As summer reaches its peak, an increasing number of Poles are choosing to spend their vacations in nearby international destinations rather than the traditional seaside resorts along the Baltic coast. Data from Nocowanie.pl, a leading Polish travel portal, reveals a growing trend among Polish travellers to opt for affordable, sun-soaked spots just across the border, with Croatia’s Adriatic coast and Hungary’s Lake Balaton topping the list.
Convenience and Affordability Fueling the Shift
The rising popularity of these destinations can be attributed to their accessibility and cost-effectiveness. A few hours by car or a short flight can take travellers to regions where the weather is more reliable, the landscapes are stunning, and prices often rival or even undercut those of popular Polish vacation spots.
This trend is further encouraged by the increasing expense of domestic travel. Agnieszka Rzeszutek, an expert at Nocowanie.pl, notes, “With affordable options becoming scarce in hotspots like the Hel Peninsula or Kołobrzeg—where a four-day stay for two can cost between 3,000 and 5,000 PLN—it’s no wonder that more Poles are opting for a few days in Croatia or Hungary.”
In Croatia, for instance, a three-night stay for two can begin at just 850 PLN, while a similar stay near Lake Balaton in Hungary might cost as little as 558 PLN. These figures are significantly lower than what many popular Polish resorts are charging this season.
Longer Stays Abroad Becoming the Norm
Nocowanie.pl also highlights that Polish tourists tend to extend their stays when travelling abroad compared to domestic vacations. In Poland, the average booking lasts only 3.3 days, whereas in Croatia, Poles typically spend a full week, paying around 90 PLN per person per night in cities like Zadar, or 134 PLN in the popular town of Pula. On average, a Croatian holiday costs Polish travellers about 4,911 PLN.
In Hungary, although the average stay is slightly shorter at 4.2 days, it still exceeds the length of domestic trips. This is partly due to popular weekend getaways to Budapest, as well as longer stays in spa towns like Hajduszoboszlo, where Poles stay an average of 5 days at a cost of 2,224 PLN. Lake Balaton, particularly the town of Siófok, remains a favourite, with an average cost of 136 PLN per person per night.
Discovering New Destinations
While established destinations such as Zadar in Croatia or Prague in the Czech Republic remain popular due to their familiarity and safety, Polish tourists are increasingly exploring less traditional yet equally enticing locations. Nearby countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia are seeing a surge in Polish visitors to towns such as Špindlerův Mlýn, Harrachov, and Tatranská Lomnica. These places offer picturesque views and cultural experiences at a fraction of the cost of more well-known European destinations.
“Familiar spots provide a sense of security, but we’re seeing that the availability of new places is encouraging Polish tourists to venture to less crowded, but equally attractive locations within driving or even train distance,”
Rzeszutek observes.
As the trend toward affordable, short-term international travel continues to grow, destinations close to Poland are likely to see even more Polish tourists in the coming years, solidifying their role as preferred alternatives to traditional domestic vacation spots.