For generations, Czech holiday traditions were as predictable as clockwork. Pack the car, head south, and join the annual pilgrimage to Croatia’s sun-soaked Adriatic coastline—a ritual so entrenched that locals dubbed it their “Czech Riviera.”
But something remarkable is happening to this century-old travel pattern. Czech holidaymakers are pivoting north, swapping Mediterranean warmth for Baltic breezes in what’s becoming one of Europe’s most surprising tourism shifts.
Climate Fatigue Drives the Change
“The climate has changed,” says Ludmilla, a 50-year-old Prague resident reflecting a sentiment echoing across Czech social media. “I no longer want to holiday in Croatia’s heat or Greek sun. I want to enjoy vacation in peace—without tropical temperatures.”
This isn’t just personal preference speaking. It’s a movement that’s caught the attention of transport operators, tourism boards, and media outlets across Central Europe.
All Aboard the Baltic Express
Czech Railways read the room—and responded decisively. The decades-old direct rail connection to Split, Croatia, has been retired. In its place runs the Baltic Express, whisking passengers four times daily from Prague to the Polish coastal trio of Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdansk. Summer bookings? Completely sold out.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands more Czech travelers are hitting the road, taking advantage of Poland’s new toll-free motorways that create seamless connections between the two countries. Unlike some neighboring borders, Czech travelers face no delays or lengthy checks entering Poland.
A Tourism Phenomenon Gets Noticed
Poland’s media landscape has been buzzing with coverage of this “Czech invasion.” Stories about Polish Baltic destinations consistently rank among the most-read content on Czech news websites. Major newspapers and television networks have deployed correspondents to coastal towns, while social media overflows with debates about Polish seaside pros and cons.
“The presence of Czech tourists on the Baltic coast has been really noticeable since last year,” explains Jakub Medek, a journalist with Polish radio station TOK FM. “I have the feeling they constitute the largest group of foreign tourists this year.”
Numbers Tell the Story
Official statistics confirm what locals are witnessing firsthand. According to Pavel Trojan from the Czech branch of Poland’s Tourism Association, overnight stay data reveals a “massive increase” in Czech visitors, who now rank as Poland’s fourth-largest tourist group behind Germans, Brits, and Americans.
Last year alone, 410,000 Czech tourists checked into Polish hotels—and that figure doesn’t include the growing number choosing vacation rentals. When day-trippers and border-region mobility are factored in, Czechs rank second only to Germans in total Polish tourism numbers.
Early 2025 projections suggest record-breaking figures ahead. Industry website Gazeta.pl estimates that 800,000 Czech visitors could reach the Baltic coast this year—a number that would dramatically overshadow Croatia’s traditional Czech tourist volumes.
Reality Check: Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea
Of course, Poland’s Baltic coast offers a dramatically different vacation experience than the Mediterranean. August rain showers are possible. Water temperatures hover around 20°C (68°F). For Czech travelers accustomed to guaranteed sunshine and warm sea swimming, the adjustment can prove challenging.
Yet the trend shows no signs of slowing. As climate preferences shift and travel patterns evolve, Poland’s Baltic region is positioning itself as an unexpected but increasingly popular alternative to traditional southern European destinations.
For Czech travel culture, this northern pivot represents more than just changing weather preferences—it’s reshaping how an entire nation thinks about what makes the perfect getaway.
