Things to do in Gdynia, Poland – our 12 best tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is there to see and do in Gdynia in Poland? The modern port city on the Baltic Sea offers sandy beaches, museum ships, maritime history, modernist architecture and nice restaurants. Gdynia, together with Gdańsk and Sopot, forms the popular tri-city area - here we give you our tips on the best sights and experiences in Gdynia.

Gdynia in Poland

Gdynia is, together with Gdańsk and Sopot, part of the Tricity, Trójmiasto, on the Polish Baltic coast. Unlike historic Gdańsk, Gdynia is a relatively young city, which grew rapidly in the 20th century around the large port.

Today, Gdynia is a modern coastal city with beaches, a marina, museums, restaurants and shopping. The city is also known for its modernist architecture, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026.

What to do in Gdynia?

So, what can you do in Gdynia, Poland? This city offers many opportunities, especially in summer. Here are our top tips.

1. strolling in the harbour

The port is an important part of Gdynia's identity and a nice area to explore on foot. Here you will find both the large commercial port and more accessible areas with marinas, promenades and maritime attractions. When we walked here, we saw, among other things, lots of small boats and children out training with optimist dinghies.

The area is also home to several of Gdynia's most famous attractions, including the museum ships Dar Pomorza and ORP Błyskawica, as well as the Gdynia Aquarium. During the summer months, the large Ferris wheel usually rises above the area, giving the port even more of a holiday feel.

2. Check out the museum ships

At Molo Południowe there are two historic ships that today serve as museums. Dar Pomorza is an impressive three-masted sailing ship from the early 20th century, which was used as a training ship for Polish sailors for many years. Today you can go aboard and get an insight into life at sea and see cabins, messes and other parts of the ship.

Right next door is ORP Błyskawica, a Polish destroyer built in the 1930s and used in World War II. The ship is now a museum where you can learn more about both its dramatic history and the Polish Navy. Even if you don't go aboard, both ships are impressive to see from the dock.

3. Sunbathing and swimming at Gdynia City Beach

Right in the center of Gdynia you will find the city's city beach. This is a nice sandy beach, with lovely fine sand, and since you find it in the middle of the city it is of course popular. On a sunny summer day you can expect it to be crowded both on the beach and in the water.

4. Discover Gdynia's modernist architecture

Gdynia differs from many other Polish cities in its relatively young history. As the city grew explosively during the interwar period, many buildings were built in the modernist style, with bright facades, rounded shapes and details inspired by ships and seafaring.

In July 2026, the modernist center of Gdynia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A good way to discover the architecture is to follow parts of the city's modernist walking trail and at the same time look for the characteristic buildings in the center.

5. Visit the Emigration Museum

The Emigration Museum (Muzeum Emigracji) is one of Gdynia's most interesting museums, fittingly housed in the city's historic passenger terminal at the port. It tells the story of the millions of Poles who have left the country over the years to create new lives elsewhere in the world.

The exhibitions are about both the people's personal stories and the historical reasons behind emigration. The building itself is also part of history - from here many Polish emigrants traveled by ship to, among other places, America.

6. Climb Kamienna Góra

Kamienna Góra is a green hill in the center of Gdynia, with a park, walking paths and a viewpoint with a nice view of the city, the port and the Bay of Gdańsk. You can walk up, but you can also take the small free funicular from the area at Plac Grunwaldzki.

At the top there are walking paths, a park environment and viewpoints where you can look out over central Gdynia, the port and the Bay of Gdańsk. An easy little excursion that is also close to the city center.

7. Discover Orłowo and the Orłowo Pier

South of central Gdynia lies Orłowo, one of the city's finest seaside areas. Here you can stroll out onto the small wooden pier, stroll along the beach and sit down at a restaurant or outdoor terrace.

One of the area's hallmarks is the steep coastal cliff Klif Orłowski, which rises above the sea just north of the pier. The combination of beach, forest and views of the Baltic Sea make Orłowo a nice contrast to central Gdynia.

8. Walk in Kępa Redłowska

For more nature experiences, head to Kępa Redłowska, a coastal nature reserve between central Gdynia and Orłowo, featuring wooded hills, walking trails and coastal landscapes overlooking the Bay of Gdańsk.

You can combine the walk with a visit to Orłowo or follow trails through the area and down to the sea. A good tip for those who want to get away from city life for a while without having to go very far from the center.

9. Visit the Gdynia Aquarium

At the far end of the Molo Południowe pier is the Gdynia Aquarium (Akwarium Gdyńskie), where you can learn more about life in the sea and other aquatic environments. Here you will find aquariums with fish and other aquatic animals from different parts of the world.

The aquarium is perhaps especially suitable for families with children – and as an activity on a day when the beach weather is not really cooperating. It is also close to several other attractions in the port area, including the museum ships Dar Pomorza and ORP Błyskawica.

10. Shopping in Gdynia

Gdynia has several great shopping opportunities. One of the largest shopping centers is Centrum Riviera, where you will find a wide range of shops, restaurants and services. Another option is Galeria Klif, located in Orłowo and has a slightly more exclusive selection.

11. Eat fish and Polish food

In Poland it is often nice to go to a restaurant, as the food often tastes good and is affordable. In Gdynia we found a nice restaurant by the beach and had a really good dinner.

For starters we both chose salmon carpaccio. For the main course I (Helena) chose halibut, Peter walleye and our friends prawns. Here on the coast in Poland, restaurants serve a lot of fish. The fish is often served with some kind of potatoes and vegetables or root vegetables. Relatively simple, but almost always delicious!

12. Try different kinds of beer

After the restaurant visit, we went on to a place nearby, where you can buy a small tray with four different small beers for tasting. Two of the beers were not really to our taste, but it was a fun thing. In addition, it was affordable!

Excursions from Gdynia to Gdańsk and Sopot

Gdynia is part of the Tricity region, along with Gdansk and Sopot. It is not far from the other two cities, which are perfect day trips.

Gdansk

Not far from Gdynia is the beautiful old Hanseatic city of Gdansk. This city was founded in the 13th century and had its heyday in the Middle Ages. Although the city was largely destroyed during World War II, it has been restored to its former beauty.

Today, you can hang out in cosy restaurants, stroll around the harbour area or maybe even catch the intensive market which is organised in August each year.

READ MORE: Gdansk in Poland - tips for things to see and do

Sopot

Sopot is perhaps the most exclusive holiday resort on the entire Polish Riviera. On the long, fine sandy beach is the Grand Hotel and Europe's longest wooden pier. In Sopot you will also find a long, beautiful promenade and lots of nice restaurants.

READ MORE: Things to do in Sopot - 17 tips for Poland's luxurious Riviera

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

We have never stayed overnight in Gdynia, but there is a campsite called Wypoczynek "U Wnuka". There are also many different hotels and other accommodation options in town.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In addition to the other cities in the Tricity, Gdansk and Sopot, there are many other great places to visit nearby. Here are some tips:

• Malbork Castle
• The beautiful Hel Peninsula
• Łeba – a nice holiday resort