For centuries, lighthouses on the Polish Baltic coast have played a key role, guiding sailors along a safe route to ports and warning of treacherous shoals. Their lights, which dispel gloom and fog, have repeatedly saved sailors’ lives and avoided maritime disasters. These lighthouses, majestic and full of history, fascinate tourists and locals alike. Do you know how many lighthouses there are on the Baltic Sea, where exactly they are located and whether they can be visited?
How many lighthouses are there on the Baltic Sea?
There are 15 active lighthouses on the Polish Baltic coast. An additional 2, maintained by Polish polar stations, are located outside our country. They are the Arctowski Lighthouse on King George Island in the South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctica, and the Hornsund Lighthouse located on Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, north of Norway.
performed by: Monika Mazur
Lighthouses from west to east
- Świnoujście Lighthouse
The tallest lighthouse on the Baltic Sea and one of the tallest in the world measures nearly 68 meters high. It also received the palm of precedence among such brick buildings, with exactly 308 stairs leading to the top. It was built in 1857. On the east bank of the Swina River in Swinoujscie. Its imposing tower dominates the area, serving as a distinctive landmark and a valuable technical monument.
- Kikut Lighthouse
Located in the Wolin National Park, near the village of Wiselka, it is an unmanned lighthouse, built in 1962. It features a simple, austere form, and is surrounded by the lush nature of the national park.
- Lighthouse Niechorze
Built between 1860 and 1866, the 45-meter high lighthouse is known for its white tower with a red roof. The lighthouse in Niechorze is one of the shore stations monitoring ship traffic of HELCOM‘s AIS-PL system. It is listed as a historic landmark and has retained its original appearance and character.
- Kolobrzeg Lighthouse
The current lighthouse structure in Kolobrzeg dates from 1945, but its history dates back to the 18th century. During the fighting for this city in the last year of World War II, German sappers blew up the lighthouse to prevent Polish artillerymen from using it as a landmark. Soon after the end of hostilities, reconstruction of the structure began. The work was completed in November 1945.The 26-meter high lighthouse is located at the entrance to the port of Kolobrzeg. Built of brick, it is distinguished by its characteristic massive shape, resembling a defense tower. It consists of a wide brick base, which tapers upward to form a slender, cylindrical tower.
- Lighthouse Gaski
Built in 1878. The 50.2-meter-high lighthouse is a slender brick tower with a bright red facade, and is reached by 190 winding granite stairs. The Gąski Lighthouse was placed on a Polish postage stamp in 2006. It is located in the village of Gaski, between Mielno and Kolobrzeg.
- Darlowo Lighthouse
The small but charming lighthouse, 21 meters high, was built of bricks in 1885. It is the easternmost lighthouse on the Polish Baltic coast, located at the base of the eastern breakwater in Darłówek, where the Wieprza River flows into the Baltic Sea.
- Lighthouse Jaroslawiec
The lighthouse is located in the center of Jaroslawiec, on a cliff. This makes its light visible from a distance of about 23 Mm (about 42 km). The lighthouse tower is divided by cornices into four stories and measures 33.3 meters high, and was built of red glazed brick.
- Lighthouse Ustka
Built in 1892. Is a distinctive red brick building. The 19.5-meter-high tower was built on an octagonal plan and is adjacent to the brick building of the pilot station. Numerous cornices, canopies and windows of various sizes add to its charm. The lighthouse is located at the entrance to the port of Ustka.
- Czołpino Lighthouse
Built between 1872 and 1875, the lighthouse is located in the Slovinski National Park, on one of the highest dunes. The tower rises to a height of 25.2 meters and is made of classic red brick.
- Stilo Lighthouse
Built between 1904 and 1906, the lighthouse is located in the village of Osetnik, on a dune 41 meters above sea level, about 1000 meters from the seashore. It is a sixteen-sided tower, 33.4 meters high, made of iron plates, decorated with three color stripes: red, white and black.
- Rozewie Lighthouse
Another of the oldest and most famous lighthouses in Poland, built in 1822. It rises to a height of 32.7 meters and features a massive brick and white structure. It is located on Cape Rozewie, between Jastrzębia Góra and Władysławowo.
- Jastarnia Lighthouse
Built in 1950. The lighthouse is located in the town of Jastarnia on the Hel Spit. It is about 13.5 meters high and painted with red and white horizontal stripes. The lighthouse’s tower is made of metal, making it one of only two all-metal structures of this purpose in Poland, while it is also the lowest lighthouse on the Polish coast.
- Hel Lighthouse
Built in 1942. The lighthouse is distinguished by its slender red tower, 41.5 meters high. It is located at the end of the Hel Peninsula, in the town of Hel. It offers a terrace overlooking the peninsula and the Gulf of Gdansk.
- Lighthouse Gdansk North Port
Built in 1984. is the youngest lighthouse on the Polish coast. The tower is 56 meters high. The lighthouse structure, designed by Leszek Zakrzewski, is modern and quadrangular. It stands out from the others by its color – it is blue. The lighthouse has an elevator, but is not open to the public.
- Lighthouse Krynica Morska
Built in 1951, the lighthouse stands on the Vistula Spit in Krynica Morska. The tower is conical in shape, 26.5 meters high and made of prefabricated concrete blocks. The structure replaced an earlier structure, dating from 1895 and destroyed in 1945. The lighthouse does not indicate the way to the port, but complements the signage system between Hel and Pilawa.
Out-of-service lighthouses in the Baltic Sea
There are also defunct lighthouses on the Baltic coast, which are interesting historical sites and are frequented by tourists. Examples include:
- Lighthouse Swedes’ Mountain – is located in Swinoujscie. It was put out of service in the early 20th century.
- Jastarnia Lighthouse – located on the Hel Peninsula, ceased operating in 1990.
- Eastern Ustka Lighthouse – located on the eastern side of the Ustka port, ceased operation in the 1980s. In the 1970s.
- Czołpino Stare lighthouse – the old Czołpino lighthouse ceased to operate in 1875, when it was replaced by a new structure.
Is it possible to visit the lighthouses on the Baltic Sea?
Most of the lighthouses on the Baltic Sea are open to the public, but there are exceptions like the Kikut Lighthouse and the Gdansk North Port Lighthouse. The Kikut Lighthouse, located in the Wolin National Park, is protected for nature reasons and is an unmanned facility, making it impossible to organize tours. On the other hand, the Gdansk Port North Lighthouse, which plays a key navigational role for incoming ships, has limited access due to its strategic location and importance for port security. It is located in an industrial area, which makes it even more difficult to open to tourists.
Visiting lighthouses is a great opportunity to explore their rich history and enjoy spectacular views. The facilities are mainly open during the summer season, when they attract the largest number of tourists. Before visiting, however, it is worth checking the current opening hours, which can vary depending on the season and weather conditions, but also the age and height of visitors. Lighthouses are not only wonderful landscapes, they are also a chance to discover the fascinating history of navigation and unusual architectural structures that have been an integral part of the Polish coast for centuries.