Hel is a tourist town and seaside bathing area located at the very end of the Hel Peninsula. In addition to the sandy beaches located both from the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Gdańsk, there is a seal sanctuary, several interesting museums and old buildings.
The village in its present location was founded in the 15th century. Previously, there was the so-called Old Hel, located about a kilometer and a half away, but it was deserted and then disappeared due to the narrowing of the spit. The half-timbered Church of St. Peter and Paul, which now houses the Fisheries Museum, dates back to the 14th century. In the center, there are also old fishing buildings, mainly from the end of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The most important attractions of Hel are military buildings from the interwar period. The Coastal Defense Museum is located in the former bunkers and artillery positions. There is also a German military tower, now turned into a Fire Control Tower Museum, and several shelters used for cultural and exhibition purposes. They include, among others The exhibition "Bunker Makabra of the 20th century" and the ecological exhibition "Morskie Tajemnice".
The sandy beaches of Hel are located both from the high seas and from the bay. From the sea side, there are very good conditions for water sports due to favorable winds. You can also use the offer of the local port and water equipment rental.
In the city you can also visit the Lighthouse with a viewing terrace from which you can see the entire Spit. The biggest seaside attraction in Hel is the Seal Sanctuary, where you can see both exhibitions and live seals living on the catwalks. The exhibition of the Hel Railway Museum on the railway line that runs through the entire Spit is also interesting.
