Our Town

Situated in the very 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 and its area is naturally limited 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 sq km, which, strangely enough, increases regularly. In the process of sea recession the coastline has moved north by 1.5 km during the last several hundred years.

The town is situated on 44 islands of which only three: Uznam, Wolin and Karsibór are populated. Local administration and services together with the seaside district with tourist and spa facilities are located on the Island of Uznam. To Poland belongs a mere 40 sq km of the island, while its main part (380 sq km in area) is located on the German side of the border. 80% of Świnoujście residents live there.

Wolin, 265 sq km in area, is the largest Polish island, separated from the mainland by Dziwna Strait, which turns into the estuary of the Cicha and Madejska Gulfs, Kamieński Bay and the Wrzosowskie Lake. The industrial area of Świnoujście (called Warszów), including the biggest businesses of marine economy, is situated on Wolin Island. With the ferry terminal, stations of the Polish State Railways and Polish Motor Transport companies and the E-65 reaching here, Świnoujście is a vital intersection of international transport.

The third populated island is Karsibór. It has excellent conditions for the development of agrotourism, and the enjoyment of water sports and angling. In the northern part of the island the Karsiborska Kępa bird reserve was established on the area of over 180 hectares. It gives protection to almost 140 bird species, including very rare ones.

With its attractive location, Świnoujście has exceptionally favourable conditions for the development of marine business and tourism. The ferry terminal, a vital link between Central Europe and Scandinavia, provides regular service to Sweden and Denmark for passengers, cars, trucks and railway wagons.

From the west, the town's limits are defined by the German border, with a crossing to the town of Alhbeck opened for pedestrians and bikers. Access from Uznam Island to mainland Germany is possible via railway and roads 110 and 111. 12 km away from the border there is Heringsdorf Airport.

The distance from Świnoujście to Berlin is only 160 km, to Sweden 175 km, and to Denmark 150 km.

In Świnoujście there are two ferry links between Uznam and Wolin. As the ferries provide the only service between the islands, Uznam residents rightly call themselves genuine islanders.