Holidays without crowds?
The list we describe was prepared by one of the Polish online travel agencies. The company was loud in the autumn of last year, when it took over the Thomas Cook brand – the oldest tourist brand in the world, which went bankrupt a few years ago (it is about brand rights, not the whole company). So where can you – according to Esky – go – to relax away from the crowds, although still like many Poles like the most – in a hotel by the seaside? There are directions from outside the top of the most popular combinations, for which for a flight and hotel with breakfast it can cost from less than PLN 2,000 per person.
Portugal – slightly less obvious
Portugal is associated primarily with the capital, Lisbona. Privately, we recommend it very much, together with its beautiful surroundings (Sintra, Cascais), although in recent years tourists actually arrived there. This has become very burdensome for local residents, conquering e.g. real estate prices. It is also known more in the north of Porto, but tourists also pull to the southern coast of the country. However, there, according to the Esky.pl expert, you can find less crowded places – for example Algarve.
– This is a great alternative to the more crowded Mediterranean resorts. The region will particularly appeal to people who are looking for a balance between peace and adventure. The temperatures here are high, but not stuffy, which increases the comfort of stay. In addition, the airlines have recently launched many new connections between Poland and the cities in the south of Portugal, thanks to which this region is even more available – says Eugeniusz Triasun.
How much is it? Esky.pl says that between July and September you can go to the algarve at the price from 2,000 PLN per person – That's how much you have to pay for the flight and seven nights with breakfast in the package.
Outside the continental Portugal, you can visit Azores. This is the archipelago of volcanic islands, located in the Atlantic, ideal for trekking, you can also observe whales. The climate here is cooler, tourists clearly less. However, this is a more expensive trip, a flight and seven nights with breakfast costs from 4.7 thousand zloty from a person.
Where to the islands in Europe (but not Greek)?
From Spanish balearies, tourists most often choose Majorca, meanwhile neighboring, smaller and less known Minorca It can be a less crowded and at least equally attractive alternative. There are many bays, secluded beaches, you can also go on a hiking on a hiking trail. In the weekly season, a weekly trip with a flight and accommodation in a hotel with breakfast is a cost from 4.2 thousand zloty for a person. The ESKY.PL expert also has a slightly more surprising proposition – Ibiza. This island is associated primarily with events, but apart from this type of centers, in the north, you can find “quiet villages, local fairs and less frequented beaches” – we read in the Polish carrier's report. Price per week? From 5.5 thousand zloty for a person.
Another Spanish archipelago, the Canary Islands, can still be the purpose of rest in a less crowded place. Administratively belonging to Europe, although geographically, is part of the African macroregion. The largest island, Gran Canaria, lies only 200 km northwest of the African coast, and dry and known for many different Fuerteventura beaches only 100 km. The ESKY expert indicates a slightly less popular island Lanzarotewith a volcanic landscape (black beaches). The carrier's price list indicates the cost from 3.6 thousand zloty per person for a week.
Among the recommended one was also French in the Mediterranean Sea Corsica. – connects the mountainous interior with an extensive shoreline and varied beaches. This direction will be a good choice for travelers connecting relaxation over the water with activity in the mountains – says Eugeniusz Triasun. A week's stay on this island (with a flight) can be found for the amount from 3.7 thousand zloty.
Mediterranean, but not Greece, Italy and Croatia
If someone wants to rest on land on the Mediterranean coast, but not in one of the most popular countries, but much cheaper, experts recommend Albanian and Montenegro. Located next to or next to the very popular Croatia, they are much less crowded, although their popularity has been growing in recent years. The Montenegrin coast is short, but very diverse. Noteworthy is, among others An unusual in this part of the world, the appearance reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords of the bay of Kotorska, curling deep into the land (and there, however, a few years ago large cruisers arrived). You have to pay at least for a week stay between July and September in Montenegro 1.8 thousand zloty from a person. The same trip to Albania – where the coast is clearly longer and you can find sandy beaches over it over crystalline water – it's a cost from 1.9 thousand zloty.
Esky.pl has developed this statements based on offers available at home, taking into account LOT packages both ways and overnight at the hotel for seven nights. He checked at least three -star hotels with a breakfast offer included. Prices were checked on April 23 this year.
The most popular directions of holiday trips of Poles
According to the report of the Polish Chamber of Tourism (PIT), in 2024 the favorite directions of Poles' foreign trips were:
- Türkiye – 34.3 percent trips
- Greece – 18.4 percent
- Egypt – 13.7 percent
- Tunisia – 9.7 percent
- Bulgaria – 7 percent
- Spain – 6.4 percent
- However, Albania – although “only” with 2.1 percent.
- Italy – 1.1 percent
- Croatia – 0.9 percent
- Cyprus – 0.7 percent
Important note: the above ranking is about organized tourism, i.e. trips with travel agencies (similarly as in the case of the described suggestions Esky.pl). According to PIT, in the last five years the list of the 10 most popular directions has not changed, although there have been shifts when it comes to participation. The Chamber pointed out that interest in shorter trips is growing, up to six days, although the most traveling with travel agencies – nearly 75 percent. -puts 7-8-day stays. 90 percent cases also choose stays in the All Inclusive formula. The average cost of a single event was last year PLN 3276.
Read also: Majorca is preparing for the invasion of tourists. “Stay at home!”
Sources: ESKY.PL report, Report of the Polish Chamber of Tourism