Gdynia - A City from the Sea

Ninety years ago, Gdynia was a small, sleepy town situated on Gdańsk Bay. But times have changed and the city is now an important centre of trade as well as being renowned for its vibrant tourism.

Gdynia is a relatively young city; construction of the port began in 1921. For those who enjoy architecture from the 1920s and 1930s, the city has many original buildings from that period.

Gdynia is 30 minutes' drive from Gdańsk. Once there, you will have a wide choice of entertainment and sporting options, as well as many shops, interesting restaurants and clubs.

The city is situated among seven hills, making it an ideal place for cycling, and there is no shortage of other outdoor attractions either, such as tennis, beach volleyball and golf.

Thrill-seekers who enjoy a fresh breeze and cold water can try diving, kitesurfing or swimming - for example in the freezing winter waters, if you are brave enough. Other extreme sports on offer in Gdynia and its surroundings include paragliding, hot air ballooning and dog sledding.

Many attractions and events are dedicated to lovers of historic ships and sailing vessels. The annual Gdynia Volvo Sailing Days event, which takes place at the turn of July and August, attracts the world's best sailors and enthusiasts of the sport.

History lovers should visit the two ships on display in the port basin - the frigate Dar Pomorza (Gift of Pomerania), built in 1909, and the World War II destroyer Błyskawica. The city also has an Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, which allows visitors to deepen their knowledge of maritime topics.

Music festivals and clubs attract crowds of tourists to Gdynia. Summer always begins with a bang with the Open'er Festival, declared one of the 100 symbols of Poland by the I Love Poland foundation. Many local jazz clubs such as Jazz Café, Poklad, Scena and Ucho are also very popular among lovers of good music.

The Ladies Jazz Festival, held every year in July, has been graced by the presence of such stars as Stacey Kent, Patricia Barber, Dianne Reeves and Dionne Warwick. Other popular festivals include the Blues Festival and Globaltica - the World Culture Festival.

Guests usually come here in summer to relax on the long, sandy beaches. Although the city is a major centre of the shipbuilding industry, it has above all a vibrant city centre. Gdynia has been named the most prosperous city in Poland, partly due to its proximity to the main urban centres of Gdańsk and Sopot.

With so much to do and see, now is your time for a weekend break in this vibrant seaside city.