The sunniest cities in Poland
Spring is coming, bringing with it more sunny days that we need after a long, cloudy winter. The benefits of moderate sun exposure include not only the production of endorphins, the “happiness hormones,” but also significant health benefits such as replenishing vitamin D in the body and boosting the immune system. Which cities in Poland boast the most “sunshine hours”? Holidu, a search engine for apartments and holiday homes, decided to analyse which cities in Poland see the most sunshine. Using data from World Weather Online, we calculated the average number of “sunshine hours” per month and created a ranking of the sunniest places in Poland.
The sunniest city in Poland Our ranking is topped by Wałbrzych, a city located in the southwest of Poland, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. With an average of 273 “sunshine hours” per month, Wałbrzych takes first place in the ranking of the sunniest cities in Poland. What to do on a sunny day in Wałbrzych? A visit to the Palm House, filled with unique plant species that look even more impressive in the sunlight, will transport you to an exotic climate. There is no shortage of sunshine in these cities.
In second place in our ranking is Bytom. Located in the heart of the Silesian Voivodeship, it boasts sunny weather with an average of 267 “sunshine hours” per month. The perfect spot in Bytom for a spring picnic and catching the first rays of sunshine is the Municipal Park. The main attraction of the park is Mount of Love, which was revitalised in 2017 and features unique vegetation and many places to rest.
Gliwice is another city that appeared in our ranking. Beautiful tenement houses and a charming market square are just some of the attractions in this city waiting for tourists. While in Gliwice, it’s worth visiting Fryderyk Chopin Park, where there is a Palm House with exotic plant and animal species. And if you fancy sipping delicious coffee outdoors while enjoying the sun, the ideal place is Collation & Cafe, right in the centre of Bytom.
The sun shines brighter in Chorzów as well. This is another city in the Silesian Voivodeship that made it into our ranking of sunny places in Poland. The best place to catch some rays of sunshine and enjoy active leisure among greenery is Silesian Park, which is the main attraction of this city and draws tourists not only from throughout Upper Silesia but also from all over Poland. In Silesian Park, you can find attractions such as a zoo and a planetarium.
Zabrze is also included in our ranking. This typical mining city can boast beautiful sunny days, which should be taken advantage of by visiting the botanical garden, especially in spring when the vegetation begins to come to life. Here, you will find a unique rose garden with dozens of species of roses.
Another place in our sunny ranking is Ruda Śląska. This sizeable city, located in Upper Silesia, often enjoys sunny weather. If we want to spend time here actively with family and children, we recommend heading to the modern Aquadrom. Here, attractions await not only for little guests but also for adults, who can take advantage of saunas, jacuzzis, water massages, artificial waves, and rapids. On a beautiful sunny day, you can bask on the beach located right in front of the Aquadrom.
Kraków also made it into our ranking. There is no shortage of outdoor attractions here! For those visiting the city for the first time on a sunny day, we recommend heading to Wawel, where the city panorama is stunning. You can also enjoy the beautiful weather in the local botanical garden, which is the oldest botanical garden in Poland. A charming option for families with children could be the Kraków Zoo, which is quite intimate and has a unique atmosphere, perfect for relaxation.
Another place goes to Opole. This beautiful capital of the Opole Voivodeship invites all those craving spring sunshine to its green lungs, namely Bolko Island. This island on the Oder offers opportunities for idyllic walks, sports, visits to the zoo, and relaxation in sunny weather. Climbing parks, playgrounds, jogging paths, and outdoor gyms are just some of the attractions awaiting visitors here.
The two cities that close our ranking of the sunniest cities in Poland are Wrocław and Rybnik. How to spend a day in Wrocław when the weather is nice? There are many options: a stroll through the charming Ostrow Tumski, a visit to the Japanese gardens, a walk around the Wrocław market square, or a picnic in Szczytnicki Park. Rybnik offers just as many attractions, such as a walk near the graduation tower, fun with children at the theme park by Nacyna, or a visit to the castle in Rybnik.
Methodology
This ranking was created by collecting the average number of sunshine hours per month (for the years 2009-2021) for all cities in Poland with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Based on data from World Weather Online, we calculated the average number of sunshine hours per month using the average from each month of the year.
