Poland in September: tips for making the most of your autumn in Poland

The cover photo features Solińskie Lake in Bieszczady Mountains in south-eastern Poland.

Weather in Poland in September

September marks the end of summer in Poland. Technically, the summer season lasts until September 23 but September in Poland is considered as an autumn month. After all, it’s the month with the first day of school at Polish schools (in 2022: Thursday, September 1).

The average temperature in September in Poland is 14°C / 57°F (just like in May). The average rainfall level in September in Poland is 53 mm (for comparison, July has the highest average rainfall in Poland: 89 mm, and February has the lowest: 31 mm).

The astronomical (the autumnal equinox – the sun is directly over the equator) first day of autumn in Poland in 2023 falls on September 23 and the meteorological first day of autumn on September 23, too. After the autumnal equinox, the day in Poland gets shorter and the night gets longer until the winter solstice on December 21 – the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in Poland in the whole year.

For many, September is their favorite month in Poland – neither too cold nor too hot and ideal for walking and admiring the fall foliage. This time in Poland is called poetically ‘Polish Golden Autumn‘ (Polska Złota Jesień). Nature in September will delight you with a unique palette of intense colors.

Read more about the weather in Poland in autumn and the changes in nature you can’t miss.

Dates to remember in Poland in September 2023

September is one of the few months in Poland with no public/bank holidays.

Commemoration of the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II
September 1 marks the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. Events commemorating the outbreak of the war are held in various Polish cities.

The first day of school at Polish schools
The event includes short formal ceremonies (it’s not a regular full school day so parents of smaller children may need to take a day off). The school year in Poland is divided into 2 terms: the winter term (pierwszy semestr) and the summer term (drugi semestr). While the first and last days of school are set the same for all of Poland, the winter break (ferie zimowe) times differ for each Polish province/voivodship. Read more in our post about school breaks in Poland: additional days off, winter breaks dates in Poland by voivodships.

World Cleanup Day 
Different locations all over Poland. Volunteers across 160+ countries will gather to clean up litter and waste. World Cleanup Day – Poland (Facebook page, including events in Poland). World Cleanup Day – global website in English.

The first day of autumn
The astronomical (the autumnal equinox – the sun is directly over the equator) first day of autumn in Poland in 2023 falls on September 23 and the meteorological first day of autumn on September 23. After the autumnal equinox, the days in Poland get shorter and the nights get longer until the winter solstice on December 21 – the first day of winter and the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in Poland in the whole year. Read more about the weather, changes in nature, and seasonal fruits and vegetables in Poland in September, October & November.

Boy’s Day (Dzień Chłopaka)
This holiday in Poland is the equivalent of Women’s Day, which is celebrated in Poland on March 8. On Boy’s Day, ladies give their loved ones (younger and older) a gift or prepare another surprise.

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

 Sunday trade ban in Poland in September 2023

In September 2023, there is no shopping Sunday in Poland. The next shopping Sunday is on December 17. Click here to read our post about shopping Sundays in Poland. Read our post with the list of online stores in Poland delivering groceries to your home.

Things you can’t miss in Poland in September

Visit a park in September with your camera 

Nature’s signs of autumn in Poland include changes in the landscape – trees are full of vibrant colors of orange, yellow, brown, and red. The leaves begin to drop off, giving children a chance to play in the leaf piles or collect and dry colorful leaves.

This time in Poland is called poetically ‘Golden Polish Autumn’ (Złota Polska Jesień). Make use of every moment of good weather for a walk and visit a park in any city in Poland in autumn – nature will delight you with a unique palette of intense colors.

The peak of the most intense fall foliage colors in Poland is the second half of September and the first half of October.

In our post on the website, you will find a list of our picks for the most spectacular spots in Poland for viewing colorful leaves.

Visit the Polish forest for a photo session with heathers

Heathers in Poland begin to bloom at the turn of August and September. It is worth hurrying to have a walk in one of the Polish forests – we have time to admire them more or less until mid-September. The Polish name of September (wrzesień) comes from the heathers (wrzosy). Heathland in Polish – wrzosowisko – hard to pronounce, isn’t it?

Buy local fruits and vegetables available fresh in September 

Don’t miss the season for fresh sunflower seeds in Poland (it lasts until the end of September). In September, you can also buy walnuts and hazelnuts at Polish vegetable stalls. They offer also various species of wild mushrooms. And last but not least: the king of fruits in September in Poland is the apple.

