Out of season Świnoujście is quieter – and there is still plenty to do. We have put together ideas for a stay between October and March.
Why come out of season
In summer Świnoujście revolves around the beach. In autumn and winter the beach is still there; only the crowds are gone. You can talk on the promenade without raising your voice, there is no wait for a café table, and you have the wide strip of sand almost to yourself. It is the time for people who come to the sea for walks, fresh air and rest rather than a tan.
Świnoujście is a spa town with health-resort visitors all year round, so it does not shut down after the holidays the way smaller places on the Baltic do. Some seasonal venues and attractions do take a break or shorten their hours, though, so it is worth checking the current details as you go.
Walks: the beach, the breakwater, the promenade
The simplest plan for an autumn or winter day is a long walk. There are three tried-and-tested directions:
- East along the beach – to the western breakwater and Stawa Młyny, the white windmill that is the symbol of the town. In strong wind the waves break over the breakwater, and then it is better to watch from the shore.
- West along the beach or the promenade – to the border and on to Ahlbeck in Germany. The cross-border promenade is open all year; carry an identity document.
- Through the Spa Park – when it is too windy on the beach. The old trees give good shelter, and in autumn the park is at its most colourful.
After storms you may find amber along the shore. The best time to look is in the morning, in the line of seaweed washed up by the waves. The storm itself is a sight too: watched from a safe distance, it is more impressive than the calm summer sea.
When it rains or blows: forts and museums
Świnoujście was a fortress town, and its 19th-century forts remain. On the seaside-district side, on the island of Usedom, are the Western Fort and the Angel’s Fort (Fort Anioła); on the island of Wolin, next to the lighthouse, is Fort Gerhard. Much of the visit takes place indoors, so the weather matters less.
In the town centre, in the former town hall, is the Sea Fishery Museum. It tells the story of the town, of fishing and of Baltic wildlife, and is a good choice with children as well. For a view over the town, head to the viewing point in the tower of the Church of Christ the King.
Opening hours for the forts, the museum and the tower are often shorter out of season than in summer. Check them before you go.
The lighthouse, the port and a trip to Germany
On a clear day the lighthouse – the tallest on the Baltic – makes a good outing. It stands on the other side of the Świna, so you need to take the ferry or drive through the tunnel. In clear winter air, visibility from the gallery is often better than in summer.
The port itself is interesting at any time of year. From the quay in the centre and from the breakwater you can watch ferries and cargo ships, and the town ferry across the Świna is the shortest harbour cruise there is.
If the walk to Ahlbeck is not enough, a train from Świnoujście will take you further into the German part of Usedom – to Heringsdorf and beyond. Check the timetable beforehand.
Resting the spa-town way
Świnoujście has official health-resort status, and treatments here draw on, among other things, local therapeutic peat and brine. Out of season many visitors combine their stay with a pool, a sauna or treatments at one of the facilities in the seaside district. It is best to ask about what is on offer and the conditions directly at the place you choose.
Even without treatments, the air does its work. In the colder months, when the sea is rough, the air by the shore carries the most sea spray – so a walk right by the water makes the most sense then.
How to prepare
- Clothing – a windproof jacket, a hat and gloves. It is noticeably windier on the beach than between the buildings.
- Footwear – waterproof, with a good grip. Wet sand and the stones of the breakwater are slippery.
- Planning the day – it gets dark early in winter, so plan walks for the middle of the day and leave museums and cafés for the afternoon.
Out of season you will especially appreciate accommodation a few minutes’ walk from the beach – it is easy to slip out for a short walk between one shower and the next. You are welcome at our apartments by the promenade. Ask about dates – we reply directly, with no middlemen.