Kashubia. A land of green forests, hills and lakes. Attractions Kashubia!

Kashubia is a beautiful and interesting historical land with lakes, forests, hills, peace and quiet. It is located in northern Poland, and is part of Pomerania. The range of this region is determined by the towns where Kashubians live - a West Slavic ethnic group characterized by a specific Kashubian language, incomprehensible to the average Pole and a clear sense of separateness.

Kashubian Switzerland

Kashubia is one of the most beautiful and most attractive tourist regions in our country. Due to the captivating, extremely picturesque landscapes, this corner is often referred to as Kashubian Switzerland. The highest elevation in this region is Wieżyca, not only in Kashubia but also in the entire European Lowland. It measures 328.6 m above sea level, is covered with beech forest and covered by a reserve. At its top rises a wooden observation tower

Why is Kashubia so beautiful?

On the last day of Creation, God swung a sack over this place and poured out all the crumbs, so a little of everything was created - hills, forests, meadows, fields and ubiquitous lakes, so very charming...

Experiences in Kashubia

The greatest wealth of Kashubia are fresh forests and clean lakes shimmering among them. The most famous and worth seeing is the Wdzydzkie Lakes complex. There are also landscape parks, such as the Słupia Valley Landscape Park, reserves and open-air museums of wooden local construction. For modern entertainment, visit the Kashubian Miniature Park or Footgolf Przywidz. The aforementioned Tower with an observation tower is also very popular. In its vicinity, there is the most picturesque lake in the area - Lake Ostrzyckie. And on top of that, there are the wonderful attractions of the Baltic coast. A week-long holiday allowed us to discover many interesting places in this region, which is why we have created a guide to the best attractions in Kashubia!

Wdzydzkie Lake and observation tower in Kaszuby

Actually, the Wdzydzkie Lakes, which are often called the Kashubian Sea. These lakes and the surrounding area include the Wdzydzki Landscape Park. The Kashubian Sea spills over in Wdzydze Kiszewskie (I love the name), it is the heart of Kashubia, with what is the most beautiful and valuable here. At the very lake in Wdzydze, in the area of the PTTK water station, there was an observation tower over 35 meters high. Built of larch wood, it has 3 viewing platforms, located at a height of 10, 20 and 30 meters. You can admire the famous Wdzydze Lakes Cross with numerous peninsulas and the largest island of Lake Wdzydze – Ostrów Wielki. When we visited Kashubia, it was free, now you have to pay for admission (normal PLN 5, reduced PLN 2.5). Next to it there is a beach, water equipment rental and picnic sheds. Here you will get to know the Kashubian climate!
Observation tower, PTTK Station, Wdzydze 29, Wąglikowice

Kashubian Ethnographic Park in Wdzydze Kiszewskie

I love open-air museums and I know that you also like these souvenirs of old wooden buildings. Therefore, you will certainly be happy to visit the Kashubian Ethnographic Park named after Teodora and Izydor Gulgowski in Wdzydze - the oldest open-air museum in Poland. It was founded in 1906, so it is well over 100 years old. It was created as a smaller one, today it is extensive and attractive. It occupies an area of 22 hectares on the shore of Lake Gołuń, built up with typical rural buildings from the 17th to the 20th century. There are cottages, manors, school, forge, inn, windmills, churches, outbuildings and craft workshops, in total more than 50 objects from Kashubia and Kociewie. The open-air museum in Wdzydze is dog-friendly, you can walk here with your pets, but outdoor exhibitions in dog interiors are not available
Kashubian Ethnographic Park, 68 Gulgowskich Street, Wdzydze

Ostrzyckie Lake in Kashubia

Lake Ostrzyckie is another wonderful place in this region, considered by many to be the most beautiful lake in this region. I can agree with that, and I know what I'm writing, because we spent the whole week at this lake and  admired it in several places. Lake Ostrzyckie is attractive for sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts, but also for walkers. There is a lot of nature and silence, little commercialization. Perfect for holiday slow travel
Ostrzyckie Lake, Ostrzyce Beach, Kashubian Road, Ostrzyce

