# Polish tourism cost pressures amid Croatia heat wave > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polish-tourism-cost-pressures > Updated: 2026-08-04T09:41:57.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 5. Polish travelers kept favoring Croatia in early July despite a 60 % year‑on‑year rise in flight bookings and higher on‑ground prices, with a typical weekly family trip costing about 7,200 zł. The Polish Embassy in Zagreb warned of fraudulent accommodation offers and urged registration in the Odyseusz system, while Polish police patrolled the Croatian coast through late August, conducting document and alcohol checks. Rising fuel costs and higher accommodation and food prices have pushed many holidaymakers toward mountain resorts, where bookings reached 43 % of all reservations between May and July, overtaking the seaside. Hotel rates in popular mountain areas start at roughly 300 zł per night for two people, and travellers are using buses or cross‑border fuel stations to cut expenses. Seaside food remains steep—a basic waffle costs 9‑11 zł, premium versions can match a restaurant lunch, and a kilogram of cod in the priciest resort hits 250 zł. A red‑level heat wave continues across the Balkans, with daytime highs of 34‑40 °C in Croatia and 40‑41 °C in Serbia. River levels on the Danube and Sava have fallen to historic lows, raising concerns about cooling water for the Krško nuclear plant that serves Slovenia and Croatia. Health authorities advise regular fluid intake, especially for vulnerable groups, and recommend setting air‑conditioners to a higher temperature rather than running them continuously. The heat and price pressures have lowered coastal occupancy, prompting some tourists to shift to cooler northern‑European destinations. A tax on short‑term rentals has not curbed an oversupply of accommodation, leaving a surplus of beds and lower prices. In Vukovar, visitors seek relief on the Danube island, where beers sell for €2.5‑3.2 and local dishes remain affordable. ## Claims - Temperatures in Serbia are expected to reach 40‑41 °C by Friday. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Croatia expects daytime highs between 34 °C and 40 °C, with local thunderstorms possible in inland areas. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The heat wave raises the risk of dehydration, sunstroke and heat‑stroke, especially for children, the elderly and chronic patients. (single source) - Isolated thunderstorms with hail are forecast for Vojvodina on Thursday evening. (single source) - River levels on the Danube and Sava have fallen to historic lows, threatening cooling water supplies for nuclear plants. (single source) - The Krško nuclear plant is operating at full power but may need to reduce output or shut down if river temperatures remain high. (single source) - The approaching cold front will bring only brief local showers and limited cooling in Serbia. (single source) - Dr Milan Dimitrijević advises regular fluid intake and avoiding direct sun exposure to prevent heat‑related illnesses. (single source) - DVD Dobrinj fire brigade has delivered about 220 m³ of water to livestock during the drought. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Balkans face extreme heat wave, temps near 40 °C in Serbia and Croatia Balkans endure a heat wave with temps near 40 °C in Serbia and Croatia, prompting health warnings, water deliveries to livestock, and concerns for Krško nuclear plant operations. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-heat-wave-pushes-tourists-abroad-and-strains-local-cooling-spots ### 2026-08-02: Polish tourists shift to mountains as seaside prices surge Higher fuel and food prices are driving Polish holidaymakers to choose mountain resorts over the Baltic coast, with mountain bookings now outpacing seaside stays. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-tourists-shift-to-mountains-as-seaside-prices-surge ### 2026-08-01: Croatia Heat Wave Prompts Polish Embassy Warning and Tourist Price Concerns Polish embassy warns tourists of extreme August heat in Croatia, while officials decry steep coastal price hikes that threaten the summer tourism season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-heat-wave-prompts-polish-embassy-warning-and-tourist-price-concerns ### 2026-07-26: Rising Tourism Costs on Poland's Hel Peninsula Prompt Travelers to Seek Cheaper Alternatives Tourist prices on Poland’s Hel Peninsula have surged, with weekly family stays exceeding 4,000 zł, prompting some visitors to shift to cheaper nearby spots like Niechorze. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rising-tourism-costs-on-polands-hel-peninsula-prompt-travelers-to-seek-cheaper-alternatives ### 2026-07-05: Polish tourists surge to Croatia as prices rise; embassy warns and police patrols coast Polish travel to Croatia rose 60% YoY despite higher costs; the embassy warned of scams and Polish police will patrol the coast from July 1‑Aug 29 to assist tourists. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-tourists-surge-to-croatia-as-prices-rise-embassy-warns-and-police-patrols-coast --- Cite as: Polish tourism cost pressures amid Croatia heat wave. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polish-tourism-cost-pressures