Visit Gdansk: what are the best things to do and see in the largest and most tourist port in Poland?
At the edge of the Baltic Sea is the largest and most important Polish port, namely that of the city of Gdansk – the Pearl of the Baltic – of its nickname. Once named Danzig (in German), she was one of the largest Hanseatic cities, maintaining cultural and commercial ties with Belgium and the Netherlands. This rich era marked the architecture of Gdansk.
In addition to its economic and commercial importance, Gdansk has attracted many artists throughout its history. Thanks to this, the city has a long theatrical and artistic tradition: festivals, cinemas and modern shows, classical or opera music – Gdansk is in constant artistic boiling!
Finally, the capital of Pomerania has, like many cities in Poland, an intense nightlife with lots of cafes, pubs and discotheques. To help you visit Gdansk and organize your stay on site, discover our list of 9 essential things to do in Gdansk:
1. The Royal Path
Photo credit: Pixabay – Neufal54
The Royal Path Ulica Dluga ) is the central artery of the city of Gdansk. Perpendicular to the Motlawa River, it connects each of the two old gates of the city – the high gate and the green gate. The kings of Poland made their solemn parade on this wide street.
It is impossible to visit Gdansk without a walk on the Royal Way and on the adjacent streets: it will lead you to see monuments such as the Golden Gate, the Neptune Fountain, the Torture House or the Prison Tower. It is also a good way to discover the history of the city and admire the magnificent buildings rebuilt after the War, some dating from the 14th century.
2. Sainte-Marie Church
Photo credit: Pixabay – Barni1
The Church of Saint Mary was built between the 14th and 15th century, and is known to be the largest church of bricks in the world. This huge Gothic building is located in the centre of the city and is an architectural jewel both inside and outside. Inside is a 14-metre high astronomical clock, destroyed during the War and subsequently rebuilt. We also recommend climbing the 400 stairs of the tower, the stunning and magnificent view of the city is worth the effort!
3. Rue Mariacka
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Gracjan Rötke
If you ask that to do in Gdansk, we can only recommend a walk on Mariacka Street, one of the most beautiful in the Old Town. Enjoy it to admire the beautiful colorful buildings of the street, known for its romantic architecture. You can also take a look at the souvenir shops and especially the small jewelries: they all offer rooms with amber, the stone from the Baltic Sea and for which the city is famous!
Mariacka Street is also home to some nice little cafés in which you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the day, or a glass of wine in the evening, a romantic must-do.
4. European Centre for Solidarity
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Justyna Malinowska
The huge museum is located near the Gdansk shipyards, just behind the monument of Solidarity – a must-see memorial. The visit of the museum allows us to better understand the history of the Solidarity union and how it has been able to impose free elections in Poland, in full communist regime. You can also visit in Gdansk the small building in which Lech Walesa signed the famous August 1980 agreement, authorizing the Solidarity movement, which allowed the fall of communism!
5. National Museum of Gdansk
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Stako
Every Friday, the Gdansk National Museum offers free admissions – do not hesitate to visit it to discover local and national history, but also incredible paintings. One in particular deserves the visit alone: "The Last Judgment" by Hans Memling.
6. Westerplatte
Photo credit: Pixabay – Suesun
A visit to the Westerplatte peninsula will allow you to discover a little more the history of the city, because it is here that the Germans launched their assault on the city on September 1, 1939. Today, the peninsula is a large outdoor museum and a memorial to these tragic events of the Second World War.
7. The Palace of Abbots
Located in the beautiful Oliwa Park, this rucoco style palace is a wonder in itself. The visit will allow you to discover the very relaxing Oliwa park and to admire the exterior of the palace, but we advise you to make a tour inside also: the "New Palace" built in the 17th century contains the Department of Modern Arts of the National Museum, in addition to a gallery dedicated to exhibitions of young local artists. The Old Palace built in the 15th century is also worth visiting.
8. World War II Museum
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Adam Kumiszcza
Opened in March 2017, this museum is Gdansk's most recent attraction. The museum dedicated to this terrible conflict allows you to learn more about Poland during the War, but also aims to nourish the memory of Polish heroes and civilians.
9. Fair of the Holy Dominique of Gdansk
If you plan to visit Gdansk in August, you are lucky: during the first three weeks of August, the Saint-Dominique fair, an exuberant « total festival » that dates back to the 13th century. The streets of the city are animated like never before: traditional music, festive atmosphere and night entertainment, market at any time of the day, food stands – this is a festival that you will remember for many years, and by far the most famous in Poland!
How to go to Gdansk?
The plane is the best way to get to Gdansk. There are flights with stopover from France to the Lech Wałęsa airport in Gdansk. The airport is located about 12 km from the city centre. To find cheap flights to Gdansk, you can search our partner's website Ulysses . You can also opt for a bus or train from Warsaw, the journey takes between 4:30 and 5:30.
Where to sleep in Gdansk?
If you have planned to visit Gdansk, we recommend you prefer your accommodation around two flagship areas of the city : in the historic center around Dluga Street, or in Oliwa, a more residential area housing the famous eponymous cathedral. You can find a cheap hotel in Gdansk by looking for this Compare hotels .
Main photo credit: Pixabay – Makalu
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