Poland: The Gulf's new summer escape

Cool mountain air, five-star spas, halal restaurants and Arabic menus: this isn't Dubai or Doha in August. It's Poland, a country that has quietly become one of the Gulf's fastest-growing summer destinations.

For the past several years, tens of thousands of visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have been escaping the Gulf's intense summer heat in favor of Poland's cooler climate, green landscapes and relatively affordable prices.

The country's appeal extends far beyond the Tatra Mountains. While Zakopane has become the symbol of Poland's summer boom, many Gulf tourists also spend time in Kraków, famous for its medieval Old Town and luxury hotels, and Warsaw, where shopping, fine dining, museums and modern city life offer a different experience.

Air connectivity has played a key role in the trend. Flydubai pioneered direct flights between Dubai and Kraków in 2018, while Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air Arabia have steadily expanded their services. This summer, Etihad Airways joined the market by launching non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Kraków, further strengthening Poland's accessibility for Gulf travelers.

In Zakopane, local businesses have rapidly adapted to their new clientele. Luxury hotels now welcome large numbers of Gulf visitors each summer, with some reporting that they account for up to 30% of seasonal bookings. Restaurants increasingly offer halal-certified menus, Arabic-language signs have become commonplace, and many establishments employ Arabic-speaking staff.

Polish officials have warmly embraced the growing influx. Local authorities, hoteliers and retailers see Middle Eastern tourism as an important boost for regional economies during the summer months.

Many visitors also use Poland as an opportunity to discover its history. Alongside sightseeing in Warsaw and Kraków, some travel to the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum to learn about the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Shoah, making historical remembrance an important part of their journey.

For a country long associated internationally with medieval architecture and wartime history, Poland is quietly building a new reputation in the Gulf, not through costly marketing campaigns, but through word of mouth, expanding airline connections and a simple promise that few destinations can match in August: fresh air, spectacular scenery and a welcoming atmosphere.