Let’s Get Down & Gdańsk

Gdańsk is, without a doubt, my favorite city in Poland! It is picturesque, concurrently making it a perfect place to walk around and enjoy the cobbled streets and historic architecture. Gdańsk is also a superb spot to take quick trips to nearby fascinating places, like the Baltic coast! Here are all the best things you want to see and do while in Gdańsk.

Tell Me More About Gdańsk

• Gdańsk is also known as “Danzig” in German. 

  • I was a little confused when I heard the two names used interchangeably.

• Gdańsk is a historic port city on the Baltic coast of Poland.

• World War II started in Gdańsk in 1939 when Nazi Germany fired their first shots over the city to mark the beginning of the invasion of Poland.

• Most of the city center was rebuilt after World War II due to the heavy damage.

• The official language throughout Poland is Polish. However, we found a lot of people here spoke English well.

Fun to Know:

• Gdańsk is an affordable travel destination! 

  • The prices around Poland were lower than most of the European cities we have visited.

• Gdańsk is a safe city with a low crime rate. 

  • Gdańsk is an especially favored city for solo female travelers.
  • Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful. All cities have the usual petty crimes like pick-pocketing.

How Do You Say “Gdańsk”?

The name is generally intimidating. You can ask my poor husband. He mispronounced it throughout our trip and was relentlessly teased for it. To our friends’ credit, my husband heavily mispronounced it and was still unable to correct it, even with help.

Nonetheless, Gdańsk sounds like “guh-dansk.”

The Best Things to See and Do in Gdańsk, Poland

We found Gdańsk to be an overall very walkable city. There are a handful of sites where we took public transportation to get to and from. Now, let’s get out there and see the best in Gdańsk.

The Best Sites In Gdańsk

The Royal Way

• The Royal Way

  • Firstly, this short route is the best way to admire the best in Gdańsk. Take a lovely walk along Royal Way and see what the Polish Royalty did when they came to visit.
  • There are simultaneously 3 Royal Ways in Poland. They are in Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. This particular one is the shortest and the most beautiful route.
  • Incidentally, you will walk the Royal Way if you follow this travel guide. The route starts at Brama Wyżynna. You will walk along Long Street and end at the Green Gate.

• Brama Wyżynna/ Renaissance Gate

  • This beautiful 1588 gate was the main entrance to the city. The gate also marks the start of The Royal Way.
  • Make sure you get to the correct gate! We initially confused the Renaissance Gate with the Golden Gate. Renaissance Gate is closest to the main street and train line.

• Golden Gate/ Złota Brama

  • This beautiful gate from 1614 was rebuilt in 1957 due to damages from WWII.
  • There is a display of pictures of the city during WWII. It was jaw-dropping to see the significant changes in Gdańsk.

• Long Street/ Długa

  • A beautiful and busy city street in Gdańsk. Dluga prohibits vehicle traffic, making it a great spot to enjoy and relax. Find a bench and take time to take in the views. I don’t know if I have ever seen such a charming street. Długa is one of the best in Gdańsk due to its historic architecture, gold gilding, and colorful rows of buildings.

• Main Town Hall/ Gdańsk History Museum

  • Take some time to admire this stunning building and clock tower.
  • This spot is also a museum! It is small, but they give you a sampling of everything you want to learn about the city’s history.  

    • Gdańsk History Museum website

• Neptune’s Fountain

  • Neptune’s Fountain is the bronze statue in the Long Market. It is specifically in front of Artus Court.
  • Neptune is the god of the sea. He faces the townhouses, which were the residences of Polish royalty.
  • This landmark is surrounded by historic houses and cafes. It is captivating at night!

• Artus Court

  • This mansion is in front of Neptune’s Fountain and was the former salon.
  • Artus Court used to be the center of social life in Gdańsk. The building was once used as a meeting place for merchants.
  • Artus Court was named after the medieval King Arthur.

• Golden House/ Złota Kamienica

  • Golden House is next to Artus Court. This is a popular picture stop due to its gorgeous façade and long history.
  • Records indicate it housed famous Polish owners dating back to the 14th century.

• Long Market/ Długi Targ

  • One of the best stops in Gdansk is this historic public square filled with restaurants and shops.
  • Long Market was a road guiding merchants to the market square in the 13th century.

• The Green Gate/ Zielona Brama w Gdańsku

  • This gate is the largest in Gdańsk and is the home of the National Museum.
  • Walk by to enjoy the different performers and vendors.
  • The National Museum in Gdańsk is one of Poland’s oldest museums. Check the website for more details. 

    • The National Museum in Gdańsk website

More of the Best Sites in Gdańsk

• The Crane/Branch of the National Maritime Museum

  • The Crane is significantly the symbol of Gdańsk, and the museum highlights the trading history. There is also a beautiful view of the Motława River from the top.
  • The museum was a short but fun visit. 

