Dzień dobry! Welcome to Gdynia, a young and dynamically developing seaport city established only in 1926! There, instead of ancient monuments and rich history, you’ll find quirky modernist architecture, a waterfront square with impressive museum ships, lovely sandy beaches, numerous green spaces, and Poland’s major port. It’s a city with a unique character, a pearl on the Baltic Sea coast worth discovering. Keep reading and discover great things to do in Gdynia, Poland.
Interesting fact. In 2024, the modernist city center of Gdynia was the only Polish candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List. Fingers crossed it’ll get it!
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Gdynia, Poland FAQ
Gdynia is a small seaside city located in the north of Poland in Pomeranian Voivodeship on the Baltic Sea coast. Together with Sopot and Gdansk, it forms a metropolitan area called the Tricity (Trójmiasto).
Gdynia might not be as popular as its nearby older siblings, Gdansk and Sopot, but it’s a city worth visiting when in the area. Whether you’re interested in exploring maritime history, relaxing on a beach, enjoying outdoor activities, or admiring unique architecture – Gdynia has something for everyone.
Gdynia is best known for its seaside Kosciuszko Square with impressive ships, modernist buildings all over the city, and many beautiful natural sites. It’s also well known among Polish people for two annual prestigious festivals: the Open’er Music Festival and the Gdynia Film Festival.
A few hours will be enough to see all the main attractions in Gdynia and get a good feel of what this city is all about. Gdynia might also be a nice and peaceful home base for discovering the area.
It’s pronounced [ɡdɨɲa]. Still don’t know how to read it? Here’s a YouTube video where you can listen to correct pronunciation.
Things to do in Gdynia, Poland
Kościuszko Square & Southern Pier
Kościuszko Square (pl. Skwer Kościuszki) is a small green square featuring a fountain, some monuments, and a few examples of modernist architecture. It leads to the magnificent Southern Pier (pl. Molo Południowe), which was built in the 1920s and quickly gained a reputation as the most picturesque place in the city. Yes, strolling along the Southern Pier is the most important thing to do in Gdynia!
Along Southern Pier, you’ll find points of interest like the museum ship ORP Błyskawica – a famous destroyer from WWII, two sailing ships: Dar Pomorza (also a museum ship) and Dar Młodzieży, Aquarium, and Gdynia sign. At the end of the pier, you’ll also find the Alley of Passenger Ships full of granite plates commemorating the most interesting or luxurious cruise ships that have docked at the port of Gdynia. Of course, there are some restaurants, cafes, and small shops selling souvenirs.
From the Southern Pier, you can also admire a few modernist buildings (like the Faculty of Navigation of the Gdynia Maritime University or Róża Wiatrów Restaurant) and newly constructed modern buildings. Ships that will take you on a short cruise wait there too.
Gdynia Tourist Office is located not far from Kościuszko Square, on 10 Lutego Street 24.
Book now: Undercover City Games: Gdynia
ORP Błyskawica
ORP Błyskawica (which means lightning in English) is a historic destroyer ship, the most powerful one of her time in Europe. It was the only Allied ship that took an active part throughout World War II, from the first to the last day! What’s more, it’s the only remaining ship that was built before WWII and the oldest destroyer that exists in the world.
Nowadays, ORP Błyskawica serves as a fascinating, well-preserved military museum ship in Gdynia where visitors can explore the ship’s decks full of interesting rooms and learn about its past. But even despite this fact, the ship still flies the naval ensign as it’s in active service in the Polish navy! It’s not able to move on its own but it serves a representative purpose and some official events are still held there. Exploring ORP Błyskawica is one of the coolest things to do in Gdynia – don’t miss it!
Tip. Try talking to soldiers on the watch as you may learn some additional secrets!
Entrance to ORP Błyskawica costs 30zł for a normal ticket and 19zł for a reduced one (January 2025). If you’re interested in visiting the Naval Museum you can also buy a slightly more expensive combined ticket. The ship is closed for the winter season, from November to the end of March, and during official events. For current prices and opening hours visit muzeummw.pl website.
Dar Pomorza
Dar Pomorza, or the Gift of Pomerania in English, is an impressive three-masted sailing ship built in the early 20th century. It served in the Polish Merchant Navy as a training ship from the 1930s to the 1980s. Nowadays it’s one of the most important gems of Polish maritime heritage and serves as a museum ship. Inside you’ll learn about the Dar Pomorza history and see spaces like the commander’s room, hospital, wheelhouse, or engine room.
