Krynica Morska - lighthouse and beach

After a morning visit to Malbork we went to the Baltic Sea coast, to Krynica Morska, located on the Vistula Spit.

During our previous year's visit to Denmark we traveled along a spit near the towns of Hvide Sande and Thyborøn - there we were at Lyngvig Fyr lighthouse. In Krynica Morska there is also a lighthouse and of course it was one of the places we visited. These places are very similar to each other - both sandbars are about a kilometer wide. The difference is that the Polish one is forested, and the Danish one is not. After conquering the long, winding forest road we arrived in Krynica Morska.

Good to know: since 17 September 2022, the Vistula Spit has been cut by the Nowy Świat shipping canal, between Skowronki and Przebrno. Today, on the way to Krynica Morska, you drive over it on a swing bridge.

The first surprise we encountered was that Google navigation led us to the lighthouse along a road which turned into a pedestrian-only path (it became a staircase). We needed to find a different place to park and walk around to the lighthouse.

When we parked the car, we found out that parking was paid. But  the parking meter did not accept money. We called the parking ticket machine service so as not to get a fine for non-payment. The maintenance lady said - “Please punch the machine.” It worked, and the ticket was printed. We are not in the habit of using such force on machines. It is also worth mentioning an interesting price list for parking. The first half hour cost PLN 0.50, the first hour PLN 2.50, the second PLN 3.60, the third PLN 4.30 and each additional hour PLN 3.00. This encourages stopping for a moment, and the most expensive option is parking for three hours.

We went to the lighthouse, and there we discovered that entry is possible only from age 4. They stated that for safety reasons, because at the top there is a high ladder. We explained that Justine was almost four years old and I would take care of her. The man on duty was adamant. There was no information about this ban on the lighthouse website. As a result we had a crying child. We decided that only two of our five children would go to the top. At the top we found a great disappointment. You can't go outside the lighthouse building and can only admire the views from behind glass. The supposedly difficult and dangerous ladder made us burst out laughing - in our attic we have a better ladder and Justine copes with it perfectly. Entrance to the top of the lighthouse, which measures 27 meters, costs PLN 6 per adult and 4 PLN per child. An exorbitant price for 100 steps.

Fun fact: the present lighthouse has stood since 1951. The previous one, from 1895, was mined and blown up by retreating German forces in 1945. The lighthouse stands on a dune, so its light is as high as 53 meters above sea level.

It was time for lunch, so we had fish, because we were at the seaside. After the meal we drove to the campsite, found a convenient spot and hurriedly went to the beach. The afternoon on the beach allowed us to enjoy the place - there were no crowds, as most people had left the beach for dinner.

We had the opportunity to build a sand castle. The kids wanted to build a castle as great as Malbork. They were involved in the construction and everyone had an impact on the final shape. Kris led the construction and every child had their own chamber.

We took a dip in the cold water of the Baltic. Here, unlike Rowy, where we had often gone in the past, the beach was sandy. A cool phenomenon was a shallow area a few meters from the shore. The water was knee-deep (in the children's case, waist-deep), and then it was only up to our ankles. Agatha ran toward the edge of the sandbar, bounced and landed in deeper water - we captured it in the video. Enjoy the view:

The evening was calm. In the morning we headed south toward Elbląg on further adventures.