopping Sunday will be on March 29. More about the shopping Sunday trade ban in Poland: our post about shopping Sundays in Poland. Read our post for a list of online stores in Poland that deliver groceries to homes.

Dates to remember in Poland in February 2026

February is one of the few months when Poland has no bank/public holiday.

Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek)
The last Thursday before Lent starts (similar to Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday), it’s a donut/pączek day in Poland. In the morning, you can notice long lines in front of bakeries and cafes all over Poland. People eat pączki (donuts filled with fruit jam) or faworki (French dough pastry served with powdered sugar) all day long at school, work, and home. There are contests for the best pastry stores in the city, and some families have a pączek eating competition – who will eat the most donuts on Fat Thursday.

Valentine’s Day (Walentynki)
It’s a relatively new celebration in Poland (not observed in Poland during the communist period before 1989) and is becoming increasingly popular. All restaurants are usually full; you need to book your table in advance;) School kids make Valentine’s Day cards, and couples remember to make a pleasant surprise.

Last day of the carnival, Śledzik (herring night), Ostatki (last days of carnival)
This is the last chance to party (typically with drinking and music) before the start of Lent (which doesn’t mean there are no parties during Lent in Poland, just not as many). The party/dinner is called in Polish Śledzik (little herring) because, during old-fashioned Polish parties, it was a popular appetizer washed down with alcohol.

Ash Wednesday (Środa Popielcowa, Popielec)
The first day of Lent. People go to churches where priests put ashes (made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday) on people’s foreheads, saying ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’ (‘Z prochu powstałeś i w proch się obrócisz’). It is a tradition among Roman Catholics in Poland to avoid meat, alcohol, sweets, and snacks on that day.

Read more about public holidays and dates to remember in Poland in winter.

Things you can’t miss in Poland in February

Treat yourself with a pączek

February is a festival of donuts in Poland that culminates in the so-called Fat Thursday, in Polish Tłusty Czwartek (in 2026, it falls on February 12). Fat Thursday is the last Thursday before Lent starts; it’s a donut day in Poland. On Fat Thursday, Poles eat 100 million donuts! 2.5 donuts per one Pole:)

Traditional Polish donuts are made of yeast dough and are deep-fried. It has a dark or light golden color and is stuffed with marmalade or jam.

Everyone in Poland has their favorite types of donuts – some prefer donuts with icing, others sprinkled with powder, or with candied orange peel. The same applies to the filling: plum jam or rosehip is the most popular. In recent years, you can buy donuts in Poland with more non-traditional fillings, such as chocolate or toffee.

Warm up with a traditional, unique Polish soup – żurek!

Winter is the time in Poland when there are no fresh local vegetables, and you need to eat warming dishes – the answer is żurek soup. This rich soup is made with zakwas (a fermented flour starter, once a by-product of bread baking) and is typically served with boiled eggs and sausage.

Żurek is one of the oldest Polish soups. Its original version was known as white borscht (barszcz biały) and was consumed primarily in rural areas. Żurek soup is prepared slightly differently across Poland. Some people add sausage, smoked ribs, smoked bacon, dried forest mushrooms, horseradish, smoked sheep cheese, potatoes, and garlic.

Traditionally, żurek has been eaten during Easter, but it’s now available on menus year-round.

You can order a fancy żurek at restaurants serving Polish food, but you can also easily and quickly prepare it at home!

Escape rooms in Poland, available in English

Escape Room is an interactive team game in which participants are locked in a room and must solve puzzles and uncover hidden clues to escape before a set time limit expires. An escape room can be an unforgettable adventure – an excellent idea for spending time with friends, a family outing, or a birthday party.

Our post presents escape rooms with games for adults, families, and children. All presented places offer rooms in English.

The post covers the biggest cities in Poland:

• Wrocław, Kraków, Warsaw, Poznań, Łódź, Katowice, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot

Find out more in our post: Escape Rooms in Poland: locations, languages, scenarios, ages.

Indoor climbing centers in Poland

Indoor climbing is a great workout and exhilarating activity for people of varied genders, heights, weights, and physical abilities. Climbing gyms are open year-round, so you can access them even during the cold winter months in Poland.

Our post Indoor climbing gyms in Poland covers:

• Tips and introduction to climbing: Two types of indoor climbing: short walls – boulders and tall walls with ropes; The equipment; Benefits of climbing; Climbing for kids; How to start? Our recommendation
• Glossary of Polish climbing terms
• Selected indoor rock climbing gyms in the biggest cities in Poland

The biggest thermal baths in Poland

Bathing in the outdoor thermal pool in winter, surrounded by snow, is a unique experience. However, in the Polish climate, thermal pools are a popular attraction in Poland at any time of the year, not only in winter;) A visit to one of the thermal spas in Poland can be a weekend getaway, or you can combine it with hiking or sightseeing. At thermal baths in Poland, you can enjoy outdoor and indoor pools, spa treatments, and other attractions typical of water parks.

You will find information on the largest thermal baths in Poland in our post: “Thermal baths in Poland: the biggest hot springs and thermal spas.”

Chochołowskie Termy – the biggest thermal pools in Poland, in the mountains, close to the town of Zakopane

“Termy Chochołowskie” offers the largest thermal pools in Poland – 3,000 m² of water surface and 30 pools. There are outdoor and indoor thermal pools and aquapark attractions, including slides, geysers, a wild river, an artificial wave, hydromassage stations, and a sandy beach and outdoor water playground in summer.

The thermal baths are located 17 km from the town of Zakopane, the heart of the Polish Tatra Mountains (Our tips in English about visiting the town of Zakopane.)

Photo source: Chochołowskie Termy

Read more (locations, info, photos, contacts) about other thermal baths in Poland in our post: Thermal baths in Poland: the biggest hot springs and thermal spas.

