A Szczecin river cruise on the Oder is the quickest way to see the city from the side it was built from for centuries – the water. Szczecin’s grandest sights – the Chrobry Embankment (Wały Chrobrego), the Łasztownia quays and the riverside boulevards – all face the river, so from the deck you see them whole rather than in snatches, as you do from the pavement.
Below we describe what – depending on the route – you can see during a two-hour cruise, what time of day to sail and how to get your group ready. The route of a private BoatParty boat party is agreed individually when you book, so treat this article as a list of places worth asking about.
Szczecin river cruise – what the city centre looks like from the Oder
In central Szczecin the river doesn’t flow in a single channel. The West Oder (Odra Zachodnia) runs below the Chrobry Embankment, and on the opposite side lie the islands of Grodzka, Bielawa and Łasztownia. Łasztownia covers around 33 hectares and sits opposite the Old Town – for centuries it was the city’s port quarter, full of warehouses and cargo quays.
That’s why a boat trip on the Oder in Szczecin gives you two very different banks to look at. The left bank is the showpiece: grand buildings on the escarpment, the castle and the cathedral spire. The right bank is the working port: cranes, restored quays and modern architecture. On foot you have to pick one side; on the water you get both at once.
The Chrobry Embankment from the deck – a panorama you won’t get from the terrace
The Chrobry Embankment is a viewing terrace about half a kilometre long, set 17 metres above the West Oder. It was built in 1901–1907 on the site of the demolished Fort Leopold, on the initiative of Lord Mayor Hermann Haken – hence its old German name, the Hakenterrasse. It was designed by Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau.
From the water you can best take in the whole composition: the monumental staircase with its pavilions, the fountain at its foot and three huge buildings – the National Museum (which shares its building with the Teatr Współczesny, the Contemporary Theatre), the Maritime University of Technology and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office, the seat of the regional government. In front of the fountain stand two lighting towers that look like lighthouses – a very maritime touch that looks especially striking from the deck.
If you have a little time before the cruise, take a stroll along the terraces. We cover the history and the sights on land in our guide to the Chrobry Embankment and Szczecin’s boulevards.
Łasztownia, the Craneosaurs and the port – Szczecin’s maritime side up close
Across the river on Łasztownia stand three historic port cranes that locals call the Dźwigozaury – roughly “Craneosaurs”. They were installed in the 1930s and were still handling general cargo at the start of the 21st century. In 2009 they were taken over by the National Museum, and after a restoration completed in 2017 they got their original colours back: a brown base, a green cab and a yellow jib. After dark they are lit up.
Next to them stands the Maritime Science Centre (Morskie Centrum Nauki), whose shape looks uncannily like a huge ship; in the evening it is illuminated too. Along the Łasztownia quays you can often smell chocolate from the factory that still operates here – one of those little details that stay with you.
Szczecin is still a port city, and you can watch the port at work even from the Chrobry Embankment. During the cruise, depending on the route, you’ll get a close-up view of the quays, the cranes and the vessels moored along the bank. For visitors from out of town, this sight can make a bigger impression than many a historic monument.
Boulevards, bridges and the castle – what else you can see from the Oder in Szczecin
Places that – depending on the agreed route – may appear off one side of the boat or the other:
- Bulwar Piastowski and the Sailors’ Avenue (Aleja Żeglarzy) – an open-air exhibition about the sea: sculptures of famous captains, a ship’s cat, navigation instruments and a sculpture of herring barrels – herring was once known as “the silver of the city”.
- Nabrzeże Starówka (the Old Town quay) – the little square at its end is home to the nautical-style “SZCZECIN” sign, a favourite photo backdrop.
- Most Długi (the Long Bridge) and Trasa Zamkowa (the Castle Route) – along them run boulevards where you’ll meet walkers, anglers, cyclists and sailors.
- Grodzka Island – it lies opposite the Chrobry Embankment; in summer there’s a beach here, and in the evenings DJ parties and open-air film screenings.
- The Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle (Zamek Książąt Pomorskich) – the former seat of the House of Griffins, who ruled Pomerania from the 12th to the 17th century. The castle has a terrace overlooking the Oder, and the view works both ways.