Entrance to Dar Pomorza costs 28zł for a normal ticket and 17zł for a reduced one (January 2025). For current prices and opening hours visit nmm.pl website.
Marina
Just a few steps from the Southern Pier you’ll find a small but beautiful marina. It’s a nice place for a relaxing walk among small boats peppered with nice views over the sea and beach. If you need a moment of peace – a marina will be a perfect spot.
Also visit nearby: 20+ Things To Do In Gdansk, Poland
Gdynia beaches
One of the best things to do in Gdynia, especially during warm months, is to hit the beach. In the city center, right next to the marina and Southern Pier, you’ll find the city’s main beach. It’s long and wide with fine sand and offers gentle entry into the sea. Showers, lifeguards, a children’s playground, a volleyball court, and many restaurants and cafes are there too. But be aware that during the summer months it gets very crowded!
If you’re looking for slightly calmer and less busy options (and don’t mind a short travel distance) visit Redłowska Beach, Orłowo Beach, or Babie Doły Beach. All of them are long, and wide and allow you to relax on fine sand in nice surroundings.
In Orłowo, besides the beaches, you’ll also find an elegant wooden pier (pl. Molo Orłowo). But unlike the famous pier in Sopot, you don’t have to pay to enter. It’s less crowded too so you can take your time and admire the views over the sea, beaches, and Orłowski Cliff without rushing. Above the beaches, you’ll also find a promenade, perfect for a leisurely stroll. You can also follow the path and climb Orłowski Cliff for a different perspective.
Kępa Redłowska is a nature reserve where besides spending relaxing time on the beach you can take a peaceful walk on one of many hiking trails in lush forests. Reserved is located on former military grounds, so you can also spot some old cannons and bunkers. If you need peace and tranquility – Kępa Redłowska is the perfect place.
Book now: Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia 3 Cities Private Full-Day Tour
Seaside boulevard
Where the sand of Gdynia’s main beach ends, a seaside boulevard (pl. Bulwar Nadmorski) starts. It stretches for around 2 kilometers, up to Polanka Redłowska, along the Kamienna Góra residential area. It’s an amazing place for relaxing walks with calming sea views on one side and green trees on the other.
Also visit nearby: Things To Do In Sopot, Poland
Kamienna Hill funicular
Kamienna Hill (pl. Kamienna Góra) is Gdynia’s mostly residential area that features many examples of fine modernist architecture and a funicular that runs up to the top of the hill where the lookout with city, sea, and port views await. Oh, and there’s a huge cross. But to be honest, don’t expect anything too spectacular – the highest point is located only 40m a.s.l.
The funicular lower station is located in Maria and Lech Kaczyński Park, close to the city beach. Cool thing? Ride to the top is free (January 2025) and takes only 2 minutes! For more information visit pomorskie.travel website.
Museums in Gdynia
If you’re up for visiting some museums, Gdynia has a few to choose from (except for the museum ships mentioned earlier):
Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum (pl. Muzeum Marynarki Wojennej) presents the story of the Polish naval forces. There you’ll find exhibitions with naval ship models, uniforms, weapons, stories, photographs, and various equipment. This museum also looks after the ORP Błyskawica. The museum is located along the seaside boulevard. To find more information about prices and opening hours visit muzeummw.pl website.
Emigration Museum
Emigration Museum (pl. Muzeum Emigracji) tells the story of the emigration of Polish people via various multimedia presentations and personal stories. There you’ll learn why and how people left for destinations like the USA or Canada. The museum is located in Gdynia Port. To find more information about prices and opening hours visit polska1.pl website.
Gdynia City Museum
Gdynia City Museum (pl. Muzeum Miasta Gdyni) is a perfect place if you want to learn more about the city’s history, from the early days to the development into a modern port city. The museum is located just a few steps from the seaside boulevard, next to the Maritime Museum. To find more information about prices and opening hours visit muzeumgdynia.pl website.
Gdynia Aquarium
A visit to Gdynia Aquarium (pl. Akwarium Gdyńskie) is a great thing to do in Gdynia especially if you travel with kids. Inside you’ll have an opportunity to immerse in the underwater world and discover various aquatic species of fish, reptiles, invertebrates, or amphibians in large aquariums. There you’ll also find information boards with some interesting facts.
Entrance to Gdynia Aquarium cost depends on the month. From May to the end of August, it’s 45zł for a normal ticket and 32zł for a reduced one. In the rest of the months, it’s slightly cheaper – 40/28zł (January 2025). For current prices and opening hours visit akwarium.gdynia.pl website.
