The Polish Baltic Sea – Travel Tips for Swinoujscie

Swinoujscie is one of the best-known towns and spa resorts on the Polish Baltic Sea.
With about 40,000 residents, it’s the largest city on the island of Usedom. In Swinoujscie (pl. Świnoujście), you can wonderfully combine a relaxing beach holiday with a city trip.
In this guide, we’ve summarized everything there is to see, experience, and do in the town and surrounding area.
One thing’s for sure: Swinoujscie has much more to offer than you might first expect.

1. SWINOUJSCIE - THE CITY DIVIDED BY THE RIVER

The Świna River, after which the city is named, divides Swinoujscie into two parts.
On one side, you’ll find lively beaches, numerous restaurants and bars, an extensive beach promenade, plenty of accommodations, shops, supermarkets, and the bustling city center.
On the other side of the Świna, things are much quieter. There are few restaurants, supermarkets, or hotels, and this part of town is mainly inhabited by locals who enjoy the peace outside the city center. Most residents, however, work on the busier side of the city and must cross the Świna daily on one of the many ferries.

Swinoujscie has two ferry ports. One, located near the center, is mainly for residents; only they are allowed to take the ferry by car. Tourists can use these ferries on foot or by bike.
‍The other port, Korsibór, located about 7 kilometers outside the center, is open to tourists and freight traffic. Ferry use at both ports, whether for pedestrians or cars, is free of charge. Ferries operate regularly from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Outside the high season, you generally won’t have to wait more than 20 minutes for the next ferry.

2. EXPERIENCING & DISCOVERING SWINOUJSCIE

This town is one of Poland’s most well-known spa resorts, offering a first-class combination of the beautiful Baltic Sea beach on one side and an expansive nature reserve on the other.
Here, you can enjoy a pleasant climate along with a variety of therapeutic spa treatments.

There are plenty of leisure options, so visitors don’t just have to relax on the beach. Increasingly, visitors are using the well-developed bike and hiking trails or participating in various sports. The well-developed, flat bike paths make it unnecessary to travel by car; you can easily explore the town by bike or on foot.

In addition, Swinoujscie has a well-organized bus network. For a city tour, there’s a small tourist train.
You can also choose to ride one of the vintage buses that comfortably take you around town—this option is the priciest but offers a unique experience.

Our hotel tip: We spent seven very pleasant nights at the Hotel Cesarskie Ogrody.
The location was ideal for us: only about a 5-minute walk to the German-Polish border, a 10-minute walk to the beach, and about 15 minutes to the city center.

3. THE CITY IN TRANSITION - MODERNITY MEETS PANEL BUILDINGS

Shortly after crossing the German-Polish border, you’ll encounter a town that at first glance seems to consist almost exclusively of panel buildings.
You might wonder, “What does this have to do with a beautiful spa town?” But don’t be misled by this first impression!
Although there are many inhabited panel buildings and very old houses, Swinoujscie, like many Polish towns, is undergoing transformation.
Everywhere you look, construction and renovation are in full swing.

The promenade is already Swinoujscie’s new showcase, lined with the town’s finest hotels as well as stylish bars and restaurants.
In 10 to 15 years, the entire promenade will likely be unrecognizable. A similar, albeit slower, transformation is happening in the city center.
However, if you’re looking for glamour and grand bath architecture, you’re in the wrong place here and should instead visit the German side in Ahlbeck.

With the ongoing modernization of the city, prices for dining out and groceries are also rising, now comparable to those in Germany.

4. BEACH HOLIDAY ON THE POLISH BALTIC SEA

With a length of twelve kilometers, Swinoujscie offers not only a particularly long but also a broad, fine white sandy beach.
In summer, you’ll find ideal conditions for a beach holiday, with average temperatures of 25°C and water temperatures around 19°C.
At the beach, you can rent beach chairs for about $15 per day, as well as an umbrella, lounge chair, and windbreak for around $7 per item per day.
However, if you want to save on vacation costs, it’s advisable to bring your own windbreak, umbrella, lounge chair, and beach towel.
We were lucky enough that our great accommodation provided all these items to us for free.

The most beautiful sunset in the town is undoubtedly enjoyed at the beach.
Here, you can stroll toward the setting sun, savor the fresh Baltic breeze, and refresh your feet in the pleasantly warm water.

5. BIKING TOURS IN & AROUND SWINOUJSCIE

As mentioned under "Experiencing and Discovering the City", Swinoujscie is ideal for a bike tour, thanks to its well-developed and flat bike paths.
Suitable bikes for your tour can be rented from Balticbike.pl. The bike rental has a large selection, so there’s no need to be there right when they open.

Our tour took us through the town, past the marina to the Windmill Mühlenbake. The last stretch to the windmill must be covered on foot.
Then we continued along the promenade, over the German-Polish border, and onward to Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Basin.
There, we took a long, leisurely break before returning the entire way.

