From the beaches of the Algarve to the pilgrimage site of Fátima, Polish holidaymakers are exploring far beyond the country’s sun-soaked coastline.
Fresh figures from Portugal’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveal just how strong the trend has become.
In July alone, the number of overnight stays booked by Poles grew by 14 percent compared to last year — the steepest increase among all nationalities.
Between January and July, more than 262,000 Poles visited Portugal, ranking seventh among 11 million other EU travelers.
Lisbon remains the main gateway, thanks to its direct flight connections with Poland.
However, growing numbers are heading further afield: to Porto’s wine country, the island of Madeira, or the castles and monasteries of central Portugal.
“It’s not just about the beaches. Poles often come for religious sites as well, not only Fátima,” Leiria-based tour guide Bernardo Machado was quoted as saying.
Cost is another factor. “In central Portugal it’s still cheaper than Lisbon, where hotels and dining have become more expensive,” Warsaw tourist Ryszard Kucharski told PAP. “And the provinces have just as much history to offer”, he added.
The boom in Polish arrivals is part of a wider trend. Portugal expects to welcome more than 31 million tourists in 2025 — a historic record for its travel industry.
(mo)
Source: PAP