In Poland, the autumn season is called Złota Polska Jesień (Golden Polish Autumn) and it could not be more appropriately named. I've seen many beautiful autumn seasons around the world, but none are as magnificent as the ones I've experienced in Poland.

The fairytale forests are illuminated in shades of gold, red, yellow and orange. The leaves fall to the ground and crunch beneath your feet as the season starts to change. (The word for November in Polish is listopad, which literally translates to falling leaves.) It's impossible to describe in words, and my only advice is to go and see it for yourself!

Here are some of the main reasons you need to visit Poland in the autumn:

1. Autumn Colors (obviously)

As I mentioned before, autumn in Poland is golden. This colorful season usually comes to its peak in mid-October when the trees are dressed in warm vibrant colors. The weather is mild and it is the perfect time to take a stroll through the forests in the countryside or in one of the many city parks. There is such a nostalgic feeling that comes with walking through a park in the city while stepping on crunchy leaves and sipping a hot beverage. This experience is made even more magical by being in the center of a historic European city.

2. Fewer Crowds

It's common knowledge that the summer months are the busiest for travel anywhere in the world. This holds true in Poland as well. If you're interested in seeing the sites when it's less busy, I highly recommend the autumn. In Poland (and most of Europe), children return to school on the first of September so places are less crowded with families and students. The wait time to enter museums and other attractions is shorter and the market squares are much less busy.

3. Better Prices

Because the summer is the high season, prices for hotels and other attractions are at their peak. If you choose to visit Poland during the off season, you will have better prices overall. There will also be more availability at smaller boutique accommodations and sites. Find out more about pricing in our article Prices In Poland.

4. Ideal Temperature

You may not know it, but Poland is HOT in the summer. Unless you find a nice air conditioned restaurant or shop to step into, it can be a challenge to beat the heat. September and October offer the perfect temperature (in my opinion). You can spend hours walking around the the city without overheating or freezing. If it's later in the season, you can always dip into a cafe to warm up. Which brings me to my next point...

5. Cozy Cafes

Poland is home to some incredibly cozy cafes. They offer the perfect spot to sit back with a hot drink and enjoy reading, people watching or chatting with your travel companions. Cafes in Poland are also known for their assortment of delicious cakes and other treats to enjoy with your coffee.

6. Seasonal Ingredients

Food in Poland is already delicious. Now combine excellent recipes with fresh seasonal ingredients and I'm in food heaven. During the autumn, cuisine is focused around root vegetables such as cabbage, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots and beetroots. There is also a variety of fresh fruits including apples, pears, peaches and plums. Restaurants serve up delicious meals using these fresh ingredients.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, it is also the time of year people go into the forest to gather wild mushrooms. If this activity interests you, we can arrange a guided nature walk to teach you about mushrooms and how to harvest and prepare them. If mushroom foraging isn't your thing, you can find many restaurants that incorporate these wild delicacies into your meal.

I hope these ideas have helped encourage you to plan a trip to Poland during the autumn season! It is truly a magical time of year. If you have any questions about planning a trip to Poland or would like to learn more about our private guided tours, please contact us.

Read more about our Culinary Tour to Poland.