Long Read

Air Quality and Environmental Health in Kraków: A Messy Reality Check

@Felix Drake2/8/2026blog

so here's the deal with kraków's air quality-it's not great. like, really not great. in winter, the pm2.5 levels can hit 60 micrograms per cubic meter, which is six times the WHO guideline. and that's not just some random stat-it's the kind of number that makes you rethink your daily run or bike ride. i mean, i'm a touring session drummer, so i'm used to weird air in smoky venues, but this is next level. the main culprit? coal heating in older buildings. it's like the city's stuck in a time warp where everyone's still burning the stuff like it's 1975. and don't even get me started on the traffic. those narrow streets in the old town? they're basically a parking lot for cars idling away, pumping out more crap into the air. but hey, it's not all doom and gloom. the city's trying-there's talk of banning coal stoves and pushing for cleaner energy. and the public transport? it's actually pretty solid. trams and buses everywhere, and they're working on electrifying more of the fleet. so if you're planning to move here or just visit, maybe invest in a good air purifier and check the air quality app before you head out. and if you're a runner like me, maybe stick to the parks when the air's cleaner. because let's be real, breathing in kraków's winter air is like smoking a pack of cigarettes without the nicotine buzz. but hey, at least the beer's cheap and the pierogi's delicious. just don't expect to see the mountains on a bad air day-they'll be hidden behind a thick, gray haze. and if you're wondering about the weather, well, it's cold. like, really cold. but that's part of the charm, right? just layer up and embrace the chill. and if you're into history, you're in luck-kraków's got plenty of that. just don't expect to see it clearly on a bad air day. and if you're looking for a place to stay, check out airbnb or booking.com. they've got some decent options. and if you're into food, tripadvisor has some great recommendations. just don't expect to see the mountains on a bad air day-they'll be hidden behind a thick, gray haze. and if you're wondering about the weather, well, it's cold. like, really cold. but that's part of the charm, right? just layer up and embrace the chill. and if you're into history, you're in luck-kraków's got plenty of that. just don't expect to see it clearly on a bad air day.


You might also be interested in:

About the author: Felix Drake

Just a human trying to be helpful on the internet.

Loading discussion...