Świnoujście between Baltic beaches, island routes and maritime history
Accommodation in Świnoujście
In Świnoujście, the long Baltic beach, striking waterside buildings and a rich maritime history all shape the decision to visit. Those who enjoy an active holiday will also find a range of options: paths along the coast, cycle routes through island landscapes and places where the city’s history as a fortress can be explored. Which of these aspects you want to shape your stay can be a good starting point when looking for accommodation.
Beach, breakwaters and green spaces
Świnoujście’s beach stretches across Uznam and Wolin. It is 10 kilometres long in total, with 3.7 kilometres on Uznam and 6 kilometres on Wolin. The two individual figures do not add up to the stated overall length. The breakwaters add their own distinctive features to the waterfront: they date from the early 19th century. The western breakwater is topped by the windmill-shaped beacon “Młyny”, while the central breakwater extends more than 1,400 metres out to sea.
Zdrojowy Park offers a different perspective on the city. It dates from the 19th century and was laid out according to a design by landscape architect Peter Josef Lenné. Mediterranean vegetation and trees around 150 years old shape the park’s character. The open coastal landscape, historic seaside structures and landscaped park with its mature trees show different sides of Świnoujście.
The Promenada Zdrowia is separated from the sea by a dune belt. It has separate paths for pedestrians, cyclists and roller skaters. Other features include landscape architecture, outdoor fitness equipment, drinking fountains and a water fountain, as well as bicycle racks, playgrounds and an amusement park. The Promenada Zdrowia is also planned to be 950 metres long, with a pedestrian path, a track for roller and inline skaters, and a cycle path.
Routes for cycling and walking days
The cross-border seaside promenade is 12.5 kilometres long. It passes through Świnoujście’s green spaces and through Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin, offering sea views along much of the way. For a longer bike ride through varied landscapes, consider the approximately 21-kilometre ROUND KARSIBÓR route: it runs across Karsibór Island through reed beds, meadows and forests, following the Piast Canal to the new eastern breakwater. This extends 430 metres into the Szczecin Lagoon.
The pump track on Grunwaldzka Street offers a different kind of cycling. This closed circuit is designed for acrobatic cycling and features fast turns and bumps. Świnoujście also has numerous hiking trails for walks and Nordic walking, ranging from 4 to 20 kilometres. Distances vary considerably from one route to another, so check current trail conditions before setting out.
Water sports and maritime events
Świnoujście offers good conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and skimboarding. Sailing events and regattas are also held in the surrounding waters. These include the Sea Days Regatta, the Tourist Regatta, the Unity Line Regatta and Sail Świnoujście. Sailboats can be seen during Sail Świnoujście. If a regatta is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance: no specific dates for these events are given here.
Fortress history and maritime culture
Several historic sites offer different ways to explore the city’s history. Fort Anioła was built between 1854 and 1858, modelled on the Mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome. Fort Wschodni (Gerharda) is one of three surviving 19th-century fortifications in the Świnoujście Fortress. It houses an exhibition about Świnoujście’s fortifications and displays objects found at the site.
Podziemne Miasto consists of shelters connected by a kilometre of tunnels. During the Second World War, the complex served as a coastal defence battery; after the war, it was used as a command post by the Polish military. The Świnoujście lighthouse dates from 1858. It houses an exhibition about lighthouses and sea rescue. Each of these sites has a different focus: the underground complex on its former military use, the fort on the fortifications, and the lighthouse on navigation and rescue at sea.
The Muzeum Rybołówstwa Morskiego is located in the former town hall. Its collections cover the history of fishing, the city and the region, as well as old navigational instruments and exhibits on marine fauna; the museum hosts numerous exhibitions. Karsibór Island is also home to a Gothic church dating from the 15th century. Its furnishings include a 15th-century altar and a 17th-century pulpit.
The FAMA Festival is also part of Świnoujście’s cultural history: it has been held there since 1966 and prompted the expansion of the amphitheatre. The various sites and events make it possible to give maritime history, architecture and culture different weight in your travel plans. If you are planning a visit around an event, it is a good idea to check the dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Wolin, Będzieszewo, Wrzosowo, Cammin in Pomerania, Golczewo.
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