Over the past 12 months, the supply of so-called “holiday apartments” in Poland has increased – but unfortunately, so have the prices. The cost per square meter has jumped by several, a dozen, or even dozens of percentage points. Compared to the prices of new apartments in tourist areas, Warsaw – Poland’s most expensive city – is starting to look like a bargain. Hard to believe? And yet, it’s true.
So, how much does a brand-new apartment cost in the mountains, by the sea, or on the scenic lakes of Warmia and Masuria? Experts from RynekPierwotny.pl investigated the data.
Zakopane Tops the List – Over 31,000 PLN per Square Meter
“The most expensive apartments currently offered by developers are in Zakopane,” says Marek Wielgo, real estate market expert at RynekPierwotny.pl. “Over the last year, a number of high-end properties entered the market, pushing the average price per square meter to over 31,400 PLN – a 24% increase year-on-year.”
Zakopane is followed by:
- Świnoujście – 26,200 PLN/m² (6% drop due to slightly cheaper offerings)
- Międzyzdroje – 25,300 PLN/m² (29% increase)
- Mikołajki – 24,000 PLN/m² (10% decrease, yet still very expensive)
- Sopot – 22,900 PLN/m²
- Hel – 22,200 PLN/m²
- Szczawnica – 22,100 PLN/m² (up 44%)
- Mielno – 21,800 PLN/m² (up 31%)
- Szklarska Poręba – 21,100 PLN/m² (up 22%)
- Krynica Morska – 21,000 PLN/m²
“Most of the top 10 are seaside towns,” notes Wielgo. Even in less famous resorts, prices remain high:
- Dziwnów – 20,300 PLN/m²
- Dźwirzyno – 18,600 PLN/m²
- Darłowo, Rogowo, Dziwnówek, and Kołobrzeg – all exceed 17,000 PLN/m², higher than in Gdańsk.
Big City Prices vs. Coastal and Mountain Luxury
Within big cities, pricing can vary drastically. For example, in Gdańsk’s upscale seaside district of Żabianka-Wejhera-Jelitkowo-Tysiąclecia, prices exceed 31,000 PLN/m² – rivaling Zakopane.
Conversely, in Szczecin – a major city not directly on the sea – the average price per square meter is over 50% lower than in Świnoujście, despite being among Poland’s top-tier metropolises in terms of price. Only Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Wrocław, and Poznań are more expensive.
The Mountains: Premium Views, Premium Prices
Mountain towns continue to command top prices:
- Zakopane – 31,400 PLN/m²
- Szczawnica – 22,100 PLN/m²
- Szklarska Poręba – 21,100 PLN/m²
- Świeradów-Zdrój – 17,900 PLN/m²
- Karpacz – 17,700 PLN/m²
- Wisła and Krynica-Zdrój – 15,000–16,000 PLN/m²
Prices here are driven up by limited supply and buyers’ willingness to pay a premium for spectacular views.
Warmia and Masuria – The Affordable Alternative?
While Mikołajki (known as the “Pearl of Masuria”) sees luxury apartments selling for 24,000 PLN/m², most other towns in the region are significantly more affordable:
- Olsztyn – 11,500 PLN/m²
- Mrągowo – 11,900 PLN/m²
- Ostróda – 12,600 PLN/m²
However, supply is very limited. For example, only a handful of new flats are currently available in Ostróda. Still, construction statistics suggest more listings may soon appear.
“In Warmia and Masuria, there is a clear trend of buying small recreational plots for setting up seasonal cottages or tiny year-round homes,” explains Marek Wielgo.
Despite the relative affordability, the region offers ample leisure infrastructure, especially in Mikołajki, which lies between two lakes (Mikołajskie and Tałty) and features a marina, pools, saunas, water parks, and more – making it a year-round attraction.
Source: Manager+ – RynekPierwotny.pl
Author: Marek Wielgo – Economic Journalist and Real Estate Expert at RynekPierwotny.pl and GetHome.pl
