Mielno — a resort on the spit between the sea and Lake Jamno with a wide beach, a promenade, the capital of winter swimming and a lighthouse at Gąski.
A seaside resort on the narrow spit between the open Baltic and Lake Jamno, in the Koszalin district — with a wide sandy beach and the seaside Friendship Promenade linking Mielno with Unieście. It is the "capital of winter swimming": the International Winter Swimmers' Rally has been held here since 2004, and there is a Walrus Monument by the promenade. Shallow Lake Jamno is a paradise for windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors, linked to the sea by the Jamno Canal, while at nearby Gąski stands a monumental brick lighthouse — the second tallest on the Polish coast.
What to know before you go
Mielno is one of the most popular resorts on the middle coast — it lies in the West Pomeranian Province, in the Koszalin district, on a narrow spit between the open Baltic and Lake Jamno. That layout gives water on two sides: to the north a wide sandy beach and the open sea, to the south a shallow, extensive coastal lake. Mielno itself has about 2,800 inhabitants, but in season it fills many times over, and the district also takes in Unieście, Mielenko, Chłopy, Sarbinowo and Gąski.
The resort's calling card is the seaside Friendship Promenade — a walkway running along the crest of the dunes and linking Mielno with Unieście, with restaurants, fish-fry stalls and ways down to the beach. By the promenade stands the Walrus Monument — because Mielno is the "capital of winter swimming": since 2004 the International Winter Swimmers' Rally has been held here in January or February, one of the largest winter events of its kind in Poland, drawing thousands of enthusiasts of cold-water bathing.
On the landward side the resort is closed by Lake Jamno — one of the largest coastal lakes in Poland (about 22 km²), shallow and windy, and for that reason loved by windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors. Excursion boats run on the lake (including trips to Koszalin), and there are marinas and equipment hire. Jamno is linked to the sea by the Jamno Canal — dug in 1890 and today being extended with a lock and a bascule bridge to restore navigation between the lake and the Baltic.
The area also holds the atmospheric villages of the district: Chłopy with its old fishing settlement and landing, where the cutters are hauled straight onto the beach; quieter Unieście on Lake Jamno with its sailing marina; the wide family beaches of Sarbinowo and Mielenko; and at Gąski a monumental brick lighthouse of 1878, the second tallest on the Polish coast. Koszalin (about 12 km) with Chełmska Hill is not far away.
Places you should not miss
The most important sights of the region, each with its own guide — how to get there, when to go, practical info.
The beach and the Friendship Promenade
A wide sandy beach and the seaside Friendship Promenade linking Mielno with Unieście — with restaurants, fish-fry stalls, the Walrus Monument and ways down to the beach.
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The capital of winter swimming — the rally and the Walrus Monument
Mielno is the "capital of winter swimming" — the International Winter Swimmers' Rally has been held here since 2004, one of the largest such events in Poland. Its emblem is the Walrus Monument by the promenade.
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Lake Jamno
A shallow, extensive coastal lake (about 22 km²) separated from the sea by a spit — a paradise for windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors. Boat trips, marinas, equipment hire and fishing.
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The Jamno Canal
An artificial canal linking Lake Jamno with the Baltic, dug in 1890. A walking spot between sea and lake; currently being extended with a lock and a bascule bridge to restore navigation.
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The lighthouse at Gąski
A monumental brick lighthouse of 1878 at Gąski — about 50 m high, the second tallest on the Polish coast. 190 steps to a platform with a view of Sarbinowo, Chłopy, Mielno and Unieście.
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The fishing settlement at Chłopy
An atmospheric fishing village in the Mielno district with a landing where the cutters are hauled straight onto the beach. Fresh fish, fry stalls and a genuine maritime atmosphere away from the resort bustle.
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Unieście and sailing on Jamno
The quieter part of the resort on the spit, with a beach on the sea side and a sailing marina on Lake Jamno. A base for windsurfers and sailors, and a good choice for families seeking quiet.
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Sarbinowo — a wide family beach
A quiet family resort in the Mielno district with a very wide sandy beach and a gentle entry to the water. A good base for the lighthouse at Gąski.
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List or submit a property →Mielno in every season
May and June — the beaches are still empty, prices are lower and the promenade and the marinas on Jamno come to life. The sea is too cold for swimming, but it is an excellent time for windsurfing, cycling and walking without the crowds.
The height of the season. In July and August there are crowds on the beach and the promenade, the highest room prices, boat trips on Jamno, fish-fry stalls and the resort in full life. The sea is usually 18–21°C.
September can be warm and much quieter, with the water still fit for swimming to mid-month. October — windy and empty, good for walks along the shore and stormy views.
Quiet and raw, with some places to eat closed — but this is the time of the winter swimmers: in January or February the International Winter Swimmers' Rally fills the beach at Mielno once again.
How to get there and what to know
- Getting there
- By national road DK11 to Koszalin, then DW165 to Mielno; in season trains and buses or minibuses from Koszalin
- Nearest town
- Koszalin — about 12 km (with Chełmska Hill and the railway station)
- The beach
- Wide and sandy, running for kilometres; lifeguarded bathing areas in season
- Lake Jamno
- Windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, boat trips and fishing; marinas and equipment hire
- The lighthouse at Gąski
- About 50 m high, 190 steps to the viewing platform; open to visitors in season
- Winter swimmers
- The International Winter Swimmers' Rally in January or February; the Walrus Monument by the Friendship Promenade
- Bathing season
- June to September, with the sea usually 18–21°C in July and August
How far to the sights
Approximate straight-line distances from the centre of Mielno — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
- The capital of winter swimming — the rally and the Walrus Monument
- ~158 m from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- The beach and the Friendship Promenade
- ~262 m from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- The Jamno Canal
- ~2,5 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- Unieście and sailing on Jamno
- ~2,6 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- Lake Jamno
- ~2,7 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- Sarbinowo — a wide family beach
- ~6,4 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- The fishing settlement at Chłopy
- ~8,2 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
- The lighthouse at Gąski
- ~12 km from the centre Mielno (as the crow flies)
Where Mielno is
Frequently asked questions — Mielno
What is worth seeing at Mielno?
Why is Mielno called the capital of winter swimming?
What can you do on Lake Jamno?
How do you get to Mielno?
Do you run a property in Mielno?
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