The Ultimate Guide to Beach Holidays in Poland’s Gdańsk Bay

White-sand beaches and rugged rocky coastlines. Dense pine forests and beach grass swaying gently in the breeze over picturesque dunes. The Polish Baltic Sea coast is an idyll for holidaymakers, particularly in the summer. Sun worshippers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts in search of their next adventure are all drawn to the 500-kilometre-long coastline’s picturesque seaside resorts and harbour towns. The best place to go for a beach holiday in Poland? Gdańsk Bay, a lively destination that always offers something new to discover.

Gdańsk Bay lies on the far eastern stretch of the Polish Baltic coast, framed by the Hel Peninsula, the green hills of Kashubia and the Vistula Spit. At its heart lies the Hanseatic city of Gdańsk. Together with the neighbouring port towns of Sopot and Gdynia, it forms the Tri-city (Trójmiasto) area. Here, you can holiday on the Polish Baltic Sea in three cities at once – and the contrasts are striking. Imposing seaside resort architecture collides with industrial romanticism, and wild shifting dunes embrace Mediterranean flair. Imagine strolling cobblestoned, centuries-old alleys in the morning, lying on the white-sand beach or roaming through coastal forests by lunchtime, and enjoying the salty sea breeze in lively beach bars come early evening.

The city of Gdańsk is an essential stop if you’re planning a beach holiday in Poland. For centuries, this was the most important port on the Polish Baltic coast. You can get a sense of the Hanseatic city’s glorious past by strolling through the Long Market (Długi Targ) and the cobbled streets of the charming Old Town, once a bustling trading centre where merchants from all over Europe made their fortunes trading in wood, furs and amber.
 

Wander through the Main City (Główne Miasto) in the heart of the Old Town, past magnificent, colourful gabled houses packed with picturesque restaurants and bars. Rising above their red roofs is one of the largest brick churches in Europe, St. Mary’s Church, a Gothic masterpiece completed in 1502. The sweet, tantalising scent of gofry (waffles) lingers in the air amid the tangle of cafés and craft shops. Head to Women’s Alley (Ulica Mariacka) to browse specialty amber shops before continuing on to the Motława river promenade, where you can treat yourself to a freshly caught snack in one of the quaint seafood restaurants.

Gdańsk isn’t just a reminder of Hanseatic splendour, but also about the upheavals of the 20th century. World War II began here in Westerplatte, where a monument now stands commemorating this significant moment. Delve into history from the perspective of the civilian population at the Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej), housed in a striking modern rust-red cuboid building.
 

The past also permeates the former Gdańsk Shipyard (Stocznia Gdańska), where the founding of the Solidarność trade union sparked a democracy movement that spread throughout the Eastern Bloc. Today, the site is a cultural centre with bars, studios and clubs where you can relax in deckchairs and enjoy DJ sets and live music on long, vibrant summer nights.
 

Craving a beach escape? There’s plenty of opportunity in Gdańsk, as the city is surrounded by picturesque beaches. Brzeźno Beach is ideal for a break close to the city centre, with fine sand that’s fun for building sandcastles plus good amenities, including changing rooms, food kiosks and toilets.

Just a few kilometres northwest of Gdańsk, the seaside resort of Sopot welcomes you with upmarket spa hotels and wide sandy beaches. It’s also home to the longest pier in Europe, which stretches over 500 metres into the Baltic Sea and offers mesmerising views of ships on the horizon. In summer, you need to buy a ticket to stroll along this impressive wooden structure with pretty white railings and benches, but it’s worth it, especially at sunset.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Sopot is often dubbed the Riviera of the North. The main reason? Its relatively mild climate, which makes the water feel more pleasant than at many other Baltic Sea beaches. Where Gdańsk is about cultural discovery, your main goals in coming to Sopot are sunbathing, relaxing and strolling. Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street, known locally as Monciak, is a pedestrianised promenade that winds past cafés, restaurants and boutiques directly to the white powder-sand beach.

Follow the beach promenade northwest from elegant Sopot and you’ll find yourself in Gdynia, a destination that has transformed itself from a tranquil fishing village into a modern, popular port city. The cityscape here is characterised by simple buildings with flat roofs, clean lines and rounded arches, some of which are reminiscent of ship hulls. Many of the façades feature large-scale murals by the local art and design collective Traffic Design.