Decorate your home with September flowers

Polish gardens are still in bloom in September, the most popular autumn flowers include asters (aster is a floral symbol of autumn in Poland), chrysanthemums, roses, sunflowers. Visit forests in Poland in September to admire colorful heather/calluna flowers (you can also buy them at the florist).

Look up high and watch the Polish sky 

Birds’ migration begins in the autumn in Poland. As early as September, you can see in the Polish skies the characteristic V-shaped flight formation of wild geese or cranes (the V shape in Poland is called klucz – a key).

Go hunting for chestnuts, acorns, and rowan red berries

The end of September is the time of the year in Poland when kids go chestnut hunting in the parks. Later, at kindergartens or schools, they create fantastic figures with chestnuts (the majority of chestnuts in Poland are not edible!) and acorns (oak nuts) or beautiful rowanberry necklaces. Chestnuts (kasztany), acorns (żołędzie), colorful autumn leaves, and rowan red berries (jarzębina) are perfect materials for arts and crafts activities for children (and adults…). September in Poland is the best for anyone who loves DIY natural projects!

Apple picking in Poland

You will find some options for apple picking in Poland on this website (myzbieramy.pl), you can search by region. Please note that you need to contact a selected orchard to book a slot in most cases.

Some farms offer vegetable picking too.

A trip to the lake in September – visiting the city of Olsztyn with 15 lakes within the city limits

If you are looking for an idea for a few-day trip in Poland, you appreciate nature and lakes and you would like to find a place by the lake cheaper than the Masuria region of Poland – the city of Olsztyn is your answer.

Olsztyn – the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship/Province. It is located in the historical region of Warmia, in north-eastern Poland. It is a great place to start your adventure with the Polish land of lakes – it is easy to get there by car or train, and the city has an interesting offer for families. In Olsztyn itself, as well as in the vicinity of the city, you can find hotels located directly on the lake.

What makes Olsztyn a unique place in Poland – there are 15 lakes within the city limits!

Our post Visiting the city of Olsztyn covers:

• How to get to Olsztyn by train, by car, by plane
• Main WATER attractions in Olsztyn
• Other attractions in Olsztyn and things to do

Read more about visiting Olsztyn: The city of Olsztyn – 15 lakes within the city limits

The biggest and most interesting ropes courses in Poland (hurry up, will close in October!)

Poland is home to a number of high ropes courses that are suitable for families, each offering its own unique challenges and experiences.

High ropes centers are not only for seasoned thrill-seekers or those looking to conquer a fear of heights. They are fun and a great shared adventure for a family or friends’ day out.

High ropes courses are a series of challenging obstacles situated in trees that you cross one by one – you move across obstacles, platforms, bridges constructed in trees. You are attached to a rope and you use a belay to keep you safe.

To learn more about rope parks in Poland, please read our post that covers:

• The biggest rope park in Poland
• Rope park with the most courses in Poland
• 3 rope parks in the town of Zakopane – the heart of the Polish Tatra Mountains
• Rope park in the city of Kraków
• Ropes park in the city of Gdańsk
• 2 rope parks in the town of Malbork – famous for one of the biggest castles in the world
• Rope park in the city of Poznań
• Rope parks in the city of Warsaw

For more information (locations, contact info), please read our post: The biggest and most interesting ropes courses in Poland.

The best places in Poland to admire autumn leaves and fall foliage

Our post Autumn leaves and fall foliage in Poland presents our picks for the most spectacular fall foliage spots in different parts of Poland. Below you will find a selection.

The Japanese Garden (Ogród Japoński) in the city of Wrocław

The history of the Japanese Garden in Wrocław dates back to 1913 when it was established as part of the World Exhibition. The garden was revitalized in 1996 and restored in 1999 after the flood.
The garden is not large but situated in an interesting and convenient location – during one trip you can visit the Wrocław Zoo, Hala Stulecia (Centennial Hall building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or take a walk in the neighboring park – Park Szczytnicki.
From November 1 to March 31 the garden is closed. Paid admission.

Skałki Twardowskiego Rocks and Zakrzówek Park, 5 km from the city of Kraków

The Zakrzówek Lagoon was created in 1990 after the old limestone quarry was flooded (the water here has a beautiful turquoise color – all thanks to the deposits of limestone that were once mined here; this is also the place where the future Pope Karol Wojtyła worked in the quarry during World War II).
A two-year plan for the development of the Zakrzówek Lagoon has been announced to make it available for recreation (so far it is forbidden to swim).
The Old Town of Kraków is visible from several viewpoints on the hill and rocks.
Where does the name of the rocks (the rocks of Twardowski) come from? According to the legend, Master Twardowski ran a school of magic and sorcery among the surrounding cliffs. One day, during an unsuccessful experiment, the laboratory exploded and the explosion created picturesque rocks named after the Master.

