About this route
Route overview
Bytow is the historical centre of western Kashubia and the seat of a Teutonic-Kashubian castle from the 14th-15th centuries — raised by the Teutonic Order as a procurator's seat, later taken over by the Pomeranian dukes and serving Kashubian castellans for centuries. The castle's volume combines austere Teutonic Gothic (square plan, the Powder and Mill corner towers) with Baroque Pomeranian remodellings. Today the castle houses the Teutonic Castle Hotel — a unique 4-star property set inside authentic medieval chambers, with a restaurant in the former knights' hall. The West Kashubian Museum in the south wing presents the culture of western Kashubia: costumes, fishing tools and a ceramic collection. The Bytow centre offers the Gothic St Catherine's Basilica and a Baroque market square with 17th-18th century townhouses. Surroundings: Jelen Lake (seasonal bathing), the Bismarck Tower at Polczno. 120 km via the S6 to Lebork, then DK20 to Bytow, 1 h 45 min - 2 h off-peak. The service runs 24/7. A standard plan: 9:00 pickup, 11:00 Bytow, tour of castle and museum (2 h), lunch in the Teutonic Castle Hotel restaurant, 15:00 walk through the centre and St Catherine's Basilica, 16:30 return to Gdansk. From EUR 520 in a Mercedes E-Class for 1-3 passengers, EUR 620 in a V-Class for 4-6.