Guide of Gdynia

Gdynia is a port city in Poland, it is situated in the north of the country on the southern Baltic coast. 

A brief history of Gdynia

For many centuries Gdynia was just a small farming and fishing village, then at the beginning of the 20th-century Gdynia became a seaside resort, which led to an increase in the population. In 1918, Poland regained its independence and a decision was taken to build a port in the city, bringing wealth to the city’s economy. This development arrived at the same time as modernism and facilitated the construction of many early modernist architectural projects around the city. This gave the town a more cosmopolitan character and Gdynia was designated as a city in 1926, today modernism is still the dominant architectural style.

During the War, the city suffered as heavy bombing destroyed the shipyard and a large amount of the population was sadly displaced to other regions of occupied Poland or sent to Nazi concentration camps. The city lost many people but after the War. the city became repopulated with former inhabitants of Warsaw and other lost cities such as Lviv and Vilnius, the shipyard was also regenerated and the city began to recover. In December 1970, the shipyard workers staged a huge protest because they were against price increases, this protest was bloodily repressed by the police but lead to the growth of the Solidarity movement with those in Gdańsk.

What to visit in Gdynia

Thanks to the Stena Lines ferry service to Sweden, the city has recently been put on the map, there is also a great boat festival during July and August. Being the boating capital of Poland, there is plenty of good seafood to enjoy in the city, all washed down with a glass of local vodka! 

Given its modernist credentials, Gdynia has plenty of characteristic buildings to admire from that period, just take a stroll down Piłsudski Avenue for a tour of modernist architecture. There is a hill in the heart of the city called Kamienna Góra, why not walk through the surrounding park, to the top, to admire the views over the city? There are steps to get right to the top or a train for those less mobile. 

There are some good museums in the city too, just head to Gdynia City Museum or the Ship Museum on the harbour, which is housed on the ORP Błyskawica, a former Polish Warship. After a heavy dose of history, why not lighten the mood and visit Jumpcity, Poland’s largest indoor trampoline arena, it has over 140 trampolines, great fun for the whole family! 

Beaches around Gdynia

Gdynia actually has a city beach, right in the centre! It’s really conveniently located, close to many of the main hotels and hostels. Then Sopot Beach is located between Gdansk and Gdynia and is famous for its white sands, shops and restaurants.