The route is beautiful, as with the exception of the path to the marina and windmill, you’ll always be riding along the coast, passing forest edges, various promenades, beach access points, and the splendid villas in Ahlbeck and surrounding areas.

6. SHOPPING IN THE CITY

• Polish Market: About 300 meters past the German-Polish border in the border area is the Polish Market. Here, you’ll find affordable cigarettes, regional fruits and vegetables, inexpensive hairdressers, low-cost clothing, numerous knock-offs, and Polish foods. Don’t let the occasionally pushy vendors intimidate you.
  You can pay in euros here, though keep in mind that prices are often a bit higher than in Polish złoty. The market is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Corso Shopping Center: Unlike the Polish Market, the Corso Shopping Center is located in the city center of Swinoujscie and offers a wide selection of Western brands such as Deichmann, H&M, and many more. Here, you’ll find clothing, drugstore items, jewelry, decor, a supermarket, dining options, and a 3D cinema.
  More information can be found on the Corso Shopping Center’s website.

7. SWINOUJSCIE'S SURROUNDINGS

TRIP TO USEDOM

Endless walks and carefree summer days—the fine sandy beaches on the sun island of Usedom offer exactly that. If you think Usedom is all about sun, beach, and sea, you’ll be surprised by how much more the island and its charming hinterland have to offer. There are plenty of activities and experiences to discover, even on rainy days.
For more information about Usedom, feel free to check out our post, "The Sun Island Usedom".

TOUR OF WOLIN NATIONAL PARK & MIĘDZYZDROJE (MISDROY)

At the beginning of our stay in Swinoujscie, we were unfortunately greeted by two days of continuous rain.
So, we decided on a short trip by car to Wolin National Park and the neighboring town of Misdroy. To get there, you’ll need to cross the Świna by ferry at the Karsibór port.

Once on the other side, it’s about a 20-minute drive to the bison reserve and the Kawcza Góra observation platform.
Since these sights were at the farthest points of our route, we visited them first. Both locations are accessible only on foot.
We parked at the small lot in Kwasowo and walked about 1.6 kilometers along a forest path to reach the bison reserve.

Entry to the bison reserve costs about $1.50 for adults. In addition to bison, you can see wild boar, deer, and unfortunately, a sea eagle kept in a confined space.

We returned to the car along the same path to quickly extend our parking time by another two hours.
From there, we continued, often following poorly marked trails, to the Kawcza Góra observation platform.
The hike takes about 20 minutes, initially running alongside the main road—a detail that isn’t immediately obvious.

At the observation platform, you’ll be treated to—naturally—a stunning view of the Baltic Sea.
However, due to rain, it was quite windy atop the stairs, which were closed because of the weather, so unfortunately, we can’t comment on the descent or views of the coast.

Misdroy (Polish: Międzyzdroje) is a charming town with about 5,500 residents on the island of Wolin, surrounded by the Baltic Sea and Wolin National Park.
In the town, you’ll find various restaurants, bars, hotels, a lovely promenade, and a lively pier.

On sunny days, you can enjoy the expansive, white sandy beach and relax.
On rainy days, as was the case during our visit, you can stroll along the promenade, enjoy delicious waffles or pastries at the pier, and visit the Oceanarium.

8. DINING IN SWINOUJSCIE

Polish cuisine is hearty but absolutely delicious. Right at the top of the culinary specialties are, of course, Polish pierogi.
If it’s your first time in Poland, you shouldn’t miss these savory dumplings.
Pierogi are stuffed dumplings, typically filled with savory ingredients like sauerkraut and mushrooms, cheese, or meat, but there are also sweet versions, such as with strawberries.

You’ll find pierogi on nearly every menu, but there are also other traditional dishes such as bigos (a sauerkraut stew with various meats and sausages), żurek (a sour rye soup with sausage, eggs, and vegetables), barszcz (beetroot soup), kotlet schabowy (pork chop, similar to a German schnitzel), gołąbki (cabbage rolls in tomato sauce), and rolada śląska z kluskami (Silesian roulades with red cabbage and Silesian dumplings), which are staples of Polish cuisine.

Since we often visit Poland, we focused on fish dishes during our time in Swinoujscie. We highly recommend the Kurna Chata Restaurant and the Centrala Rybna fish sandwich stand.

As for dessert, be sure to try the traditional pączki (a type of filled doughnut) and Polish sernik (cheesecake).

Poles enjoy sernik in different variations, such as "plain" cheesecake, with poppy seeds, or with a chocolate glaze. The tastiest cake we had was at Milli Vanilli in the town center.

When it comes to drinks, you’ve likely guessed that in addition to beer (piwo), vodka is very popular among Poles.
The type of vodka you prefer depends on your taste, but generally, in the mid-price range, Żubrówka or Wyborowa are recommended for good quality.

