Hel - attractions to see and visit | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Hel is a lively summer resort and a peaceful off-season destination on the Baltic coast
• The Marine Station Sealarium is home to grey seals with daily feeding shows for all ages
• The Hel lighthouse is open to visitors and offers panoramic views of the peninsula and the sea
• The Fisheries Museum with its viewing tower provides insight into local maritime history
• The full circular walking route covers approximately 6.46 km and takes a full day
• The railway station was built in the 1920s and is located at the very tip of the Hel Peninsula

Hel is a lively place in the summer and an oasis of calm in the off-season. During the summer , the beaches, harbours and promenade are filled with tourists and holidaymakers enjoying the sun and water. In the off-season, you can stroll along empty beaches, see interesting sites and learn about history in museums without the crowds.

There can be a very long answer to the question of what to do on Hel. A must-see on any trip is the Marine Station's sealarium, where you can see grey seals and learn about their conservation. A walk on the Hel Peninsula provides an unforgettable experience - the picturesque dunes, wild beaches and the view of the place where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Gdańsk are very impressive. History enthusiasts should visit the Fisheries Museum. For those looking for relaxation, the atmospheric Ulica Wiejska (Village Street), full of cafés and regional restaurants, and the beach on the promontory are ideal places.

We start our walk by getting off at📍Helrailway station. The station was built in the 1920s, when Hel's tourist infrastructure was developing. It is interesting to note that in the interwar period, the station was one of the most strategic communication points on the Polish coast. Today, it is a place to be appreciated for its symbolic location "at the end of Poland". On the way to our first major attraction, we catch up a bit to see the Porpoise House in Hel. The building, reminiscent of local architecture, houses a museum dedicated to Baltic porpoises. From here, it's only a few minutes' walk away from the📍 Marine Station Sealarium ⤵️.

🕚 14 min 🚶 1 km

The sealarium is one of those places in Hel that delights both children and adults. The daily seal feeding shows are a real spectacle of nature - the friendly mammals, often called "the guardians of the Baltic", present their behaviour and the keepers talk about their habits, diet and the secrets of life in the Baltic. This is not only an opportunity to laugh, but also to learn how important seals are to the marine ecosystem. Among other things, they regulate the fish population, maintaining the balance in the marine environment. Their condition also reflects the quality of the Baltic Sea's waters and resources. Staying on the maritime theme, finally we are on Hel, we go to the nearby📍Fishing Museum ⤵️

🕚 3 min 🚶 260 m

In the very centre of Hel, in the former Corpus Christi church dating back to the 15th century, there is an extraordinary Fisheries Museum. It is a place where sacred architecture blends with the maritime history of the region, creating a unique atmosphere. The building itself delights with its Gothic form, and the interior conceals a rich exhibition devoted to the traditions of Baltic fishing. Old fishing boats, fishing gear and unique photographs tell the story of everyday life of Kashubian fishermen, whose life for centuries depended on the sea and its whims. While you're here, don't miss a visit to the observation tower, which offers a magnificent panorama of the harbour, Seaside Boulevard and the calm waters of the Bay of Gdańsk. It's the perfect place to travel back in time and feel the spirit of old Hel, where the sea was not only a source of sustenance, but also the whole world. We move along the quay to see📍PortHel - breakwater ⤵️

🕚 10 min 🚶 800 m

The fishing harbour and breakwater is a place that has been the heart of Hel for years. It is here that colourful boats, elegant yachts and cruise ships dock. The harbour has both a fishing and a tourist function. In turn, a walk along the breakwater allows you to admire the panorama of the Bay of Gdańsk - one of the largest bays in the Baltic Sea, with an area of as much as 5,000 km². If the weather is good, from here you can see the spits of Krynica Morska, 15 km away. While you are here, take a look at the nearby fish fryers, where freshly caught cod, flounder or herring are served. Hel used to be one of the main herring fishing spots in Europe, and the history of the place dates back to medieval times. We recommend fried flounder straight from the frying pan or cod baked in the Kashubian fashion. And since we're talking locals, we direct our steps to see 📍KopiecKaszubów⤵️

🕚 10 min 🚶 800 m

The Kashubian Mound, located right at the entrance to the Hel Peninsula, is an important place for the region's residents. It was created in 2013 to commemorate the rich heritage of the Kashubians - a region with a unique culture, language and traditions that have survived the centuries despite numerous historical turbulences. The history of the Kashubians dates back to the Slavic tribes and their national identity has been shaped by centuries of Polish, German and Scandinavian influence. The Kashubian language, which is recognised as a regional language, is protected by law and traces of it can be found, among other things, in bilingual place names. The place where you are standing is often referred to as "the beginning of Poland". This is a reference to its geographical location at the edge of the Hel Spit, the most north-eastern point of the country. This makes the Mound the perfect place for a quick souvenir photo. After taking a selfie, we set off for the nearby📍CypelHel ⤵️.