How to get to Gdynia, Poland?
Gdynia is located about 35km from Gdańsk, 10km from Sopot, 370km from Warsaw, and 330km from Poznan. The most convenient way to get to Gdynia is by car, train, or bus.
Airports near Gdynia
The nearest airport to Gdynia is located in Gdańsk, only 25km away. The easiest way to get from Gdansk airport to Gdynia center is to take a taxi or first travel to Gdansk center and then take a train or bus to Gdynia. You can also rent a car. To learn more about possible options visit rome2rio.com website.
Where to park in Gdynia?
Your best option is to leave your car in one of the paid parking lots in the city, but you can also try to find free spots a bit further from Gdynia center. We left our car in this underground parking located 10 minutes on foot from Southern Pier. We also saw that parking spots on Kosciuszko Square are very popular, but get full quickly.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Gdynia by train
You can also get to Gdynia by train. For example, a trip from Gdansk will take about 25 minutes (€1-4), 10 minutes from Sopot (€1-3), and 2h50min from Warsaw (€12-20). To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rozklad-pkp.pl website.
To Gdynia by bus
You can easily get to Gdynia by bus, both from nearby towns and other big Polish cities. For example, the trip from Poznan will take 5.5 hours (€27-40), 45 minutes from Gdansk (€4-7), and 20 minutes from Sopot (€3-6). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com or Flixbus website.
To Gdynia with guided tours
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. You can for example choose this popular Gdansk Sopot and Gdynia 3 Cities Private Full-Day Tour or this Best of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot in 1-Day Private Car Tour.
For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options visit GetYourGuide and Viator websites.
Things to do in Gdynia, Poland – Summing up
Now you know what Gdynia is all about. It’s an interesting and unique Polish city, quite different from its Tricity siblings, Gdansk and Sopot. No matter if you want to explore maritime history, admire modernist architecture and magnificent ships, or just spend some relaxing time on the beach… Gdynia will satisfy every traveler’s taste. It’s a great spot for day trips from nearby Gdansk or Sopot but also is a great place for a longer stay on the Baltic Sea coast. Enjoy your time!
Our video from Gdynia
Our opinion about Gdynia
For us, a visit to Gdynia was a day trip from Gdansk where we stayed for a few days. We visited in mid-September and back then the number of tourists was still quite high. But it was a really warm day and a lot of locals also decided to hit the beaches.
Gdynia isn’t really to our liking but we think it’s a charming and unique place, in its own weird way. Each of the cities in the Tricity is different but Gdynia is probably the most surprising and the weirdest.
What did we like most? Strolling along Southern Pier and admiring ships. Exploring ORP Błyskawica was such a great experience too! We also really enjoyed our time in Orłowo – after the overcrowded pier in Sopot, walking on this pier was a way better experience. Modernist architecture isn’t something we enjoy so we skipped this part of sightseeing .
If we can give you some advice, try to avoid visiting Gdynia (or basically anywhere on the Polish seaside) during the summer months. July and August are for sure the worst as it’s the time when kids have summer school holidays and thousands of families head to the Baltic Sea for vacations. June and September will be busy too, but not that much.
Book now: Highlights of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot 1-day Private Tour
Restaurants, accommodations, and map.
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Where to eat in Gdynia?
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Where to sleep in Gdynia?
Błękitny Żagiel
Błękitny Żagiel is a modern accommodation in Gdynia, offering stylish rooms and apartments with panoramic views of the sea and city. Located just steps away from the beach and the Marina Gdynia, it provides easy access to local attractions such as the Gdynia Aquarium and Kosciuszki Square. With its sleek design, on-site restaurant, and convenient location, it’s an ideal choice for a relaxing coastal getaway.
Apartamenty Efekt 72
Apartamenty Efekt 72 in Gdynia offers modern, well-equipped apartments designed for comfort and convenience. Located close to the city center, the property provides easy access to the beach, shopping areas, and key attractions like Gdynia Marina and Skwer Kościuszki. With stylish interiors, free Wi-Fi, and parking options, it’s an excellent choice for all kind of travelers.
Hola Gdynia
Hola Gdynia is a cozy and stylish accommodation located in the heart of Gdynia, offering a welcoming atmosphere for travelers. The property features modern rooms with bright, contemporary decor and amenities like free Wi-Fi and a shared lounge area. Its central location makes it convenient for exploring nearby attractions, including the beach, Gdynia Marina, and cultural landmarks.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