- The Cathedral Basilica of St James – its spire is 110 metres tall, making it the highest cathedral tower in Poland, so you’ll spot it from all over the city.
The Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic isn’t on the waterfront but in the city centre, on Małopolska Street. Its glass-and-metal building, lit up at night and winner of the 2015 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, is best seen up close before or after the cruise. For more sightseeing ideas, see the official tourist portal Visit Szczecin.
Your Szczecin river cruise with BoatParty – timing, packages and preparation
What time to sail
Every package includes 2 hours on the boat, and the departure time is agreed individually. Each time of day shows the city a little differently:
| Time of cruise | What you’ll see | Works well for |
|---|---|---|
| Afternoon | Façades in full colour, the details of the Chrobry Embankment, activity on the quays | Family gatherings, team building, guests from far away |
| Sunset | Warm light on Łasztownia, silhouettes of the buildings and the cathedral spire against the sky | Hen parties, anniversaries, photo shoots |
| Evening | The illuminated Craneosaurs and Maritime Science Centre, city lights reflected in the water | Dance parties, stag dos, birthdays |
The Chrobry Embankment stands on the western bank, so at sunset the sun sinks behind it – in photos taken from the water the buildings stand out against a colourful sky. If you want well-lit faces in your group photo, take it before the sun goes down.
A boat party in Szczecin – what’s included
The boat is reserved for your group only. The Basic package (from €16 per person) includes music and the option to plug in your own playlist. Star (from €20 per person) adds a light show, a welcome beer or 3 bottles of vodka, champagne or prosecco, soft drinks, snacks and the option to bring your own alcohol. VIP (from €31 per person) includes, among other things, a DJ with equipment, a bartender or hostess, a Partymaker (your on-board party host) and a photo report. These rates apply to groups of 30 or more; smaller groups get an individual quote. Extras such as catering or a personalised banner are described on our BoatParty Szczecin page.
How to get your group ready
- Meet up with time to spare. We confirm the boarding point and departure time when you book. Arrange to meet 15–20 minutes early – one latecomer means lost cruise time for everyone.
- Comfortable shoes and an extra layer. Stable footwear is a good idea on deck, and in the evening it can be cooler on the water than in the city centre.
- Safety. Follow the crew’s instructions and don’t lean over the side, not even for the perfect shot.
- Toast on board, not on the boulevard. Drinking alcohol in public places is generally prohibited in Poland, so wait until you’re on the boat before opening any bottles. Have water and snacks with every toast.
- Big events in the city. Every year Szczecin hosts a sailing festival with tall ships moored along the Chrobry Embankment and Łasztownia. On those days there are traffic restrictions nearby and fewer parking spaces – plan your journey in advance.
You’ll find a packing list in our guide on what to bring on a party cruise, and the whole organisation is laid out in our step-by-step boat party checklist.
FAQ – cruising the Oder in Szczecin
Will we see the Chrobry Embankment on a river cruise in Szczecin?
The route is agreed individually when you book. If there are particular places you want to see, such as the Chrobry Embankment, Łasztownia or the Craneosaurs, mention them in the booking form – we’ll take them into account when planning the cruise.
How long is the cruise and what time can we set off?
Every package includes 2 hours on the boat. The departure time is agreed individually: in the afternoon, at sunset or in the evening. Cruises run during the season, from spring to autumn.
How much does a boat party in Szczecin cost?
Packages start from €16 (Basic), €20 (Star) and €31 (VIP) per person. These prices apply to groups of 30 or more; for smaller groups we prepare an individual quote.
How far in advance do we need to book the cruise?
Send the booking form at least 5 working days before the event. Book summer weekends further ahead – the earlier you get in touch, the better the offer.
Plan your cruise on the Oder in Szczecin
Two hours on the water is enough to see the Chrobry Embankment, the port island of Łasztownia and the boulevards from an angle no viewing terrace can match – and to celebrate with just your own crowd. All we need is a date and the number of people – based on that, we’ll prepare an initial offer and suggest which time of day suits your occasion best.
Book your private boat party
A private cruise in Szczecin just for your group: two hours on the water, music and views. Send us an enquiry and we’ll prepare an offer.
