Is the air quality good in Kraków?
On January 20, 2026, at 7:00 AM Pacific Time (PT), Kraków, Poland is breathing poor quality air as a result of stagnant weather and local pollutant sources, including coal-burning. The AQI is 249, classified as "very unhealthy" with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
Air quality changes constantly and, much like the weather, can shift rapidly. Kraków ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday morning, with nearby cities like Warsaw, Košice, Slovakia, and Prague, Czech Republic also experiencing poor air quality.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Kraków.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Kraków was 17.7 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 62, which falls into the moderate category and was 3.9 times the WHO annual guideline.
Kraków, Poland ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on January 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Kraków?
Kraków’s air quality is expected to see some improvement by Wednesday morning. Forecasts suggest conditions will shift to moderate levels, helping pollutants disperse more efficiently (1).
Hourly air quality forecast for Kraków, Poland on January 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Kraków, Poland on January 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
During winter, parts of Eastern, Southeastern, and Central Europe often face significant air quality challenges. Temperature inversions, combined with industrial emissions and widespread coal use for heating, can cause PM2.5 levels to spike—especially in Southeastern Europe.
Air quality map of Eastern, Central, and Southeastern Europe on January 14, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kraków?
Kraków’s air pollution is driven mainly by high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), particularly in the colder months (2). Although the city itself has prohibited solid fuels, surrounding areas continue to rely on coal and wood-burning boilers, along with outdated, inefficient stoves. When weather conditions stagnate, these emissions build up and drift into Kraków, leading to dangerous spikes in PM2.5 and degraded air quality (3).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
