Lighthouses have played a key role in ensuring navigation safety for centuries. Although modern technology has taken over many tasks once assigned to these structures, they still perform important functions – both navigational, cultural, and touristic. In Poland, along the Baltic coast, there are currently several lighthouses – some of which are open to visitors and serve as tourist attractions in coastal regions.

One such lighthouse is the Kołobrzeg lighthouse – an important navigation point and at the same time a place of great historical and landscape significance.

Kołobrzeg Lighthouse

The lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Parsęta River into the Baltic Sea, within the port area of Kołobrzeg. The current structure is 26 meters high and was built after World War II, in 1945, on the foundations of an old fort. The previous lighthouse from the late 19th century was destroyed during the war.

The distinctive brick building has the shape of an octagonal tower, topped with a viewing gallery. The modern lighthouse optics have a light range of up to 16 nautical miles (approx. 30 km). The site is open to visitors – from the upper terrace there is a view of the port, sea, and the coastal part of Kołobrzeg.

Inside there is among others a small museum with exhibits related to the history of the Kołobrzeg port and lighthouse keeping.

Other Lighthouses on the Polish Coast

There are currently 15 active lighthouses on the Polish coast. Below we present some of them, which – besides Kołobrzeg – are worth considering when planning a visit to the seaside.

Świnoujście

● The tallest lighthouse in Poland and one of the tallest in the world – 68 m

● Open to visitors

● Light visible from approx. 46 km

Niechorze

● Lighthouse from 1866, 45 m high

● Picturesquely located on a cliff with a wide view of the Baltic Sea

● Often visited by tourists in summer

Rozewie

● Considered the oldest Polish lighthouse (commissioned in 1822)

● Height: 32.7 m

● Museum site with an exhibition dedicated to lighthouse history

Hel

● Lighthouse built in 1942, 41.5 m high

● Located at the end of the Hel Peninsula

● Open to visitors during the season

Functions of Lighthouses

Lighthouses have served and still serve the following functions:

● navigational – help ships determine their position relative to the shore, mark harbor entrances and dangerous sections of the coast

● signal – emit light with a specific rhythm that allows recognizing a particular lighthouse

● warning – indicate obstacles and dangerous areas of the water area

● educational and touristic – serve as attractions for visitors and are a testimony to the history of navigation

Lighthouse as a Viewing Point

Most of the open lighthouses allow access to the viewing gallery. For many tourists, this is the main attraction – the view from above allows seeing the shoreline, port, waves, and open sea from a completely different perspective. For photography enthusiasts, it's a perfect spot to capture panoramas of seaside towns.

Lighthouses are not only navigation points but also important elements of the cultural landscape of the Polish coast. From Kołobrzeg, through Niechorze, to Świnoujście and Rozewie – each has its own history, architecture, and role in the maritime safety system. Visiting a lighthouse can be an interesting addition to a Baltic holiday – especially for those who want to combine relaxation with discovering local attractions.

If you are planning a stay in Kołobrzeg – the lighthouse is just a few minutes' walk from the New Skanpol Hotel. It's a place worth seeing with your own eyes.