Some time in the Autumn of 2021, my wife and I parked up at Centrum Riviera shopping mall so that we could walk 1.7 kilometres or so to the Seafront Promenade (Bulwar Nadmorski) – just a short walk away from Gdynia City Beach.
Eastbound we strolled along Piłsudskiego Avenue (Aleja Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego). With the seafront getting ever closer, the first obvious attraction we noticed to our right was Arka Gdynia Square (Skwer Arki Gdynia). Adjacent to the Seafront Promenade, Arka Gdynia Square is a fantastic leisure space for residents where they can relax, do sports and have picnics.
The Feliks Nowowiejski Seafront Promenade
The Seafront Promenade is named after the famous Polish composer, Feliks Nowowiejski (1877-1946). In 1924, Nowowiejski composed the opera “The Legend of the Baltic Sea”, inspired by the holidays he spent in Gdynia.
Commissioned in 1969, the Seafront Promenade is one of the favourite leisure spots for both locals and tourists. It stretches around 1.5 kilometres between Gdynia City Beach and Redłowo Beach. In addition to its recreational qualities, the promenade also assumes a hydro-technical function in that it protects the seashore, particularly the slopes of Kamienna Góra, against storms.
The promenade is not just a haven for walkers. Cyclists can also enjoy the cycle path which runs along the entire promenade. There are also facilities for physical exercise and a children’s playground.
Małe Molo
Initially, we strolled south towards what is known as Mini Pier (Małe Molo). We didn’t walk all the way down to Redłowo Beach, i.e. the entire length of the Seafront Promenade, on this occasion. Instead, we admired the gorgeous views from the pier, and observed the joyful seagulls flying low close to the concrete wall which separates the water’s edge from the promenade.
Interestingly, at the end of the pier, Google Maps points to Ekspozycja gwiazd w nocnej godzinie (an exposition of the stars at night time). Apparently, the night sky reveals its true starry grace in this spot – undisturbed by artificial light, of course.
Gdynia City Beach
We turned around and made our way north towards Gdynia City Beach.
Gdynia City Beach extends 40.5 thousand square metres and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the Polish coast. A 200-metre section of the beach is a guarded swimming area.
Near the beach, there are modern sanitary facilities. The beach is disasbled-friendly, owing to wooden boardwalks which facilitate wheelchair movement right to the waterfront and marina without any hindrance.
Just off the south end of the beach, one can hardly fail to miss the Browar Port restaurant. Port Brewery is the first brewery in the history of Gdynia. I can attest to the fact that the restaurant serves up excellent food and a fine selection of craft beers. The upper floor terrace offers wonderful views over the bay and marina.
At the top end of the beach, we hooked a right just before Del Mar restaurant to walk along the wooden boardwalk which runs across the beach right round to Gdynia Marina.
Gdynia Marina – The Polish Sailing Alley
The history of sailing is firmly linked with Gdynia. After the Second World War, it was here that the greatest expeditions either began or ended.
The Polish Sailing Alley commemorates the most important figures, events and yachts in the history of Polish sailing adventure.
Gdynia City Beach – Another gem on the Baltic coast
The area surrounding the City Beach in Gdynia is yet another gem on the Polish Baltic coast and Tri-City area in general.
We’ve also visited the stunning southern Gdynian district of Orłowo, with its pier and Orłowo Beach. Be sure to check Orłowo out as well.