Świnoujście - 16 attractions that every tourist should see | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Swinoujscie spreads across several dozen islands, with Uznam, Wolin and Karsibor being the three main inhabited ones
• The lighthouse at 65 metres is the tallest lighthouse on the Polish Baltic coast and is open to visitors
• Direct train connections link Swinoujscie with Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Katowice, Wroclaw and Szczecin
• Fort Anjola on Uznam and Fort Gerhard on Wolin are key heritage sites within the Swinoujscie Fortress
• The spa tradition in Swinoujscie dates back to the early 19th century, with mud and brine therapy still available
• The Blue Flag beach and Spa Park make Swinoujscie one of Poland's leading Baltic coastal resorts

Spa roots

As early as the beginning of the 19th century, Swinoujscie was hailed as a health resort and a Spa House was established offering numerous treatments and health baths. The discovery of deposits of mud and brine, the qualification of specialists and the increase in the standard of centres and services for patients had an impact on the development and appreciation of the town as a health resort not only in Poland but also abroad. The spa town continues its tradition and attracts lovers of the coastal climate, clean air, active recreation on the promenades and walks along the sea shore.

Getting to Swinoujscie

Despite its considerable distance from most Polish towns and cities, the town is extremely well connected with them. The island of Wolin welcomes tourists from the most distant destinations, and its railway station, thanks to an extensive network of train journeys, encourages them to use this mode of transport. During the high season, the number of connections and towns connected to the Świnoujście holiday resort increases. In low season, a direct connection will take you to Świnoujście from Warsaw, via e.g. Poznań, Kostrzyn, Szczecin. A train from Przemyśl Główny will take tourists to Świnoujście at many stations, e.g. in Tarnów, Kraków, Opole or Wrocław. There will also be a route that connects Katowice, Gliwice, Lubin, Zielona Góra with Świnoujście, and another that connects Rzeszów, Leżajsk, Lublin or Otwock. It can therefore be considered that a solid part of the country enjoys direct train access to the cities of the 44 islands. It is also worth considering interchange options that will connect even more locations with Swinoujscie.

When going to Swinoujscie, it is worth bearing in mind the more complicated structure of the island city. Until recently, the main link and opportunity to explore the islands was the ferry. Of course, it still performs its invaluable function, but a great convenience for residents and tourists is the road tunnel under the bed of the Świna River, opened in mid-2023, which connects the left-bank part of the city - the island of Uznam, the island of Wolin and the rest of the country. Thanks to the tunnel, the daunting queues for the ferry crossing, which stretched especially during the holiday season, could be eliminated. In addition, the tunnel contributes to the safety of the town, which used to be partially cut off from the rest of the country during bad weather.

Uznam, Wolin, Karsibór

The island of Usedom divides its territory into Poland and Germany, and is the left-hand side of Swinoujscie, and at the same time a town centre with popular resorts, spas and a wide beach. The German part of the island is also home to tourist and spa resorts, as well as the Usedom Island Landscape Park, which in its great variety of species supports the aim of protecting nature and making skilful use of its benefits.

Wolin Island is the largest island in Poland lying entirely within the state. Apart from the eastern district of Świnoujście - Warszów - the island also includes well-known bathing beaches such as Międzyzdroje, Międzywodzie and Wisełka. While the island of Usedom fulfils mainly administrative and recreational functions, the island of Wolin fulfils itself in industry, in maritime businesses and in the operation of the town's transport system. Here you will find the railway and bus stations as well as the ferry terminal.

The third main island, Karsibór, is called the Green Island due to the predominance of natural areas with well-developed agrotourism and conditions encouraging water sports enthusiasts. Karsiborska Kępa is a mine for discovering interesting plant and bird species - around 140 species of birds can be seen in the Karsiborska Kępa bird sanctuary. "Karś" in West Pomeranian dialects means "left", so the name can be translated as "forest on the left". Karsibór is connected to Wolin by the Piast Bridge, the only bridge over the Old Swina River.

What to see in Swinoujscie, what to experience? Above all, there is a wide range of options; you can divide your time between relaxation and regeneration in spas or on the beach, between physical activity in the well-developed sports infrastructure, or take a look at the history of the town and visit historic cultural monuments in the West Pomeranian region. Swinoujscie, diverse in terrain, also has sophisticated attractions!

