Świnoujście is not just a summer resort. It is a port town and a spa where life goes on all year round. From autumn to spring you will meet walkers on the promenade, guests from the sanatoriums and visitors from Germany who come for the weekend. The beach is then wide and empty, and the hotels, sanatoriums, restaurants and cafés in the seaside district and the centre carry on as usual.
After the summer holidays the rhythm of the town changes, not whether it is open. It is mainly typical beach businesses that take a break: deckchair hire, some of the ice cream and waffle kiosks and the graduation towers. Some attractions have shorter hours, so check them before you set off.
Why come off-season
- Beach and promenade without the crowds. A walk along the shore or the promenade to Germany is calmer in winter than in August, and the sea views are often more dramatic than in summer.
- The spa works all year. Sanatoriums and hotels with treatment areas welcome guests in winter too, and hotels with pools, saunas and spas make a good base for cold days.
- Swans and birds by the sea. In autumn and winter swans and ducks often swim by the breakwater and along the beach.
- Easier dates. Demand and prices peak in July and August. Outside the peak it is easier to find free dates.
What to do in autumn and winter
- A long walk. Along the promenade or the beach to Ahlbeck: we describe the route in our Along the promenade to Ahlbeck walk. The promenade is lit, so you can walk after the early dusk too.
- The breakwater and Stawa Młyny. The winter sea at Stawa Młyny can be very picturesque, especially at sunset.
- Something warm on the promenade. On winter weekends and over the festive season there are stalls with mulled wine, mulled beer, hot chocolate and coffee along the promenade and in the centre. In December there is also a Christmas market in the centre; the town announces its location and dates every year.
- Museums and forts. Museums and forts are good for a chilly afternoon. Off-season they may have shorter hours.
- Pools, saunas, spa. The Baltic Park Molo Aquapark and hotel spas are the natural follow-up to a winter walk.
- The evening. Bowling and beer at the Miedziowy44 brewery, a dance evening or a club: we have gathered ideas in our guides Świnoujście in the evening and Where to dance.
- Lunch and coffee. You will find restaurants and cafés in the centre and by the promenade in our Where to eat section.
- A trip to Germany. The UBB train from Świnoujście Centrum station runs in winter too, so in one day you can see the piers in Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf.
Ferries and transport off-season
The Bielik ferries on the Warszów crossing run all year round, day and night. The timetable changes with the season: from autumn to spring some crossings are replaced by the P1 bus, which runs through the tunnel between the landings. The current timetable is published by the municipal roads and shipping authority (ZDiMiŻ) at zdmiz.swi.pl. We describe the details in our guide Ferries in Świnoujście.
What to prepare for
- It is windier by the sea than in town: a hat and a windproof jacket are essential.
- After a frosty night the sand, steps and beach paths can be icy. Shoes with a good grip help.
- The days are short: in December the sun sets before 4 pm. Plan your seaside walk for the middle of the day and the museum or pool for the afternoon.
- Opening hours of attractions and venues are often shorter off-season. Check them before you go, especially on weekdays.
We show the current weather, sea temperature and sunset time on the home page.
Frequently asked questions
Is anything open in Świnoujście in winter?
Yes. Hotels, sanatoriums, restaurants, cafés, the aquapark and museums are open all year, some with shorter hours. It is mainly seasonal beach businesses such as deckchair hire and the graduation towers that take a break.
Do the ferries in Świnoujście run in winter?
Yes. The Bielik ferries on the Warszów crossing run all year round, day and night. From autumn to spring some crossings are replaced by the P1 bus through the tunnel. ZDiMiŻ publishes the current timetable at zdmiz.swi.pl.
What can you do in Świnoujście on a winter evening?
A walk along the lit promenade, dinner, a sauna or pool, bowling and beer at the Miedziowy44 brewery, and for those who like dancing, a dance evening at the Scaliano café or the Salt Club in the Radisson Blu hotel.
