Museums and Art Galleries of Gdańsk

This page introduces you to the most important museums in Gdańsk and the surrounding area.

Let's start with the Maritime Museum, which actually includes several sites: the medieval Stary Żuraw crane, the main building on Ołowianka Island, the S/S Sołdek steamship, and the Dar Pomorza sailing ship in Gdynia. Next up is the National Museum in Gdańsk, where you can explore art collections including Hans Memling's famous masterpiece, The Last Judgment. The Archaeological Museum showcases Pomerania's prehistoric past and archaeological discoveries from the Gdańsk region. Meanwhile, the Amber Museum is all about the natural and cultural history of amber. The Gdańsk History Museum operates several locations throughout the city: the Town Hall, Dwór Artusa, Uphagen's House, the Postal Museum, and the Westerplatte Memorial. Finally, the Museum of the Second World War offers a comprehensive look at the war from Poland's perspective.

You could easily spend several days exploring all of Gdańsk's museums. If you're planning to visit multiple museums and other paid attractions, check out which ones are included with the Gdańsk City Card, it might save you money compared to buying individual tickets. It's also worth finding out which days museums offer free admission. Just keep in mind that on free days, museums can get pretty crowded, so try to time your visit for either the morning or a couple of hours before closing time.

Maritime Museum, Narodowe Muzeum Morskie w Gdańsku

The Maritime Museum in Gdańsk takes you on a journey through the city's seafaring past and Poland's rich naval history. The museum isn't just one building, it's actually spread across several locations on both sides of the Motława River [on map] and around the city. You can buy tickets for individual sites or grab a combo ticket that covers multiple parts of the museum.

One of the museum's star attractions is the Stary żuraw portowy (Old Port Crane) [on map] (Szeroka 67/68), an iconic symbol of Gdańsk and Europe's largest surviving medieval crane. Dating back to 1444, this impressive structure once served triple duty as a harbor crane, city gate, and part of the defensive walls. What's really cool is how it worked: workers would walk inside giant treadwheels to power the crane, which could lift loads up to four tons! Thanks to recent restoration work, you can still see the original mechanisms and historical features. You can explore the whole thing in about 20 minutes, and it's definitely worth a visit. The entrance is a bit hidden on a side street, so keep your eyes peeled. Pro tip: check their website to see which days offer free admission.

The main exhibition space of the Maritime Museum [on map] (Ołowianka 9-13) sits on Ołowianka Island, almost directly across from the Old Crane and right next to the moored museum ship Sołdek. Housed in three converted granaries, the museum walks you through Poland's naval history with old cannons, maritime oil paintings, and all sorts of seafaring artifacts. To reach Ołowianka Island, you've got two options: hop on the small ferry [on map] that zips across the Motława River every 15 minutes or so, or walk across the bridge [on map]. Last time I checked, the ferry ride cost just 1.5 złoty.

While you're there, don't miss the S/S Sołdek steamship [on map]. You'll get to see how steam power moved this vessel and peek into the daily lives of sailors from bygone days, where they ate, slept, and worked. You can explore different parts of the ship, including the engine room with its two Howden-Johnson steam boilers, crew quarters, and the captain's bridge. The Sołdek holds a special place in Polish history as the first seagoing vessel built by Poland after World War II. It's named after Stanisław Sołdek, a worker at the Gdańsk shipyard, and was originally used to transport coal and ore. Just a heads up, the ship has lots of narrow staircases, which might be challenging if you have mobility issues. Make sure to climb up to the deck for some fantastic views over Gdańsk's Old Town!

In nearby Gdynia, you'll find another gem: the Dar Pomorza museum ship [on map] (al. Jana Pawła II 1, Gdynia), which is also part of the Gdańsk Maritime Museum network. This beautifully preserved sailing ship once served as a training vessel for Polish naval officers. The ship made annual voyages to Europe and the West Indies, and even sailed around the world! During your visit, you can explore the ship's history, technical features, living quarters, and deck areas. The well-preserved interiors give you a real sense of what life at sea was like back in the day. Plan on spending anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour here, though maritime enthusiasts might want to linger longer. The Dar Pomorza is moored next to another museum ship, the warship ORP Błyskawica [on map].

Opening hours for the different parts of the Maritime Museum can vary by season. Before you visit, check the museum's website for current opening times, ticket prices, and other practical information.

National Museum - Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsku

The National Museum in Gdańsk [on map] (Toruńska 1) is housed in a former Franciscan monastery near the city center. This striking red-brick building is packed with art, porcelain, ceramics, furniture, and textiles. Here you can dive into the region's history and culture. The exhibitions are well-organized and include English translations, with just a few exceptions.

One of the museum's crown jewels is Hans Memling's 15th-century masterpiece "The Last Judgment." Originally commissioned by Angelo Tani, a representative of the Italian Medici bank, to decorate his family chapel near Florence, the painting never made it to its intended destination. In 1473, Captain Paul Beneke from Danzig (now Gdańsk) intercepted the ship carrying it and brought the painting to Gdańsk as plunder. It was then donated to St. Mary's Church, where it remained for centuries. This single painting alone is worth the price of admission.

The museum offers free admission on certain days, which tend to be particularly busy. Check their website for the current free-entry schedule. Mornings are usually quieter than afternoons. Most visitors spend about two hours exploring, though you can get a quick overview in under an hour if you're pressed for time.

Getting there is easy, the museum is close to the center and accessible by tram or bus.

Archaeological Museum - Muzeum Archeologiczne w Gdańsku

The Archaeological Museum in Gdańsk [on map] (Mariacka 25/26) sits right in the heart of the Old Town along the Motława River.

The permanent exhibitions mainly focus on Pomerania's prehistoric past, though they don't always follow a strict timeline. Some real highlights include the paleopathology section, an exhibit on health and hygiene through the ages, and a small but fascinating Sudan exhibition complete with clay dwellings. The display cases showcase everything from Stone Age artifacts to skeletons unearthed during archaeological digs, plus scale models depicting various periods in Gdańsk's history. Items rescued from World War II ruins, including weapons and valuables, make for compelling viewing too. The intricately carved amber pieces are particularly eye-catching. While some exhibits only have Polish descriptions, you'll find English information for many displays.

Plan on spending about an hour and a half exploring the museum. Sure, the interior might be a bit worn around the edges, but it's still a great spot for both adults and kids. The museum building includes a viewing tower [on map], though it's been closed recently. When it's open, you can climb up for some fantastic views over the city. Just be warned, the climb might be tough if you're not steady on your feet.

The Archaeological Museum offers free admission days throughout the year. It's worth checking their website for current opening hours and prices before you visit.

Amber Museum - Muzeum Bursztynu

The Amber Museum (Muzeum Bursztynu) in Gdańsk [on map] (Wielkie Młyny 16) recently reopened its doors in a brand new location. The museum offers a deep dive into Baltic gold, amber, which is found in such abundance around these parts that Gdańsk has earned the nickname "amber capital of the world."

The new museum spans two floors packed with unique amber collections that'll blow your mind. The exhibits explore amber from every angle, its natural history, how it formed millions of years ago, its unique properties, and its cultural significance throughout different eras. Among the museum's showstoppers are stunning amber jewelry pieces and artworks, plus a massive chunk of amber that weighs several kilos, seriously impressive stuff. You'll also find furniture incorporating amber elements and, get this, a one-of-a-kind Fender Stratocaster guitar made from amber.

The gift shop is perfect for picking up amber souvenirs at various price points to take home.

The museum offers free admission days throughout the year. It's worth checking their website for current opening hours and ticket prices before you visit.

Museum of Gdańsk - Muzeum Historyczne Miasta Gdańska

The Museum of Gdańsk showcases the city's past across multiple venues throughout town, with its main hub being the historic Town Hall [on map] (Długa 46). Inside the Town Hall, you can join guided tours that dive into the city's history, especially focusing on the era when Gdańsk was still known as Danzig.

Beyond the main museum, there's a whole collection of fascinating sites to explore, including Artus Court (Dwór Artusa) [on map] (Długi Targ 43-44), which once served as the meeting place for wealthy merchants. Then there's Uphagen's House [on map] (Długa 12) – a beautifully preserved merchant's home where you can get a glimpse of how successful 18th-century traders lived. The Polish Post Office Museum [on map] tells the story of postal history in the region. The Amber Museum, which we've covered separately, is also part of this museum network.

One of the museum's most moving sites is the guardhouse at Westerplatte, located near the Westerplatte Monument [on map]. This is where World War II is said to have begun. It was here that the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on a Polish military transit depot on September 1, 1939. Despite being vastly outnumbered, a small garrison of about 200 Polish soldiers held their ground against the German assault for seven days. The Westerplatte Monument stands as a tribute to their incredible courage. You can reach Westerplatte in about 20 minutes by taxi, or take a bit longer by bus.

Check out the Museum of Gdańsk website for all the details on each location, including addresses, opening hours, and admission fees.

Museum of the Second World War - Muzeum II Wojny Światowej w Gdańsku

Opened in March 2017, Gdańsk's Museum of the Second World War [on map] (plac Władysława Bartoszewskiego 1) has quickly shot to fame as one of Poland's most respected and highly-rated museums. It offers a comprehensive and moving look at World War II events, particularly from Poland's perspective. The exhibitions walk you through the war chronologically, starting with the aftermath of World War I and ending with the consequences of WWII.

Behind the museum's striking modern architecture, you'll find vast and varied exhibition spaces. As you make your way through, you'll encounter recreated wartime street scenes, tanks, propaganda posters, and countless other artifacts from the era. The exhibitions are designed to be explored in a specific order, helping visitors piece together a clear picture of how the war unfolded.

The museum's opening wasn't without controversy. Back in 2017, Poland's right-wing government criticized it for not highlighting Polish suffering enough, while outsiders felt the Polish role in the war was actually portrayed too favorably. Despite the initial drama, the museum has won rave reviews from both professionals and visitors alike.

You'll find the museum just a stone's throw from Gdańsk's city center, it's an easy riverside stroll from the main attractions.

Before you visit, check out the Museum of the Second World War's website for current opening hours and ticket prices.