The Polish Baltic coast lies in the north Poland. The region is part of the voivodeships West Pomerania, Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria and borders Germany (Western Pomerania) to the west and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the east. In the south they close Pomeranian as Kashubian and in the southeast the Masurian Lake District at.
Within the voivodeships West Pomerania, Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria the Baltic coast occupies the northern or northwestern part. In addition to smaller islands, the island in particular belongs to the Polish Baltic Sea coast Wollin and the eastern part of the island Usedom, as well as the spits Hel and Fresh spit with their Haffs - Cute bay, Gdańsk Bay and Fresh or Weichselhaff. Numerous coastal lakes, cliffs and sand dunes occur. They are particularly numerous in the Slowinski National Park at Leba. In total, the Polish Baltic Sea coast has more than 500 km of sandy beaches and is suitable for both water sports and sunbathing.
Regions
The Polish Baltic coast can be divided into the following regions from west to east:
- At the Pomeranian Bay (Szczecin Coast):
- the Szczecin Lagoon at the Lower Or with the islands Wollin and Usedom
- the Treptow coast
- On the open Baltic Sea (Koslin Coast):
- the Slowin Coast
- At the Gdańsk Bay (Gdansk Coast):
- the Hel Peninsula
- the Kashubian coast with the Cute bay, the Tricity (Danzig, Gdynia and Sopot) and the Vistula Delta
- the Fresh lagoon with the Fresh Spit and the Old Prussian coast
The Baltic coast continues in the west in the German land Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and in the east in Russian Kaliningrad Oblast away.
places
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There are many seaside resorts on the Polish Baltic coast.
fat State-approved lake (medicinal) baths are shown, Italic former or potential lake (medicinal) baths.
An (almost) complete list of the seaside resorts can be found on the pages of the individual coastal sections.
In the voivodeship West Pomerania
- On the island Usedom
- On the island Wollin
- On the mainland of the Pomeranian Bay
In the voivodeship Pomerania
In the voivodeship Warmia-Masuria
Other goals
Nature parks
There are two national parks on the Polish Baltic coast
five landscape protection parks and numerous nature reserves.
background
The Polish Baltic Sea coast is located in the north-west of Poland and is over 500 km long. It is shaped by the Vistula glacial period through glaciers, rivers, wind and ocean currents. There are numerous shifting dunes, beach lakes, moraines, cliffs and river deltas. In contrast, there are no significant tides and therefore no Wadden Sea. In the hinterland there are glacial valleys and moraines. The highest elevation is the Góra Srebrna at 198.49 meters above sea level in the Elbinger Höhe in the east of the region. The highest dunes in the immediate vicinity of the beach are up to approx. 50 meters high, with a distinction being made between solid and sandy, barren shifting dunes overgrown with forest.
Cape Rozewie bei is the northernmost point of the Polish Baltic coast and the whole of Poland Jastrzębia Góra, the southernmost is the beach east of the Swine estuary at Swinoujscie on the island Wollin, the westernmost one is on the island Usedom also in Swinoujscie and the easternmost in Nowa Karczma on the Fresh Spit. In this list, these are Szczecin and Fresh lagoon not taken into account.
With the exception of the Kashubian coast, the Polish Baltic coast is relatively sparsely populated. Apart from Danzig and Gdynia there are no large cities that have access to the Baltic Sea. Even large seaside spas like Swinoujscie, Kolberg, Ustka or Sopot each have less than 50,000 inhabitants. Large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants are in the hinterland Szczecin, Koszalin and Slupsk.
The seaside resorts on the Polish Baltic coast are particularly popular with tourists from Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. However, it is not only the seaside resorts in the narrower sense that are of interest, large parts of the coastal region are designated as national parks or nature parks.
language
The official language and national language is Polish, as in the whole of Poland. Kashubian is also spoken in rural areas in Kashubia.
Most Poles have a high level of command of English as a second language. According to the English Proficiency Index 2018, the Poles are ranked 13th worldwide among the peoples with the best English skills. It is not a problem to cope with English.
Most Poles who work in the tourism sector regularly speak another foreign language such as French, German, Spanish or Russian in addition to English. In the Baltic Sea resorts it shouldn't be a problem to communicate in German in the hotels and restaurants. Many restaurants have a German-language menu.
getting there
By plane
Major airports in the region are in Danzig the Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport
(IATA: GDN) and at Szczecin-Goleniów the Szczecin-Goleniów Airport(IATA: SZZ). As of 2019, the former will also be served by Ryanair, Wizzair, EasyJet, Lufthansa and Swiss from many German-speaking airports (Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Cologne-Bonn, Munich, Vienna, Zurich). Immediately at the Baltic Sea stand in Bagicz at Kolberg there is another civil airport IATA code: EPKG, which is currently being expanded for scheduled flights. Furthermore, the airports are for the journey to the region Poznan Lawica Airport(IATA: POZ) at Poses , Heringsdorf Airport(IATA: HDF) at Heringsdorf on Usedom and Berlin Brandenburg Airport(IATA: BER) in Berlin suitable. Rental cars can be booked at all airports with the exception of Kolberg.
