The top Polish destinations to add to your bucket list as travel to Eastern Europe set to boom, including one with £15 flights and £2.50 pints – and the ‘Alps of Poland’

This summer, many Brits are set to head to destinations in Eastern Europe – instead of further afield.

Alessandro Petazzi, CEO of travel package holiday and hotel provider Lastminute.com, told the Daily Mail the most popular destinations are ‘either the smaller cities, like Krakow, Gdansk, and so forth, or the European capital cities such as Berlin and Copenhagen’.

Eastern Europe saw the most growth in the city escape market, thanks to Gdansk (+97 per cent) and Bucharest (+71 per cent).

Meanwhile, Kraków (+58 per cent) also increased in popularity over the last year. 

Alessandro explained: ‘I think a lot of that has to do with low-cost airlines opening new routes, so that people start saying, “you know what, there’s a new, relatively cheap flight from London or Manchester to Gdansk or Krakow, let me take a look.”‘

It comes after budget airline Wizz Air’s chief executive said that European flight prices are cheaper now than they will be in a few months, amid the ongoing jet fuel crisis hitting the travel industry.

With Poland set to soar in popularity this summer, here’s a rundown of the country’s top destinations to add to your bucket list…

Krakow

Krakow is a popular travel spot for Brits seeking budget-friendly city breaks

Which? previously revealed Krakow to be the UK’s favourite European city-break destination – and it’s easy to understand why.

Visitors to Krakow awarded it a full five stars for food and drink as well as cultural sites and attractions, with the city boasting a ‘wealth of historic gems, from the famous Wawel Royal Castle to its town hall tower’.

Which? added: ‘Visitors can while away the hours drinking in the atmosphere in the city’s medieval square, the largest of its kind in Europe, or head out to explore the sights in the city’s vibrant Jewish quarter.’

One tourist told the watchdog they were ‘amazed’ by the scale of the Wieliczka salt mine, an underground attraction just a few miles outside of the city, which proved popular with survey respondents.

Krakow also ranks among the highest destinations for value for money.

Flights are cheap, too – with journeys starting from £16 each way from London in June with Ryanair.

Gdansk

Next up is lesser-known Gdansk, a port city with plenty to explore

The historic port city of Gdansk is one of northern Europe’s most beautiful waterfront destinations, full of colourful merchant houses and maritime history.

You can walk along Long Market and Long Street, or see the medieval Gdansk Crane on the riverfront. Climb St Mary’s Church for city views and visit the European Solidarity Centre.

Alternatively, enjoy riverside restaurants along the Motlawa.

Despite Kraków and Warsaw having long held the spotlight, Gdansk is rapidly increasing in popularity, drawing 4.5 million visitors in 2024. 

The northern port city is the country’s sixth largest, boasting a population of nearly 500,000 people, and is famed for being the site where the first shots of World War II were fired in 1939.

However, beyond its deep-rooted history and maritime heritage, Gdansk is home to colourful architecture, vibrant markets, a picturesque waterfront and one of the largest brick churches in the world: St. Mary’s Basilica.

Flights start from £15 each way in June with Wizz Air. 

Zakopane

Zakopane in the mountains has been dubbed the ‘Alps of Poland’

Brits could soon be swapping famous European hiking hotspots, like the Alps and Zell am See, for the newest kid on the block – Zakopane, the ‘Alps of Poland’.

Think emerald lakes, wooden chalets, purple wildflower meadows, bustling markets, cosy beer halls, thermal baths – and the kind of value where a pint and a pizza come in at under a tenner.

Tucked into Poland’s southernmost corner and surrounded by the dramatic Tatra Mountains, this fairytale lake town looks and feels remarkably like the Alps but remains cheaper and far less discovered, only a two-hour 30-minute flight from the UK.

It’s a stunning, little?known Polish mountain town – and is joining TUI’s Lakes & Mountains programme for summer 2026, making it even easier to reach.

There are two airports near Zakopane: Poprad-Tatry Airport in Slovakia and Krakow Airport in Poland.

Flights from the UK to Poprad start from £29 with Wizz Air.

Local prices add to the appeal, with a pint from around £2.50.

Wroclaw

Wroclaw boasts a beautiful, colourful old town and market square

One of Europe’s most colourful and underrated cities, Wroclaw has a gorgeous pastel-coloured market square, canals running through the city and a lively restaurant scene.

You can wander the beautiful Rynek market square or explore Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island). 

Enjoy an evening stroll along the river bridges and then visit the lively Market Hall for local food.

You can even go dwarf hunting around the city – as Wroclaw has more than 300 tiny bronze dwarf statues hidden around the streets.

Flights start from £15 each way in June with Ryanair  – and pints cost just £2.50.

Warsaw

Rounding out the list is Warsaw, Poland’s vibrant capital city

Poland’s capital Warsaw is a fascinating city of contrasts – historic yet modern, with excellent museums and a thriving restaurant scene.

Explore the beautifully rebuilt Old Town – it was so carefully rebuilt after World War II that it became a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Then, visit the Royal Castle. 

One Tripadvisor review said: ‘Very nice, fine exhibition. I respect that it was restored to such a high standard after the destruction of the war. Wonderful rooms and works of art. Long, meaningful exhibition, good that there was an audio guide option.’ 

You can also relax in Lazienki Park before discovering the Warsaw Rising Museum. 

Flights start from £17 each way in June with Ryanair.