Gdansk is just one of those cities that everyone should experience! From. the colorful walking street to the history and delicious milk bars, there are so many fun things to do in Gdansk Poland. We hope you enjoy this Gdansk travel guide and hotel recommendations, and find it useful for your next trip to Poland!
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Gdansk Travel Guide Information
Location: Gdansk, Poland
Official Language: Polish
Currency: Polish Zolty
Airport: Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN)
Best Time to Visit: June – September
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, make sure to stay as close to old town as possible to have easy access to all the attractions and delicious food of Poland. Make sure to check out all the best Gdansk Poland hotels which we recommend at the bottom of this post!
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 cafeteria. Here you’re able to walk up the line and taste all the glorious traditional foods this country has to offer.
→ The Three Best Milk Bars in Gdansk
Drink… Tyskie Beer
While there are many great beers to enjoy in Poland, Tyskie is the most popular and best way to Get Familiar with 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. Since they’re all in competition with each other it won’t be a problem to grab one for a great price!
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, and take 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.
Travel… By 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 health spa and beach goers alike, and 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.
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 Gdansk Poland 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.
Hike… Up The St. Mary’s Church Tower
With construction first starting in the year 1343, St. Mary’s Basilica has always been important piece of Gdansk’s history. Said to be the 3rd largest brick church in the world, it fits an astounding 25,000 people inside!
Seeing the interior in itself is incredible, but the true thing that makes it special is you are able to climb to the top of the church. While the hike up over 400 steps may be exhausting, the view from the top is most certainly worth it.
→ Climbing the Bell Tower of St. Mary’s Basilica
Shop… For Amber
As soon as you set foot on the streets of Gdansk, you will quickly realize the abundance and importance of Amber in Poland. 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. Just make sure to do your research after reading our Gdansk travel guide and watch out for fakes!
Find History… At the Gdansk History Museum
While we’re on the topic… Gdansk has always been at the center of Poland’s rich cultural history, and the Gdansk History Museum is the perfect place to experience that. 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! For reference, the 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!
Take a Photo… On Dluga Street at Sunset
The colors of Dluva Street will illuminate as the sun goes down, making for the picture perfect photo opportunity. It’s hard to beat it!
Live Like a Local… 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 and experience something local. Grab a coffee and pastry, and watch as the Gdansk locals line up to grab their meats and cheeses for the week.
Watch out for… Fake Tours
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 city tourist center. Tours are offered in several different languages, and can be seen roaming daily all around Gdansk.
Spend the Day…. Exploring Gdansk Poland By Foot
Despite how it may look, Gdansk is not 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. The streets are designed for you to stroll around and explore, so take advantage of it!
Spend Money On… Food and Drinks
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!
→ A Food Lovers Day In Gdansk Poland
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, so to each their own!
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
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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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
Hostel Life – Five Point Hostel – Not up for staying in one of the Gdansk Poland hotels? Well you’re in luck! Within walking distance of all the old town attractions, five point hostel offers a bright and clean budget friendly stay.
For more Gdansk Poland hotels you can explore the latest prices here!
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Poland Travel Planning
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around the country. Book a Chopin Concert in Old Town Warsaw, skip the line at the Wawel Castle in Krakow, or enjoy Zakopane with Hot Bath Pools.
Flights: We always find great flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to rent vehicles on our travels. In Poland, there are many beautiful cities and mountain towns to experience.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
Thanks so much for sharing, there is lots of amazing info here!
I visited not too long ago and. fell in love, and I really hope I can explore more one day!
Thank you!
Thanks for reading! Gdansk is such a magical city (-:
Visit Westerplatte where the 2nd world war started and visit the docks and museum where Lech Walensaw and Solidarnosh brought down the Iron Curtain. Also get on a boat trip to Hel (peninsula) with its stunning beaches
Great tips! Such an amazing part of Poland to visit.
You must also catch a train to Malborg ,, and see the castle.
Such a great day trip!
You should check out the Oliwa neighborhood next time you’re in Gdansk. It has an 11th century cathedral with one of the most valuable church organs in Europe, and the beautiful Oil park. It’s also full of beautiful old villas, church squares, and parks.
Wow it looks amazing! We’ll definitely check it out when we’re in Poland again later this year. Thanks for the tip Sandra!!
Gdańsk is amazing, glad you like it! But… Tyskie is one of the most popular beers, but in Poland we have a lot of craft beers which are thousand times better than Tyskie 😉 Tripe soup is very easy to make, but it’s very hard to make it good. I bet that if you tried well-made tripe soup then you would fall in love in it 😉
Yes we heard that but haven’t dived into the craft beer scene yet! Tyskie was perfect for us on a hot day, and the price was always right! We’re definitely open to trying another tripe soup as well haha. Thanks for the tips!
Very well written as you hit all the right spots. Thank you! Gdansk it’s awesome!!
Thanks Richard. We loved Gdansk and are excited to see more of Poland!