    • Branch of the National Maritime Museum website

• Mary’s Street/ ul Mariacka

  • Mary’s is unquestionably the infamous Amber Street. Furthermore, it is the most picturesque in the city. Drift down and admire the stores and tables set up with amber products.
  • Stop by for undoubtedly the best place to shop for your amber souvenirs in Gdańsk. I bought earrings here! I love reminiscing about my trip to Gdańsk every time I wear them.

• Basilica of St Mary of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/  Bazylika Mariacka

  • The Basilica of St. Mary is the biggest brick church in the world. Walk up the 400+ steps to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
  • Basilica of St. Mary website

• Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers/ Pomnik Poległych Stoczniowców 1970

  • This monument honors the lives lost during the 1970 street riots against the communist regime.

• Gate #2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard

  • To explain, this site is significant as the location where Walesa announced the deal made with the Communist government in 1980. The gate now posts a picture of Saint John Paul II and some flowers.

• European Solidarity Center

  • This museum and library specifically walks through Poland’s post-war fight for freedom from the 1970s to the late 1980s.
  • In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this museum. There was a lot of information I had never learned before. 

    • European Solidarity Center website

Where to Eat in Gdańsk

There are so many good Polish food options in Gdańsk! Here are just a few of my favorites.

• Brovarnia Szafarnia 9

  • We indeed love breweries. This microbrewery had good beers and yummy snacks. They also serve full meals, but we came to sit outside and relax.

• Bar Pod Ryba: ul Piwna 61/63

  • They have a mouth-watering selection of baked potatoes. I know that sounds basic, but trust me- it was delicious. Mine, for instance, was piled high with cheese, garlic, and broccoli.
  • We loved sitting outside to enjoy the memorable street view during the summer season.

• Family Cafe KOS

  • Family Café was especially busy for breakfast and lunch. Sit upstairs and get a fun seat on the window bench. The restaurant offers good Polish food for great prices.

• Pod Lososieum

  • Ul Szeroka 52-54
  • This grand restaurant is famous for the distillation of Goldwasser vodka. It is pricey, but remember you are sitting in the restaurant where Thatcher, Bush Sr., Princess Anne, and Lech Walesa have dined or hosted valued guests.

The Best Nearby Points of Interest from Gdańsk

Gdańsk is stunning, but there is much to see and do outside the city. What makes Gdańsk one of the best places to visit is its access to incredible destinations. These sites are accessible by public transit and make great day trips.

Malbork Castle/ Zamek w Malborku

• This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest brick castle. You can correspondingly follow a fun audio guide to learn about the Castle of the Teutonic Order.

• I recommend bringing headphones for the audio guide. It is a fascinating history, and headphones made the experience much more comfortable.

Sopot

• Additionally, take a quick 20-minute train ride from Gdańsk to the Baltic Sea.

• Sopot was the retreat for the royal family for many years for the beautiful beaches and healthy spas.

Sites Around Sopot

• The Crooked House/ Krzywy Domek

  • Fairytale illustrations inspired the exterior design. The interior on the other hand is not as impressive. We walked in to find a handful of unmemorable shops.

• Skwer Kuracyjny

  • The main seaside square in Sopot. The square has a beautiful view and is fantastic for people-watching.

• Pier in Sopot/ Molo w Sopocie

  • The Pier in Sopot is the longest in the Baltic region. It is also the longest wooden pier in Europe! There is a small fee to enter, but it is worth it. Take a splendid stroll with rewarding views of the sea and the beach.

• Walk along the Beach

  • Furthermore, dip your feet in the Baltic Sea! The water was chilly, even in the summer! I did it because I had never been to the Baltic before!

• The Old Lighthouse/ Stara Latarnia Morska

  • Completed in 1904 with stained glass and panoramic views of the city.
  • You can tour the inside of the lighthouse too!

    • The Old Lighthouse website

• Relax with drinks

  • Smażalnia Ryb Marineros

    • We enjoyed this small outdoor seating by the beach. I loved the cozy greenery. It was a great spot to enjoy the beach views with casual drinks.

Westerplatte

• The peninsula was the destination for health resorts in the middle of the 19th century. It is now remembered as a military zone where the opening shots of WWII were fired. 

  • Westerplatte is a 15-minute drive or a 1hr bus ride. 

    • We took a rideshare out here to save time.

• Westerplatte Educational Trail

  • An easy outdoor walking trail and exhibit about WWII. Enjoy the seaside views, climb to the top of the lookout tower, and pay your respects at the Statue of the Defenders.
  • There were plenty of signs to explain the significance of each site.

Enjoy the Best Things to See in Gdańsk!

Gdańsk is a stunning city with so much to see and do. It is also a great location with access to marvelous day trips in Poland. Use this guide to see the best in and around Gdańsk. Once you visit, I am sure Gdańsk will also become one of your favorite cities in Poland!