Poland Guide
Pomerania
Edged by gloriously long stretches of white-sand beach, Pomerania (Pomorze) attracts hundreds of thousands of Polish tourists every year. Due to the Pomeranian coast's northerly latitude the holiday season is rather short; but in July and August hordes of visitors arrive to soak up what sun there is, with fish-and-chip stalls and beer tents springing up to service basic gastronomic needs. Although relatively quiet, spring and early autumn can be rewarding times to visit, especially if beach strolling – rather than sunbathing – is your thing.
The fishing village of Łeba, gateway to the famed sand dunes of the Słowiński National Park, is the place to aim for in eastern Pomerania, although any number of other charming beachside settlements await exploration nearby. Over to the west, the island of Wolin offers yet more in the way of fine sands, as well as a much-visited bison reserve in the forested Woliński National Park. Inland, Pomerania is peppered with grey, rather downbeat towns, which serve as useful nodal points for transport connections, but offer little else.
Pomerania's administrative and industrial capital, Szczecin is never likely to make it into Polish tourism's top ten, but shouldn't be overlooked entirely, possessing an appealing urban vigour and a wealth of cultural diversions. Szczecin is also the region's main transport hub, with rail and bus services fanning out to serve the western half of the province. The beach resorts of central and eastern Pomerania are connected by bus to inland towns such as Koszalin, Słupsk and Lębork – all of which lie on the main Szczecin– Gdańsk rail line.
Highlights
1 Szczecin Brash, bustling port city with varied nightlife.
2 Międzyzdroje A charming, old-fashioned seaside town, conveniently located at the edge of the thickly forested Woliński National Park.
3 Świnoujście Nineteenth-century Prussian era forts provide a gruff reminder of Świnoujście's former strategic importance.
4 Mielno Peaceful seaside village sitting on a wonderful stretch of beach.
5 Słowiński National Park Poland's most alluring dunescapes, right next to the characterful fishing village-cum-beach resort of Łeba.