The last weekend of February brought a noticeable warming and the first signs of spring to many regions of Poland. Residents of Kraków, Wrocław, Bydgoszcz, and Poznań flocked to parks and promenades, taking advantage of the sunny weather. At the same time, good skiing conditions persist in the mountains and Kaszuby region, creating an unusual contrast between the awakening nature and the ending winter season.
Spring-like weather in cities
The first snowdrops and crowds on boulevards in Kraków and Wrocław signal the arrival of early spring.
Winter holds on in the mountains
Ski resorts in Kaszuby and the Beskids are operating at full capacity, forecasting skiing until April.
More expensive Catalonia
Barcelona is introducing higher tourist taxes, which significantly increases the costs of trips abroad.
The turn of February and March 2026 is marked by exceptionally mild weather, which encouraged Poles to massively participate in outdoor activities. In Kraków, the first snowdrops were observed, and residents flocked to the Bagry reservoir, seeking sun and respite from the winter greyness. Similar moods prevail in Bydgoszcz, where athletes completed City Trail series runs and Parkrun in almost spring-like conditions. Local media across the country, from Lower Silesia to Podkarpacie, point to a rich weekend event offering, encompassing both sporting events and exotic fairs or exhibitions. February in the Polish climate traditionally was considered a frosty and snowy month. However, in recent decades, a trend of earlier occurrence of phenological phenomena characteristic of early spring has been observed.Despite the clear warming in cities, ski resorts in Kaszuby and the Beskids report that snow cover is still present. Ski station owners in the Gdańsk region optimistically predict that snow reserves may last even until Easter. The Beskids remain an attractive destination for both skiers and hiking enthusiasts, although conditions require proper equipment preparation. Meanwhile, in the Tricity and Toruń, the focus has been on family recreation, promoting lesser-known city corners and cultural events, such as children's performances or patriotic runs. Against the backdrop of national tourism optimism, reports from Southern Europe stand out. Tourists planning a visit to Catalonia must reckon with higher accommodation costs. The authorities of Barcelona and the entire region have decided to raise climate fees and tourist taxes, aiming to finance infrastructure and combat the effects of mass tourism. These increases will primarily affect people using hotels and short-term apartment rentals in the capital of Catalonia. Barcelona has been struggling with the problem of overtourism for years, which prompted local authorities to implement radical measures regulating tourist traffic since the mid-2010s.