Tower with an observation tower in Kashubia

The spire is the highest elevation in the region and in the entire European Lowland (328.6 m above sea level). It is covered by a beautiful beech forest protected in the form of a reserve. The car should be left in a paid parking lot, at the foot of the hill and take a 15-minute walk to the top. And there is a wooden observation tower available for a fee. From its viewing platform, there are nice views, mainly of the forests, the Szymbarskie Hills and the lakes of the so-called Raduński Circle. There are a lot of lakes here, almost every corner. The tower on the Tower bears the name of John Paul II, it has 182 steps and 35 meters in height. This is one of those places that are definitely worth visiting in Kashubia if you like walking and appreciate nature! The tower is open every day from 9.00 to 20.00 (tickets: normal PLN 10, reduced PLN 7)
Tower on the Tower, Fishermen 42

Moving dunes of the Słowiński National Park

Moving dunes are the most famous attraction in the area and I highly recommend it to you! We were delighted with this place, the heat tore the hair, the sand pushed everywhere, but still it was fantastic, and the views - a fairy tale 🙂 You can reach the dunes in the Słowiński National Park from the parking lot in Rąbka (about 6 km) or you can go by melex to the dune itself and in the same way return to Łeba. The bike also comes into play, which is certainly a good idea, but not on the sands 🙂 Of course, we walked. While the road to the dunes leads through the forest and can be a bit tedious, returning to the beach in Łeba was wonderful. At the car park in Rąbka there is also a ticket office for tickets to the Słowiński National Park (normal PLN 6, reduced PLN 3). In summer, it is crowded here, so it is worth going out as soon as possible. A bit further there is a turn to the shore of Lake Łebsko, I recommend taking a look because there is a pier and an observation tower, the panoramas are very nice. Next to it there is a tavern, which we used when returning, because you come down from the beach in the same place. The route through the forest to the dunes initially diverges from the asphalt running next to it, which is followed by buses and bicycles, but closer to the dunes these routes combine and it gets quite tight. But soon afterwards, the sand appears and the announcement of the Łącka Dune. And this is something really great! You have to climb on the sand to the top of it, preferably without shoes, your feet sink wonderfully in the sand. On the ground, you can see the constant movement of sand. There is a section on the dune where you can move, the rest is under strict protection. Returning to the beach, we went down the last descent and again a bit through the forest to the parking lot in Rąbka.
Moving dunes, Rąbka

Trakt in Gdańsk

Gdańsk is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, also being in Kashubia, be sure to visit and walk the Royal Route leading through the Long Market and the promenade over the Motława River. There are so many wonderful tenement houses here, squeezed together. This view impresses, individually and all together. Proudly stands the famous Neptune Fountain, at theArtus Court, and further under the Green Gate, it is worth strolling along the Long Coast by the Motława River, admire the view of the changed Ołowianka Island with granaries and, of course, the Crane, which is also worth seeing from the other side. Do not forget about the famous St. Mary's Street, which has an amazing atmosphere. If it were not for other tourists who constantly enter the frame, I would never stop photographing Gdańsk🙂
Trakt Królewski, Długi Targ, Długie Pobrzeże, Gdańsk

Beach and pier in Gdynia Orłów

Orłowska Beachis my favorite beach on the entire Polish coast. It's best to come here first thing in the morning, when the pier is empty and you can only see fishermen and lots of birds on the beach. Then it's really wild and magical, with this beautiful cliff in the background! It is true that afterwards sunbathers come together, but the climate of this beach is still unique throughout the day. The sight of a cliff falling into the sea satisfies me more than the hundreds of screens we saw on other beaches. There is something to eat, somewhere to walk, the charming pier is also more intimate than others on the Baltic Sea. I recommend this place!
Beach in Orłowo, ul. Orłowska, Gdynia Orłowo

Pier, sailing ships and Aquarium in Gdynia

The South Pier with ships in Gdynia is a unique treat not only for men!There is a wonderful sailing ship - Dar Pomorza, which is a museum available to tourists. There is a warship - the destroyer ORP Błyskawica, remembering the fighting of World War II, a cruise ship Dragon, and with a little luck you will also come across the Gift of Youth, which continues to sail the seas and oceans. We got it. The flag of this sailing ship was raised on July 4, 1982, and to this day it has more than 200 sea voyages behind it, the world has sailed around, even the infamous Cape Horn. The South Pier in Gdynia is well developed, impressive and inviting for walks. In addition to sailing ships and other ships, you will see various curiosities, such as the entertainment center and the Gdynia Aquarium. Here you can dine in one of the many eateries, buy souvenirs and relax on the nearby beach. It is also worth visiting the marina located on the opposite side of the South Pier, at the Beniowski Quay. Here you can find smaller vessels, but also stunning - colorful yachts.
South Pier, Aleja Jana Pawła II, Gdynia
Sailboats, Aleja Jana Pawła II, Gdynia

