Władysławowo

Where the narrow Hel Peninsula branches off from the mainland, you'll find Władysławowo, known in German as Großendorf, one of the most popular beach resorts on the Polish Baltic coast. A vacation in Großendorf offers wide sandy beaches, a lively fishing harbor, and ideal conditions for kitesurfers in the Bay of Gdańsk. In summer, the small town turns into a holiday hub with a promenade, snack stands, and festivals.

From Fishing Village to Beach Resort

The village of Großendorf, called Wielka Wieś in Polish, was a Kashubian fishing village for centuries. After World War I the region became Polish, and in the 1930s a fishing harbor was built here, named after King Władysław IV. The town has held municipal rights since 1963. Kashubian culture, with its own language, embroidery, and songs, is still alive in the region today, and town signs are often bilingual.

Beaches and Sights

The main beach stretches for several kilometers and is lined with dunes and pine forests. The kitesurfing spots are in the Chałupy district on the Hel Peninsula, where shallow water in the bay offers ideal conditions for beginners and pros alike; numerous schools rent out equipment. The fishing harbor is one of the most important in Poland; here you can watch the cutters come in and buy fresh fish. From the Fishermen's House, Dom Rybaka, with its observation tower, you can look out over the harbor and the sea. On the "Avenue of Sports Stars," stars with signatures commemorate famous Polish athletes. The stretch of beach by the harbor is guarded in summer, with lifeguards, beach chairs, and windbreaks, without which hardly anyone lies on the beach on the Polish Baltic coast. If you prefer it quieter, walk a few hundred meters farther, where the crowds quickly thin out.

Rozewie and Surroundings

Just a few kilometers to the west lies Cape Rozewie, the northernmost point of Poland, with two lighthouses; one of them houses a small lighthouse museum. The steep coast, with hiking trails through the forest, is a popular excursion destination. Very close by is Jastrzębia Góra, another beach resort on the cliffs. On the Hel Peninsula, Jastarnia and Jurata follow one after another, and at the very end lies the town of Hel with its seal center and World War II bunkers.

Eating in Władysławowo

In summer, fish fry shops line the promenade, offering cod, flounder, and herring freshly fried or smoked. They come with fries, beer, and gofry, waffles with whipped cream and fruit. In Kashubian inns you'll find regional dishes with potatoes, fish, and roast goose.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

The nearest airport is Gdańsk, about 60 kilometers away; regional trains run via Gdynia to Władysławowo and on to Hel. In summer, the road and trains on the peninsula are heavily crowded, and getting there by train is often more relaxing. The best time to visit is June through September; in July and August the town is very crowded. In spring and fall, the region is well suited for hiking and cycling trips along the coast. A bike path runs the entire length of the Hel Peninsula to its tip, about 35 kilometers between the bay and the open sea.