Polish seaside – 7 amazing resorts and practical information

Baltic coast of Poland may not be the first place to spring to mind when thinking of epic summer holiday. However, you may be surprised to find that there’re sandy beaches along the whole coastline. It’s more than 400 kilometers filled with sand, mesmerizing views, beautiful architecture, and charming coastal towns.   

WEATHER 

The weather unfortunately can be very unpredictable. You’d expect scorching sun during summer, but it may be pouring cats and dogs all day or even week long. It’s also very windy by the sea. That’s why weather changes quickly. You should not rely on the weather forecast in 100 %. The average temperature in July and August is 20-25 degrees. Baltic sea temperature may vary from around 10 Celsius degree to 25 Celsius degree. When the weather is nice it’s more likely to be around 20 Celsius degree.  

PACK SMART 

When packing for your adventure at the Baltic sea you have to be prepared for 4 season weather conditions. Something for hot days, but also for the colder ones. Pack yourself as if you were going on a beach: swimsuit, towel, sun cream etc. Next, you’ll probably be sightseeing a lot, as it would be a pity not to visit surrounding cities: take comfortable clothes and shoes. Don’t forget about long sleeve in case of a bad weather. Of course be prepared for rainy days and strong wind. Softshell jacket is very practical.  

ACCOMMODATION 

The most popular accommodation type in Poland nowadays are wooden houses with terrasse and all the amenities needed. Outside there’s usually huge common space area with a playground and a place for bonfire. But the offer is huge, depending on you budget. From cheap private rooms to 5-star hotels with animation for kids on site. You may check out the full offer on booking.com.

SOUVENIRS 

Seaside stalls are overflowing with hundreds of useless junk souvenirs. Identical shitty trinkets on every corner, awful plastic toys, all fake and way too colorful. Sellers know exactly that this is what your kids love. If possible, avoid buying unnecessary things. Instead go on a beach and grab some sand or find some seashells. Or try to find hand-made, local products.  

PRICES IN POLAND 

You need to count around 30 PLN for a dinner for one without drinks, with drinks it’s 40 PLN for one person, which is around 10 Euros. So a dinner for a family of 4 is around 40 Euro.(just the main dish and drink). Coffee/beer in the city cost around 12 PLN (3 Euro). Ice-cream in the shop cost 7 PLN (1,50 Euro) for 1 scoop. Groceries in a supermarket are not that expensive, compared to small local shops, where sometimes you can pay double the prices.  

FOOD 

If you’re into fishes you need to try out the smoked fishes: mackerel, herring, butter fish, salmon and more. You can also pay a visit to one of many fryer place (smażalnia ryb) and order yourself a fried fish. What’s also popular on Polish seaside are the waffles – with sugar, Nutella, whipped cream, jam or whatever your preferences are.  

SOME OF THE INTERESTING PLACES 

Opinions are divided when it comes to choosing a place to relax. Some like popular resorts, full of attractions and people, while others prefer to rest in places where peace and quiet prevail. I’ll mention few of the cities/regions I’ve already visited.  

PLACES 

JAROSŁAWIEC 

It is a charming seaside village, located near two lakes – Wicko and Kopań. People started to call Jarosławiec Polish Dubai, because of the artificial beach that reminds the one in Dubai. It was created by means of silting, i.e. pumping ashore sand lying on the bottom of the Baltic Sea. It should resist the action of storms and sea currents. Well, which for visitors mean just one thing: more place to relax and enjoy. Beside the famous beach, there’s also the oldest monument in the village, the lighthouse built in the 1830s, the Amber Museum and, and the aquapark, which is well-known in the area. 

DARŁOWO

The city welcomes guests with fragments of defence walls and an entering gate. Here visitors can see many historical buildings built in different eras, such as a Gothic church with a 60 m tower, chapel, castle of the Pomeranian princes available for sightseeing. In Darłowo you can also find a lighthouse. Baroque town hall dates back to the early 18-th century and gives a very nice look at the bygone ornament style. Darłowo is remoted around 40 minute walk from the beach, so if you prefer this location – remember to book you stary in Darłówko, which is by the sea! 

USTKA

It is one of the most popular resorts and spas on Polish seaside. While it used to be a simple fishing settlement, today, it’s a highly regarded tourist destination with a popular beach, a picturesque promenade and plenty of attractions. It is a highly recommended place as for its proximity to the city of Słupsk and the National Park on the east side with two lakes, Gardno and Łebsko. Ustka offers numerous attractions and interesting ways of spending time. It is worth visiting the lighthouse located at the seaside promenade. There is also a port and three piers nearby, which may be surprising for such a small town. 

ŁEBA 

Łeba is another popular holiday resort on the Polish coast. The location of the city is already interesting. Łeba lies in the central part of the coast, between the Baltic Sea and the Łebsko and Sarbsko lakes.  Łeba was founded in the 10th century as a fishing village and it still has a fishing character. Water sports enthusiasts will also find it a perfect place for sailing and windsurfing. Go to the port and choose one of the cruises.

SEA PARK SARBSK

One of the attractions near Łeba is Sea Park Sarbsk , which is the the largest seal sanctuary in Poland. In addition there’re numerous multimedia attractions that children will love, such as the 3D Prehistoric Oceanarium introducing us to the world of the deep sea from prehistoric times or the Real Ocean 3D – a submarine showing the life of modern ocean inhabitants. 

WŁADYSŁAWOWO 

Władyslawowo is the starting point of the Hel Peninsula and the long beach, which ends exactly on Hel! The town is a good choice if you are looking for the atmosphere of a holiday resort with a lot going on. The seaside beaches on both sides of the harbour in Władysławowo are wide and close to the town centre. The additional attractions include: the Butterfly House, the Museum of Wax Figures and a fun park.It’s also a good starting point for trips to nearby cities/villages. Władysławowo is connected by train with Hel, Gdańska etc.  

HEL 

Hel is a very interesting location. It lies at the end of the Hel Spit made of sea sand, which in the narrowest places is only a few dozen metres long and forms a connection between the town and the mainland. Be prepared for a strong wind, that’s why it’s a good place for kiters and windsurfers. In the forests, look for the military monuments left over from the former World War II fortifications, the Museum of Coastal Defence, the Hel Railway Museum with its narrow-gauge railway and lighthouses. 

TRICITY 

The pearl of Polish coast- Tricity, which consist of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, is a good destination for a trip not only in summer-time. And although the cities are rather associated with sightseeing, you can definitely find beautiful beaches here: Brzeźno, Stogi, Jelitkowo and Sopot, among others.  

With the longest wooden pier in Europe, the promenade and the party atmosphere, Sopot probably needs no introduction. When you add the Old Town in Gdańsk with its UNESCO World Heritage monuments, the Westerplatte cape, a number of important museums and the modernist gems of Gdynia, you have your itinerary for a few days.