Gdynia, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See

Where the turquoise blue of the Baltic Sea meets the determination of a nation, there lies Gdynia – the youngest and most ambitious member of the famous Tri-City. This remarkable city is not just another point on the coastal map, but a living symbol of Polish independence and the will to reshape history with its own hands. In this guide titled “Gdynia, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See”, you will learn what sights to see in Gdynia, why visit the popular aquarium, and other tips for interesting places.

What Makes Gdynia so Interesting

Just a century ago, you would only find a sleepy fishing village with 1,300 inhabitants here.. Today, a modern port and a vibrant city with almost a quarter of a million inhabitants welcome you. Few European metropolises have undergone such a rapid and dramatic transformation.

When Polish independence was restored after World War I, access to the sea was crucial for the country’s economic development. The historic port in Gdańsk, although tied to Polish history, fell to the newly created Free City of Danzig under UN administration. Poland needed its own independent port. And so, in 1920, the decision was made to build a completely new port in the place of the fishing settlement of Gdynia.

Under the leadership of the visionary Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski, this ambitious project became one of the greatest successes of interwar Poland. In 1926, when Gdynia gained city rights, 12,000 inhabitants already lived there – nine times more than six years earlier. And the growth rate did not slow down – in 1938, Gdynia already had 122,000 inhabitants!

Today, Gdynia is a city of contrasts – functionalist architecture from the 1930s coexists with modern buildings, legendary ships like “Dar Pomorza” are moored near the latest vessels, and sandy beaches transition into bustling port docks. . For lovers of maritime history, architecture, and seaside relaxation, Gdynia represents an unusual destination that is still waiting to be discovered.

TL;DR

• Modern port city in northern Poland on the Baltic Sea, part of the Tri-City
• Ideal visit: June-August for beaches, April-October for sightseeing without crowds
• Accommodation tips: The Marine Plaza Sea Towers or Sea Towers Luxury Apartment
• Main attractions: Southern Pier, museum ships Błyskawica and Dar Pomorza, Gdynia Aquarium
• Other points of interest: coastal promenade Bulwar Nadmorski, Kamienna Góra viewpoint
• Transport to the city: by plane via Gdańsk, by train from Bohumín, by car (9 hours from Prague)
• The city center is compact, and most attractions can be explored on foot.
• Recommended trips: historic Gdańsk (30 min), resort Sopot, Hel Peninsula

When to Visit Gdynia: Weather

Visiting Gdynia is pleasant throughout the year, but each season offers a slightly different experience. Gdynia’s coastal climate is mild, with varied weather depending on the season.

• Summer (June to August) is the most popular time to visit Gdynia. Temperatures during this time range between 22-27 °C, making it an ideal time for beach activities. In summer, you can look forward to various festivals, open-air concerts, and street events. However, be prepared for higher accommodation prices and larger crowds of tourists.
• Spring (April to May) brings pleasant temperatures around 15 °C and blooming nature. It’s a great time for walks along the coastal boulevards and visiting museums without tourist crowds. Several cultural events also take place during this time, such as jazz and blues festivals in early May.
• Autumn (September to October) offers slightly cooler weather with temperatures around 10-15 °C, but still allows for pleasant walks around the city and its surroundings. Beaches are less crowded, and you can enjoy a calmer atmosphere. Additionally, you’ll find better accommodation deals in autumn.
• Winter (November to March) is cold, with temperatures usually ranging between -5 to 5 °C. Despite the colder weather, winter Gdynia has its charm, especially during the Christmas markets. If you don’t mind lower temperatures, you’ll appreciate fewer tourists and significantly lower accommodation prices.

Where to Stay in Gdynia

Whether you long to wake up to a view of the majestic Baltic waves or prefer the pulsating rhythm of the city center, Gdynia will offer you accommodation exactly to your liking. The port of maritime adventures won’t disappoint when it comes to finding a place to stay:

In the City Center

Gdynia city center is a perfect choice for those who want to be close to the main attractions, restaurants, and shops. From here, you can easily reach the port and the city beaches. We recommend:

• The Marine Plaza Sea Towers,
• Gdynia Główna Apartament.

Near the Beach

For sea lovers, accommodation near one of Gdynia’s beaches is ideal, for example:

• Sea Towers Luxury Apartment.

Gdynia, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See

Are you traveling to Gdynia, Poland? Then our 15 tips on what to see in Gdynia will come in handy.

Southern Pier (Molo Południowe)

The Southern Pier is an artificial peninsula extending into the sea for over 600 meters. It has the character of both a park and a street, and it is the center of tourist life in Gdynia. On the pier, you can see two museum ships, find a cruise ship terminal, a 60-meter-high Ferris wheel, restaurants, and bistros with local specialties. A walk along the pier offers beautiful views of Gdańsk Bay and the port.

Dar Pomorza

This historic training sailing ship, moored at the Southern Pier, has now been converted into a museum. The ship was built in Hamburg, Germany, between 1909-1910 under the name Prinzess Eitel Friedrich and originally served as a training ship for the German navy. In 1929, it was purchased for the naval school in Gdynia, where it served until 1982. Since 1983, it has been accessible to visitors as part of the Central Maritime Museum.

Destroyer ORP Błyskawica

Right next to the sailing ship Dar Pomorza, the destroyer ORP Błyskawica is moored. This museum ship is part of the Naval Museum. It was built in the second half of the 1930s in Cowes, England, and participated in battles during World War II, especially as protection for ship convoys. After the war, it served as one of the flagships of the Polish Navy until 1969, when it was decommissioned. Since 1976, it has been open to the public as a museum.