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By train
Traveling by train from German-speaking countries will usually take place via Berlin. Significant transport hubs for rail traffic are Danzig, Gdynia, Koszalin, GoleniówundSzczecin. From Berlin to Szczecin, for example, it takes less than two hours, to Kolberg or Koszalin between 4½ and five hours, and the fastest connection to Gdansk takes just under six hours.
By bus
Long-distance buses travel via Berlin to the Polish Baltic coast. Most places are also well connected by a regional bus network. In the summer season there are also numerous shuttle buses between the places on the Polish Baltic coast.
By boat
Major ferry ports are Danzig, Gdynia, Kolberg, Swinoujscie and offer connections especially to Scandinavia. Cruise ships usually go to Gdansk or Gdynia.
road
On the German side, the German A11 motorway, which merges into the A6 motorway after the German-Polish border, runs from Berlin towards Stettin. From Szczecin the well-developed expressway S6 runs parallel to the Baltic Sea coast to Köslin, Stolp and Gdingen and on to Gdansk. From here there are branches on smaller roads that lead to the immediate coastal towns. The A1 motorway, which is subject to toll in parts, leads from central Poland (Łódź – Toruń – Danzig) to Gdańsk Bay. Another important connection is expressway 11, which leads from Poznan to Köslin and Kolberg.
bicycle
The European long-distance cycle routes run along the Polish Baltic Sea coast Eurovelo 10 (Baltic Sea Cycle Route) and Eurovelo 13 (Iron Curtain Europe Cycle Route)
Foot
The journey on foot will usually take place along the Baltic Sea beach via the island of Usedom on the European long-distance hiking trail.
mobility
By train
The northern railway line Szczecin-Danzig runs several kilometers south of the coast, parallel to it in a west-east direction. Some seaside resorts have a connection to this railway line, but are not directly connected to each other, so that you may first have to return to the main route inland and continue on this parallel to the coast. On the Hel Peninsula There is a railway line that connects all the health resorts on the spit with one another.
road
The S6 expressway connects Szczecin with Gdansk and also runs several kilometers south of the coast. Smaller coastal roads run near the beach. They are interrupted in some places by national parks or otherwise protected areas, so that detours inland are sometimes necessary if you want to drive close to the beach along the coast.
bicycle
There are consistently marked coastal cycle paths, although the quality of the individual route sections can vary.
Tourist Attractions
Seaside resorts
There are many seaside resorts on the Polish Baltic coast.
Lighthouses
On the Polish Baltic coast there are numerous lighthouses with viewing platforms, which are usually accessible to tourists for a fee.
Piers
There are several piers on the Polish Baltic coast that invite you to take a walk.
activities
Sunbathing and swimming
The main activity on the Polish Baltic coast is sunbathing and swimming, which you can do continuously at almost all stands. Only the restricted military area and the harbor basin are to be avoided. Those who are not afraid of the hustle and bustle and like to go into the water with many other bathers are in good hands on the city beaches of the large health resorts. These get quite crowded in the summer season, but offer a lot of beach activities and gastronomy. If you prefer to have the stand to yourself, you should go to the waterfront at a village stand a little outside the center. The following rule applies: the harder it is to get to by car, the more lonely and romantic the beach.
Wellness and cures
The spa centers include in particular Miedzyzdroje, Kolberg, the Hel Peninsula and Sopot.
water sports
Windsurfing and paragliding
The Polish Mecca for windsurfers, paragliders and hang-gliders is the Hel Peninsula and the Cute bay in the north of the Gdańsk Bay as well as that Fresh lagoon.
Sea kayak
Sea kayaks can be rented at the larger holiday centers.
sailing
There are numerous marinas where you can charter a sailboat. A sailing license is required for this.
Diving
Over the centuries, numerous ships and boats have sunk or were sunk in numerous sea battles off the Polish Baltic coast, especially in the Gdańsk Bay. Wreck diving is possible, but should be organized in good time, as permits may have to be obtained.
Boat trips
Boat tours on the Baltic Sea can be booked from the ports and landing stages. Anyone who would like to put a fishing boat into the sea early in the morning should speak to one of the many fishermen directly.
hike
Not only in the national parks there are numerous hiking trails on the Polish Baltic coast. There are also marked and designated hiking trails on the shifting dunes, which should not be left in the national parks. There are shady hiking trails in the beach forests on the coast, which are particularly appreciated in the hot summer months.
Long-distance hiking
Long distance hiking on the beach is from Usedom to Hel/Danzig popular. In the high season months of July and August, the beaches near the village are full. The remaining months you have the beach to yourself. May, June and September are recommended. The weather is already / still nice, the days long. The tourist infrastructure is open and it is not a high season. The Half of the long-distance hikers choose these three months.
