Poland is ranked seventh in Europe in terms of numbers of health spas. The majority of them are located in the areas unique for their natural healing environments. The largest spas are in:

• Nałęczów,
• Krynica Zdrój,
• Augustów,
• Kołobrzeg,
• Ciechocinek,
• Rabka,
• Duszniki Zdrój,
• Wieliczka.

The health spas are located in regions with varying environmental climatic conditions, usually bordering national parks and reserves. They offer the possibility of spending time outdoors and taking advantage of the virtues of eco-tourism by the sea, in the mountains or lakes. Tourists can choose between brine pools, thermal baths, the natural mineral water springs or cryotheraphy chambers.

Polish health spas offer:

• high standard of medical services,
• modern medical equipment,
• high quality health treatments,
• affordable prices (average price is EUR 30 for room&board + 2 or 3 treatments),
• professional medical staff.

Recently the range of Polish tourist services has been extended by the addition of “beauty farms”, SPA institutes and wellness or fitness centres (biological renewal). There are now many such facilities in Poland all of which guarantee European standards of service.

Tourists are also being attracted by dental surgeries and cosmetic and corrective surgery clinics. From the moment of accession to the EU, Polish medical practices and clinics started signing agreements with the national health services of all member countries of the EU. Health care clinics cooperate with hotels, holiday centres, yachting marinas’, golf courses and a number of travel agencies which allows for the possibility of linking health care with leisure breaks and holidays. In the immediate future it is expected that there will be a dynamic increase in medical tourism.

In 2004 20% more tourists made their way to Poland than in the previous year. The most recent statistics acknowledge that Poland is becoming fashionable again. During the first ten months of last year nearly 52 million people visited Poland. Tourists most frequently visit Kraków, thanks to the cheap air fares. One can also cheaply fly to Wrocław, Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. Polish health spas and medical centres are visited by many Germans. The Scandinavians have earmarked the Podlasie district. The Germans, Dutch and the British are becoming frequent weekend visitors to Poland.