Warsaw and Krakow Race Towards a Record 23 Million Foreign Visitors

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Poland, Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk are moving towards the year 2026 with international tourism booming. Having recorded an impressive number of about 21.4 million international tourists in 2025, Poland is now expected to draw closer to about 22-23 million international tourists this year. Increasing demand from both European and international sources is forcing Poland to feature more prominently in cultural getaways, city vacations, heritage tours, and economical European vacations.

Key Stats

• Foreign tourists in 2025: 21.4 million
• Annual growth in 2025: 8.5%
• Projected foreign tourists in 2026: Up to 22.8–23 million
• Foreign tourist spending in 2025: PLN 41.5 billion
• Growth in foreign tourist spending: 12.8% year on year
• Foreign tourists using accommodation in 2025: 15.2 million
• Growth in foreign accommodation tourists: 13.1%
• Warsaw tourists in 2025: 8.7 million
• Krakow tourists in 2025: 5.2 million
• Gdansk tourists in 2025: 2.9 million

The 23 Million Mark Is Suddenly Very Real

Poland’s 2025 tourism performance created the platform for another strong year. Preliminary statistics from Statistics Poland put the number of foreign tourists visiting the country at 21.4 million, compared with 19.7 million in 2024. That represented an 8.5% increase.

The Polish Tourism Organisation subsequently projected that 2026 could finish at approximately 22–23 million foreign visitors. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism separately estimated that continued growth could result in around 22.8 million international tourists during the year.

So, yes, that 23-million milestone is no longer just a distant tourism target. Poland is already operating close to it.

Warsaw, Krakow And Gdansk Keep Pulling Travellers In

City tourism remains central to Poland’s international visitor growth. Warsaw received approximately 8.7 million tourists in 2025, while Krakow welcomed 5.2 million and Gdansk recorded 2.9 million.

Warsaw offers a combination of reconstructed historic districts, museums, contemporary dining and urban culture. Krakow brings medieval architecture, Wawel Castle, Kazimierz and access to major heritage attractions. Gdansk adds Baltic Sea scenery, Hanseatic architecture and access to the wider Tri-City area.

Wroclaw and Poznan provide further city-break options, allowing visitors to build multi-city itineraries rather than concentrating their entire trip around one destination.

Germany Still Leads The Inbound Market

Poland’s tourism growth remains strongly connected to neighbouring European markets. Germany represented the largest share of foreign tourists in 2025, accounting for 31.5% of tourists, according to Statistics Poland. Overall, residents of neighbouring countries represented 59.1% of Poland’s foreign tourists.

The United Kingdom was another important market, with British overnight stays reaching 647,000 during the first ten months of 2025, an increase of 15% year on year. The United States, Czechia, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, France and the Netherlands also recorded notable growth.

Western Europe And North America Add More Momentum

Poland’s inbound expansion is not limited to nearby countries. Growing demand from long-haul markets is widening the country’s international tourism profile.

The Polish Tourism Organisation has highlighted stronger interest from markets beyond the immediate European neighbourhood, while official 2025 figures showed particularly strong increases from China, Israel, Japan, Australia and Italy.

For travellers from Western Europe and North America, Poland’s combination of historic cities, cultural attractions, food tourism and comparatively accessible travel costs continues to support demand.

More Tourism Money Is Flowing Into Poland

Visitor growth is also translating into higher tourism expenditure. Foreign tourists spent PLN 41.5 billion in Poland during 2025, up 12.8% from the previous year. Total spending by foreigners, including same-day visitors, reached PLN 61.6 billion.

Accommodation demand has also accelerated. Foreign tourists using Poland’s registered accommodation establishments increased by 13.1% to 15.2 million in 2025. During January–April 2026, the number of foreign tourists using accommodation increased another 12.2% year on year.

Why Poland Works For A Multi-City Holiday

International visitors can combine Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk within one itinerary, with rail and road connections supporting travel between major cities.

Beyond the headline destinations, Poland offers mountain tourism around Zakopane and the Tatra region, Baltic beaches near Gdansk, forest landscapes, spa destinations and historic towns.

The country’s tourism offer therefore extends well beyond traditional city breaks, allowing visitors to combine culture, nature, gastronomy and leisure within one trip.

Travel Details For International Visitors

Warsaw is served by Warsaw Chopin Airport and Warsaw Modlin Airport. Krakow is served by John Paul II Krakow-Balice International Airport, while Gdansk is served by Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport.

Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN). Major cities have extensive rail, tram, bus and urban transport networks, while intercity rail provides connections between key tourism centres.

Visitors should check current entry requirements, transport timetables and attraction opening hours before travelling.

FAQ

1. How many foreign tourists visited Poland in 2025?
Poland recorded an estimated 21.4 million foreign tourists, an 8.5% increase from 2024.

2. How many international visitors could Poland receive in 2026?
Current forecasts indicate approximately 22–23 million, with the Ministry of Sport and Tourism estimating around 22.8 million if growth continues.

3. Which Polish cities are attracting the most tourists?
Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk were among the country’s leading destinations in 2025, recording 8.7 million, 5.2 million and 2.9 million tourists respectively.

Timeline And Events

• 2024: Poland recorded 19.7 million foreign tourists.
• 2025: Foreign tourist arrivals rose to 21.4 million, up 8.5% year on year.
• 6 February 2026: Statistics Poland published its preliminary 2025 tourism figures.
• 30 June 2026: The Ministry of Sport and Tourism reported a possible 22.8 million foreign visitors for 2026.
• 23 July 2026: New analysis reported an 11% year-on-year increase in foreign tourist overnight stays during the first five months of 2026.

Conclusion

Tourism in Poland continues to enjoy a record year as 21.4 million foreign visitors were received in 2025, with estimates showing that Poland could receive up to 23 million foreign tourists in 2026. Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk continue to be the main destinations for tourists, with demand for European and long-haul markets increasing.