Gdańsk: Complete Travel Guide

Gdańsk is the city where the Second World War started and where the Soviet empire began to crack. Its reconstructed merchant houses along the Long Market are among the most photogenic streets in Poland, and its history — as a Free City, as the site of Nazi Germany’s first assault in September 1939, and as the birthplace of the Solidarity trade union movement — gives it a depth that rewards more than a quick afternoon visit.

Top Things to See and Do

Long Market (Długi Targ) and Long Street (Długa) The spine of Gdańsk’s Old Town, this pedestrian axis stretches from the Golden Gate in the west to the Green Gate on the Motława River. The merchant houses lining both sides were destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt between the 1950s and 1990s using historical records. The Neptune Fountain at the centre of Długi Targ is a city symbol dating from 1633. Entry to the street is free; the Main Town Hall clock tower (entry approximately PLN 15 as of 2026) provides a view over the rooflines.

Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej) Opened in 2017, this is the most comprehensive museum on the Second World War in Poland. Exhibits trace the conflict from the perspective of civilians across multiple countries — Polish, European, and global — without flinching from either Nazi crimes or Soviet atrocities. Entry approximately PLN 35 for adults as of 2026; closed Mondays. Book timed entry online. Allow at least three hours.

European Solidarity Centre (Europejskie Centrum Solidarności) Built on the site of the Lenin Shipyard where Solidarity was founded in 1980, the Centre documents the trade union movement that eventually contributed to the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe. The permanent exhibition is exceptionally well designed. Entry approximately PLN 25 as of 2026; open daily. The building’s rusted steel exterior is a deliberate reference to a ship’s hull.

Mariacka Street A narrow medieval lane lined with amber workshops and jewellers, Mariacka Street is the best place to understand Gdańsk’s centuries-long relationship with Baltic amber. The perrons (stepped porches) in front of each house are a distinctive architectural feature found only in Gdańsk. Most amber workshops welcome visitors to watch craftspeople at work.

Westerplatte The peninsula 7 km north of the Old Town where Nazi Germany opened the Second World War on 1 September 1939. A Polish garrison of 182 soldiers held out for seven days against overwhelming German forces. The ruins of the garrison buildings and a large monument stand on the site. Boat trips from the Motława quay take approximately 30 minutes; entry to the memorial site is free.

St Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka) The largest brick Gothic church in the world, completed in the 15th century. The interior holds a 15th-century astronomical clock, medieval altarpieces, and the tomb slabs of prominent Gdańsk burghers. Entry approximately PLN 5 as of 2026; the tower climb costs approximately PLN 10 for views across the city.

Where to Stay in Gdańsk

Hotel Podewils — from PLN 700 per night A Baroque townhouse on the Motława riverfront, Hotel Podewils is the most characterful option in Gdańsk. The rooms are individually furnished with antiques and period details; the restaurant downstairs has one of the better wine lists in the city. From approximately PLN 700 per night as of 2026.

Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk — from PLN 500 per night A reliable business hotel with modern rooms and a pool, directly connected to the Galeria Bałtycka shopping centre. Well located for both the Old Town (15-minute walk) and transport connections. From approximately PLN 500 per night as of 2026.

Hostel Przy Targu Rybnym — from PLN 90 per night One of the best-located budget options in the Old Town, a short walk from the Long Market. Clean dorms, a simple common area, and the advantage of being within strolling distance of everything. Dorms from approximately PLN 90 per night as of 2026.

Where to Eat

Metamorphosis A long-established Gdańsk favourite for creative Polish cooking with international influences. The menu rotates seasonally; cod, duck breast, and game dishes appear regularly. Warm, unpretentious dining room on a quiet Old Town street. Mains approximately PLN 55–90 as of 2026.

Pod Łososiem Operating since 1598 — or so the restaurant claims — Pod Łososiem specialises in fish, particularly Baltic salmon and herring, prepared according to old Gdańsk recipes. The interior is formal and historically furnished. Mains approximately PLN 60–110 as of 2026. A good choice for a special evening.

Bar Turystyczny An old-fashioned milk bar near the Long Market serving standard Polish canteen food — soups, dumplings, meat dishes — at prices that feel incompatible with the tourist-heavy neighbourhood. Full meal approximately PLN 20–35 as of 2026. Popular with locals at lunchtime.

Getting to Gdańsk

From Warsaw by train: PKP Intercity runs direct express services roughly every two hours; journey approximately 3 hours; fares from approximately PLN 80 to PLN 150 depending on booking date and class as of 2026. By flight from Warsaw Chopin: approximately 1 hour, LOT and Ryanair; fares from approximately PLN 100 to PLN 300 one-way as of 2026. By car on the A1: approximately 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

Getting Around Gdańsk

The Old Town is compact and walkable. Trams and buses cover the broader Trójmiasto (Tri-City) area of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot; a single ticket costs approximately PLN 3.80 as of 2026. The SKM commuter rail connects all three cities every 10–15 minutes; a Gdańsk–Sopot journey costs approximately PLN 5 and takes 15–20 minutes. Bolt operates for taxis.

Gdańsk Tips

• Sopot, 12 km north, has Poland’s most famous beach resort and an 18th-century pier (Molo) that extends 516 metres into the Baltic. It is easily visited as a half-day trip on the SKM train.
• The Trójmiasto card covers public transport and museum entry across Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot; worthwhile if visiting all three cities.
• Amber sold without certification is often fake — apply heat to test genuine amber (it does not melt); or buy from workshop-attached shops on Mariacka Street.
• The best views of the Long Market are from a boat on the Motława in the evening, when the illuminated merchant houses reflect in the water.