9. BEST TIME TO VISIT SWINOUJSCIE

Between the end of June and early September, Swinoujscie is quite busy, as it’s peak season.
With average air temperatures of 25°C and water temperatures of 19°C, the town attracts not only Polish beachgoers but also many German visitors.

The transitional seasons also have their own charm, so the best time to visit the Baltic coast ultimately depends on personal preference.
We can certainly enjoy a beach stroll in cooler weather bundled up in a warm jacket, hat, and scarf.

During our visit in late June, we experienced two rainy days, but otherwise enjoyed average temperatures of 24°C and a pleasant water temperature of 18°C.
Still, it’s advisable to pack rain gear along with your swimwear, as the Baltic weather is known for its unpredictability. A day that starts rainy can quickly turn sunny.
A windbreaker can also be useful, especially during transitional seasons, as the Baltic breeze often comes as a strong gust.

10. HOW TO GET TO SWINOUJSCIE

Several options are available for getting to Swinoujscie:

• By Car: Note that during high season, traffic on the island of Usedom, especially around the bridges, can be congested. Usedom is accessible via the Baltic Sea A20 motorway.
  Depending on your direction of travel, take one of the two bridges connecting Usedom to the mainland. If you’re coming from Hamburg, you should take the Peene Bridge near Wolgast.
  If traveling from Berlin, use the drawbridge at Zecherin. From there, it’s about a 35-minute drive to Ahlbeck, from where you’ll cross the German-Polish border directly into Swinoujscie.
• By Train: Swinoujscie is easily accessible by train from both Germany and Poland. From Germany, trains connect to Züssow, where you can transfer to the Usedomer Bäderbahn (UBB) for the final leg of the journey to Świnoujście. From Poland, regional trains and connections from major cities like Szczecin provide convenient access to this coastal destination.
• By Plane: You can fly to Heringsdorf Airport in Usedom, a small regional German airport near Świnoujście, with seasonal flights from select European cities, including connections from Switzerland and Austria. Flights typically operate from April to October. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a pre-booked shuttle service to Swinoujscie, which is only a short drive away.

11. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

We spent seven pleasant nights at Hotel Cesarskie Ogrody.
The hotel, which was once a hospital during Soviet times, has been extensively converted into a wonderful hotel amidst a picturesque green area.
The location was ideal for us: just a 5-minute walk from the German-Polish border, a 10-minute walk to the beach, and about 15 minutes to the city center.

Swinoujscie offers a wide range of hotels, apartments, and holiday homes that offer great value for money.
On popular booking platforms like booking.com, you’ll surely find something that suits your needs.

12. THE RESORT TAX

Since Swinoujscie is a spa town, a resort tax is charged. This is 4.40 PLN per day per person (ages 12+), which is about $1. Children under 12 are exempt.
The resort tax is payable upon arrival at your accommodation.
There is currently no resort tax for day visitors (as of 2024). For more information, visit swinoujscie.pl.

13. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Swinoujscie is located in Poland, so Polish is the official language. However, given its proximity to Germany, many people here, both young and old, also speak German.

14. CURRENCY & PRICES

The currency in Poland is the Złoty (PLN).

You can pay with a debit or credit card almost everywhere. If you’re only visiting for a weekend and your bank doesn’t charge fees for foreign payments, it might be worthwhile not to exchange cash. That way, you won’t end up with a lot of leftover cash at the end of your trip.

If you’re staying longer in Poland or prefer paying in cash, you can exchange money at one of the many currency exchange offices.
Make sure to check the exchange rate before deciding where to exchange money, as rates can vary significantly from one exchange office to another.

Prices in Poland are generally lower, particularly for food, accommodations, cigarettes, and fuel. However, items such as drugstore products, sweets from premium brands like Milka or Lindt, and laundry detergent are often more expensive, sometimes even pricier than in other Western countries.
In our experience, electronics in Poland aren’t significantly cheaper, so you shouldn’t expect major discounts on larger electronic items.

15. THINGS TO DO IN SWINOUJSCIE WHEN IT RAINS

• Even in bad weather, you can have a great time in Swinoujscie! The Baltic Park Molo Aquapark offers fun for the whole family.
• Visit the former West Battery Bunker!
• Go shopping at the Corso Shopping Center!
• Explore the various attractions in Usedom, like the Butterfly Farm in Trassenheide, the Tropical Zoo in Basin, or the Crazy Iron House in Zinnowitz.
• Check out the Usedom Sand Sculpture Exhibition!

Are you interested in visiting another Polish city before or after your stay in Swinoujscie? Then be sure to consider a side trip to charming, green Szczecin.
The two cities are only an hour and a half drive apart. Find out what awaits you in Szczecin and why it’s worth a visit in our post "Szczecin – A City Trip Off the Beaten Path".
Take a look and get inspired!

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍

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