The best things to see and do in Gdansk, Poland
Despite the soaring popularity of other Polish cities like Krakow and Warsaw, Gdansk still remains a bit of a hidden gem. It’s by no means completely under the radar, welcoming over half a million foreign tourists in 2024, but it’s still possible to grab moments here where you feel like the city belongs exclusively to you. I am biased as my family is from here. But my Welsh husband absolutely adores it! It’s got history, beautiful architecture and delicious food and drink. So if you are dreaming of a city break, below are the best things to see and do in Gdansk.
First, a brief history lesson…
Gdansk has a very long and interesting history. Founded in the 10th century, its shifted between Polish rule, Teutonic control, and a free city (twice!). It was also, tragically, the place where WW2 began. The city was almost completely destroyed by 1945, and then painstakingly rebuilt in its original style. The strength of the people of Gdansk showed itself again in 1970s and 80s with the Solidarity Movement. The fall of Communism started right here in this city. If you are a history buff at all you will absolutely love Gdansk!
Things to see and do in Gdansk Old Town
Motlawa Riverside/Medieval Crane
Gdansk is an incredibly walkable city, which makes it perfect for a long weekend. Get your bearings by starting at the Motlawa Embankment. This is one of the most picturesque places in Gdansk, with historic buildings lining the riverside. Nowadays most of them are restaurants and bars, and although I usually discourage people from dining in these kinds of hotspots…sometimes the views are worth it! I recommend crossing the bridge for the ‘classic’ view of Gdansk that you see on so many postcards.
Probably the most iconic feature on those postcards is the old port crane. Built in the 1400s it was used to offload cargo from merchant ships up until the end of the 19th century. When walking under it’s enormous structure don’t forget to look up – you’ll see the wheels used to lift and lower the crane. Apparently they would have workers running on the wheels like giant hamsters to get them moving!
Just past the crane, keep your eyes peeled for some strange stone statues. These are the Old Prussian Hags, as they’re now known. They were carved by the old Pomeranian tribes who once lived in the area, before the Teutonic Knights arrived in the 13th century and wiped them out. This is pretty much all that remains of their religion.
Long Market Street (Dlugi Targ)/Neptune’s Fountain
Used for centuries by resident merchants and passing traders, this street is the beating heart of Gdansk. My favourite thing to do is just to wander up and down this street, stopping in the occasional bar to enjoy a Polish beer and people watch. Every time I visit I notice new details on the house facades.
Around the half way point is Neptune’s Fountain. Constructed in the 17th century, it’s one of the most photographed landmarks of the city. It definitely helps that he is surrounded by beautiful, colourful houses – Neptune doesn’t have a single bad angle!
On the opposite side of the street is a small and often overlooked monument. This antique Fahrenheit thermometer honors the creator of the first universal temperature scale. Daniel Fahrenheit was born in Gdansk in 1686, just a street away. He created the thermometer in 1724 and the rest is history.
The Town Hall/Arthur’s Court
On Long Market Street there are 2 particularly cool buildings. The first is the Main Town Hall – hard to miss thanks to it’s clock tower. Nowadays it houses the Museum of Gdansk. Entry is just a few quid and is well worth it if you like architecture and history. You can also climb to the top of the tower for a bird’s eye view of Gdansk (keep reading though for an even better viewpoint in my opinion…).
Next door to the Town Hall (behind Neptune) is the super bourgouis Artur’s Court. The name comes from the legend of King Arthur; a symbol of chivalry and gallantry. It was used as a meeting house by the city’s merchants who drank there after a day of trading. It’s a gorgeous building inside and out – again worth paying the small entry fee if you like offbeat design.
Tickets for both of these museums, along with many others in the city, can be purchased online here.
St Mary’s Church
I love exploring churches and other religious buildings. And St Mary’s is no different. It’s the biggest brick church in the world, and if you are able to I really advise climbing its impressive tower for the best view in Gdansk. It’s not for the faint of heart – 400 steps, many of them tight and winding – but it’s worth it. You can see very far on a clear day and admire Gdansk’s orange rooftops from above. The church is free to enter but you do have to pay to reach the tower. If you are not up to the physical challenge you can still admire the intricate astonomical clock inside the church, and Hans Memling’s painting of The Last Judgement.
Mariacka Street
This cobbled lane is my mum’s and my husband’s favourite street! Walking down here feels like stepping back in time. The beautiful 14th century houses, stone terraces, and gargoyle drainpipes give Mariacka a very unique feel.