The best family-friendly hotels in Poland

A zoo with kangaroos and camels? Kids entertainers available 365 days a year? Big sandbox and mud kitchen inside the hotel building? Beach or ski slope within walking distance from the hotel?

Such attractions are available at selected hotels in Poland. We have asked our readers for their insights, and in our guide, you will find the best family hotels in Poland, as recommended by the Kids in the City community. These hotels have all the basics covered and much more.

Read more in our post featuring the best family hotels in Poland as recommended by Kids in the City readers.

Hotel Arłamów – attractions for every season in the mountains

The hotel is located on top of a hill in south-eastern Poland’s mountains (Bieszczady Mountains). The hotel offers many attractions, especially for families who enjoy sports activities. In winter, a ski slope and ice rink; in summer – cycling trips and hiking in the mountains; all year round – horse riding, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and tennis.

Photo source: Hotel Arłamów

Dolina Charlotty – a hotel near the sea with a real zoo

The hotel is located in northern Poland, 13 km from the sea. Dolina Charlotty, in English “Charlotte Valley,” covers 120 hectares and includes a lake and a forest. What makes this place unique? The hotel has a zoo, including kangaroos, lemurs, camels, and monkeys!

Photo source: Dolina Charlotty Resort & Spa

Read more (locations, amenities, and activities for children, photos, contact info) about other child-friendly hotels in Poland recommended by parents – Kids in the City readers: Child-friendly hotels in Poland: family-friendly hotels where children are positively welcomed, and parents can relax.

Skiing in Poland: the most popular ski resorts in Poland and small local ski slopes

Did you know you don’t need to drive for hours south of Poland to reach the mountains and ski? You can find many small ski slopes across Poland, including in major cities.

Our post covers the areas of Zakopane, Poznań, Warsaw, Wrocław, Katowice, Łódź, Kraków, and the Tri-City: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot.

In our post about skiing in Poland, you will find information about local small ski resorts within a relatively short distance from the biggest cities in Poland. They are perfect for children and adults who want to learn to ski, or for those looking to take a weekend ski break in Poland.

The post also covers some of the most popular ski resorts in Poland for those planning winter holidays in Poland or seeking more advanced ski runs.

Read more about skiing in Poland in our post: Where to learn to ski in Poland and where to spend winter holidays in Poland.

The photos below present Kasprowy Wierch – the highest ski mountain in Poland, in the Zakopane area, in the Tatra Mountains.

Exploring Warsaw in winter: ideas for things to do

For those planning to visit Warsaw in the winter. Here, everyone will find something for themselves – something for those who love festive illuminations, for those interested in history, and certainly for gourmets – regardless of whether you want to try Polish traditional cuisine, are looking for vegan options, or cuisine from around the world – Warsaw will not disappoint you!

Our post Winter in Warsaw includes:

• Ice skating rinks in Warsaw
• Sleigh and horse carriage rides in the vicinity of Warsaw
• Where to go sledding in Warsaw
• Festive illuminations, a Christmas tree, and light displays in Warsaw
• Ideas for indoor things to do in winter in Warsaw
• Skiing in Warsaw – yes, it’s possible!
• Ideas for those who want to enjoy the Christmas and holiday atmosphere in Warsaw

Click here to read our post on things to do in Warsaw in the wintertime

Best indoor playgrounds and soft play centers in Poland

There are times of the year in Poland when many families head indoors for some shelter, and somewhere the children can burn off some of their endless energy:) Our Readers list top soft spots in Poland where adults can chill out while children have fun and tire themselves out.

Read more in our post: Indoor play spaces for children in Poland, recommended by our readers.

Winter illuminations still on in February in Poland: beautiful light displays in selected Polish cities

During the winter months (including February), many parks in Poland transform after dark into a magical world of lights, allowing you to spend time outdoors, walking through winter festive scenery. We take you through a dozen magical places across Poland where you can cut yourself off from everyday matters and enjoy winter in Poland.

You will find detailed information on illumination festivals in Poland in our post, Festivals of lights, illuminations, and Christmas displays across Poland.

Winter school break in Poland

The school year in Poland is divided into two terms: the first (winter) term (pierwszy semestr) and the second (summer) term (drugi semestr). While the first and last days of school are set the same across Poland, winter break (ferie zimowe) dates vary by province (voivodship) each year.

The following voivodships: mazowieckie (Masovian – Warsaw), pomorskie (Pomeranian – Gdańsk), podlaskie (Białystok), świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross – Kielce), warmińsko-mazurskie (Warmian-Masurian – Olsztyn).

The following voivodships: dolnośląskie (Lower Silesian – Wrocław), kujawsko-pomorskie (Kuyavian-Pomeranian – Toruń & Bydgoszcz), łódzkie (Łódź), zachodniopomorskie (West Pomeranian – Szczecin), małopolskie (Lesser Poland – Kraków), opolskie (Opole).

The following voivodships: podkarpackie (Subcarpathian – Rzeszów), lubelskie (Lublin), wielkopolskie (Greater Poland – Poznań), lubuskie (Lubusz – Gorzów Wielkopolski & Zielona Góra), śląskie (Silesian – Katowice).

Read more in our post about school holidays in Poland, including dates of winter (2026 & 2027) and summer breaks.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and learn about it! Once a month, you will receive a Newsletter: ‘Explore Poland with Kids‘. You will find there family-friendly destinations in Poland – beautiful places in Poland worth visiting with children – from city break destinations to hiking in the mountains (lots of practical tips!); things you can’t miss in Poland in a given month; dates to remember, holidays, observances in Poland in a given month so you can mark your calendars accordingly.

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