1.35 million people visited Lublin in the first half of 2026!

“The growing interest in Lublin is the result of a consistently implemented city development strategy and the creation of an attractive offer for both residents and visitors. We are investing not only in infrastructure, but also in culture, sports, and international-scale events that enhance Lublin’s recognition. Preparations for the European Capital of Culture Lublin 2029 provide an additional impetus to create an open, inspiring, and engaging city. We are delighted that more and more people are discovering Lublin and want to return,” says Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of the City of Lublin.

Domestic visitors

From January to June 2026, 1.35 million guests came to the City of Inspiration, representing a 4% increase compared to the first half of 2025. The majority of them are domestic visitors, dominated by residents of Mazovia and Warsaw (45.73%). Over the past three years, their number has doubled to reach nearly half a million people. Alongside regional visitors (over 300,000), Lublin is increasingly visited by guests from the Lesser Poland (37,000), Podlasie (33,500), and Silesian (29,000) voivodeships.

“The European Capital of Culture Lublin 2029 is a true magnet for tourists, as demonstrated by the data concerning international guests. The number of tourists from outside Poland in the first half of the year increased by as much as 39% compared to the same period last year. This clearly shows a surge in interest in areas where promotional campaigns for the City of Inspiration are directed by the ‘Metropolia Lublin’ Local Tourism Organization, in cooperation with the Polish Tourism Organisation and the Lublin Regional Tourism Organisation,” says Krzysztof Raganowicz, President of LOT Metropolia Lublin.

International tourists

Among the most frequent international tourists staying overnight in Lublin were, traditionally, residents of Great Britain (15,000), Ukraine (14,500), Israel (9,700), and Germany (8,900). Italians took fifth place (4,800), surpassing guests from the USA. The top ten also includes visitors from the Netherlands, Spain, and the Czech Republic, while citizens of Slovakia, China, and the United Arab Emirates made it into the top fifteen for the first time.

“We are preparing for an influx of tourists from Japan driven by the major volleyball star transfers to BOGDANKA LUK Lublin—namely Ranu Takahashi and Tomohiro Ogawa. Japanese fans travel all over the world to watch their favorite players in action, and we are already receiving signals of interest from groups planning to visit Lublin. This shows what a tremendous tourism potential sports-centric Lublin possesses,” says Jarosław Daniewski, Director of the Sports and Tourism Department at the Lublin City Office.

Stays An increasing number of people are choosing to stay in Lublin for longer periods. Tourists—defined as individuals spending at least one night in the city—now account for nearly one-third of all visitors (437,000 people). The largest growth was recorded among those staying in Lublin for two days with an overnight stay; their number increased by 56% to reach 237,800 people. At the same time, the number of people visiting Lublin on day trips or while on a longer journey remains stable, exceeding 908,000 in the first half of the year.

Lublin and surrounding areas

Lublin’s unquestionable assets include not only the historic architecture of the Old Town and the attractive Downtown area, but also the development of nationwide and international industry, cultural, and sports events organized, among others, as part of preparations for the European Capital of Culture 2029. It is worth noting that a large portion of visitors do not limit their sightseeing to the city itself. As many as two-thirds—over 950,000 people—also visited attractions in the Lublin Voivodeship during their stay, with 25% of them choosing attractions within the Lublin Metropolitan Area. Tourism data is compiled by the “Metropolia Lublin” Local Tourism Organization based on geolocation data.