The AmberSky Ferris Wheel, the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica, Kamienna Góra, the viewing tower in Gdynia Kolibki, or the lighthouse in Sopot – discover with us the viewpoints in the Tricity that are worth visiting!
Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia together cover an area of over 400 square kilometers. It’s no wonder that while exploring the Tricity, we seek places from which we can see the panorama. What viewpoints are worth seeing? The choice is certainly not easy. In Gdańsk alone, we can count over 20 viewpoints! However, we’ll attempt to take on the challenge and present to you a subjective guide to the viewpoints that are worth visiting while in Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia.
Tricity: Viewpoints in Gdańsk
The Pachołek Viewing Tower in Gdańsk Oliwa is one of the most frequently and eagerly visited places. From here, we can see a panorama of the city and the Gdańsk Bay. The viewing tower, 15 meters high, was built on a hill with an elevation of 107 meters above sea level. Under favorable weather conditions, we can even have a view of the Hel Peninsula from here.
The Olivia Star viewing terrace is also a popular place in Gdańsk. This terrace is situated highest among all viewpoints, on the 32nd floor. From the terrace, you can admire the panoramas of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia Orłowo. Entrance to the terrace is payable. Additionally, it’s better to check the opening hours beforehand.
The viewpoint at Góra Gradowa, although significantly lower than the previous viewpoints, is also a popular destination. Góra Gradowa is a hill with an elevation of 46 meters above sea level located within a stronghold area. At its peak, the Jerusalem Bastion, serving the city’s defense, was built in 1655. Another characteristic feature of this place is a tall cross. Near Góra Gradowa, there’s the Hewelianum Center with multimedia exhibitions and educational activities for children and youth.
The tower of St. Mary’s Basilica rises to a height of 82 meters, and interestingly, it is an unfinished construction. Originally, a structure almost twice as tall was planned. The church itself can boast being the largest brick sacred building of its kind, measuring 105 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and 27-30 meters in height, accommodating 25 thousand people. Planning to climb the tower, it’s worth noting that there are over 400 stairs to climb!
The AmberSky Ferris Wheel is a very popular attraction in Gdańsk. When in the Old Town, it’s a must-visit spot to take a memorable photo. The wheel’s height is 50 meters above sea level. From the gondolas, you can admire the Old Town, the stadium, the shipyard with cranes, and even the distant Hel from an entirely new perspective.
Amber Sky is, of course, a commercial attraction, hence payable. It’s also advisable to check the opening hours of the Ferris wheel.
Tricity: Viewpoints in Sopot
Although formally no longer a lighthouse, the Sopot Lighthouse is still commonly referred to as a viewpoint due to habit. The structure is located right by Sopot’s pier. The lighthouse can be visited year-round, and from its terrace, you’ll have a panoramic view of the Gdańsk Bay, Tricity, and Sopot. Admission to the lighthouse is payable. It’s recommended to check the opening hours in advance and potentially reserve your visit.
The viewpoint at Wzniesienie Strzeleckie is a viewing terrace at an altitude of approximately 80 meters above sea level. Wzniesienie Strzeleckie, also known as Strzeleckie Wzgórze, is situated near the Forest Opera, between Zacisze and Moniuszki streets. On the terrace, recently renovated, benches are placed. There’s nothing stopping you from spending a longer while there, admiring the view of the sea and the greenery.
The viewpoint at Łysa Góra is an excellent place for a walk, a bike ride, a picnic, or even skiing! Next to the lighthouse, this is a very popular viewing spot rising 110 meters above sea level. If the winter weather permits, Łysa Góra transforms into a ski slope almost 300 meters long with a T-bar lift. There’s also snowmaking and lighting available. It’s the only slope in Poland with a view of the sea!
Tricity: Viewpoints in Gdynia
The viewpoint at Kamienna Góra is a highly popular spot in Gdynia. It’s located in the city’s smallest district. From an elevation of over 50 meters above sea level, you can admire the Gdańsk Bay, the port, and the pier in Gdynia. Kamienna Góra is also known for its tall cross standing there. An additional attraction is the cable car that leads from the vicinity of the Music Theatre directly to the top. The ascent along the nearly 100-meter route is free of charge.
The viewing tower in Kolibki is a free viewpoint for those who don’t fear heights. The tower, although it could also be called a telecommunications mast, is situated on a hill, and the viewing terrace is located 28 meters above the ground. A spiral staircase of 150 steps leads to the terrace.
The viewing terrace at Góra Donas is situated at an altitude of 231 meters above sea level. Therefore, it is the highest viewpoint in the entire Tricity. Donas is the highest point in Gdynia, specifically the moraine elevation, located in the Dąbrowa district. In this case, too, the tower serves as a telecommunications mast. It is open from April to October in good weather conditions.
Summary
While visiting the Tricity for a few days, it’s difficult to explore and discover all the corners of the agglomeration. An alternative is to visit viewpoints that offer panoramas of the Gdańsk Bay or Hel. Thanks to them, you can enjoy picturesque landscapes, admire the cities from a bird’s-eye view, and experience the unique charm of this region.
