Poland’s coast runs for about 500 kilometres along the Baltic, and the best beaches are wide, pale and backed by dunes or pine forest rather than cliffs. The water is cool and the season is short, but on a good day in July the sand at places like Świnoujście or the tip of the Hel Peninsula looks nothing like what most visitors expect from northern Europe. This guide covers seven beaches we recommend, from the 2026 ranking winner to the Tri-City options an easy trip from Gdańsk.
How the 2026 ranking looks
The annual Travelist beach poll, run with the Polish Tourist Organisation, named Ustka Poland’s Beach of the Year in 2026, ending Świnoujście’s 12-year run at the top. Świnoujście came second, and Dźwirzyno third. Kołobrzeg won the “liveliest beach” category, and Hel took the most photogenic one. A ranking by public vote is a popularity signal, not an inspection result, so treat it as a shortlist. You can read the coverage on Polskie Radio.
1. Ustka: the 2026 winner
Ustka is a small fishing town and resort on the central coast, a short drive from Słupsk. The beach is wide and sandy, the lighthouse and harbour channel give the town a working-port character, and the family-friendly shallow entry made it the family category winner too. It is quieter and cheaper than the Tri-City in high season, which suits travellers who want sand and an ice cream rather than nightlife. There is no direct fast rail link from the big cities, so most visitors come by car or change at Słupsk. Book accommodation early for July and August.
2. Świnoujście: the widest sand
Świnoujście sits on the island of Uznam at the German border and is known for a beach that is exceptionally wide and fine-sanded, with a long promenade behind it that links to German Usedom resorts. It held the top spot for 12 years before Ustka, and it is still the best choice if you want room to spread out. The town is reached over the Świna by a free public ferry, which is part of its charm. Szczecin is the usual gateway, and trains connect it to Poland’s west.
3. Hel Peninsula: scenery and wind sports
The Hel Peninsula is a 35-kilometre sand spit separating the open Baltic from the shallow Puck Bay. It is the most photogenic stretch of Polish coast, with pine forest, dunes and a narrow strip where you can see water on both sides. The towns along it each have a different feel:
- Władysławowo and Chałupy: the start of the spit, with long beaches and the main kitesurfing area on the bay side. Chałupy is where beginners learn in shallow, warm water.
- Kuźnica: a small port and marina, a base for windsurfing and kite schools. The windy season runs roughly May to September.
- Jurata: a 1930s resort with a walking pier and a calmer, more upmarket feel than its neighbours.
- Hel town: at the tip, with a harbour, the fishermen’s museum and a seal sanctuary at the Marine Station.
Hel is the one place on this list where the journey is part of the day. The train from Gdynia takes around 1.5 hours, and a seasonal ferry or water tram runs from Gdynia and Gdańsk in summer; timetables and fares change every year, so confirm them with the operator. For planning on the peninsula, see the regional guide from Pomorskie Travel. If you would rather not manage transport, you can book a guided tour from the Tri-City that includes Hel. The Gdańsk day trips guide also covers Hel and Westerplatte in a single outing.
4. Kołobrzeg: the liveliest resort
Kołobrzeg is a spa town with a wide beach, a pier, a lighthouse and a full promenade of restaurants and fairground stalls. It is the pick for people who want something to do after the beach, and it came out as the liveliest beach in the 2026 poll. It is a major holiday town, so July and August are very busy. Prices for rooms rise sharply in high season.
5. Sopot: the classic Tri-City beach
Sopot has Poland’s best-known beach and the longest wooden pier in Europe at 511 metres. It is a lively resort town with bars, restaurants and a long summer events calendar, and it is easy to reach by SKM train from Gdańsk in about 20 minutes. Expect crowds on summer weekends. Our Sopot guide covers the pier, the Monte Cassino promenade and where to eat, and you can add a Sopot tour if you want a guide to link the three Tri-City cities.
6. Jelitkowo: the city beach in Gdańsk
Jelitkowo is the Gdańsk district beach, reached by public transport from the centre. It has a short pier, a promenade, and cafes along the front, and it is the easiest option if you are staying in Gdańsk and want an afternoon at the sea without leaving the city. It is quieter than Sopot, and the beach gets less manicured as you walk away from the pier toward the forest. For a full day in the city, pair it with a Gdańsk tour.
7. Mikoszewo: a wider, quieter Vistula Spit option
Mikoszewo is on the Vistula Spit east of Gdańsk, in the area of dunes, forest and broad sandy beaches that is much less developed than the western resorts. It is a good fit if you have a car and want a quiet day. Expect fewer facilities than in Sopot or Kołobrzeg, so bring food, water and a windbreak. Public transport is limited, so check timetables before you rely on a bus.
Gdynia: beyond the headline seven
Gdynia’s Orłowo beach, set below a glacial cliff, is worth a detour if you want a more natural setting than Sopot. We cover it in detail in our Gdynia beaches and waterfront guide.
When to go and what to pack
Water temperature is the limiting factor. The Baltic reaches roughly 17-21°C in July and August, then drops quickly. June is pleasant for walking but too cold for most swimmers, and September can be sunny with far fewer people. Pack a windbreak, layers (even in July the sea breeze is cool), and sun cream, since the sand reflects strongly. Check the water quality and any blue-green algae warnings, which are posted at staffed beaches in summer, before swimming. If you are planning a longer trip, our July and August guides cover the weather and events.
Which beach should you pick?
- Families and quiet: Ustka.
- Space and long promenades: Świnoujście.
- Scenery and water sports: Hel Peninsula.
- Nightlife and lively promenade: Kołobrzeg or Sopot.
- Easy day from Gdańsk: Jelitkowo or Sopot.
- Quiet with a car: Mikoszewo.