Kołobrzeg, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See

When you mention a seaside resort in Poland, many of us immediately think of Kołobrzeg. It’s a charming city located on the Baltic Sea coast, offering beautiful beaches, rich history, and healing spas that attract thousands of visitors every year.

In this comprehensive guide, I will share with you Kołobrzeg, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See in this remarkable coastal destination that perfectly combines relaxation, culture, and natural beauty.

TL;DR

• Kołobrzeg is the largest Polish spa town on the Baltic Sea coast
• Best visited in summer for swimming, spring/autumn for a quieter atmosphere
• Main attractions: 220m long pier, 26m high lighthouse, and 12km sandy beach
• Kołobrzeg offers healing spas with mineral brine and peat for health treatments
• Recommended sights to visit: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Oceanarium, Amber Museum
• Accommodation tip: Radisson Resort Kołobrzeg
• Suitable for families with children due to gradual sea entry and many attractions
• Accessible by car or train, nearest airports in Szczecin (150 km) or Gdańsk

When to Visit Kołobrzeg

The choice of the ideal time to visit Kołobrzeg depends on what you expect from your holiday. The city has its charm in every season, but most tourists arrive in summer, when temperatures are most pleasant and the sea is warm enough for swimming.

💡TIP: By train to the Polish seaside

Summer (June to August)

The main tourist season in Kołobrzeg arrives with the summer months. During this period, you can expect temperatures between 20-25 °C, which is ideal for swimming in the Baltic Sea and sunbathing on the local beaches. The water in the Baltic Sea reaches temperatures around 18-22 °C in summer.

The summer months are also full of cultural events, festivals, and outdoor activities. However, be aware that during this period, the city is full of tourists, prices are higher, and securing good accommodation can be more difficult if you don’t book in advance.

Spring and Autumn (April to may, September to October)

Spring and autumn are also very nice here, much quieter, almost no tourists, but also cooler. Temperatures range between 10-20 °C, which is still pleasant for walks on the beach, visiting sights, and spa treatments.

Winter (November to March)

The winter months in Kołobrzeg are colder, with temperatures ranging around 0-5 °C. The sea is too cold for swimming, but the city offers other attractions.

Winter Kołobrzeg has its unique charm – walks on the snowy beach, therapeutic treatments in local spas, or sitting in cozy cafes with a view of the stormy sea. Moreover, during this period, accommodation prices are the lowest, and the city is almost free of tourists, which you’ll appreciate if you seek peace.

Where to Stay

There’s a lot of accommodation in Kołobrzeg, and everyone will find something, but if I had to recommend one, it would definitely be the luxurious Radisson Resort Kołobrzeg.

💡Read also: 12 tips for thermal spas in Poland

Kołobrzeg, Poland: 15 Best Things to Do and See

Forget crowded beaches and tourist traps. Kołobrzeg hides treasures most visitors don’t even know about.

We’ve explored every corner of this coastal gem to reveal 15 must-see places in Kołobrzeg. From the mysterious nooks of the historic center to wild natural landscapes where you’ll mostly encounter seagulls.

Whether you’re a backpacker, a family with children, or a couple seeking romance – this list will save you hours of searching and add a spark to your trip that you’ll remember long after returning home.

Kołobrzeg Pier

Evening strolls along the resort’s main pier are a must for visitors to Kołobrzeg. This 220-meter long and 9-meter wide pier is one of the city’s most famous attractions. It is located about 4.5 meters above sea level and offers magnificent views of the Baltic Sea.

The pier is adorned with pavilions, cafes, and kiosks. In the evening, lanterns light up, regularly changing colors. At the end of the pier, there is a two-level platform where you can sit and enjoy the calming view of the sea waves. However, during the summer months, access to the platform is subject to a fee.

City Lighthouse

The Kołobrzeg Lighthouse is a red-brick structure that towers over the harbor and is one of the city’s landmarks. The current lighthouse was built on the upper platform of an 18th-century fortress in 1945, although it first shone at this location in 1666.

From the observation deck, which is reached by 109 steps, you can admire the panorama of the spa area and the beauty of the Baltic Sea. The lighthouse is 26 meters high and has a light range of 16 nautical miles (29.6 km). In the basement of the lighthouse, there is also a Mineral Museum, where you can admire unique exhibits and even purchase and polish your own minerals.

Kołobrzeg Oceanarium

Dive into the secrets of the deep sea at the local oceanarium. This attraction is especially popular with families with children, but it captivates visitors of all ages. In the oceanarium, you can admire diverse species of fish and marine creatures of all possible colors, sizes, and shapes.

You’ll see exotic species such as various types of pufferfish, moray eels, stingrays, anemones, dragonfish, starfish, piranhas, sharks, and many more. The oceanarium also hosts lectures and educational activities for children and adults.

The Oceanarium is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission for adults is 30 PLN, for children and youth aged 2 to 18 and seniors it’s 25 PLN, and children under 2 years old have free admission.

Kołobrzeg Beaches

Kołobrzeg boasts a 12-kilometer long sandy beach, which is the main attraction for visitors, especially during the summer months. The beach is wide, with fine sand and a gentle entry into the sea, which is ideal for families with children.

Along the beach, there is a promenade with a number of cafes, restaurants, and shops. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas here, or engage in various water sports such as windsurfing or jet skiing.

The beach has a special atmosphere at dawn or sunset, when there are fewer people and you can enjoy the peace and magnificent sea views.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is another ancient monument of the city, partially preserved from the 14th century. This Gothic building was erected on the site of an even older Church of St. Nicholas and originally could accommodate up to 9,000 parishioners.

