Gdańsk City Guide

My mum comes from the Tri-City area of Poland and then moved to Germany and then the United Kingdom. This area, as the name suggests, consists of three cities, namely Sopot, Gdynia and Gdańsk. The latter is perhaps the most famous of the three and is a notoriously pretty city. Given my heritage, I have visited Gdańsk a number of times. Our most recent visit was in 2019 on our interrail adventure to Poland. We spent a good day walking around the old streets of the city and exploring the different areas. So, without further ado, here is my Gdańsk city guide.

What can I do in Gdańsk?

I would recommend that you begin on the Royal Route, a tourist pathway carved into the city that takes you around the best sites. The Kings of Poland took this route on any visitation to the city. It ends at the Green Gate, a building that was built to act as the formal Royal household of Polish kings after the fall of the Teutonic Order.

Before you reach the Royal residence however, you should begin your journey at the Brama Wyżynna (Upland Gate), the ancient entrance of the city. The gate itself is monstrously large and dates back to the late 16^th Century, although it has undertaken major renovation work since then.

Walk in the ancient footsteps of kings as you walk into the city, firstly stopping at the gruesome Torture Chamber and Prison Tower (Wieża Więzienna). The latter is now the Amber Museum which celebrates the regions production and crafting of Amber, with the colourful 3D artwork being a stark contrast to the previous use of the building.

Continue down the Royal Route and pass through the Złota Brama (Golden Gate). Inspired by Dutch architecture, the Golden Gate is arguably one of the main tourist attractions. The original structure, alike 90% of the city, was destroyed during the Second World War, but the gate, completed in the 1950s, is equally as pretty.

As you come into the light after the gate, you will reach Ulica Długa (Long Street), which continues to the Długi Targ (Old Market Square). As you continue along this medieval street, you will notice that it gently curves and takes you deeper into the city. On each side of the street are the burgher houses, each with their own unique history and colourful style. Number 35, the Lion’s Castle, held various receptions from King Wladyslaw IV and Number 45, the House of Polish Kings, has a large sculpture of Zeus. Ulica Długa (Long Street) houses many different restaurants for you to stop for a spot of lunch and is arguably one of the most famous views not only in the city, but Poland.

The Ratusz Głównego Miasta (Town Hall) constantly towers over the city, with its impressive blue spire catching the eye of any passer-by. Approaching the doors of the Town Hall, you will find another Classical God; Neptune. The large Neptune Fountain celebrates the ancient deity and is one of the city’s main attractions.

Past the Town Hall is the Long Market, and extension of Ulica Długa (Long Street). Historically, this is where witches and criminals were publicly executed, but now it is one of the key tourist hot spots of the city. There is plenty to see and do here, including a myriad of different food places.

At the end of the Long Market, you will see the Brama Zielona (Green Gate). It is unmissable and encloses the market with the surrounding houses. Before you pass through this gate check out Artus Court (by the Neptune Fountain), which used to act as the chief meeting place for the merchants of the city and was a key social hub. Continue your walk to the river and walk along the promenade.

Here you will find the Crane of Gdansk (Żuraw), one of the most famous symbols and a reminder of when the city was one of the key Baltic trading ports. Interestingly, the crane is one of the last remaining medieval structures of its kind left in the world. As with most buildings in the city, the majority of it was lost during the war (before this, the finished structure was mid-fifteenth century) and it rebuilt in the decades after. It was then donated to the Polish Maritime Museum, which it is still part of today. Another fun-fact is that the Crane features in the Witcher III game and draws upon the original author’s vision for the fantasy world, which was mostly based upon Medieval Eastern Europe. If you’re anything like my husband who loves the game, then this could be for you!

Continue along the promenade and head towards the World War Two Museum. This place serves as a reminder of the devastation that Poland was subjected to homage and remembers those who lost their lives fighting. Entrance is only 25 PLZ (roughly £4.50) and is filled with fascinating information about the war. Once you have had a look around, it will probably be time for a bite to eat (see Section II). I would then recommend continuing your tour to see whether or not you can find some hidden gems.

If you are staying for longer..

Sopot

If you are staying there for a few days, I would entirely recommend taking a trip along the Baltic Coast. Why not head to Sopot, which is easily accessible via train. Simply take one from Gdańsk Main Station, or just use the local ferry. The train time should take about 20 minutes, and costs little over a pound. The ferry is slightly cheaper and more scenic, but only a few run each day and so you will need to time it well. You can read my Sopot guide here.