Equally contemporary in Gdynia is its exciting gastronomic scene, which will take you not only to the Baltic Sea but also around the globe, from Spanish tapas to modern American and creative Asian fare to classic pasta dishes. And when you stay at 3-star Mercure Gdynia Centrum Hotel, you’re not only right in the mix, but also just a short stroll away from the city beach with its relaxed bars and the photoworthy Dar Pomorza sailing ship, which dates back to 1909.

The Hel Peninsula (Półwysep Helski) is a narrow headland that juts out 34 kilometres into the Baltic Sea, separating Gdańsk Bay from the open sea. Only a few hundred metres wide at its narrowest point, it’s a natural paradise. Fine-sand beaches stretch out in front of high dunes and dense pine forests, with small coastal villages nestled here and there by the water.
 

Hel is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts and active holidaymakers – ideal if you want to put your sailing, kite surfing or windsurfing skills to the test. The little village of Chałupy has plenty of surfing spots that are also suitable for beginners or children. If diving’s more your thing, Gdańsk Bay is littered with over a hundred wrecks, some of which you can explore. Out of the water, discover the picturesque coast by bike.
 

Midsummer is an especially popular time at this seaside resort, when many visitors flock to its romantic alleys, some of which are still lined with old fishermen’s cottages. It’s especially fun for families on a beach holiday in Poland – climbing the 42-metre-high lighthouse to its viewing platform is an adventure for little ones, and at the Fokarium seal sanctuary, they can watch the animals being fed and learn about conservation.
 

In the midst of this holiday paradise, you may notice old, abandoned bunkers on the sandy beaches and in the coastal forests. These World War II relics offer a fascinating insight into Polish defence history, and some of them can be visited on guided bunker tours. Fancy tasting anchovies from a bunker? This odd-sounding dish is actually a real speciality at Gryfon, a popular restaurant in the fishing village of Jastarnia. The friendly owners serve filleted sprats that have been maturing in their own oil for a year, stored in barrels in a former bunker. Reservations are essential!
 

Gryfon

• Krótka 5, 84-140 Jastarnia
• Open Mon–Sat, 4pm-9pm

Considering the Baltic Sea coast for your next beach holiday in Poland? You’ll find stunning places to relax on the miles of beautiful sandy beaches around Gdańsk Bay, many of which also feature coastal forests, dune cycle paths and promenades. Here are our top three:

To the west of Gdańsk Bay, the idyllic seaside resort of Łeba is one of the most popular destinations for a relaxing day trip from the Tri-city. A long white-sand beach promises wonderful moments by the water and invites you to take endless walks. Close by in the Słowiński National Park, the Lontz Dune, one of the largest shifting sand dunes in Europe, rises to over 40 metres. Climbing it requires a little stamina, as your feet will sink into the fine sand again and again.

Looking for peace and quiet on your beach holiday? At the northern tip of Poland surrounded by fragrant pine forest lies the 17-kilometre-long fine sandy beach of Lubiatowo. The sea views here are fantastic, and the fresh sea breeze is especially conducive for long, lazy walks along the water’s edge. Here and there, quaint restaurants welcome hungry beachgoers – stop into one of them for freshly caught fish and delicious pierogi dumplings.

This hidden gem is surprisingly close to Gdynia city centre. Here, colourful fishing boats bob on the water, setting sail for the Baltic Sea in the early morning. From the 180-metre-long pier, you can look out over the rugged cliffs and the wild coastline while seagulls circle high above you. It’s best to come in the early morning hours to watch the fishermen bring their daily catch ashore and see the sun slowly rise above the horizon. Or combine sunbathing on the picturesque beach with a stroll along the seafront promenade and a break at one of the cosy cafés.

The warm summer months, with pleasant temperatures, are a great time to embark on your Poland beach holiday. However, as Polish summer holidays usually last from the end of June to the end of August and many locals also love the Baltic Sea coast, resorts and beaches can be very busy.
 

Things tend to quieten down in late summer. Beach bars, restaurants and clubs gradually close for the season, bringing peace to the seaside resorts once again. So if you long for deserted beaches, consider coming here in autumn or winter. Even though the sea is rougher and stormier at this time of year, these seasons are wonderful for long walks, bike rides and getting away from everyday life. If you’re especially brave, you can try ice bathing, an enduring tradition which is believed to strengthen the immune system!
 

Whenever you decide to visit, you’ll discover that a beach holiday in Poland is not just about sun and sand: it’s about history, culture and nature all coming together by the sea. Planning a stop in the Polish capital as well? Discover our essential guide to the top things to see in Warsaw.