Hel
- HEL is the airport code for Helsinki Airport. Hell can refer to several places.
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Hel is a town at the end of Hel peninsula in Poland. It is surrounded by the sea and is a water sport centre. The settlement was first mentioned in the early Middle Ages and its inhabitants lived on piracy. In 1266 Hel received its town charter which was affirmed in 1378. From 1454 until the Second Polish Partition in 1793, Hel was a private property of the city of Gdansk. After World War I, Hel was the biggest Polish fishing harbour. It defended itself for one month against the German invaders at the beginning of World War II.
Get in
[edit]If you wish for a punny joke, Hel is probably one of the better places. Due to its peninsular location Hel is much further than you may expect from a glance at the map (25 km in straight line vs about 70 km over land measured from Gdynia). There is only one road and rail line through entire streak of land which often get clogged in season and any accident will quickly bring entire peninsula to a standstill.
By bus
[edit]Until 2023 you could go to Hel using line 666 (literally). The line number was unfortunately changed, however bus itself remains and you can still go to Hel using line 669 which should be close enough (seasonal line from Karwia, or Władysławowo) and 654 (from Gdynia (rarely) and Puck). Both lines are operated by PKS Gdynia. If you are going from Gdańsk and wish to arrive as soon as possible try other way as it will take at least 2 hours and require many transfers.
By train
[edit]There is a train station in Hel with line going straight from Gdynia served by Polregio. In season you can also arrive from many further directions by PKP Intercity. It is noticeably faster than bus (1.5 hour) and easier to transfer if you need to. Trains in season are usually absurdly packed so be warned, though if you manage to get view the landscape is really beautiful on this particular rail line.
By ferry
[edit]You can also swim to Hel with a ferry. It is arguably the best way to reach the town as it takes only hour, however it is also very expensive at over 70 zł per ticket (120 zł for two-way ticket if you want a day-trip, which amounts to triple as expensive as other modes). Connections are served by Żegluga Gdańska from Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. It may be a bit cool on the sea and the wind blows hard due to ship movement.
By car
[edit]You can drive to Hel by road 
. Remember that this is a single and quite dangerous road with no shoulder on its entire length except for the few towns on peninsula. There are hardly any parkings on the way outside towns (most of them are paid) if you wish to stop. To make matters worse the last patch to Hel behind Jurata is quite desolate and very winding (built so specifically to avoid aircraft strikes). It takes around hour to go from Władysławowo to Hel in high season. Fill your tank before as there are few stations on peninsula. Ask your hotel for a spot as parkings are paid during season in Hel.
Get around
[edit]
The only way to get there on land is along the peninsula. The town is pretty small so you can get on foot everywhere. The main road is the Ulica Wiejska with a lot of cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Its fine buildings are from the 19th and early 20th century. The south boulevard leads from the old military harbour to the new harbour, where tourist ships leave for a trip on the sea.
See
[edit]
- 1 Museum of Fishery (Muzeum Rybołówstwa), Bulwar Nadmorski 2. 10:00-18:00. In a 15th century Gothic St. Peter and Paul Church. From the top of the church tower you have a wonderful view other the city, the beaches and the sea. 10/6 zł.
- 2 Museum of Coastal Defense (Muzeum Obrony Wybrzeża), ul. Helska 16. Very interesting blockhouses, exhibits and a narrow gauge railway. 12/7 zł.
- 3 Seal Sanctuary (Fokarium), Morska 2, ☏ +48 58 675 08 36, hel@ug.edu.pl. Part of the Gdańsk University. There are performances for tourists but the goal of the sanctuary is to grow the seals and to set them free. The seals are fed at 11:00 and 14:00. During the summer at 16:30 too. There is also a museum part in a small building on the side of the pond which is often overlooked. Go inside and maybe you will be able to see seals from the bottom. 20 zł.
- 4 Lighthouse (Latarnia Morska), Bałtycka. May-September, daily: 10:00—19:00. 41,5m tall lighthouse open for visitors from May till September
- In the pine forest northwest of the city there are several World War II trenches and bunkers. You can climb right into the bunkers, but look out for the barbed wire strung along the ground in some places.
- 5 Wreck of the ORP Wicher II (Wrak ORP Wicher II). Although not much remains of her today, the remaining structure of this wreck from 1958 is in very shallow waters where you can easily walk or swim over.
Do
[edit]- The white sandy Big Beach is situated in the north of the city near the pine forest. A big (41,5 metres) lighthouse of brick stone can be climbed. It was a place of severe fighting between the German invaders and Hel defenders in September 1939. There is a beautiful view from the top.
- Bike hire (ulica Kaszubska 6 and ulica Lesna 10c).
- Hel Summer Festival (July).
Buy
[edit]Souvenir shops are along the ulica Wiejska. Amber is a typical souvenir from Hel.
Eat
[edit]- Fish restaurants and pubs along the ulica Wiejska (all with fried fish and beer):
- Kutter, Ul. Wiejska 90.
- Checz Restaurant, Ul. Wiejska 107.
- Fiszeria Restaurant, Ul. Wiejska 100.
- Maszoperia Restaurant, Ul. Wiejska 110.
Drink
[edit]- Pub Armada, Ul. Wiejska 83.
- Pub Captain Morgan, Ul. Wiejska 19.
- Pub Stella Maris, Ul. Wiejska 89.
Sleep
[edit]- Lots of rooms and flats for hire.
- Horyzont Villa, Ul. Adm. Steyera 14C. You can take your pets with you.
Go next
[edit]There are a lot of other sea resorts along the Hel 34 km long and 300 to 3000 m wide peninsula, from east to west Jurata, Jastarnia, Kuźnica, Chałupy, Władysławowo, Chłapowo, Rozewie and Jastrzębia Góra. You can get to Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia by ferry.