Hel Peninsula

The Hel Peninsula is a narrow strip of land that runs for 35 kilometers into the Baltic Sea and separates Puck Bay from the open water. The width of this sandbank varies between 100 meters at its narrowest point and about 3 kilometers at its widest, making it one of the most unusual coastal formations in Poland.

Until the 17th century, this coastal formation consisted of a chain of islands that gradually connected through natural processes into a continuous strip of land. During World War II, parts of the area served as a military fortress, with Polish troops deliberately flooding some sections to create defensive positions.

The area holds several small communities whose people have lived from fishing and seafaring for centuries. Local traditions appear in the preserved fisher huts that now often serve as museums or workshops, while fishermen still sell their catch directly on the beach.

A single road and railway line connect the entire spit to the mainland, with both running the full length and serving all settlements. Regular ferries offer an alternative route from Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk, especially useful during heavy summer traffic.

At some narrow spots, you can walk from one shore of the spit to the other in just a few minutes, passing directly between the calm water of the bay and the open waves of the Baltic. This short distance makes it possible to experience completely different coastal landscapes within a few steps during changing weather conditions.