15 Best Things to Do in Gdansk Poland

Gdansk is one city in Poland that every traveler should experience! From the colorful Dluga walking street to the history and local milk bars, there are so many fun things to do in Gdansk Poland. We hope you enjoy this Gdansk travel guide with helpful tips, and even things to avoid!

How to Get to Gdansk Poland

Gdansk is located on the popular Baltic Coast of northern Poland. The best way to get here is to fly into Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport or hop on a train from other major cities in Europe. 

Be sure to check the prices on Skyscanner and Kayak.where we’ve found flights to Gdansk for as low as 11 Euros! If you’re including Gdansk in larger Poland itinerary, you should consider renting a car. 

After Gdansk, we traveled to the great city of Krakow Poland and even did some hiking in Zakopane! Below you’ll find some of our favorite things to do in Gdansk. We’ve also added some tips and recommendations from our own experience.

15 Best Things to Do in Gdansk Poland

1. Stay In Gdansk Old Town

The Old Town of Gdansk is a magical part of the city where every building is painted a different color, and the small narrow streets somehow always lead down to the main canal.

When booking a trip to Gdansk, you should stay as close to old town as possible to have easy access to all the attractions and delicious food of Poland. We’ve added some of the most highly rated hotels below.

Where to Stay in Gdansk Poland

Ultra Luxury – Hilton Gdansk  – The Hilton Gdansk is perfect for anyone looking for an upscale stay during their visit to Poland. This hotel offers a prime location, modern comforts, and a beautiful pool to relax in after a day of exploring. 

Fun Vacation – Hotel Hanza – Elegant rooms make this warm hotel right on the Motława River a great choice for any traveler. Located right in the heart of old town, you’ll be steps away from all the action that Gdansk Poland has to offer. 

Hostel Life – Five Point Hostel – Within walking distance of all the old town attractions, Five Point Hostel offers a bright and clean budget-friendly stay. 

2. Eat At a Polish Milk Bar

While knowing where to stay is essential, you more importantly need to know where to eat in our Gdansk travel guide! First established in the late 19th century, Milk Bars are Poland’s version of a local cafeteria.

Here you’re able to walk up the line and taste all the glorious traditional foods this country has to offer. Read all about our three favorite Gdansk Milk Bars before you start your food journey.

3. Drink Tyskie Beer

There are many great beers to enjoy in Poland, but Tyskie is by far the one we saw most around Gdansk! As you stroll around this magnificent city, you’ll notice every bar and restaurant is draped with the famous brand.

Most of the tables at each restaurants outdoor seating also feature a Tyskie placard showing their price of the beer. It won’t be a problem to grab one for a great price, and we typically didn’t pay more than 2 or 3 Euros. 

4. Explore Dluga Street 

Dluga street runs through the center of Gdansk, and for centuries it’s been the heartbeat of the city. Walk up and down one of Poland’s most illustrious streets, taking in all the colors and beauty of the architecture around you.

Each building has its own color, which transforms this area into something out of a fairytale during certain points of the day. This is a great place to grab a coffee or a local beer like we mentioned above.

5. Relax On the Elblag Canal 

When you’re done exploring Dluga Street, head to Elblag Canal for a bite to eat or to enjoy a delicious beverage. Up and down the river you’ll find endless cafes, restaurants, and hotels with stunning views of the water and boats passing through.

A perfect blend of modern and traditional eateries are sprinkled down the canal as far as you can see, so there is sure to be something for everyone.

6. Climb the Steps of St. Mary’s Basilica

With construction first starting in the year 1343, St. Mary’s Basilica has always been important piece of Gdansk’s history. It’s actually know as the largest brick church in the world, as it fits an astounding 25,000 people inside!

Seeing the interior in itself is incredible, but the most unique feature is that you’re able to climb to the top of the church. Just be ready to climb over 400 steps to the top! 

7. Shop For Amber

As soon as you set foot on the streets of Gdansk, you will quickly realize the abundance of amber shops. Since the Baltic region is home to the worlds largest deposit of Amber, this is a great place to shop for one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world.

Gdansk even has several places around the city dedicated to Amber, including the Amber Museum and a section inside the Gdansk History Museum. Be sure to do some more research after reading our Gdansk travel guide and watch out for fakes.

8. Discover History at the Gdansk Museum 

Gdansk has always been at the center of Poland’s rich cultural history, so a visit to a museum is must! Learn about the city from the Middle Ages all the way up through the 20th century, along with viewing important artifacts that made Gdansk what it is today.

The Gdansk history museum is located in the main city hall building. This is one of the best things to do in Gdansk for history lovers and tourists alike.

9. Take a Photo On Dluga Street at Sunset

The colors of Dluga Street will illuminate as the sun goes down, making for the picture perfect photo opportunity. Don’t miss out being on this famous street for golden hour in Gdansk!

10. Stop into Hala Targowa 

Walking into Hala Targowa Market is a great way to get away from the tourists in the main part of the city. Grab a coffee or pastry and watch as the Gdansk locals line up to grab their meats and cheeses for the week.

11. Take a Gdansk Walking Tour

You’ll notice plenty of golf carts rolling around offering unofficial tours of the city. I would be very skeptical of them when searching for things to do in Gdansk.

Instead of getting ripped off, take one of the free walking tours put on the by the tourist center. Tours are offered in several different languages and can be seen roaming daily all around Gdansk.

12. See Gdansk Poland by Foot

Despite how it may look, Gdansk is not actually that big. We had no problem seeing everything in 2-3 days, and it’s one of the most walkable cities we’ve been to in Europe. The streets are designed for you to stroll around and explore, so take advantage of it!

13. Eat More Traditional Food in Gdansk

We found Poland to be extremely underrated as a country, and that goes for the food as well! If there’s one tip we can give you, it’s to spend your money enjoying Gdansk through it’s delicious food and tasty beverages.

Navigate your way through the Milk Bars, grab some perogies on the canal, and have a beer on Dluga Street! Here’s a complete guide to the best Gdansk food we ate.

14. Avoid the Tripe Soup

With that being said, there’s one last thing we need to warn you about in our Gdansk travel guide. Once when asking for the goulash at one of Gdansk’s Milk Bars we actually were served Tripe Soup.

For those who don’t know what Tripe is, feel free to google it. Although this wasn’t our favorite, it is considered a delicacy in most of Europe… to each their own!

15. Take a Train To Sopot

After seeing some of the best things to do in Gdansk Poland, jump on the train and head to Sopot. This Polish resort town is a major destination for both health spa and beach goers.

It also features the longest wooden pier in Europe! Since it’s just a quick 20 minute train ride away from Gdansk, Sopot is the perfect day trip getaway if you need a break from the city.

Have any questions about our Gdansk travel guide or want to share your favorite things to do in Gdansk Poland? Please comment below! 

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

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