Are you visiting Gdynia again and looking for new places to discover? Or perhaps wondering where to go for a walk in Gdynia, avoiding the beaten paths?

Gdynia is a dynamically developing city. From a small fishing village, it quickly transformed in 1926 into a city with around 130,000 inhabitants. The oldest street in the city was Starowiejska Street, where the Central Hotel used to stand, and today in the same tenement building, you’ll find Hola Gdynia.

Gdynia has a lot to offer: historical sites, theaters, museums, parks, educational centers, and amusement parks. Many events known throughout Poland take place here, such as the Open’er Festival or the Polish Film Festival. The proximity to the sea, numerous cafes and restaurants, a wide range of accommodation options make Gdynia a very attractive tourist destination. If you want to discover the main tourist spots, check out our attractions in Gdynia section. However, if you’re interested in less frequented paths, read about a few of our recommended places for a walk in Gdynia.

Strolling through the Marszewo Forest Botanical Garden

Though a bit far from the center of Gdynia (about 10 km away), the Marszewo Forest Botanical Garden is definitely worth visiting. It’s an ideal place for nature lovers and photographers wanting to capture its beauty in every aspect. The garden focuses on collections of plants typical to the Pomeranian region and offers various educational programs and thematic workshops.

There are three educational walking trails here. On Alicja’s Trail, you can encounter, among other things, gigantic wooden insects. The Korzeni Trail introduces us to the life of roots and fungi. An interesting attraction is the Lumberjack, Mushroom, and Herbalist Huts with interactive exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Squirrel Trail is a 2.5-kilometer path with boards describing trees and several wooden toys.

So, if you’re wondering where to go for a longer walk while in Gdynia, the Marszewo Forest Botanical Garden will be an ideal suggestion.

Walking the mural trail in Gdynia

However, let’s return from the greenery to the city. If you’re passionate about the works of street artists, we highly recommend a walk in search of murals.

As part of Gdynia’s Traffic Design Festival held several times, exceptional murals have been created. You don’t have to go far from Hola Gdynia to find a few of them. However, the majority of murals are located around Kaszubski Square. International artists have also contributed to these murals. Each mural carries a sometimes hidden or more obvious message referencing the city’s history. However, most of their concepts were discussed with the residents of the blocks where the mural was to be created.

Where to look for murals in Gdynia? Let’s start with 38 Starowiejska Street, where you’ll find Jan Bajtlik’s alphabet. An interesting mural by the Ukrainian artist Kislow is also on 22 Waszyngtona Street. Additionally, you must visit the back of buildings 7 and 9 on Portowa Street – these murals are very impressive. Another intriguing concept is the mural on the side of Jana z Kolna Street. Nearby is also a mural of a golfer. On Żeromskiego Street, you’ll also find several street arts, including an impressive mural of two ships.

Of course, it’s worth looking for murals in the gateways and courtyards of Gdynia as well. Walking through Gdynia along the mural trail can take a whole day, if not longer!

Walking in Gdynia: theater in the station’s underground

While on the topic of murals, it’s worth mentioning the Gdynia Główna Theater. If your thoughts associate with the name of the station, you’re correct. This theater, which has gained considerable popularity, was established here. PKP SA (Polish State Railways) opened rooms in the station’s underground (which used to be an air-raid shelter). Besides the theater stage, an art gallery also operates there.

The theater presents plays referencing classical works but isn’t afraid to delve into contemporary issues. The theater is located near Hola Gdynia (approximately 1.5 km). So, the walk to the theater will be short but unique. Along the way, you can also stop at another interesting place, namely the Abraham’s House.

Abraham’s House and Starowiejska Street

Starowiejska Street is the oldest street in the former village of Gdynia. Walking along it is a must-do. However, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with its history beforehand.

Several important monuments stand on Starowiejska Street: the Central Hotel from 1928 (today’s Hola Gdynia), the Hundsdorff Tenement House from 1935, the Antoni Jaworowicz Tenement House from 1931, and the aforementioned Abraham’s House from the early 20th century, considered the oldest building in Gdynia. It bears its name from the Kashubian activist, Antoni Abraham. In 1969, the building was recognized as a monument. Later, it functioned as a branch of the Gdynia City Museum. However, for over 10 years, it has been operating as a restaurant.

There are, of course, many more monuments in beautiful Gdynia. Nevertheless, let’s discover lesser-known sites: a cave and a torpedo facility.

Gorilla Cave, or where to walk in Gdynia

If you’re wondering where to go for an unusual walk in Gdynia, the answer is obvious – visit Gorilla Cave.

Few people know that in Gdynia, near the entrance to the Redłowo beach, there’s a seaside Gorilla Cave. This cave, almost 25 meters long and five meters deep, is named after a criminal who hid there a long time ago. Nowadays, you won’t find a gorilla there, only bats. On a national scale, the cave is unique, and its origins are difficult to ascertain. So, while walking along the seashore, it’s worth looking for the entrance to the cave.

Ruins of the torpedo facility in Babie Doły

Coastal Gdynia is unfortunately full of remnants from the times of World War II. In Gdynia during that period, two torpedo facilities operated, comprising torpedo assembly halls with equipment for test firing.

The torpedo facility in Babie Doły was built on sunken metal crates. It was connected to the shore by a pier, along which a narrow-gauge railway transported torpedo parts.

Currently, the ruins of the torpedo facility serve as a frequent background for photographs and films taken by tourists walking along the beach.

Where to go for a walk in Gdynia? We hope that thanks to our suggestions, you’ll spend a successful day or weekend discovering Gdynia from a completely different perspective.

Obraz Diana Kalinowska z Pixabay