The street is lined with amber jewellers. 70% of the world’s amber comes from this area of the Baltic shore, to the point where amber is known as ‘Gdansk gold’. It’s a great place to buy a souvenir (FYI: genuine amber pieces come with a certificate of authenticity) or just window shop. One of my favourite cafes in Gdansk is here too – Kawiarnia Drukarnia, translated as ‘The Printing House Cafe’. Grab a perfectly made oat latte and enjoy the chilled out atmosphere.
St Bridget’s Basilica
Another place which celebrates the abundance of amber in the city. The main reason to visit is to see the impressive amber altar. It’s huge and casts a ethereal orange light over the interior of the church. If you enjoy the macabre as much as I do, you’ll also want to stop by the crypts where you’ll be met by a wall of human skulls discovered in 2010.
Polish Post Office Museum and Monument
For any WW2 enthusiasts out there, this is a place worth visiting. The Post Office can be a little tricky to find, but once you are there you can’t miss the unique statue in the courtyard. It is a tribute to the postal workers who, when the Second World War broke out, singlehandedly held off the German army for 15 hours. The Germans did finally capture the building and the 38 Polish postmen were executed. The statue used to terrify me as a child, but now I see it as an important tribute to the incredible bravery shown that day. If you want to learn more you can visit the museum on site.
Try cherry liqueur or Goldwasser
Although I am primarily a beer drinker (and there are plenty of spots for that here too) I think everyone should try a glass of Polish cherry liqueur at least once. Two of the best places to get it are Wiśniewski Bar, and Pijana Wiśnia (meaning ‘drunk cherry’). They serve nothing but cherry liqueur and you can have it either hot or cold. On a winter’s day the hot option is definitely preferable and it tastes a lot like mulled wine. But in the summer? There is nothing better than sitting outside with a cold glass of this stuff, watching the world go by.
Cherry liqueur is not specific to Gdansk, however. So if you want to get even more local with your drink then try Goldwasser. Translated as ‘Gold Water’, it is a root and herbal liqueur which has been produced in Gdansk since the 1500s. The name comes from the flakes of real 23 karat gold suspended in the drink.
The legend goes that the citizens of Gdansk were so well-off in the 16th century that they used to throw copious amounts of gold coins into Neptune’s Fountain. This irritated the God of the Seas. He struck the water with his trident, breaking the coins into gold flakes. All the city merchants immediately tried to fill barrel after barrel with this ‘gold water’. All apart from one restaurant owner who did not want to steal from Neptune. In the morning, every barrel the other merchants filled was found to contain nothing but water, while the single restaurant owner’s cellars were full of real ‘gold water.’ Whether you try the liqueur for the cultural significance, the flavour, or its apparent healing properties (yes, really!) it’s worth giving it a go.
Other things to see and do (a bit further out)
European Solidarity Centre
Those interested in the fight against Communism can visit the European Solidarity Centre. This museum tells the story of the Polish trade union and civil resistance movements conducted here in the 1970s and 80s. Led by Lech Wałęsa and a group of shipyard workers, this movement was responsible for the advent of workers rights in the country, and ultimately the fall of Communism. The museum is in the dockland area, and there is also a monument nearby, remembering the 44 shipyard workers who were killed in the very first protest in 1970. Tickets for the European Solidarity Centre can be purchased here or on the door.
Westerplatte
On September 1st, 1939 the first shots of World War Two rang out across this beach when a German battleship began shelling the Polish ammunitions depot at Westerplatte. The rest is a well known, well documented, part of history but I’m always surprised how few people can pinpoint where it began, and have actually visited. Westerplatte is accessible by public transport (or a cheap taxi ride from the city centre) but a unique way to see it is by boat. There are a few tour operators who offer trips here. The most well known is the ‘Black Pearl’ – it is docked on the Motlawa Embakment and is built in the style of a pirate ship. Return cruises cost roughly £20pp and take about 90mins. There is often live music, and a bar, on board. You can get more info and book tickets here.
Sopot
If you fancy a walk along the seafront with a little less history thrown in, then head for Sopot. It’s a premier seaside resort and has all the markings of one – a soft sand beach, a buzzing nightlife, and the longest wooden pier in Europe. Catch it on a sunny day and it is lovely here. Although I’m personally annoyed at the recently introduced charge to access the pier. If you want to stay a little longer there are plenty of health spas and hotels along the shoreline. The most famous is The Grand Hotel, with gorgeous views across the coast.
Gdansk is such a small but complex city it would be impossible to put absolutely everything in one post. My advice is just to wander. You’ll come across a beautiful building here, a historical gem there. And if you are looking for vegan/veggie friendly places to eat while you explore, keep an eye out for an upcoming post! 😉
For other European break inspiration check out my blog posts here.
