The whole peninsula in Poland – beaches, resorts and things to do

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Hel Peninsula is a long, narrow spit of land that juts out into the Baltic Sea north of Gdynia in Poland. Here, miles of sandy beaches, pine forests, seaside resorts, campsites and some of Poland's best conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing await. We have visited the Hel Peninsula many times, both during the summer and during quieter parts of the year – and we are happy to return.

The entire peninsula of Poland – a narrow spit of land in the Baltic Sea

The entire peninsula, which in Polish is called Hellish Mierzeja, extends just over 30 kilometers into the Baltic Sea from the Polish coast. The peninsula is long and narrow, and in some places only a few hundred meters wide. On one side is the open Baltic Sea and on the other the much more sheltered Bay of Puck.

Both roads and railways run along the peninsula, and there are several small towns and holiday resorts. The landscape is characterised by sandy beaches, dunes and pine forests, and especially during the summer the Hel Peninsula is a very popular holiday area.

Things to see and do on Helhalvön

It is primarily the sea and beaches that attract people to the Hel peninsula, but there is more to do here than just sunbathing and swimming. You can discover small coastal towns, cycle along the peninsula, try various water sports or visit the town of Hel at the far end of the peninsula.

The area is also great for those who enjoy nature and bird life. During spring and autumn, large numbers of migratory birds pass through the area, and we have met plenty of birdwatchers here during the off-season.

Discover the resorts on the Hel Peninsula

Along the Hel Peninsula are several small towns with slightly different characters. Chalupy is strongly associated with wind and kite surfing, while Kuznica is a small fishing village on one of the narrowest parts of the peninsula.

Further out lies Jastarnia, which is one of the larger holiday resorts with a harbour, restaurants and plenty of accommodation. Then comes Jurata, which has a slightly more classic seaside resort character, and at the very far end of the peninsula is the city Hel. It is therefore possible to take a trip along the entire peninsula and stop at several different places along the way.

Enjoy the long sandy beaches of Hel Peninsula

One of the biggest reasons to travel to Helhalvön is the long sandy beaches. Particularly impressive are the beaches on the side facing the open Baltic Sea. To reach them, you walk in many places through pine forests and over sand dunes before the wide beach opens up in front of you.

We have been here when the beaches have been full of bathers, but also during the off-season when we have had long stretches almost entirely to ourselves. With the light sand, pine forest and sea, the environment can sometimes feel surprisingly exotic – despite being on the Baltic Sea, not very far from Sweden.

On the peninsula's interior, towards the Bay of Puck, there are also plenty of beaches. Here the water is much more sheltered and shallow in many places.

Try windsurfing and kitesurfing

The sheltered side of the Hel Peninsula is a real center for water sports. The combination of wind and relatively shallow water in the Bay of Puck makes the area popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing in particular.

As you travel along the peninsula you will see surf schools, rentals and colorful sails and kites out on the water. Several of the campsites are located right on the bay and have a clear focus on surfers.

Even if you don't surf yourself, it's entertaining to sit on the beach and watch the activity out on the water.

Cycling on the Hel Peninsula

Cycling is a nice way to discover the Hel Peninsula. A cycle path follows large parts of the peninsula and makes it possible to get between the towns without having to use the car all the time.

Because the peninsula is long but narrow, cycling is also a good option for those who want to combine different environments during the day – a town or harbor, pine forest and the beach facing the open sea can be located relatively close to each other. During high season, cycling has another advantage: traffic on the only major road along the peninsula can be heavy.

Visit the town of Hel at the far end of the peninsula

At the very end of the Hel Peninsula lies the town of Hel. It is a small coastal town with a harbor, restaurants and beaches, but also several attractions that make it worth a visit in its own right.

One of the most famous is Focarium, a centre working with grey seals run by the University of Gdańsk. It also houses a lighthouse and several remains from the peninsula's military history. Hel had a strategic location at the entrance to the Bay of Gdańsk and bunkers, batteries and other defensive structures are still present here.

During parts of the year, passenger boats also run between Hel and Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia, among others, making it possible to visit the peninsula even without a car.

Camping on the Hel Peninsula

The entire peninsula is very popular with campers. There are many campsites, especially along the side facing Puck Bay, and in some stretches they almost replace each other.

Many campsites have direct access to the beach and are particularly suitable for those who are into windsurfing or kitesurfing. During the high summer the area is very popular with Polish holidaymakers, so it may be wise to book in advance if you want a specific campsite or pitch.

For those not traveling with a camper, caravan or tent, there are also plenty of other accommodations. In the towns along the peninsula you will find hotels, guesthouses, apartments and private rooms. The Polish word room means room and is often seen on signs at private accommodations.

Camping Maszoperia – our experience

We have stayed several times at Camping Maszoperia, located on the Puck Bay between Chałupy and Kuźnica. It is a large campsite with places for campers, caravans and tents, among other things, and the best thing is the location right on the water.

We have experienced the campsite at different times of the year. During the summer it is full of holiday life and activity, while during the low season it is considerably quieter.

During our visits, there has been a service house, restaurant and simple shopping at or near the campsite. Since service and opening hours can change between seasons, it is a good idea to check current information before a visit.

The entire peninsula in summer and during the off-season

We have visited Helhalvön many times and experienced the area both in the middle of summer and during much quieter parts of the year. It is almost like two different destinations.

During the height of summer, there is a classic holiday atmosphere. Beaches and campsites are filled with people, restaurants are open and out on the Bay of Puck you can see lots of wind and kite surfers. At the same time, there can be a lot of traffic on the narrow peninsula and popular campsites can be fully booked.

During the off-season, the pace is completely different. The beaches can be almost deserted and it is lovely to walk along the sea or through the pine forest. We have been here in September and met many birdwatchers who have come to experience the bird migration.

The disadvantage of the low season is of course that restaurants, campsites and other businesses may have limited opening hours or be closed. However, for those who are primarily looking for nature, walks and peace, this can be a very nice time to experience the Hel Peninsula.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

The entire peninsula is well located for those who want to discover more of the Polish Baltic Sea coast. Above all, it is close to Trójmiasto – Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia – three cities that are located next to each other but have very different characters. Here you will find suggestions and tips:

• Gdansk
• Gdynia
• Sopot
• Rewa
• Łeba