Discover Hel: Seals, Museums and Coastal Scenery

Hel can be explored through several maritime themes. The Fokarium and Dom Morświna focus on marine mammals; museums shed light on fishing, the navy and the railway. Dunes, fortifications, a lighthouse and a designated bathing area round out the picture. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between places with specific opening hours and destinations whose special features lie in their exhibitions or architecture.

Marine Mammals and Their Protection

The Fokarium holds a daily seal feeding accompanied by an educational talk. Check the current schedule before your visit, as arrangements may change. The Fokarium is part of the Professor Krzysztof Skóra Marine Station, which belongs to the University of Gdańsk’s Institute of Oceanography. It supports the reintroduction and protection of grey seals in the southern Baltic region.

Dom Morświna has a different focus: its static and multimedia exhibitions cover the biology and history of porpoises, the threats they face today and their protection. The venue is open to visitors year-round from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As opening hours may change, check them before your visit. The difference between the two places is clear when choosing where to go: the Fokarium’s daily programme includes a seal feeding with a talk, while Dom Morświna presents its themes through exhibitions.

Fishing, the Navy and the Railway

The Muzeum Rybołówstwa is a branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, located in the centre of Hel. Harbour models, miniatures of historic ships, archival photographs and models of modern fishing boats show how Baltic fishing has changed. Visitors can also learn about the history of Hel and the town’s traditional fishing. The various exhibits thus lead from local history to changes in fishing across the Baltic region.

The Museum of Coastal Defence features themed exhibitions about the defence of Hel in 1939 and the historical development of the Polish Navy. It is housed in buildings previously used by the German “Schleswig-Holstein” battery, which had 406 mm guns. This links the site’s history with the exhibition themes, without equating the buildings’ former use with their present-day function.

The Muzeum Kolei Helskich collects artefacts from Hel’s narrow-gauge and standard-gauge railways. Its exhibits include railway tools, track components and signalling equipment, as well as uniforms, ticket-office furnishings and standard-gauge rolling stock. The collection explores railway history through technical components and equipment, as well as objects from railway operations and ticket sales.

Lighthouse, Dunes and Bathing Area

The Helska Latarnia Morska is an octagonal tower built of reddish-brown facing brick. Its viewing platform is 39 metres above ground. The lighthouse can therefore be appreciated not only for its function as a structure, but also for its distinctive shape and the height of its platform.

Kąpielisko nr 2 – “Na Cyplu” is a designated bathing area in Hel on the Bay of Gdańsk. Its shoreline is 100 metres long. The 2026 bathing season ran from 1 July to 31 August. If you are planning a visit at a later date, check the seasonal information applicable to that period.

The fortifications also form part of the landscape: they lie in the forests and dunes of Hel and are open to visitors. Alongside museums and exhibitions, these outdoor structures offer a separate way to explore the town’s history.

Discover more destinations: Starzyno, Krokowa, Darzlubie, Gnieżdżewo, Połchowo, Sławutowo, Pierwoszyno, Kłanino

For the broader travel overview: Puck.