Attractions in Świnoujście for the active

As we already know, Świnoujście is famous for its spa centres. A natural spa resort will certainly have activities in nature that engage all holidaymakers in the sporting potential of the coastal area.

Cycling

The town's website offers a wealth of information and suggestions on how to spend your time actively in the corners of the Świnoujście area. What to see is first and foremost the excellent cycling routes that extend throughout Swinoujscie, linking beaches, forests, harbours, the inner city, giving the opportunity to relax and to reach the most important sightseeing points. Designated routes include traversing the Swidny Las on the island of Usedom, circumnavigating the island of Karsibór or the Szczecin Lagoon. The cross-border promenade takes you to the German-Polish border in Garz and Ahlbeck. Further afield, we can enjoy the natural amenities of the German part of the island of Usedom. Thanks to its spa-like climate, this activity takes care of our entire body.

Water sports

Sports activities in Świnoujście also include water sports. Several beaches on Wolin or Usedom offer excellent conditions to try windsurfing, kitesurfing or skimboarding. The wide beach and shallow reservoir provide opportunities for debutants in these sports, who will be supported by qualified instructors.

Sailing

Sailors are not at a loss here. The Swinoujscie area offers an ideal base for sea and inland sailing. Depending on their skills and experience, sailors can choose between sailing destinations on the Baltic Sea, visiting German and Polish harbours and marinas around the Szczecin Lagoon or taking a course on the Old Swina Spit. What to see in Świnoujście is the largest marina on the Polish coast. It is located in a sheltered part of Usedom Island, in the vicinity of the town's other sights. Since June, it has hosted regattas - another attraction. Swinoujscie has so much to offer!

Hiking

The varied landscape, the numerous cliffs and the well-defined paths and promenades also attract fans of walking with poles, jogging or simply taking a stroll. Numerous promenades have also been created on Usedom, providing space for leisurely strolls for visitors and non-tourists alike. What is worth visiting in Swinoujscie while walking is definitely the Spa Park. Its history dates back to the 19th century and the city's development into a spa. The park was composed by the esteemed green architect Peter Joseph Lenné according to the fashion of the time in complex arrangements of alleys, squares. A variety of trees and shrubs were planted, and the space was decorated with sculptures and monuments. The Spa Park continues to be popular, with a seaside promenade and numerous hiking trails running through it. There is a recreational and educational trail for large and small to introduce its history and significance. The Spa Park is a place where those who are athletically active can use an outdoor gym, a football pitch, basketball, volleyball or badminton court.

On the island of Wolin, on the other hand, the Wolin National Park is a recommended hiking route. Nature always allows you to relax, and a walk on such rich soil provides a solid dose of health. Fishing The above-mentioned fishing in the peaceful aura of the Karstiborskie green areas is another activity that guarantees tranquillity, sharpening the senses to nature and blending in with the landscape.

Kayaking

Karsibór and the backwaters of the Old Swina River create excellent conditions for a canoeing experience. There are two routes, one 30 km long tells the story of the islets of the Świna delta, the other 60 km long takes you around the island of Wolin. For those who like adrenaline, a 40-kilometre extension of the route is optional and you can paddle the Baltic Sea from Dziwnów to Świnoujście.

Time to relax

Being at the seaside and not going to the beach? And a beach like this! Another advantage of Świnoujście is its wide beaches. There are about 10 kilometres of beaches here, which are considered to be the widest in Poland - up to 200 metres wide. Sunbathing on a sandy, clean beach with a "Blue Flag" certificate and a gently rising sea is a dream come true when choosing Świnoujście. Interesting places already appear at the shoreline, one of them being Stawa Młyny. A pond is a navigation marker on land or sea located without an anchor. The Świnoujście Stawa stands on the beach at the end of the West Breakwater and is shaped like a windmill, a windmill. It is a very popular tourist spot, ideal for photographing especially at sunset. Stawa Młyny is also a feature in the logo of the city of Świnoujście. The tourist attractions are therefore within sight already from the beach.