Gdynia Aquarium

Gdynia Aquarium (Akwarium Gdyńskie) is located at the end of the Southern Pier. This aquarium, which has zoo status, presents marine fauna and flora from not only the Baltic Sea but also other seas and oceans in dozens of tanks. It was opened in 1971, and today you’ll find 7 thematic sections and over 1,500 predominantly aquatic animals from 250 species, including sharks, rays, and various tropical species.

Bulwar Nadmorski

Bulwar Nadmorski is a popular coastal promenade over one and a half kilometers long. It starts at “Skwer Tadeusza Kosciuszki” square, a short distance from the beginning of the Southern Pier, and continues to the beach in Gdynia’s Redłowo district. This promenade is an ideal place for romantic walks with sea views or for morning jogging. Along the boulevard, you will also find the Muzeum Marynarki Wojennej (Naval Museum).

Pier in Orłowo

The Orłowo Pier is a 180-meter-long wooden pier located in Gdynia’s Orłowo district. From this pier, you can enjoy beautiful views of Gdańsk Bay and even catch a glimpse of the famous wooden pier in Sopot, which, at 511.5 meters long, is the longest wooden pier in Europe.

Dworzec Morski with the Emigration Museum

Dworzec Morski is a historic modernist building from 1933, which from its inception until the beginning of World War II served to handle passenger traffic on overseas shipping lines. Now, this building houses the interesting Emigration Museum (Muzeum Emigracji), which maps the history of Polish emigration and its influence on world culture and history.

Kamienna Góra

This place offers one of the most beautiful views of Gdynia. From Kamienna Góra, you can see a panorama of the entire city, the port, and Gdańsk Bay. You can reach the top either on foot or by using the funicular, which will take you up in just two minutes. From the Southern Pier, it’s approximately a 15-minute walk to the viewpoint.

Visit Gdynia’s Best Beaches

Gdynia offers several great beaches; here’s an overview of the best ones:

City Beach (Śródmieście) is the most popular and lively beach in Gdynia. Thanks to its location right in the city center, it’s easily accessible and offers excellent infrastructure. It’s ideal for families with children – you’ll find a playground, a supervised swimming area, and many restaurants nearby. If you’re looking for active recreation, you can rent equipment for water sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing here.

Orłowo Beach is one of the most beautiful and romantic places on the Gdynia coast. It is dominated by the majestic Orłowo Cliff, which has become one of the city’s symbols. Nature lovers will appreciate the magnificent views of Gdańsk Bay and, on clear days, even the Hel Peninsula. Attractions also include a wooden pier, much calmer than its counterpart in Sopot. In summer, cultural events are held here on the outdoor stage of the Municipal Theater.

Redłowo Beach represents an ideal compromise between city life and nature. It is less crowded than the city center beach, making it a perfect place for those seeking tranquility. A characteristic feature is its proximity to the Kępa Redłowska nature reserve with magnificent cliffs. The area is popular among photographers and walking enthusiasts. You will also find an outdoor gym with pull-up bars for calisthenics enthusiasts here.

Babie Doły Beach is located in the northern part of Gdynia, far from the city bustle. It is one of the least visited beaches, ideal for those seeking peace and privacy. Its characteristic feature is the view of the “Torpedownia” – a remnant from World War II. Thanks to a combination of sandy and rocky sections, it’s also a photogenic spot. During the summer months, it is one of two beaches where swimming with dogs is allowed.

All four main beaches in Gdynia are supervised by lifeguards during the summer season, daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Water quality is regularly monitored, and if blue-green algae or other anomalies appear, lifeguards will raise a red flag.

Gdynia City Museum

The Gdynia City Museum was founded on May 1, 1978, and focuses on the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the city and its surrounding region. The museum’s collections include a wide range of artifacts, documents, photographs, and multimedia presentations. Permanent and temporary exhibitions present various aspects of Gdynia’s history, including its maritime heritage, the founding of the port, the city’s development, and the impacts of World War II.

Świętojańska Street

Świętojańska Street is one of the main tourist arteries away from the coast and is famous for its nightlife. You’ll find many shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars here. It’s a place where you can experience the true atmosphere of modern Gdynia and observe the daily life of its local residents.

Kosciuszko Square

This square is one of the central points of the city, where locals and tourists meet. Near the square is the Council of Europe Park. The square is often the venue for various cultural events and festivals and offers many cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy Polish specialties.

Babie Doły Torpedo Station

The torpedo station in the Babie Doły district is a very unconventional structure, or rather, its remains. It was built by the German army during World War II and served as an assembly hall for torpedo assembly and also for test firing. You can find this structure in the sea, about 300 meters from the shore, and it is a popular destination for photographers and history enthusiasts.

Boat Trips from Gdynia

A popular tourist attraction in Gdynia are boat trips operated by Żegluga Gdańska. Boats depart from the pier at the Southern Pier, behind the sailing ship Dar Pomorza. You can go to the Hel Spit or to neighboring Sopot. Also popular are cruises around Gdynia’s port and its surroundings, or a pirate galleon cruise, which is moored at the Southern Pier during the season.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Gdynia hosts a number of significant cultural events:

• Polish Film Festival (Festiwal Filmowy w Gdyni) has been held since 1986 and presents the best Polish films made in the past year.
• Ladies’ Jazz Festival and Gdynia Blues Festival attract jazz and blues lovers from all over Poland and abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions