Gdańsk, Poland
Located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk is Poland's sixth-largest city by population and one of the country's hottest travel destinations. It's constantly vying with Kraków and Warsaw for the title of Poland's most popular tourist city.
What makes Gdańsk so appealing? Well, there's the seaside location, wallet-friendly prices, fascinating attractions, gorgeous and quirky cityscapes, and seriously good food. Gdańsk has emerged as a major tech hub in Central and Eastern Europe, it's big on sustainability, and serves as a crucial logistics center. The city buzzes with this new European energy that keeps it vibrant year-round. Outside the peak summer season, visitors can catch concerts, football matches, and other events, plus dive into the lively nightlife scene that won't break the bank.
Gdańsk has certain go-to neighborhoods for hotels. The Old Town near the train station is definitely worth considering. Another popular spot is the city center around Długa Street. You might also want to check out Wyspa Spichrzów island just behind Długi Square, or the waterfront areas along Nowa Motława.
Gdańsk as a destination
Gdańsk is a vibrant city of around 470,000 people on Poland's northern coast. Together with Sopot and Gdynia, it forms the Tri-City metropolitan area, home to about 1.3 million residents. For visitors, the best part is that Gdańsk's historic center is refreshingly walkable, all the major historical sights and cultural hotspots are within easy strolling distance of each other.
While you can visit Gdańsk any time of year, the sweet spots are spring, summer, and the weeks leading up to Christmas. The tourist season really kicks off at Easter, when visitor numbers start to climb. During summer, weekends and holidays get particularly busy, so be prepared for bigger crowds and potentially longer waits at popular spots.
Spring arrives in early April and it's perfect for exploring the city on foot and sightseeing. If you're dreaming of combining city breaks with beach time in nearby Sopot, aim for June through September. Peak beach season runs from mid-July to mid-August – that's when Gdańsk sees its highest tourist numbers too, so book your accommodation well ahead. Come September, Sopot's beaches quiet down, but it's still a fantastic time for a city break.
The Story of Gdańsk
Gdańsk is a city whose story is deeply woven into the fabric of the Baltic region's great upheavals and transformations. The city hit its stride during the 16th to 18th centuries, when it flourished as a wealthy and liberal trading hub. Back then, nobody really cared what religion you practiced, and the city's architecture bears the distinctive marks of Dutch, Flemish, and Italian masters who left their creative stamp here. For centuries, Gdańsk stood as one of the Hanseatic League's powerhouses, its strategic importance recognized far and wide. Even Napoleon himself reportedly called the city, quite aptly, "the key to everything."
The city's political allegiances have shifted like Baltic tides throughout history. Sometimes it belonged to Poland, sometimes to Prussia. Under German rule, the city went by the name Danzig, and its red-brick buildings showcase that classic German coastal architecture you'll spot all along the shores of former East Germany and modern-day Poland.
World War II marked a devastating turning point in Gdańsk's story. The war essentially kicked off right here when a German warship shelled the Polish military outpost at Westerplatte in September 1939. Westerplatte had been under Polish control since 1925, which had been a constant source of friction between Germany and Poland. Nazi Germany used the Free City of Danzig situation as a convenient excuse for their eastward expansion plans.
The war's aftermath left the city in ruins. By 1945, Gdańsk had been bombed to smithereens. The post-war reconstruction of the Old Town, including the famous Długa Street, completely transformed the city's character. Today's streetscape blends influences from the socialist era with more recent periods. The Museum of the Second World War offers an in-depth look at the war's causes, events, and consequences. The exhibition features an entire reconstructed Polish street from the pre-war era and drives home the scale of destruction through a haunting display of the ruined cityscape.
Gdańsk's role in modern European history comes alive at the European Solidarity Centre. The Solidarity movement, born at the city's shipyard in 1980, became the catalyst that helped topple communism across Eastern Europe. Right next to the center, you can still see the original shipyard gate where Lech Wałęsa rallied his supporters during those history-making moments.
So Gdańsk's story is really about a city that has weathered countless storms and always managed to rise again. It's been a trading powerhouse, a battlefield, and the birthplace of a freedom movement. Its tale captures Europe's complex past and the enduring hope for a better tomorrow.
What to See in Gdańsk
Gdańsk is packed with attractions for visitors, and the best part? Most of the must-see spots are conveniently clustered around Długa Street and the Old Town (Stare Miasto). The Neptune Fountain in Długi Targ square has been the go-to meeting spot for locals and tourists for centuries, it's a beautiful symbol of Gdańsk's deep connection to the sea. To enter this historic heart of the city, you'll pass through the ornate Golden Gate, decorated with statues and carvings representing the city's traditional values like peace and freedom.
Along the Motława River stands the medieval crane Żuraw, a fascinating reminder of the city's maritime heritage. Back in the day, this massive wooden structure was used to load ships and hoist their masts. One of the Old Town's gems is Mariacka Street, lined with beautiful architectural details and little shops selling amber jewelry. The street looks absolutely magical when lit up in the evening. The city's pride and joy is St. Mary's Church, the largest brick church in Europe. Climb the tower for sweeping views over the city, and don't miss the 15th-century astronomical clock inside.
