Gdynia[1][2] is a port city in northern Poland. Gdynia, together with nearby Gdańsk and Sopot are often referred as Tricity (pl: Trójmiasto). Gdynia was first mentioned in the 13th century as a fishing village. Its career began after World War I, when it became Poland´s main harbour and the big sea port at the Baltic Sea, which it still is.
Gdynia is one of the youngest and modern cities in Poland. In the early 1900s Gdynia was a little village, but after WW1 and establishing the Free City of Gdańsk, the Polish Government decided to build a deep-sea port. Construction began in 1921. The city rose fast in the 1920s and 1930s, so architecture and planning reflect European trends of the day - Modernism. The city continues to grow to this day. Today, Gdynia is a modern city with a population of a quarter-million and is the second major polish port in the Baltic Sea after Gdansk.
The nearest airport is in nearby GdańskLech Wałęsa Airport[3]IATA: GDN, 25 kilometers from the city center. Airport is a a popular destination for low-price flights from many European airports. Domestic flights are also available.
Transfer bus[4] line 510 connects airport and Gdynia Central Station, but it runs only a few times a day.
The main railroad station is Gdynia Główna run by PKP[5]. Gdynia is one of the biggest railway hubs in Poland with connections to Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, Katowice, Szczecin, Torun, Bialystok and many others. If traveling in the coastal area Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, then look out for the SKM commuter train. Travel from nearby Gdansk takes about 40 minutes (3.50 zl) with the frequent SKM[6] urban trains, which leave every 8-20 minutes.
Zarząd Komunikacji Miejskiej (ZKM) [10] operates buses and trolleybus. Network is efficient, and frequent. Locals are keen to help with directions but always ask several people and see if they agree.
Tickets for a bus:
normal tickets 2.50zl
half-price ticket 1.25zl
express lines ticket 3.50zl
There is a 24 hour-ticket (10 zł) valid on all trolleybus, buses during the day and on night buses.
Trolleybus Solaris Trollino 12T in Gdynia. In Poland you can see it only in Gdynia and Tychy.
Here's the key to understanding Gdynia bus and trolley-bus route numbers:
Nxx are night routes.
5xx are special routes , which operate only a few days in a year(with the exception of 520 and 530).
GJKMRSWZ are express routes, which link the farthest districts to the city centre. (Normal ticket: 3.50zł)
0x0xxare free routs, you can drive this bus to supermarkets in Gdynia.
others, are normal routes with normal tickets.
Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM) [11] is fast regional commuter rail between Gdańsk - Sopot - Gdynia. It's fast and cheap. Ticket price depends on distance eg.
Gdynia is a relatively modern city and one will not find many historical buildings. The oldest building in Gdynia is 13th century St. Michael Archangel's Church in Oksywie. There is also a 17th century neo-Gothic manor house located in the Folwarczna Street in Orłowo.
However, what most tourists look for Gdynia deals with its recent past. In the harbour there are two museum ships anchored, the ORP 0Błyskawica destroyer and the Dar Pomorza Tall Ship frigate. Gdynia is also famous for its numerous examples of early 20th century architecture, especially monumentalism and early functionalism. Recently reconstructed Świętojańska street and Kościuszki square are also worth mentioning.
The surrounding hills and the coastline attract many nature lovers. Leisure pier and cliff-like coastline in Kępa Redłowska as well as the surrounding Reservation Park are also popular. 1.5 kilometres long promenade leads from the marina in the city centre to the beach in Redłowo. Most of Gdynia can be seen from Kamienna Góra (54 metres asl) or a newly built observation point near Chwaszczyno.
You can also take hydrofoil or ship trip to Gdańsk Westerplatte, Hel or just see port.
Gdynia is the only city in Poland and one of the few in Europe to pride itself on such long and accessible seashore. You will easily catch great views of the sea, and also find long promenades, beautiful waterfronts, marinas, yacht clubs and great sand beaches.
Plaża Miejska (city beach) is located in the center, next to Gdynia Marina and Bulwar Nadmorski (Seaside Promenade).
Plaża w Orłowie is located in Orłowo District, next to beautiful Orłowo cliffs. Reach by SKM Gdynia Orłowo or trolleybus lines 21 and 26.
Osada Rybacka (Fishermen Village) is a quite wild beach located in Oksywie district - besides suntanning, you can see beautiful, old fishermen equipment and a funicular for fish transport. It is better to go there in the morning, as in the late afternoon the sun is hidden by cliffs. The beach is accessible by 152 bus line from the city center - get out at the terminus of the line in Oksywie Dickmana direction.
Muzeum Marynarki Wojennej (The Navy Museum), ul. Sędzickiego 3. Open air museum of Marine Weapons, helicopters, cannons, torpedoes, fighters.
ORP Błyskawica (Warship museum), al. Jana Pawła II [13]. Warship ORP Błyskawica (Lightning) started service in 1937 and operated during World War II. You can see deck with artillery, engine rooms and a historic exhibition display of the Polish Navy.
Dar Pomorza (Tall ship museum), al. Jana Pawła II [14]. It's the most famous Polish training tall ship built in 1909.
Beach: beaches in Gdynia are nice, clean and not as crowded as those in Gdansk and Sopot.
Cinema
Heineken Open'er Festival, [15]. If you plan to come early summer don't miss one of the best European open air music festival with more then 70,000 fans and top world stars. Every year, internationally known musicians as well as Polish musicians add their names to the marquee.edit
Pueblo, ul. Abrahama 56 (entrance on Wladyslawa IV), ☎ +48 (0/58) 621-60-07 (pueblo3@wp.pl), [19]. 12PM-11PM. Its tough to find a good Mexican restaurant in Poland, let alone Europe, but Pueblo makes a good attempt. Better yet, the servings are plentiful and the price is muy bueno.35 zł. edit
Barracuda, Bulwar Nadmorski im Feliksa Nowowiejskiego 10, ☎ +48 (0/58) 620 8000 (+48 (0/58) 620 4000, biuro@barracuda.net.pl), [20]. Noon-Midnight. This restaurant, right on the shore of the Baltic sea, serves up the best seafood in Poland, hand down. The interior is a cool fusion of dark and modern, but the ocean breeze and the Sinatra sonnets make the patio far more pleasant.edit
