Coast

Sobieszewska Island in Gdańsk

Sobieszewska Island is the largest and most easterly district of Gdańsk — about 15 km of land in the Vistula mouth, stretching from the Śmiała Vistula to the Vistula Cut. It is the third-largest island in Poland, and at the same time a corner where entry and parking remain free and forests and beaches replace the noise of the city.

An island shaped by a river

The land's shape was laid out by the Vistula. In 1840 drifting ice broke through the old riverbed and forced a new outlet — that is how the Śmiała Vistula was born. In 1895 workers dug the artificial Vistula Cut, the river's present mouth to the Baltic; shovelling it took four years. The abandoned channel is today called the Dead Vistula.

Seals and birds

On the eastern edge, by the Vistula Cut, lies the Mewia Łacha reserve: the walk from the free car park takes about 2 km one way, and beyond the viewing platform entry is forbidden — the seals there are protected. As recently as 2007 single animals were spotted, while contemporary observations already document herds of 200–250 individuals; seal-watching boat trips sail from Świbno. On the western edge, by the Śmiała Vistula, awaits the Ptasi Raj reserve with hides overlooking Lake Karaś and Lake Ptasi Raj — it hosts up to 200 bird species, and the neighbouring beach is famous for amber thrown ashore after storms.

What else to see

Add to your plan the Kazimierz water tower with a viewing terrace at 30 m and a 600 m³ tank, and the guarded swimming area at Orle beach on Lazurowa street.