Pier and Monciak in Sopot

In the heart of Sopot, there is a representative Sopot promenade, the so-called Monciak, on which countless waves of tourists roll in the summer, including well-known stars of the Polish scene and more. Monciak is a street of Monte Cassino Heroes, stretching from al. Niepodległości to pl. Zdrojowego. The whole promenade is excluded from car traffic, which is why it is all the more attractive to tourists. Monciak is decorated with beautiful, historic tenement houses, there is also a modern freak - the so-called Crooked House (BOH). Monte Cassino 53), where the restaurant was located. There is no shortage of all kinds of pubs in Monciak, after all, in summer life is vibrant here until dawn. Numerous souvenir shops were also located here. It is one of the most popular places in the Tri-City and on the entire Polish coast. Monciak leads to the famous, available for a fee pier in Sopot, the longest in Poland and even Europe, and of course to the beautiful sandy beaches descending to the sea.
Monciak, ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino, Sopot

Education Center in Szymbark

I was at the Center for Education and Promotion of the Region quite a long time ago, recently we skipped this place, so I do not have a photo, but I remember and I know from others that it is worth taking them into account when getting to know Kashubia. It is a kind of open-air museum with interesting objects. You will see, for example, the Siberian House brought from Irkutsk, the House to Mount Nogami, the Bunker and the monument to the Pomeranian Griffin, the Carpentry Museum, the Trapper's House, the Salino Manor or the Statue of Światowid. A great curiosity here is the Longest Board in the World entered in the Guinness Book of Records. It is 36 meters and 83 cm! Her weight exceeds 1100 kg and it took 50 men to hang her on the wall. The board comes from the American Douglas fir tree, from the same family as the Polish larch. The record-breaking Douglas fir grew for 120 years and was over 51 m high! The hotel, restaurant and brewery "Kashubian Crown" are also located in CEPR.
Centrum Edukacji, ul. Szymbarskich Zakładników 12, Szymbark

Market Square and Locomotives in Kościerzyna

The market square in Kościerzyna is very charming. Nice, colorful tenement houses and the Museum decorate this square, where children are entertained by a fountain throwing water at different heights. A Remus bench stood by the fountain in 2011. This is actually a wheelbarrow full of books 🙂 This monument presents the title character of Aleksander Majkowski's novel entitled Life and Adventures of Remus, which is called the Kashubian epic. But Kościerzyna is famous mainly for the Railway Museum, and above all this place is worth visiting in this city. The steam locomotive plant in Kościerzyna has the largest exhibition of rail vehicles in northern Poland.
Steam engine room, ul. Towarowa 7, Kościerzyna

Bytów Castle

Bytów is the southern end of Kashubia, and of course we were attracted here by the castle. Bytów is a historical center with a long history, mentioned in the 12th century, and in the 14th century seized by the Teutonic Knights, whose traces can be seen here to this day. The castle is one of them. The construction of the stronghold began in the fourteenth century and has partially preserved its Gothic form since the Middle Ages. Later, the castle was ruled by the princes of Pomerania. Today, the hotel is located here, but tourists can also explore the facility. The courtyard looks very nice, especially from a wooden balcony. Here you can buy souvenirs with a Kashubian, ethnic motif. Oh, how I like all ethnic accents. Not far from the castle there is the Bytów Market Square and the Gothic tower - the remains of the former church of St. Catherine.
Zamek, ul. Zamkowa, Bytów

Observation Tower and Gótów Settlement in Piaszno

The observation tower on Lemana Mountain in Piaszno in Kashubia is a very quiet, modest and interesting place. It is located a little south of Bytów. Hardly anyone has heard of it, we were completely alone here! And we came here a little by accident, crossing the Trail of Gothic Castles of Pomerania.

The place is called Leman's Mountain by the host who built a lookout tower here, a little over 20 meters high. The platform is available free of charge, as is the small car park underneath. The views here are really idyllic, to the surrounding lakes, fields and Mount Siemierzycka. Lemana Mountain itself is a hill with a height of 220 m above sea level. The easiest way to get here is by road number 20 from Bytów. The tip is already a road without asphalt, keep an eye on the signposts.

