Władysławowo Beach

Władysławowo is Poland's northernmost town, and its central beach stretches for about 3 km with more than 20 m of pale sand. The town sits at the base of the Hel Peninsula, between the open Baltic and the Bay of Puck, so in a few minutes you can swap the sea's waves for the calmer waters of the bay. In summer five lifeguarded bathing areas operate here.

The central beach and bathing areas

From the town centre it is about a kilometre's walk to the central beach – through dunes and pine woods to its many numbered entrances. The entrances have toilets, changing rooms and boardwalks for people with disabilities, which also make it easier to push a pram. In summer there are beach bars and water-sports rentals, and for children water slides, inflatable play towns and beach kindergartens. Further from the centre the beach becomes quieter and unguarded – on the wild stretches of the commune, for example at Rozewie, the coast turns into cliffs and is stony in places.

From Wielka Wieś to Władysławowo

The town is named after King Władysław IV, who in the 17th century built two forts by the sea, Władysławów and Kazimierzów; the harbour recorded in 1635–1636 was already called Władysławowo. Yet until 1952 the village itself was called Wielka Wieś. On 11 February 1920 General Józef Haller came here and took a fishing boat out to sea; one of his officers bought 20 hectares of land and named the new settlement Hallerowo. The fishing port opened on 3 May 1938, and in 1952 Wielka Wieś, Hallerowo and the port settlement were merged into the commune of Władysławowo. It received town rights on 30 June 1963.

Nearby

• Dom Rybaka (Fisherman's House) from the 1950s – the town hall, with a viewing tower overlooking the port and the centre.
• The Avenue of Sports Stars – a promenade with stars for Polish athletes (since 2000).
• The Olympic Training Centre "Cetniewo" in the Cetniewo district.
• The General Haller and Blue Army Memorial Centre on ul. Morska.
• The port's western breakwater, which doubles as a tourist pier.

Tripto tip

Access to the beach is free. The lifeguarded areas can get very crowded in season – for more peace, pick an unguarded stretch further from the centre. The commune publishes the bathing season dates and the location of lifeguarded areas every year, so check before you travel. Władysławowo is reachable by train (Władysławowo and Władysławowo Port stations) or by bus to the coach station. Combine a beach day with a walk along the breakwater and a climb up the Dom Rybaka tower.