The Pomeranian Voivodeship (Pomorskie) is Poland's Baltic coast region, centred on the Tricity of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. It combines Gdańsk's rebuilt Hanseatic Main Town, the Teutonic fortress of Malbork, the sandy Hel Peninsula, the moving dunes of Słowiński National Park and the lake-studded villages of Kashubia and Kociewie.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Experyment Science Centre (Centrum Nauki Experyment)
Hands-on science centre at Al. Zwycięstwa 96/98 in Gdynia. Open Tuesday to Friday 9:00-18:00 and Saturday-Sunday 10:00-19:00, closed Mondays; the cash desk closes an hour before the centre, and it has a technical break from 31 August to 11 September.
Duration: 3 hours
Gdynia Aquarium (Akwarium Gdyńskie)
Public aquarium at al. Jana Pawła II 1 on Gdynia's seafront, with tropical and Baltic marine life; reduced tickets apply from a child's fifth birthday.
Duration: 2 hours
Hevelianum
Hands-on science and education venue on Gradowa Hill (ul. Gradowa 6) in Gdańsk, with exhibitions, workshops and science shows. It was listed as open Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00 and closed Sundays; ticket holders get 10% off at the Restauracja Gradova.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Malbork Castle (Zamek w Malborku)
The Teutonic Order castle at Starościńska 1, about an hour by train from Gdańsk. The Historical Route runs Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-16:00 with last entry at 12:45; a family audio guide and a Castle Grounds Tour are available.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Fokarium Hel (seal sanctuary)
Grey seal sanctuary of the University of Gdańsk marine station on the Hel Peninsula, open daily 10:00-16:00 October-April, 10:00-17:00 in May, June and September, and 10:00-18:00 in July-August. Seal feeding talks are at 11:00 and 14:00 from October to June, and four times daily in July-August.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Museum of the Second World War
Large timed-entry museum on the Gdańsk waterfront at plac Władysława Bartoszewskiego 1; the exhibition is heavy and best for older children and teenagers.
Duration: 3 hours
Gdańsk Zoo in Oliwa
Zoo at ul. Karwieńska 3 in the Oliwa district, set in woodland, with free admission possible with the Gdańsk tourist card per an English travel guide.
Duration: 3 hours
Sopot beach and pier
Sopot's wooden pier is the longest in Europe, with a sandy beach alongside; children enjoy the seafront promenade and ice-cream stalls.
Duration: 2-4 hours
Moving dunes at Łeba (Słowiński National Park)
Walk across shifting dunes between the Baltic and Lake Łebsko; this is a long, sandy walk and suits children who can walk several kilometres.
Duration: Half day
Hel Peninsula beaches and cycling
A 35 km sand spit with shallow bay-side beaches and pine forest paths, reached by boat from Gdańsk or Gdynia or by train and bus.
Duration: Full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Sheraton Sopot Hotel, Conference Center & Spa
Seafront hotel at Powstańców Warszawy 10 in Sopot beside the beach.
Family features: Free kids' club, playground, pool, private beach access, kid-friendly dining
Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa
Resort hotel at Rzeczypospolitej 2/6 in Sopot with a spa and two restaurants.
Family features: Free kids' club, two indoor pools, family rooms
Saltic Resort & Spa Łeba
Aparthotel in Łeba, the base for Słowiński National Park and the moving dunes.
Family features: Two indoor pools, free kids' club, kid-friendly restaurant, apartment-style rooms
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Polish restaurants welcome children and offer smaller portions and kids' menus
High chairs (krzesełko dla dziecka) are available in most restaurants; ask when booking
Children's menus usually include pierogi, chicken cutlet with potatoes and plain pasta, often for 18-35 PLN ($5-9)
Milk bars (bary mleczne) serve inexpensive Polish dishes in simple surroundings that suit fussy eaters
Beach and pier stalls in Sopot and on the Hel Peninsula sell fried fish, waffles and ice cream; look for busy stalls with fish cooked to order
Seaside restaurants fill at lunch and dinner in July and August, so reserve or eat early
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Book Museum of the Second World War and Malbork Castle tickets online for school holidays and summer weekends
Family tickets pay off: the Gdynia Aquarium, Experyment and Malbork Castle all sell family fares
The Polanki Children's Hospital (ul. Polanki 119, Gdańsk-Oliwa) provides pediatric care; call 112 or 999 in an emergency
The Baltic is cold even in summer; check beach flags, lifeguard stations and bathing-water notices every day
Do not let children pick up amber-like lumps or metal objects on the beach, because phosphorus and wartime ordnance occasionally wash ashore
Plan indoor days (Experyment, the Aquarium, Hevelianum, museums) for rain, which falls on roughly half the days of the year
Bring windproof layers for beach days and a tick check after forest or dune walks from April to October
Winter days are short and cold; many seaside attractions run reduced hours between November and March