During World War II, the cathedral was heavily damaged by bombs. Only a small part of it was preserved, which, after reconstruction, serves as a basilica. Today, you can admire its tall tower, arched windows adorned with colorful mosaics depicting biblical themes, and inside, preserved treasures such as a 15th-century wooden altar, medieval tombstones, biblical frescoes, and a Gothic candelabrum from 1327.

Museum of Polish Arms

The Museum of Arms is located in the Braunschweig Palace and its branch on Gerchakov Street, which will especially delight military history enthusiasts. The museum offers a rich collection of weapons from various periods.

Here you can learn more about medieval weapons, view knightly armor, chainmail, rapiers, swords, pikes, and siege weapons like catapults and cannons. The museum also includes a separate exhibition dedicated to naval themes, where ancient navigation tools are particularly interesting.

In the museum courtyard, models of military aircraft, automobiles, artillery, and armored vehicles are displayed, which will be especially appreciated by younger visitors.

Hortulus Botanical Garden

On the outskirts of the resort, you’ll find the Hortulus Botanical Garden, which is open year-round. This garden is divided into 28 thematic zones , each unique in its own way and designed in a specific style.

Here you can find English, French, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese gardens, an alpine meadow, a heather meadow, a stone park, a water park, an aromatic herb garden, and many more.

Special attention should be paid to the sensory gardens and gardens with flowers of only one color. The avenues are adorned with sculptures, you’ll find labyrinths, garden houses, figural flowerbeds, vases with roses, shrubs trimmed into effective shapes, a pond, elegant bridges, and benches.

Amber Museum

Another interesting place for tourists in Kołobrzeg is the Amber Museum. It houses an extensive collection of “sun stones” of various ages, sizes, and shades. Visitors to the museum can learn all about the origin of amber, its properties and qualities, and its use in cosmetics and healing.

Among the exhibits, you can also see ancient tools used for processing gemstones and creating jewelry. The museum also has a souvenir shop where tourists can buy amber products, ready-made jewelry, or order a custom piece with a stone they like.

Schlieffen House

The castle, built in the Gothic style in the 15th century, immediately stands out among other houses with its dark brick walls, gabled tiled roof, unusual shape, and arched windows that narrow upwards.

Currently, Schlieffen House is the oldest residential building in the resort and represents an interesting example of Gothic architecture.

Powder Tower

The Powder Tower building, also known as the Lotow Tower, was built in the Middle Ages (approximately in the 14th century) and was then part of the city’s defense system.

Of the entire wall that once surrounded Kołobrzeg and protected it from raids, only this single tower has been preserved. It is one of only two historical monuments in Kołobrzeg that survived the world wars, serving as an important reminder of the city’s medieval past.

Morast Redoubt

The Morast Redoubt (fortress) is another military monument in Kołobrzeg, highlighting the city’s strategic importance in the past. This defensive structure is part of the city’s history and commemorates its military past.

Near the Redoubt, the ship ORP Fala is moored, which is now a museum. It is a true open-air museum on water, a unique museum established in a decommissioned coast guard vessel. Visitors can not only board but also enter the engine room and see what such a ship looked like and how it functioned.

Historic Town Hall

In the center of Kołobrzeg, Poland, stands the historic town hall building, constructed in 1829 in the Neo-Gothic style by architect Karl Schinkel. Interestingly, the town hall building was built on the foundations of a medieval town hall that was destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars.

It is a two-story building resembling a medieval defensive tower with an inner courtyard and high Gothic arches. The red brick facade is adorned not only with tall windows but also with a clock bearing the city’s coat of arms. In the northeastern part of the town hall, some architectural elements from the 16th century have been preserved, including a pillory to which criminals were tied.

The town hall building also houses a historical museum, whose exhibits are dedicated to the history of Kołobrzeg.

Ekopark Wschodni

Ekopark Wschodni is located between the Podczele housing estate, the Solne Bagno peat bog, and the beach. It is one of Kołobrzeg’s most unusual attractions, created by nature itself.

This unique protected park is home to many bird species. Here you can spot sea eagles, bullheads, common cranes, and many other bird species.

In addition to its unique fauna, the eco-park also boasts unforgettable wild landscapes formed by forests with magnificent beeches and oaks.

Peat Mine

Kołobrzeg is rich in peat, whose deposits formed after the retreat of the Scandinavian glacier around 10,000 BC. Peat is considered Kołobrzeg’s “black gold” and contains valuable biological components.

An undeniable spa and tourist attraction in Kołobrzeg is a visit to the open-pit peat mine. Peat is used for its rejuvenating effects and, due to its properties, is sometimes referred to as “Kołobrzeg Viagra”.

Mud baths and compresses with a warming effect are especially recommended for patients suffering from joint problems, rheumatic diseases, and back pain.

Brine and Spa Area

Kołobrzeg brine, sometimes called “white gold”, is rich not only in bromine, iodine, and sodium, but also in calcium, iron, and magnesium ions. Thanks to it, the city has developed and prospered for centuries.

In the spa part of the city, you can undergo various procedures based on the effects of brine from Kołobrzeg springs. Its healing properties are used in the treatment of respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic system diseases.

Kołobrzeg is known as the largest Polish spa town and treats respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, endocrine system diseases, and metabolic disorders. Spa treatment for children includes bronchial asthma, diabetes, thyroid diseases, obesity, and skin allergies.

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Frequently Asked Questions