Łazienki Royal Garden in the city of Warsaw

The huge park surrounding the summer residence of the last Polish king. A must-see on your Warsaw (and Polish) bucket list! It can be crowded during weekends but it’s also big enough to have a quiet walk in less popular parts of the garden. Amazing during each season – kids can collect chestnuts and colorful leaves during fall, build a snowman and ride a sled during wintertime, observe squirrels in spring, and lie on the grass in summer.

More fall foliage spots in Poland in our post.

Things to do in Poland: the Zoo in the city of Łódź and its new part – the Orientarium

For several years, the Zoo in the city of Łódź in central Poland has been developing a huge new project – Orientarium, which opened to visitors in April 2022. The Orientarium is dedicated to the fauna and flora of Southeast Asia. 

In our post on the website, you will find lots of practical tips and info about:

• How to get to the city of Łódź by train, by car, by plane
• How to get to the Zoo in Łódź
• The map of attractions at the Zoo in Łódź (including attractions dedicated to children like a rope park, 2 playgrounds, and a petting zoo)
• Useful information (tickets, opening hours, etc.)
• Why the city Łódź is worth visiting (our tips, and things to do in Łódź)

More about visiting the Zoo in Łódź in our post.

Photo source: Orientarium Zoo Łódź

Weekend getaways in Poland

The city of Poznań – where centuries-old tradition meets a modern vibe

The city of Poznań is a perfect weekend city break in Poland. Poznań is full of monuments, but at the same time, it’s a very modern, innovative, and… green city. Try delicious Poznań pastry (rogal), visit 2 zoos, take a photo with the fighting billy goats, and learn about the origins of Polish history.

The city of Poznań (pronunciation: poz-nan) is the 5th largest city in Poland by population (after Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź, and Wrocław), and the capital of Wielkopolskie Województwo (province). The Warta River flows beautifully through the city (the second longest river lying entirely in Poland, after the Vistula). One of the oldest Polish cities, it was the cultural and political center when Poland was created in the 10th century. Gniezno (a city located 50 km east of Poznań) was the first capital city of Poland. Poznan is full of monuments, at the same time it’s a very modern, innovative, and… green city (30% of green areas).

How to get there? What are the top attractions? Find out more in our post about visiting Poznań.

The city of Toruń – one of the oldest cities in Poland

Toruń is a medieval city picturesquely located on the banks of the Vistula River, known in Poland for two things: the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and… gingerbread cookies.

The city of Toruń (pronunciation: ˈtɔ.ruɲ) is one of the oldest cities in Poland (established in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights), and unlike many other cities in Poland, it avoided substantial destruction during the Second World War. Most of the important architectural monuments are originals, not reconstructions. Toruń is a city full of Gothic art and architecture (in Poland, only Kraków is “more Gothic”). The medieval part of Toruń is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

What we love about Toruń is that every major tourist attraction is within walking distance (even for children!).

If you want to explore Poland, if you enjoy cities with a historic vibe, and if you like spiced ginger cookies… Toruń is your perfect weekend destination.

How to get there? What are the top attractions? Find out more in our post about visiting Toruń.

The city of Wrocław – a nice destination for every season

Wrocław is the fourth largest city in Poland (after Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź), a vibrant student city, attracting many international businesses and thousands of tourists from Poland and abroad. Although the name of the city is difficult to pronounce for foreigners (‘vrotz-wav‘), Wrocław is a city open to tourists and offers many great attractions. From Gothic architecture to picturesque bridges, comforting gardens located in the heart of the city, the only oceanarium in the world dedicated to Africa’s water wildlife, and over 300 small bronze figures of… dwarfs scattered around the city. Wrocław offers plenty of things to do on a rainy day, and indoor attractions to escape the cold or the heat so you can enjoy the city at any time of the year. You should definitely consider Wrocław when you are planning your next weekend getaway in Poland and include it in your list of places to visit in Poland.

How to get there? What are the top attractions? Find out more in our post about visiting Wrocław.

More ideas in our post: Ideas for easy weekend getaways in Poland.

Ideas for outdoor activities and things to do outside in Poland

Although September marks the end of summer in Poland, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors – neither too cold nor too hot and ideal for walking!

Below you will find our posts recommending outdoor destinations in Poland where you can get your fill of fresh air:

Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and learn about Poland! 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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