🕚 4 min 🚶 300 m

Here, the calm waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk meet the Baltic Sea. Surrounded by the dunes and forests of the "Helskie Wydmy" nature reserve, the headland delights with the raw beauty of coastal nature. Typical coastal species can be found along the paths: sea myrtle and sedges, and during bird migration thousands of important ornithological specimens can be seen in the sky. The headland is constantly changing, as sea currents and storms shift the sand, forming new dunes. A treat for history buffs may be the fact that in the past, the headland was an important defensive point in Poland. Today, it hides the remains of World War II fortifications, a reminder of its former strategic importance. Not far away is the perfect place to relax -📍Plażana Cyplu Helskim⤵️

🕚 5 min 🚶 350 m

Wide and sandy, surrounded by picturesque dunes and a pine forest, the beach invites you to relax.The beach has kept its wild face thanks to... the army! For years the area was a military base, which effectively stopped the construction of hotels, guesthouses and other tourist facilities. As a result, the local landscape remained intact. Today, the beach is a popular spot for holidaymakers, nature and photography enthusiasts and Polish surfers - the water is shallow up to 250 metres from the shore and the bottom is covered with fine sand. In good weather, from the beach (from the open sea) you can see the Rozewie lighthouse. Meanwhile, we go to see the nearby 📍Lighthouse**- Hel** ⤵️

🕚 18 min 🚶 1.3 km

The Lighthouse in Hel is one of the city's most recognisable attractions and a must-see on any trip. The current one was built in 1942, replacing an earlier 19th century structure that was blown up to make it difficult for German artillery to aim during the 1939 September campaign. The modern lighthouse is 41.5 metres high, with 180 spiral stairs leading to the top, requiring some effort from visitors. However, the view from the lighthouse rewards every step. From the top, there is a spectacular panorama of the entire Hel Peninsula, the waters of the Bay of Gdańsk and the open Baltic Sea. The lighthouse still performs its original function - its light with a range of about 17 nautical miles helps sailors navigate safely in the dark. Interestingly, warning bonfires have been burning in Hel since the Middle Ages. They were located on the beach, on high dunes and sometimes even on the tower of a church! From under the lighthouse we return to the centre of Hel, passing📍UlicaWiejska ⤵️.

🕚 10 min 🚶 800 m

Wiejska Street is Hel's main promenade, full of cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. Fortunately, traditional half-timbered houses from the late 19th and early 20th century have been preserved. Walking among them, you will feel the atmosphere of a former fishing village, whose rhythm of life was determined by the sea and fishing. It is worth mentioning here that Hel used to be located in a different place than it is today. Over the centuries, the water went further and further inland, making it necessary to build the so-called New Hel. The earliest Hel was located about 1.5 kilometres west of the centre of the present town. It is known to have had a brick church, a town hall, a hospital, two market squares, several inns and a harbour for fishing boats and merchant ships. The last point of our walk is located right next to the station📍 Turnip - the longest sculpture made of a single piece drewna⤵️

🕚 12 min 🚶 850 m

In the Kashubian Sculpture Park next to the railway station, there is a monumental sculpture inspired by Julian Tuwim's poem 'The Turnip'. Thanks to it, Hel entered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest sculpture made from a single piece of wood, measuring 15 metres. The idea was born in the minds of the mayor of Hel and the sculptor from Gdynia, Robert Wyskiel. Then the search began for suitable material. It was found more than 160 kilometres from Hel - a damaged and felled poplar tree turned out to be just perfect! Interestingly, "Turnip" is not the artist's first major success - Robert Wyskiel won, among others, first place in the Speed Ice Carving competition during the Ice Sculpture Festival in Siberia. From the park, we direct our steps to📍Hel railway station.

A trip to Hel is an adventure regardless of the means of transport! Despite its location "at the end of the world", the Hel Peninsula is well connected to the Tricity thanks to railways, buses and a road leading through the picturesque area of the Hel Spit. In summer, there are also ferries that offer unforgettable views of the Bay of Puck. We definitely recommend the train to Hel. The train route runs the entire length of the Hel Peninsula, providing picturesque views of forests and dunes. Remember that if you want to admire the Puck Bay, it's worth choosing a seat by the window on the right!

Book in advance and compare prices on polishtrains.eu - it's the best way to find a deal at a good price. Remember that interest in the route to Hel is high during the holidays. During this time, PKP Intercity launches, among others, direct connections from Warsaw to Hel. The journey takes around 5 hours. Outside the summer season, the number of connections may be limited, but regional trains on the Gdynia Główna - Hel route run regularly several times a day.

Before starting your journey to Hel, make sure you have a valid ticket and check the current timetable. This way you will avoid unwanted surprises. When you book your tickets through our service, you will receive them conveniently by e-mail and SMS, plus we will remind you of your upcoming departure 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Long-distance connections are served by trains providing a comfortable journey thanks to Wi-Fi, electrical sockets and dining cars. Suitably adapted seats are available for those with special needs. If you need information or support in the ticket booking process, our hotline is open daily until 23:00.