For the summer we suggest you visiting north-west nook of Poland. We would like to make a short presentation of a few nice spots existing in this part of West Pomeranian Voivodship. Here we focus on Wolin and Uznam Islands, The widest beaches in Poland, unspoilt environment, specific microclimate, salt springs and therapeutic mud, as well as the sea-ferry terminal for passengers and cargo, pedestrian border crossing to Germany and insular location - not many places on the Baltic coast can boast so many great assets.
Uznam (Polish)/ Usedom (German) is a Baltic Sea island on the border between Germany and Poland. It is situated north of the estuary of the Oder (Pol: Odra) river in Pomerania. Most of the island is a part of German district Ostvorpommern but the biggest city of Świnoujście (Ger. Swinemünde) at the eastern end of the island has belonged to Poland since 1945. Area 445 km?; German part 373 km?, Polish part 72 km?. Population 76,500; German part 31,500; Polish part 45,000.
The island is separated in the east from the neighbouring island of Wolin by the Świna (Ger: Swine) strait (or river) which is the main route connecting the Szczecin Bay with the Pomeranian Bay, part of the Baltic Sea.
The main town on the island is Świnoujście, which has more inhabitants than the rest of the island.
Wolin is the name shared by an island located in the Baltic Sea located just off the Polish coast, and a town located on the island. It is nearly connected to the island of Usedom. Water from the Oder river (Odra) flows into the Lagoon of Szczecin (in Polish Zalew Szczeciński; in GermanStettiner Haff), through the strait into Pomeranian Bay (in Polish Zatoka Pomorska; in German Pommersche Bucht), which is a part of the Baltic Sea.
Suggested itineraries:
Breath-taking views
See: Gosań Hill (93m) is located right on the sea coast, east of Miedzyzdroje. The steep cliffs make this part of polish seaside a great tourist attraction.
Zielonka Hill is located on the south west corner of Wolin Island and it overlooks on the Świna eustery , Karsibór Island and other over 40 islands.
Interested in history?
The Odra Estuary is an area of relatively early human settlements. First Germanic and Slavonic tribes arrived here around 4200-1700 BC. In historic times this area used to be of particular interest for neighbouring peoples: Germans, Danes, Swedes and Poles. More than a thousand years ago the nearby Wolin was already a thriving town while Świnoujście appeared on the historic scene much later.
Interested in wildlife?
Wolinski National Park
Wolinski National Park is located at the mouth of Oder River, in the North-Western Poland (Szczecin voivodship), close to the Polish-German border. It protects highly valuable north-western part of the Wolin Island. The Park was established in 1960 on the area of 4844 ha. It was extended in 1996 by incorporating 1 nautical mile broad belt of Baltic coastal waters in the north and delta of Swina River. Inclusion of the part of Pomeranian Bay and inner salt waters of Szczecin Bay has made the Woliński National Park the first maritime park in Poland. The total area of the Park today is 10 937 ha, of which forests covering 4530 ha (41%). 6 forest communities of a total area of 165 ha (1,5%) are under strict protection.
Interesting cities or towns
Świnoujście
Situated in the extract corner of northwest Poland, Świnoujście ranks among the most attractive towns on the Polish coast. Like no other town in Poland, Świnoujście is located on several dozen islands. Its area being naturally delimited by the Szczecin Bay, the Baltic Sea and the German border. Eastwards, the nearest neighbouring town is Międzyzdroje. In the new administrative division established in 1999, Świnoujście has the status of being both town and county /powiat in Polish/. As one of the largest towns in Zachodniopomorskie Province, Świnoujście has an area of 195 km2, which, strangely enough, increases regularly. In the process of sea recession the coastline has moved north by 1.5 km.
