Spain has become one of the favourite destinations of Polish tourists. A record 2.44 million Poles will visit the country in 2024, an increase of 30% on the previous year. This is the fastest growth in Europe, which is generating interest from the Spanish tourism industry.
The Iberian Peninsula attracts Poles
According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the FRONTUR report, in 2024. Spain was visited by a total of 95.8 million foreign tourists. Poles accounted for 2.56% of this group, ranking 11th among the most frequently travelling nations. Only the British (19.2%), the French (13.5%), the Germans (12.5%) and the Italians (5.7%) accounted for a larger share of tourists.
In addition to the increase in the number of visitors, Poles significantly increased their spending in Spain last year. This totalled €3.23 billion, representing 2.54% of all foreign tourist spending. The average Polish tourist spent €1,287 on holidays and their daily cost of stay reached €189 – 13% more than in 2023. In this respect, Poles were second only to Americans (€273 per day), and were ahead of Germans, Irish and Belgians, among others, in total expenditure.
In 2024, the number of direct flights from Poland to Spain increased by 137%, reaching 206 weekly flights from eight airports. The introduction of new routes by low-cost airlines (e.g. Ryanair on the Kraków-Valencia route) and the increased frequency of flights to Barcelona and Malaga have had a significant impact on the availability of this destination for our compatriots.
What are the preferences of Poles in Spain?
The Canary Islands were the most popular destination for Polish tourists, with over 544,000 visitors (+14% year-on-year). In second place was the Valencian Community with 452 thousand tourists (+59%), where cities such as Benidorm and Valencia played a key role. Andalusia recorded 451 thousand tourists (+40%) – with a clear concentration around Malaga, Marbella and Seville.
The Balearic Islands, although ranking fourth (371,000, +61%), gained in popularity thanks to investment in aviation infrastructure and the promotion of Mallorca. Interest in cities of historical and cultural significance also increased in 2024. Barcelona attracted 433,000 tourists (+8%) and Seville recorded 3.12 million visitors – a significant proportion of whom were foreign tourists, including Poles.
To Spain not just for the beach
The increased interest in Spain is due to both better flight availability and an attractive tourist offer. According to the survey, 79% of Polish tourists visited cities, 78% spent time on beaches and 64% went shopping. Poles were more likely to travel to Spain outside the summer season than in previous years. Between January and April 2024, tourist traffic from Poland increased by as much as 40% year-on-year.
In 2024, Polish tourists stood out with a lower average age (37.5 years) compared to the total number of visitors to Spain (44.1 years). They were dominated by representatives of the middle class (58%) and those with a university education (87%). Leisure remained the main motive for travel (87%), with 66% of respondents travelling without purchased tourist packages, preferring to organise their stay themselves.
When analysing accommodation, 73% of Poles chose hotels, while 27% opted for flats or holiday homes. The latter segment recorded particularly dynamic growth (+27% year-on-year).
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Family holiday leader
The latest data from the eSky.pl portal also leave no illusions – Spain invariably remains the number one choice among foreign destinations for Poles travelling with children. As much as 25 per cent of all family bookings are made in this country.
Holidays in Spain are all about choosing from three famous regions: Costa del Sol, Costa Brava and Costa Blanca. Polish families are particularly fond of Lloret de Mar, Barcelona, Alicante or Torremolinos. Then there are the most popular islands – Mallorca and the Canary Islands, with Tenerife and Fuerteventura in the lead.
Why Spain? Many factors speak for it: almost guaranteed weather, a wide range of family hotels and attractions, a rich tourist infrastructure and relatively attractive prices. A week’s stay with flights and accommodation costs around PLN 1 400 per person. More than half of the travelling families choose four-star hotels, with breakfast and dinner meals being the most popular.
Costa del Sol: luxury and sunshine in the south of Europe
Located in Andalusia, the Costa del Sol is the most prestigious part of the Spanish coast. Its capital is Málaga – the city where Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas originated. Nearby is Marbella – a symbol of lusus, known for the residences of celebrities including Cristiano Ronaldo and Wojciech Szczęsny. Estepona, a more intimate but also popular resort, is also nearby.
Also consider a visit to Gibraltar, a British territory off the coast of Spain. In good weather, you can see the African coastline from its distinctive cliffs. A ferry trip to Tangier is already a journey to another continent that requires a little more time.
Poles are buying property in Spain
Our compatriots’ growing interest in Spain does not end with tourism. More and more Poles are choosing to buy property on the Iberian Peninsula. In 2024, Polish investors made a record number of more than 4,200 transactions for the purchase of flats and houses in Spain, making them one of the fastest-growing groups of European buyers.
The breakthrough was the boom in remote working. Poles started by renting properties in Spain and then decided to buy them. In 2021, i.e. during the pandemic, our compatriots purchased just over 1.1 thousand flats and houses. A year later, it was already close to 3 thousand, in 2022. – almost 3.2 thousand, and last year – more than 4.2 thousand.
