One-day itinerary · Świnoujście
A town spread across three islands, with a port, a lighthouse and forts closer together than you'd think. A full plan — hour by hour — with a map of every stop.
Since the mid-19th century, Świnoujście has grown along two parallel lines — as a Prussian fortress and as a seaside resort. Fortifications (Fort West, Fort Anioła, Fort Gerhard) were built from the 1840s onward to protect the coast from Sweden and Denmark, while the town simultaneously gained a reputation as a spa resort with promenades and Wilhelmine-style villas. During the Second World War, the port became one of the German U-boat bases on the Baltic — it was from here, on 1 September 1939, that the battleship "Schleswig-Holstein" sailed out to attack Westerplatte. After 1945, the town became part of Poland and has retained two identities ever since: a port-and-military one, and a resort one.
Photographer and personal development trainer, an enthusiast of Świnoujście and passionate about exploring the region — content on this site comes from real trips on the ground.
You start the day in the heart of town — a compact square lined with restored 19th- and early-20th-century townhouses, with a fountain and spots to sit down. This is where the town's main walking and cycling routes cross. From here it's a few minutes' walk to the Historic Promenade, which runs along a row of former spa villas — a good moment for a coffee before you set off.
Świnoujście's city beach is among the wider, better-kept stretches on the Polish coast — its gentle slope into the water makes it comfortable for families with small children too. Walking along the pier toward open water, you'll pass Stawa Młyny, a 19th-century navigation marker shaped like a windmill and one of the town's recognisable symbols. From this stretch you can also see ships heading into the port.
Built from red brick in the 19th century, the lighthouse is one of the tallest in the world and the tallest in Europe. Climbing to the top means several hundred steep, spiral steps, so give it more time than you'd expect, especially in high season. The reward is a view you can't get anywhere else in town: the port, the mouth of the Świna, Uznam island, and the rooftops of Świnoujście, all at once.
Świnoujście is a town of four Prussian-built forts — three can be visited today, and with only one day, it's worth picking just one.
Fort Gerhard sits on the opposite bank of the Świna, so it can only be reached by ferry. It's the oldest and best-preserved part of the Świnoujście fortress system — the visit takes the form of an interactive Prussian-cadet training session, including the chance to try on a soldier's uniform.
Fort Anioła is closer to the centre, so no ferry crossing is needed, and it focuses more on 20th-century and Second World War history.
After visiting the fort, the area around the promenade and the port is the natural place for a longer break, home to most of the town's restaurants. Menus here lean heavily on fresh fish and seafood.
Housed in the former town hall, the museum is a good afternoon option, especially if the weather turns. The exhibition focuses on the history of sea fishing and maritime trade on the Baltic.
The day is best closed out on the New Promenade — newer and more built-up than its historic counterpart from earlier in the day. Densely packed restaurants, ice cream, waffles, souvenir stalls and live music. It's also the best spot in town to watch the sun set over the Baltic.
Pin numbers match the order of the itinerary above. The map loads once you scroll near it.