Gdynia Travel Guide | A Resident's Honest Guide to a Hidden Gem City
- Takuya Sakoda
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Gdynia has been voted the happiest city in Poland — by Polish people themselves. Coming from a nation known for its love of complaining, that's about as reliable an endorsement as you can get. The forest is a 10-minute walk from the station. The Baltic Sea is 20 minutes. This is a city where nature isn't a day trip — it's just part of everyday life. Come once, and you'll understand why.
What Kind of City is Gdynia?
A 10-minute walk from the station puts you in the middle of a vast forest. Another 20 minutes and you're at the Baltic Sea and its promenade. There are stylish cafés and restaurants, shopping malls with everything you need — and yet compared to nearby Gdańsk, the city is compact and noticeably less crowded.
It's dog-friendly, home to many schools, and popular with young families. If I had to compare it to a Japanese city, the terrain reminds me of Kobe. In a word: livable.
Gdynia is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, drawing more attention than ever. The city can be broadly divided into three areas — two of which I'll introduce here.
Gdynia Główna
The heart of Gdynia, where large ships and private yachts line the harbour, surrounded by a great selection of stylish restaurants and cafés. Compact enough to explore comfortably on foot.
Bulwar Nadmorski
The 1.5km promenade lets you stroll along the Baltic Sea breeze, with views of Gdynia's landmark Sea Tower and the ships docked in the harbour. Coffee carts and the occasional street musician add to the atmosphere. There are dedicated paths for runners and cyclists too, making it a popular spot for a run.
Gdynia Beach（Plaża miejska w Gdyni）
Even in summer, the Baltic Sea hovers around 18°C — cool, with relatively low salinity, so it feels refreshingly cold. Gdynia Beach, right on the Baltic, fills up in summer with sunbathers and swimmers. Beach volleyball courts keep things lively too.
Gdynia Beach in summer is lovely, but the quiet, refined atmosphere in winter is just as compelling. Far fewer people, and when snow settles on the sand, it's genuinely mystical. Well worth a visit.
Through winter and into April, you can also enjoy a sauna with views over the Baltic. Cold water swimming is popular in Poland, so alternating between the sauna and a dip in the sea is a highly recommended experience. Note that the sauna requires a reservation in advance.
Kamienna Góra Viewpoint（Punkt widokowy - Kamienna Góra）
A viewpoint overlooking Gdynia Bay and the Baltic Sea. You can climb up via stairs, and there's even a lift for elderly visitors and those with limited mobility. It's only about a 5-minute climb, but well worth the trip up — there's a cross monument, a grassy open space, a restaurant, and an open-air theatre at the top.
Recommended Cafe：Kosmos
The most bohemian cafe in Gdynia. Small in size, but the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed. The coffee is exceptional, and the crowd tends to be effortlessly stylish. A record player fills the space with music, making it perfect for zoning out. They occasionally host public cuppings too — an all-round welcoming, homey kind of place.
If You're Looking for Delicious CakeIf You're Looking for Delicious Cake：Must Bake
For seriously good pastries in a stylishly branded setting, head to Must Bake. They have two locations in Gdańsk, but the Gdynia branch only opened in 2025. The interior is a charming blue-themed design. Lovely enough to just look around and enjoy.
The coffee is decent enough to visit just for a drink, but if you're going, treat yourself to a pairing of coffee and their cheesecake. It's worth it.
For Authentic Polish Food：Kuchnia Domowa
Kuchnia Domowa is a milk bar — a Polish-style canteen — serving hearty, authentic Polish food at very reasonable prices. We don't eat out much, but this is one place we keep coming back to. You'll leave well and truly full.
Polish cuisine is fundamentally home-style cooking, and most dishes suit Japanese palates well. With plenty of vegetable-based dishes alongside meat, it's a relatively healthy way to eat.
For a Great Burger：Honolulu Wise Food
If you've been in Poland long enough to start craving a burger or fried chicken over pierogi, Honolulu is the place to go. True to its name, the menu leans Hawaiian — poke, garlic shrimp — alongside Asian dishes like bibimbap. But just as appealing as the food is the interior: a warm, playful pink-themed space filled with houseplants. On a harsh Polish winter day, stepping inside feels like a little escape.
For Delicious Pierogi：Mandu
Queues are a rare sight in Poland, but Mandu is an exception. On weekends, there's almost always a line out the door. With two locations in Gdańsk as well, it's one of the most well-known pierogi specialists in the country. The flavours are excellent, the interior is fun and stylish, and the prices won't break the bank.
Gdynia Aquarium（Akwarium Gdyńskie）
Gdynia, known for its maritime heritage, is also home to an aquarium and ocean museum. It's a great place to learn about the Baltic Sea — something most Japanese visitors will know little about. Look out for the blue seahorse logo. Best of all, it's open every day of the week.
Can you spot him? Challenge: Find Baltik, Poland's beloved dog!
Gdynia has plenty of statues, but one worth hunting down is Baltik — a dog rescued in the winter of 2010 after being found adrift on a chunk of ice in the frozen Baltic Sea. A sailor named Adam spotted him from his vessel and pulled him to safety, going on to adopt him. A heartwarming story from the depths of a Polish winter.
Gdynia Orłowo
Orłowo Pier（Molo Orłowo）
The neighbouring town of Sopot is home to the longest pier in Europe — but during summer, there's an entrance fee. Gdynia's Orłowo district has its own pier that's just as beautiful, and completely free to enter.
Smaller than Sopot's, which means fewer crowds — and all the better for it. When the weather warms up, street musicians play and there's a children's playground nearby, giving the whole area a lovely atmosphere.
Orłowo Cliffs（Klif Orłowski）
You can see it from the pier, but the cliffs known as Klif Orłowski are worth getting up close to. Natural erosion is said to wear them down by an average of 23cm every year. The area is a designated nature reserve, and the policy is to let the "natural geological processes" run their course — so no concrete reinforcement has been put in place. You can walk along the top of the cliffs, and many people do, but be careful not to get too close to the edge.
Getting Around Gdynia
Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk together make up what's known as the Tri-City (Trójmiasto). This area is one of the most cycling-friendly in all of Poland, with well-developed bike lanes throughout. The best way to get around is with Mevo, the local electric bike-share scheme.
Of course, buses and trains run frequently too — the local train in this area is called the SKM. For timetables and buying tickets, the app jakdojade handles everything in one place and is well worth downloading.
Who Is Gdynia Best Suited For?
Gdynia strikes a fine balance, nature on the doorstep with the Baltic Sea and forest both within walking distance, alongside carefully curated cafés and great restaurants. With its 100th anniversary coming in 2026, it's a city that's only going to attract more attention. Compared to nearby Gdańsk, it's quieter and more compact, which means you can set your own pace without feeling rushed and that's a big part of its appeal.
It's not a flashy city, but every time you visit, it has a way of making you feel at home. If medieval architecture is what you're after, Gdańsk is honestly the better choice but if you want to take your time enjoying the sea, the forest, good coffee, and good food, Gdynia is an easy recommendation.
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