Dog-Friendly Gdynia: Beaches, Promenade and Coastal Trails

Gdynia cityscape, illustrating a guide to dog-friendly walks
Photo: Mat Kedzia / Pexels
In short

Gdynia is one of the most dog-friendly cities on the Baltic coast. You have two designated dog beaches - in Orlowo and Babie Doly - the Seaside Promenade for year-round walks, and vast trails through the Tri-City Landscape Park. A lead is required on all public land and in the landscape park - off-lead is only permitted in fenced dog runs (such as the one at Kolibki Park). Rules can change, so always check current information on site.

Gdynia goes to the sea every day - and thankfully, so can your dog. Designated beaches, a seafront promenade and a forest landscape park right at the city's edge make Gdynia one of the better-equipped Polish cities for dog owners. For a broader look at dog-friendly destinations across Poland, see our guide on where to take your dog. Here's what to know before you go.

Dog Beaches - Two Designated Sections

Poland bans dogs from most public beaches in summer. Gdynia handles this sensibly with two marked sections open year-round.

Orlowo Dog Beach - between entrances 18 and 19, roughly 100 metres of sand exclusively for dogs. You reach it through Kolibki Park from al. Witolda Kukowskiego. Right next to it is a fenced agility run, useful if your dog needs off-lead time.

Babie Doly - near entrance 4, also about 100 metres near the old Fishing Settlement. Less crowded than Orlowo, with some interesting wartime history in the background (the area of a former torpedo testing facility).

On both beaches a lead or muzzle is required. Owners of breeds classified as aggressive must use both. Cleaning up after your dog is legally required - fines of up to 500 PLN are issued by city guards. In season (1 May to 30 September), dogs are banned from all other Gdynia city beaches. Outside the season you may encounter dogs on other stretches - always check current signage.

Kolibki Park and Orlowo Beach

Kolibki Park on al. Witolda Kukowskiego is a large forest park with shaded trails right at the edge of the coastline. It connects naturally to the Orlowo dog beach - a short walk away, making the two an easy combined destination. There is also a fenced agility run at the park (free entry), useful when you need off-lead space. Parking at al. Zwyciestwa 295.

Seaside Promenade - the Classic Coastal Walk

The Seaside Promenade (Bulwar Nadmorski im. Feliksa Nowowiejskiego) runs about 1.5 km along the waterfront, linking Kosciuszki Square with the slopes of Kamienna Gora. It's a year-round route, popular at all hours - dogs are welcome, but a lead is required.

Along the way you'll find benches, open views of the port and the Baltic Sea, and in season several terrace cafes. At Kosciuszki Square you'll spot the museum warship ORP Blyskawica and the tall ship Dar Pomorza. A sunset walk here with a dog is one of those simple Gdynia things worth doing at least once.

Kepa Redlowska and Polanka Redlowska - Forest Paths with Sea Views

Kepa Redlowska is one of the most scenic walks near Gdynia - forested paths with rocky outcrops and views over Gdansk Bay. Within the Kepa Redlowska nature reserve, dogs must stay on designated trails at all times, on a lead. Straying off-trail is not permitted.

Polanka Redlowska (ul. Juliana Ejsmonda) is a natural extension of this route - an open forested space, well suited to dogs that enjoy a longer walk without too many people. Two small car parks at the entrance.

Tri-City Landscape Park - for High-Energy Dogs

The Tri-City Landscape Park (Trojmiejski Park Krajobrazowy) stretches across thousands of hectares between Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. From Gdynia you can enter the forest from practically any side of the city. Kilometres of forest trails, near-silence, no pavement - ideal territory for an active dog.

The rules are clear: lead on at all times, and nature reserves within the park are closed to dogs by law. Stick to marked trails rather than cutting through the forest. During the nesting season (spring to early summer), keep your dog especially close - local wildlife has young.

Cafes and Restaurants with Dogs in Gdynia

Gdynia runs a city programme called "A Dog in the Big City" and has a decent number of venues with outdoor terraces that welcome dogs. The ul. Swietojanska area is a good starting point - several cafes and bistros along this street openly declare themselves dog-friendly. We don't list specific names without current verification - check the DOGOUT map or call ahead. For tips on recognising a genuinely dog-friendly place, see our guide to dog-friendly cafes and restaurants.

Gdynia as Part of the Tri-City - More to Explore

Gdynia sits in an agglomeration with Sopot and Gdansk, which is a real bonus. A single SKM commuter train connects you to dog-friendly spots across the whole Tri-City - Gdansk's dog beach in Brzezno, the Sopot promenade and Sopot's open green spaces are all within reach of a half-day trip. For a full overview of dog beaches across Poland, see our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Poland.

Open DOGOUT, pull up the Gdynia map, and find out what's waiting for you and your dog today.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the dog beach in Gdynia?
Gdynia has two designated dog beaches: in Orlowo between beach entrances 18 and 19 (a roughly 100-metre section) and in Babie Doly near entrance 4 (also about 100 metres). A lead and/or muzzle is required on both. In season (1 May to 30 September) dogs are banned from all other city beaches.
Where can dogs run off-lead in Gdynia?
In fenced dog runs - the main one is at Kolibki Park on al. Witolda Kukowskiego with a full agility course, and there is a smaller run on ul. Slowackiego in the Kamienna Gora district. On beaches, the promenade and in the landscape park, a lead is mandatory.
Can I take my dog into the Tri-City Landscape Park?
Yes, but your dog must be on a lead at all times. Nature reserves within the park are off-limits for dogs by law - you can only walk the designated trails through the surrounding forest.
Is the Seaside Promenade in Gdynia dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the promenade year-round. A lead is required. It's around 1.5 km of coastal walkway - a solid route for an everyday walk with a good view of the Baltic.
When are dogs banned from Gdynia beaches?
Dogs are banned from swimming beaches between 1 May and 30 September. The two designated dog beaches in Orlowo and Babie Doly are open year-round. Outside the season, dogs may be allowed on other beaches - check current signage.
How do I find dog runs and dog-friendly spots in Gdynia?
Open the DOGOUT map - you'll see dog runs, dog beaches and places tagged by other owners across the Tri-City area, with reviews and routes already tested by the community.