Over on Ołowianka Island, just a stone's throw from the Old Town, you'll find the 50-meter AmberSky Ferris wheel. It features 36 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, perfect for enjoying the ride even when the weather's not cooperating. There's even a VIP gondola with leather upholstery and a glass floor for those wanting something extra special. One full rotation takes about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you'll get stunning views stretching from Gdańsk's historic center all the way to the port area and the Baltic Sea. The wheel is especially popular in the evenings when the city lights create a magical atmosphere.
Venture beyond the city center to the Oliwa district, where the beautiful Oliwski Park offers a refreshing escape with its ponds and flower gardens, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. The nearby Oliwa Cathedral houses massive organs and regularly hosts organ concerts. Gdańsk's reputation as the amber capital is on full display at the Amber Museum in the historic Great Mill, which tells the fascinating story of this "Baltic gold" and its importance to the region.
Being a seaside city, Gdańsk naturally has excellent maritime museums, but you'll also find modern cultural sites like the Museum of the Second World War, which offers an in-depth look at the war's causes, progression, and aftermath.
Gdańsk forms the Tricity area together with the nearby beach resort of Sopot and the port city of Gdynia, you can find more information about these cities in their respective Pocket Travel Guides.
Read more: Things to See Gdańsk
Shopping
Gdańsk offers fantastic shopping opportunities where the historic city's atmosphere blends seamlessly with modern retail therapy. The best shopping areas are conveniently located between Gdańsk Główny main railway station and the Old Town, making it super easy to hit the shops.
Near the train station, you'll find modern shopping centers where you can browse in comfort, rain or shine. From there, it's just a short stroll to the charming shopping streets of the Old Town. Along Rajska Street, you'll discover a mix of contemporary stores and traditional shops. The historic Długa Street and Długi Targ square are perfect for browsing souvenirs and local specialties. Around St. Mary's Church, especially on Mariacka Street, amber products are everywhere, no wonder Gdańsk proudly calls itself the "Amber Capital."
The annual St. Dominic's Fair in Gdańsk is one of Europe's largest outdoor events. This massive fair draws huge crowds eager to check out local handicrafts, ceramics, and jewelry, plus sample traditional Polish treats. Year-round, the market hall and its neighboring outdoor market are authentic spots to pick up local produce. Don't miss trying Poland's exceptionally delicious apples, they're something special!
Read more: Shopping in Gdańsk
Restaurants and Food
Gdańsk's food scene is a fascinating blend of traditional Polish flavors, local seafood specialties, and international cuisine. The city's best dining spots are found in the old town area, especially around Długa pedestrian street and Długi Square, as well as below St. Mary's Church. The riverfront and nearby Targ Rybny area are also popular for their restaurants, and you'll find plenty of dining options around Madison shopping center too.
Like everywhere else these days, Gdańsk has jumped on the food hall trend (called hala gastronomiczna in Polish), also known as food courts or restaurant worlds. Under one roof, different restaurant stalls let everyone in your group pick exactly what they're craving. Whether you're vegan, a burger fanatic, or a sushi lover, everyone can find something they like and still eat together at shared dining areas. One of the most popular is Montownia Food Hall, housed in a former assembly hall in the old shipyard district.
Gdańsk's local specialties appear on many restaurant menus, and foodies travel from far and wide to taste the regional delicacies. Seafood, especially cod, herring, and salmon, is the area's pride and joy. You'll typically find these at the pricier restaurants that attract both locals and tourists alike. Traditional Polish dishes are well represented throughout the city's restaurants. Pierogi, those delicious dumplings similar to pelmeni or ravioli, are especially popular. Their fillings range from meat to vegetables and everything in between. Other typical Polish dishes include cabbage rolls and various soups, like żurek (a tangy sourdough soup made from fermented rye flour) and bigos (a hearty stew of sauerkraut and meat).
Read more: Dining in Gdańsk's Restaurants
Getting Around
Getting around Gdańsk is a breeze, the city offers plenty of options whether you're going just around the corner or across town. In the historic center and nearby areas, walking is hands down the best way to soak up the atmosphere and check out the sights. The narrow cobblestone streets and compact old town make strolling around a real pleasure.
For longer distances, Gdańsk's public transport system is both cheap and efficient. The city's network includes trains, trams, and buses that connect all the different neighborhoods. The SKM local train is particularly handy, it runs regularly between Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia, making it super easy to explore the entire Tri-City area. You can grab tickets from machines at the stations, but don't forget to validate them before you hop on! The PKM trains are your go-to for getting to places like the airport.
During summer, water buses cruise along the city's waterways. They're a great way to see Gdańsk from the water while getting where you need to go. One popular route takes you out to the historically significant Westerplatte peninsula.
Cycling is another fantastic way to explore Gdańsk and its surroundings, thanks to the city's well-developed bike path network. Renting a bike gives you the flexibility to pedal over to the charming Oliwa district or even to neighboring Sopot.
Read more: Getting from place to place
Getting to Gdańsk: Flights and Travel
From Finland, you can fly directly to Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (Port Lotniczy Gdańsk im. Lecha Wałęsy in Polish), which is Poland's third busiest airport. It serves the entire Tri-City (Trojmiasto) metropolitan area, which includes Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. The airport is located about 12 kilometers northwest of Gdańsk.
Direct flights from Helsinki to Gdańsk take around two hours.
Other destinations in Poland
Beyond Gdańsk, Poland has plenty of other spots worth checking out. Take the capital Warsaw, for instance, a city that's been through the wringer over the centuries but has recently been making waves and climbing the ranks as a go-to vacation destination.