Long unspoiled beaches attract visitors to Kolobrzeg, a quaint town on the Baltic Sea in the northwest of Poland. There's usually plenty of space to stretch out the towel and there are many miles of coastal walking paths that weave in and out of the coastal forests.
Kolobrzeg is mostly about its beaches and this small town has more than its fair share of the Baltic's finest sand. Various attractions and restaurants line the seafront and it's all generously spaced, with the central town beaches flanked by much quieter strips of sand.
Salt springs were discovered here in the 7th century and an array of spas continue the tradition of relaxation. Compared with Sopot, Poland's other main beach destination, Kolobrzeg is much quieter and focused on rest and rejuvenation. The beer gardens are inviting rather than bustling, while the long promenade has a quaint atmosphere during the very long summer evenings.
Szczecin-Goleniow is the closest airport, situated around 100 kilometres southwest of Kolobrzeg. Gdansk Airport is 230 kilometres to the east. Most visitors arrive by train, on direct connections from Poznan, Gdansk or Warsaw. Most of the city can be explored on foot and the excellent hiking trails provide a charming journey to outlying beaches.
The history of this traditional fishing town is as hostile and tempestuous as any in Poland. Nordic invaders came from across the Baltic Sea, the Brandenburgs and Russians razzed the city, then Napoleon's army laid siege. When peace returned in the early 19th century, Kolobrzeg was transformed into a beach and spa resort, yet the prosperity was wiped out during two weeks of aerial bombardment at the end of World War II.