The gateway to Szczecin
Świnoujście grew up at the mouth of the Świna, the most important waterway from the Baltic into the Szczecin Lagoon and on to Szczecin. So that ships could reach Szczecin faster and more safely, the Piast Canal was dug in 1874-1880 (until 1945 the Kaiserfahrt, or Emperor’s Channel). It is about 8 km long and cut Karsibór island off from Usedom. It was given its Polish name in 1949.
A port in the middle of town
Świnoujście is the westernmost port in Poland. The harbour channel runs right through the middle of the town, so from the quay in the centre or from the breakwater you can see ships, tugs and ferries up close. Residents and visitors are carried between the banks by the Bielik ferries, and since 2023 cars have used the tunnel under the Świna.
Ferries to Sweden
Passenger and car ferries leave the ferry terminal by the railway station for the Swedish ports of Ystad and Trelleborg. The crossing takes several hours. The big ferries head out to sea right next to the breakwater with Stawa Młyny, one of the most striking sights in town.
The LNG terminal
In December 2015 the first liquefied gas ship arrived in Świnoujście, and in 2016 the LNG terminal began regular operation. The terminal is named after President Lech Kaczyński and is of great importance for Poland’s energy security. It cannot be visited.
