Situated in the far northwest of Poland, along the Baltic Coast, Swinoujscie combines long beaches with a sense of old-world grandeur. The laid-back atmosphere borders on the sedate, making the town a popular destination for older travellers seeking sun and sand.
Most of Swinoujscie's history is found along the waterfront promenade, including the grand mansions of famous literary residents from the past. While there's a large port and naval base, the waters remain calm and the beaches are very clean. Space abounds, creating the relaxed atmosphere and giving Swinoujscie the sense of being stuck in a distant era.
Swinoujscie was a long-time favourite of elderly visitors from East Germany and most of the cafes and bars still cater for this clientele, making it an ideal place to escape and unwind.
From Swinoujscie there are direct ferries across the Baltic Sea to Sweden and Denmark. The town also has a border crossing to Germany. Szczecin-Goleniow is the closest airport but the limited number of flights mean many visitors choose to arrive at one of Berlin's airports, which are four hours away by train. Swinoujscie is well connected by train, with German destinations like Rostock and Hamburg as close as the cities in Poland.
Swinoujscie was renamed when it became part of Poland at the close of World War II. It had previously been called Swinemunde, a German name referring to the River Swina.