Westerplatte

For any history buffs out there Westerplatte is not far away. A 20 minute car ride from the centre of the city takes you to the Westerplatte peninsula which was the site of the first battle of WW2. Nowadays you will find the Westerplatte monument and a number of small museums. You can also reach Westerplatte by bus – number 106 or 138 from the Central Station (Gdańsk Główny) will take you there in just 30 minutes.

Malbork

Another option is heading to the Teutonic Castle of Malbork, the largest brick castle in the world. Again, this is easily accessible via train and the cost is not dissimilar to that above. You can read about my visit to Malbork here.

Hel Peninsula

Not many people have heard of the stunning Hel peninsula, possibly one of the most picturesque and unspoilt areas of the Baltic Coast. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, charming Kashubian villages and a taste of authentic Poland. There are various travel options between Gdańsk and Hel including the train (approx 2h30), driving (1h30) or by ferry (2h30).

For even more ideas why not check out my post on day trips from Gdańsk!

What to Eat in Gdańsk

Whilst you are busy exploring the Royal Route, you will probably get rather peckish. Fortunately, the city of Gdańsk is a tourist hotspot and subsequently has you covered. Down Ulica Długa (Long Street)/ Market, there are plenty of options that will tempt even the fussiest of eaters.

Snacks/ Food on the go

A must is found at the Market Hall. Pączki, or Polish Donuts, are unbelievably delicious and no city guide to Gdańsk would be complete without mentioning them. I prefer them here as they are freshly baked on the day and taste fabulous.

Another market speciality is Zapiekanka, a make-shift pizza on a baguette. This is the perfect light lunch and is guaranteed to be cheaper than the pizzerias on the main street (more on that in a bit).

Lastly, every city break to Poland should feature Pierogi and there are plenty of stalls that sell them. I adore the sweet ones, especially when they are filled with berries. If you are after something savoury, look no further than cheese and potato.

Restaurants

If you want to sit down and relax after a busy day, there are loads of formal restaurants. Usually, we pick one on the main street, however be warned that this is a notorious tourist area and prices are inflated. However, I always find Poland far cheaper than the other European cities so, whilst it is a bit more expensive, when respective of London or Parisian prices, it really is not too bad at all. One of my favourite places to eat in Poland is Goldwasser, a small restaurant on the waterfront by the Crane. It has a traditional Polish menu, with lots of tasty options. Again, pierogi is on the menu, but I like to treat myself to a good meaty dish, such as a medium-rare steak.

If you are after an Italian (and aren’t we all, most of the time!), look for Al Dente. This restaurant is relatively new and the owners used to be based in neighbouring Sopot. On the times that I have been there in Sopot, I can confirm that the pizza is very tasty and would recommend to anyone.

Another Sopot emigrant is Josef K., a restaurant with a cool interior décor which specialises in homely Polish cuisine. If you are after authenticity, I would definitely recommend.

These are just a few places that came to mind when I was writing this post but, in truth, there are so many different options that it would be impossible to name them all! As always, I would suggest looking at different menus as you explore. The city has been built with the traveller in mind and you are bound to find something tasty.

Where can I Drink in Gdańsk?

This section is slightly shorter as the main drink is, you guessed it, beer! There are countless breweries in the city, all with their unique take on the craft beer. Let’s start off with Brovarnia, arguably the most popular one on the list. If you are looking for a classic brewery in terms of beer, food and décor, this one is for you. Why not treat yourself to a sample of different beers, whilst eating Pork Knuckle? It is a quintessential Polish experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

Another brewery that fulfils this niche is Browar Piwna, which serves hearty Polish food with a selection of craft beers.

If you are more interested in the beer, I would suggest going to Pułapka, which constantly changes their craft beer selection so that you can sample the best that the region has to offer.

Poland is however more famous for its vodka selection and Gdańsk has its very own Vodka Drinking Tour. Indeed, the restaurant mentioned earlier (Goldwasser) is named after a special form of vodka that has tiny gold flakes. There are a few tours, but I would suggest the Xperience Poland one, which is about £33 a head. As well as this, they take you to different restaurants and sights, so you get to mix drinking with sight-seeing!

If alcohol isn’t your thing, a bit like me, then have no fear. There are so many cafés around the city, many of which are excellent. I would genuinely look for the one with the best view, be that of the Town Hall, the Basilica or the Crane, and just enjoy a coffee and a pastry. Nothing beats that sometimes!

Did you know I also have a YouTube channel? Check it out to follow my adventures

My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skyscanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.

Accommodation

Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.

Things I can’t travel without

As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my

Canon EOS M3
GoPro Hero5 Black
I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro

Travel Insurance

Prepare for all possibilities when travelling and don’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.

Gdańsk City Guide

Gdańsk City Guide

What can I do in Gdańsk?