Baltic Park Molo Aquapark

Baltic Park Molo Aquapark is for groups who want to experience both relaxation and activity in one place. Not just when the weather is bad, but whenever there is a craving for adventure and water fun. When you get bored of the wide beach, there is an aquapark nearby that every generation will love. Children will love trying out the slides, children' s pools with a variety of toys and the pirate island (Spray Park). For the slightly older ones, it will be real fun to try surfing on the Surf Wave or the Rushing River to conquer. Adults, on the other hand, will find an oasis of calm in the sauna area - with dry, steam, infrared and aroma saunas, in the jacuzzi or the leisure pool with massagers, massage loungers and air geyser. The price list offers a choice of hourly, three-hour or full-day passes, and it is also worth taking a look at group or family packages so that attractions can be shared with loved ones at a lower price.

Foreign trips at your fingertips

If you are satisfied with the attractions of Świnoujście, you can also take a boat trip to nearby Baltic islands - the Danish Bornholm or the German Rügen. On the former, you can discover picturesque areas of traditional Danish villages that are famous for their fishing and agriculture. Rügen, just 100 km from the city of Swinoujscie, has attractions associated with the remains of ancient Slavic tribes. There, the history of turbulent political and cultural changes can be explored.

The close proximity to Sweden and Denmark invites travellers to take advantage of offers from travel agencies and go on foreign boat trips.

The German part of the island of Usedom in itself will be a fascinating excursion and an immersion into foreign, once different and sometimes very similar, landscape and history. The natural wealth is manifested in further spa complexes, whole towns dedicated to relaxation and rest in a benevolent climate, as well as in the aforementioned Usedom Island Landscape Park, which will provide a green breath. There you can continue your encounters with resort architecture, admire spa villas or thatched country cottages with plaster and fieldstone facades.

The German part of the island can be reached by boat from Swinoujscie, by the Usedom Spa Railway, by car or via the cross-border promenade, on foot or by bike.

Of course, we need to look at a few standout places to plan what to visit in Swinoujscie. Nature undoubtedly adds to the range of possibilities for spending time in the resort, but no less interesting is the history and associated architecture of the town of Swinoujscie. Sightseeing on the island of Usedom can begin by heading for Fisherman's Square under the building of the former town hall, which was built in the early 19th century and ceased to serve an administrative function in the 1970s. Today it houses the Sea Fishery Museum, where the history of fishing, the town and the region is presented. You can look at examples of sea fauna or the tools used on voyages. The Sea Fisheries Museum welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday.

Sacral monuments

Walking towards the sea through Świnoujście, the monuments we next encounter are the churches of Christ the King and St. Mary Star of the Sea " Stella Maris". Najświętszej Marii Gwiazdy Morza "Stella Maris". The former was built in the 18th century on the site of a Gothic church that no longer accommodated worshippers in the expanding city. In 2022, it was established as the Shrine of Christ the King. It is impossible not to notice the model of a ship - a corvette - hanging from the ceiling. It may be a startling sight to visitors, but in Pomeranian churches it is a frequent reminder of the coastal character of the area. In the 19th century neo-Gothic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, there are further nautical symbols, such as the mosaic with the Virgin Mary and Child in a boat on a rough sea or the chapel of seafarers and unique stained glass windows.

Not far away you will find the majestic tower of the Martin Luther Church, which serves as an observation tower. The original church was built in the early 20th century and was destroyed during the Second World War. When the church was demolished, it was decided to leave the tower, the renovation of which only began in the early 21st century. The tower measures about 42 m and is 20 m lower than it was originally, but the panorama of the city from it is definitely stunning.

Fortress Swinoujscie - points of interest

On the island of Usedom we can visit two very well preserved forts of the Prussian Fortress Świnoujście. What is worth seeing is Fort III Angel. From the middle of the 19th century, fortifications were ordered in the Świnoujście area to strengthen the land fortifications and build a sea fortress to defend the harbour and the mouth of the Świna River. Fort Angel, also called St. Angel's Castle because it refers to the architecture of the Roman building of the same name, is a structure of a three-storey rotunda with a terrace and an observation tower, which performed the function of observation and command of the entire city fortifications. Defence ramparts and ditches built on a pentagonal plan surround the structure. Today, the Angel Fort is open to tourists, offering tours of the Viking Hall, the Hall of Navigation, providing a terrace and a place for a bonfire feast. A concert or exhibition can be organised there, and Baltic gold can be mined in the amber mine.

