Ryanair has checked which destinations are most popular with passengers planning the upcoming May bank holiday weekend, and Italy is once again the clear favourite among Polish travellers.

Booking data from the airline shows that 42% of Ryanair passengers travelling around the turn of April and May are heading to Italy. Spain ranks second with 20%, while Greece is in third place with 8%.

Other popular choices include Croatia, at 6%, and Malta, at 5%. The figures suggest that Polish holidaymakers continue to favour familiar southern European destinations for the long weekend.

The airline said the ranking reflects travel patterns for the May holiday period, when many passengers look for short-haul breaks to warm-weather destinations. Italy’s strong lead is likely to be helped by its large choice of cities, beaches and regional airports served by low-cost carriers.

Spain’s second-place finish shows that demand remains high for classic holiday spots on the Iberian Peninsula. Greece, Croatia and Malta also kept their places among the top five, pointing to steady interest in Mediterranean leisure travel.

Ryanair did not give a detailed breakdown of destinations within each country, but the overall pattern indicates a preference for tried-and-tested routes rather than less familiar places. For airlines, the May bank holiday remains an important early-season travel test, often offering a first major sign of summer demand.

The results also underline the strength of outbound leisure travel from Poland. Short breaks to southern Europe have become a regular feature of the spring holiday calendar, with travellers using the long weekend to make the most of relatively low-cost flights and mild weather.

For Italy, the latest ranking is another sign of its enduring appeal in the Polish market. The country has long been one of Ryanair’s most popular network destinations, drawing passengers for city breaks, coastal trips and family travel alike.

The airline’s data covers bookings made ahead of the holiday period rather than actual passenger numbers, but the ranking still offers a clear snapshot of travel intent. It suggests that, as the long weekend approaches, many Polish travellers are sticking with destinations they know well.