Go East! Poland now ranked among Europe's most popular holiday spots

There are several reasons that explain the growth of interest in Polish tourism. Some suggest it's the country's festive atmosphere, strongly rooted traditions and moderate prices that make that it attractive to both Christmas market lovers and tourists looking for an authentic experience.

At a time when travelling in Europe is becoming more and more expensive, Poland stands out as a competitively priced alternative without sacrificing quality. An additional advantage is the rich cuisine, loaded with traditional recipes.

More foreign guides and culinary sites are urging visitors to taste seasonal favourites such as pierogi (traditional Polish dumplings, typically filled with a variety of savory ingredients); barszcz z uszkami (more dumplings served in a dish which is a traditional Polish Christmas Eve soup) or makowiec (a Polish poppy seed cake, often served as a sweet treat during Christmas or other special occasions).

According to data provided by Kiwi.com, the number of travel bookings to Poland has increased by more than 55 per centover the year. It's estimated that figure will soon swell with the largest number of visitors expected to come from Spain, the UK, Italy and Romania, among others.

Interestingly, the platform reports that Poland has become one of the key Christmas and New Year destinations for Romanian tourists. Compared to the previous year, the number of bookings to Polish cities during the festive period has increased as much as threefold in this country. From Bucharest, direct flights to Gdańsk, Warsaw, Wrocław and Kraków are offered by Wizz Air. In addition, flights to Krakow are operated by Ryanair and to Warsaw by LOT.

Poland is also popular among tourists from Sweden, Germany, Greece, France, Denmark and the Czech Republic, while a marked increase in interest has also been noted among travellers from Portugal, the Netherlands and Lithuania.

A tale of two Polish cities

According to TTW, Krakow and Warsaw are becoming more popular with foreign visitors. The authors of the report point out that they attract travellers thanks to, among other things, affordable ticket prices and - in the winter season - spectacular Christmas markets. The Travel and Tour World experts particularly emphasised the qualities of Krakow, which, in their opinion, stands out for its unique atmosphere and is regarded as one of the most atmospheric Christmas cities in Europe.

Low prices and good flight connections

Poland attracts foreign visitors not only with its affordable prices locally, but also with its favourable flight connections. Data from Kiwi.com shows that this year the average cost of an air ticket to Poland over the festive period was €123, €10 less than the year before. The biggest reductions - up to 23 per cent - were recorded for long-haul flights. Tourists are increasingly planning trips in advance, booking tickets on average 54 days before travel. At the same time, their stay in Poland will be shorter, lasting an average of six days, two days less than in 2024.

The trend for the coming years?

The rapid increase in the number of tourists shows that Poland has a real chance of becoming a permanent fixture in Europeans' winter travel plans. More and more people are becoming convinced that Christmas in Poland is not only about spectacular illuminations and traditional flavours, but also about exceptional hospitality and a unique atmosphere.

According to experts, if this trend continues, Poland may provide heavyweight competition to popular destinations like Austria or Germany. For the hotel and catering sector, this means the signs are looking extremely positive for a good, prosperous and exceptionally successful season.