Another fort nearby is Fort Zachodni, part of the western fortress complex of the Świnoujście Fortress. Built similarly to Fort Angel, it was expanded into a heavy fortified coastal battery in the 1870s. After the Second World War, the fort was deteriorating and its revitalisation moved forward in 2001, thanks to the Fort Lovers' Association "Reduta". After three years, the Western Fort was already welcoming tourists, and in 2008 the Fortress History Museum was established there. Here you can take a look at the many remains of the fortification from the First and Second World Wars. A cross-section of relics in the form of military insignia, uniforms or weapons is a fascinating story about the history of the area, and something worth seeing in Swinoujscie!

Leaving the fortifications we are on the Swina River, from here there is an excellent view of the island of Wolin and a slightly different Swinoujscie. The tourist attractions we can already see are the lighthouse and Fort Gerhard. Now it is just a matter of transporting ourselves to the other island and taking a closer look at them.

Concluding the theme of military fortifications, Fort Gerhard, also called Fort East, is one of the best preserved Prussian coastal forts. Now adapted as the Coastal Defence Museum, it is a solid dose of knowledge for enthusiasts of the subject and continues the history of the previous forts. Each fort was individually designed for its function, and the whole of the Swinoujscie Fortress was linked by a specific defence concept. Fort Gerhard is the oldest fortress structure, which commemorates Gerhard Cornelius de Walrawe, who initially designed the fortress. The main purpose of the fort was to defend the entrance to the harbour. Numerous reconstructions and fortifications with the new material concrete confirm the stature of the building. In the second half of the 20th century, like the previous forts, the eastern fort also served as a warehouse and consequently deteriorated. In 2001, the idea of admitting tourists to the fort as Prussian army cadets for training was born out of passion. This proved eminently successful and to this day the place still attracts crowds of visitors. The Coastal Defence Museum abounds in military exhibits and educates about the history of fortifications.

When visiting the island of Wolin and appreciating the trail of fortification monuments, it is worth visiting the Underground City (Vinieta Battery), operating as part of the Coastal Defence Museum. The institution is still developing the spaces and providing new attractions. The history of the Underground City begins in the 1930s, when the Kriegsmarine strengthened the area by building a coastal artillery battery. As we can read in the definition, this type of battery was intended to defend naval bases, commercial ports and strategic coastal sections. Seven reinforced concrete shelters were built, including auxiliary and fighting shelters. In the 1960s, following political changes, the battery was found useful and rebuilt as a Northern Front (Polish) Advanced Command Post. Modernisation included connecting the shelters with underground tunnels or installing a telephone exchange and Radio Receiving Centre. In the following years, numerous changes took place in the structure of the Underground City, which are fully discussed at the site. Since 2014, it has been possible to visit the site with guides, who, with the help of the austere space of the underground, are sure to inspire further excursions along the trail of militaria.

Lighthouse

When looking for inspiration in the key attractions in Świnoujście, the lighthouse is always on the list of what to visit in Świnoujście. Especially since it is the tallest lighthouse on the Polish Baltic Sea coast. It measures 65 metres and the range of its white light is 27 nautical miles. Its history dates back to 1854, when the construction of the new Swinoujscie lighthouse began, and it was lit on December 1, 1857. There are buildings adjoining the tower on either side; one contains the radio beacon equipment - they were used in the lighthouse to send navigation signals, and the other houses the staff quarters.

Perhaps you will enjoy exploring the lighthouses and start an enthusiast's adventure with a BLIZA passport, in which you can collect stamps from the lighthouses visited in Poland. The lighthouse in Świnoujście is definitely a good start!

Architecture fans will definitely find themselves in Swinoujscie admiring Art Nouveau townhouses, spa buildings in the characteristic villa style or post-military architecture. What is worth seeing in Świnoujście is the curiosity of the Upside Down House. In recent years, this tourist attraction has become quite popular and is found in various Polish cities. The Upside Down House is worth testing on your own feet. A visit to the upside-down house is a treat for our vagus. Catching your balance and moving around the tilted ceilings provides thrills not only for the youngest. Sometimes it is worthwhile to be tempted by such madness and attractions!

Swinoujscie is opening up to tourists with a range of attractions, discover your own paths by taking advantage of the city's charms!