Stone Circles in Węsiory

While in Kashubia, we also discovered a considerable curiosity, namely Węsiory with the famous Stone Circles. The place is unique, supposedly with a magical aura, I do not know about it, but it is a valuable fact that we can see here something that was created 2,000 years ago by a people called the Goths, who lived here at the turn of the era, for 200 years. As if for a short time, and such a lasting trace remained after them, which still puzzles and amazes us today. You will see stone circles here, something like a holy place where people were buried. And how do you know that? Because burial mounds and graves were discovered here. Apparently, the elders of the tribe met at the circles. It is said that it is also a kind of astronomical calendar, so Węsiory is a kind of Kashubian Stonehenge. It is also worth going down to the picturesque Long Lake near the stone circles. The car is left in the parking lot in front of stone circles where you can eat. You will also find the Gothic Castle nearby
Kamienne Kręgi w Węsiorach, ul. Zielona Droga 1, Sulęczyno

Collegiate Church and Lakes of Kartuzy

Kartuzy is the capital of Kashubia, with a beautiful collegiate church and a monastery lake around which you can walk. These are actually two lakes - Monastery Small and Big. One descends directly to Mały from the city's walking trails, and along the shore a picturesque didactic path - the so-called Alley of the Philosophers - was marked out, because it was here that monks from the nearby Carthusian monastery used to walk and meditate. It was once one of the strictest contemplative orders. The remnant of this monastery is the Collegiate Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It dates back to the fourteenth century and refers well to the life of local monks. They cultivated a hermit life in complete seclusion, according to the medieval maxim "Memento mori - remember about death". This quote appears on the sundial preserved in the temple. The roof of the collegiate church in Kartuzy also reminds of it, because it has an unusual shape of a coffin lid, and an amazing pendulum moves over the heads of the faithful entering the church - an angel with a scythe. The monastery building was demolished, but the monastery farm buildings, the refectory and the only surviving hermitage survived. The most valuable monument of the Carthusian collegiate church is the main altar made in the form of a triptych in 1444 in Gdańsk.
Collegiate Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ul. Klasztorna 3, Kartuzy
Monastery Lake Małe, ul. Klasztorna, ul. Cicha, Kartuzy

Puck experiences

Puck may not be crazy, but it's an interesting place to go for a walk. From the ruins of the castle, through the church, the bay, the monument of the wedding with the sea to the pier. Along the way, we met two interesting monuments - Carp and Zaruski. Of course, you can also sit on the beach, which is always pleasant and especially pleases the younger part of the visiting team.

Cities in Kashubia

Among these forests and lakes, there are small urban centers in which Kashubian traditions and language are still cultivated: Kartuzy - the heart of Kashubia, Chmielno, Kościerzyna, Chojnice, Bytów, Wejherowo, Puck, Łeba, as well as the Tri-City - Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot. The magnificent mosaic of forests, lakes, meadows and fields, varied terrain, richness of nature, charming towns and diverse agritourism offer make Kashubia a truly amazing place, increasingly visited by tourists not only from Poland, who come here to experience a peaceful holiday in the bosom of nature, and at the same time learn about the interesting customs of the indigenous population.

Where to sleep and eat in Kashubia

When we were in Kashubia for a week, we slept in Brodnica Dolna, at Lake Ostrzyckie itself, in the LakeSide Pension. I highly recommend this charming place, we had a private beach by the lake. From here, we went to the surrounding attractions, and even to the Baltic Sea - to Łeba, Władysławowo or the Tri-City. You could eat in the guesthouse itself or in the centre of the village, by the lake. We remember this family holiday very well. In addition, many interesting restaurants are waiting on the coast, e.g. a nice pub in Gdynia on the promenade, almost opposite the Sailboats, at Aleja Jana Pawła II 11. It is called the Gdynia Tavern, but it is usually referred to as the Green Tavern. It's a tasty and atmospheric place where I ate more than once.

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See also our article Where to go on holiday? The best tourist regions in Poland

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

• Gdansk, distance: 29.8  km
• Puck Bay, distance: 39.2  km
• Rewa, distance: 39.2  km
• Rzucewo Castle, distance: 42.8  km
• Puck, distance: 45  km
• Władysławowo, distance: 53.3  km
• Malbork Castle, distance: 63.2  km
• Słowiński National Park, distance: 67.2  km
• Bory Tucholskie National Park, distance: 73.6  km
• Frombork, distance: 96  km