Polski 
Exploring Gdynia 👀
Gdynia is a green and peaceful city, much calmer than its neighboring Gdańsk, making it an ideal destination for families with children. Its proximity to the beach, numerous parks and playgrounds, as well as family-friendly museums and educational centers, are just a few of Gdynia’s many attractions. The city is also known as the ‘Polish Cannes’ due to its annual Polish Film Festival (FPFF), one of the most prestigious and oldest film events in Europe, celebrating Polish cinema.
Southern Pier and Kościuszko Square ☀️
One of the most iconic sights of Gdynia is its park and recreational area, connecting Kościuszko Square with the Southern Pier. Built in 1934, this scenic axis ends with the “Mast Game” installation and a monument to Józef Conrad Korzeniowski, the renowned English writer and publicist of Polish descent, better known as Joseph Conrad.
On the left side of the waterfront, you’ll find two museum ships. The first is Dar Pomorza, a majestic three-masted sailing ship purchased in 1929 by the people of Pomerania for the Maritime School in Gdynia. It sailed until 1982, and its striking silhouette has become a permanent feature of the city’s landscape. Visitors can board the ship and explore its interior, offering a unique glimpse into the living and working conditions of Polish sailors. The second vessel, ORP Błyskawica, is a Polish destroyer that played a key role in World War II. It was one of the fastest and most advanced ships in the Polish Navy of its time.
At the end of the pier, you’ll find the Passenger Ship Avenue, honoring the largest and most distinguished ships that have docked in Gdynia. On the right side are the marina, the Maritime Academy buildings, and the Gdynia Aquarium.
81-345 Gdynia, Poland
81-345 Gdynia, Poland
81-345 Gdynia, Poland
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City Beach ⛱
Just a short walk from Kościuszko Square, either through the park or along the waterfront, you'll reach Gdynia’s most popular city beach, which is also connected to a large playground for children. Gdynia has four municipal, lifeguarded beaches – in addition to the central city beach, there are beaches in Redłowo, Orłowo, and Babie Doły.
Museum of the Polish Navy ⚓
81-374 Gdynia, Poland
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From the city beach, you can directly reach the Museum of the Polish Navy, which documents the history of Poland's naval forces. Spread over more than 3,000 square meters and four floors, the museum features exhibits dedicated to Polish sailors, showcasing old sailing ships, medals, models, chronicles, and many other fascinating artifacts. A part of the collection is the destroyer ORP Błyskawica, permanently docked at the Southern Pier. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts interesting temporary exhibitions. Visitors can explore the entire museum using an audio guide, which can be installed on their own phone.
Emigration Museum 🧳
A fascinating place to visit is the Emigration Museum, located in the historic Maritime Station in the port of Gdynia. The building, constructed during the interwar period, was once an authentic hub for pre-war passenger traffic and now plays a key role in the museum’s story, which is told through its touching permanent exhibition. The museum traces 200 years of emigration from Polish lands, telling the stories of people who set off on one-way journeys, often with their families and meager belongings. We learn about the lives of both the poorest and the most notable individuals who formed Polish communities far from their homeland, striving to preserve the culture and traditions of their ancestors.
The exhibition also highlights the stories of those who returned, as well as the changes that occurred in the not-so-distant past. Its interactivity, rich collection of artifacts, and captivating interiors allow visitors to feel like participants in that world. The exhibition is engaging for both adults and children, and is enriched by an audio guide, also available as a smartphone app. Be sure to visit the museum in the heart of Gdynia’s port at 1 Polska Street.
Funicular 🚠
81-001 Gdynia, Poland
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In Gdynia, you'll also find an authentic funicular railway located right next to the Maria and Lech Kaczyński Park. The ride is free and lasts about 2 minutes, covering a distance of 96 meters while ascending 40 meters to the top of Kamienna Góra. It's worth the ride, as from the top you'll enjoy a stunning view of the city's panorama, as well as the port, beach, and the Bay of Gdańsk. At the summit, there is a large cross visible from afar.
Gdynia City Museum
This five-story building houses exhibitions dedicated to promoting the traditions important to the region. The permanent exhibition focuses on the city’s deep connection with the sea. The museum's collection currently holds over 60,000 artifacts and more than 11,000 volumes.
🌳Orłowski Cliff, Orłowo Pier, and Żeromski's Cottage
81-374 Gdynia, Poland
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A little further from the city center, it's worth visiting the beach and pier in Orłowo, a southern district of Gdynia. At Orłowska Street 12, you’ll find the entrance to the picturesque wooden pier, from which you can enjoy a clear view of the Orłowski Cliff. The current pier is a fragment of the original structure built in 1934, which was severely damaged by a storm in 1949. Today, it spans just 180 meters, but it remains a favorite spot for locals to take a walk.
Standing nearly 60 meters high (197 feet), the Orłowski Cliff—also known as the Eagle's Head—is one of the most scenic spots on the Polish coast. Formed from glacial clay, the cliff is shaped by ongoing erosion processes. Whether you admire its steep face from below or walk along the path atop its edge, the views are breathtaking. Unfortunately, the area suffered significant damage due to military activity after World War II, when the 11th Coastal Artillery Battery was established on the cliff in Redłowo. The battery, which operated until 1974, included four Soviet 130mm naval guns and firing positions. One of the bunkers slid down to the beach in the 1980s.
Orłowski Cliff is the perfect spot for nature lovers, hikers, and those seeking peace and beautiful views. Its beauty has inspired many artists, including the renowned Polish writer Stefan Żeromski. An exhibition dedicated to him is housed in the Żeromski Cottage, where the author lived with his family in 1920, observing the construction of Gdynia. The restored interior now hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and artist meetings.