You can walk right on the beach almost along the entire coast. There are only two places where passage on the water is forbidden. East of Jarosławiec is a military area. And also the shipyard and port area Gdynia must be bypassed. Here is a suggestion for a hike from Usedom to Hel. The 16 sections follow the beach or the red one Long-distance hiking trail E9.
- Swinoujscie – Miedzyzdroje, at the beginning a short stretch to warm up
- to Dziwnów at the east end of the island Wollin
- to Niechorze
- to Mrzeżyno
- to Kolberg
- through the moorSarbinowo
- to Dąbki - with almost 30km the longest section in the first week
- to Jarosławiec - halftime
- the military area must follow a 10km longer stretch south around the lake Stopemünde be circulated
- this is the 10 stage afterRowy not so long
- now we are inSlowinski National Park with the large shifting dunes. You cannot spend the night in the park itself, as there are no places. Therefore we walk further south to the museum villageKluki
- The small town is east of Lake Leba at the end of the national parkLeba
- the 13th stage - we are not superstitious, only after a long search an overnight stay in Copalino found
- Karwia on the Karwinka Canal
- Chałupy - the Hel Peninsula is reached
- 27km to goHel
from Hel you can go to by boat, train or bus Danzig drive.
bicycle
In addition to long-distance cycle paths, there is a network of regional cycle paths on the Polish Baltic coast. As these often lead unpaved through forests, sturdy bicycles that can also ride over gnarled roots are preferred.
horse riding
Horse riding on the beach is popular in Poland. There are several stud farms on the Polish Baltic coast, one of which is in Kadyny at the Fresh lagoon is probably the best known.
kitchen
Due to the proximity to the open sea, but also to inland waters, marine and freshwater fish are the main components of the regional cuisine. The Kashubian cuisine in particular is characterized by fish dishes. Another defining element of the Kashubian cuisine is the wooded hinterland with its forest fruits, mushrooms and game. You should definitely try the Kashubian rye bread, which is usually eaten with lard.
There are restaurants of all price and quality classes on the Polish Baltic coast. As a rule, the larger the place, the greater the selection of high-quality offers. The prices are generally significantly lower than in comparable holiday regions in Western Europe. The cheapest places to go out are the numerous fast food bars and the rather rare milk bars. But also upscale restaurants usually offer good value for money. The most expensive restaurants are located in the centers of health resorts and large cities.
In addition to the numerous supermarkets, self-caterers can also visit the local farmers' markets to stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. The freshest fish can usually be bought in the morning directly from the fishing boats on the beach. Often you can also buy smoked fish right on the beach.
accommodation
On the Polish Baltic coast there are all possible types of accommodation - from simple tents and campsites to luxury hotels, whereby the price-performance ratio is usually very good. The costs for a stay on the Polish Baltic Sea coast are generally significantly lower than in comparable holiday regions in Western Europe. In general, the prices are in the health resorts, especially in Sopot, higher than in smaller coastal villages or in the coastal locations inland.
In addition to hotels, holiday apartments and guest houses from numerous private providers are particularly popular. The range of holiday homes for rent is also large.
Anyone traveling from port to port by (sailing) boat will usually spend the night on the boat.
nightlife
Outside the summer season, the nightlife is concentrated in the larger cities, such as Swinoujscie, Kolberg, Leba, Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk. In summer, however, there is a lot going on almost everywhere.
security
The Polish Baltic coast usually falls flat under water and there are hardly any tides or unpredictable currents. Bathing is therefore generally safe for families with children and swimming accidents are rare. When swimming accidents do occur, excessive alcohol or drug consumption is usually involved. However, if you follow the general bathing rules and do not go into the water when the waves are high, you have little to fear.
climate
On the Polish Baltic coast there is a transitional climate between maritime and continental climates. The amount of precipitation is lower and the temperature fluctuations higher (warmer summers, colder winters) than on comparable coasts in Western Europe. On the other hand, the temperatures are milder and the amounts of precipitation higher and than in continental Poland with the exception of the southern mountain ranges of the Sudeten and Carpathianswhere the amount of precipitation - especially the amount of snow - is higher and the temperatures are also lower in summer.
trips
To the south and south-east of the Polish Baltic coast are the large Polish lake plateaus on the Baltic ridge.
literature
There are numerous German-speaking travel guides from all common providers such as Marco Polo, DuMont, Polyglott, Baedecker etc. to the Polish Baltic coast, for example from:
- Grazina and Wolfgang Kling: Poland: Baltic Sea and Masuria - beaches, cities and nature, active holidays in northern Poland. Peter Meyer Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 2007.
- Isabella Schinzel: Polish Baltic coast: travel guide with lots of practical tips Michael Müller Verlag, 2015
- Kerstin and André Micklitza: Travel guide to the Polish Baltic Sea coast: between the Oder and Fresh Lagoon Trescher series of trips, 2016
