Gdańsk is one of Poland’s most immediately striking cities - the amber-coloured facades along the Long Market and the Motława waterfront are genuinely beautiful, and staying close to them is worth the effort. The hotel stock ranges from international brands to small family-run properties in restored merchant houses. A guided walk along the Long Market and waterfront is one of the best ways to orient yourself on arrival.
Best Areas to Stay
Old Town (Główne Miasto): The historic core between the Long Market, the waterfront, and the city gates. Walking distance to St Mary’s Church, the Artus Court, and the waterfront cranes. Limited parking and busy with summer tourism.
Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów): A revitalised former warehouse district across the Motława from the Long Market. Several new boutique hotels have opened here in converted granaries. The pedestrian bridges connect it to the Old Town in minutes.
Śródmieście (District beyond the Old Town): Hotels in this slightly expanded central area are often 15–20% cheaper than Old Town equivalents and remain within easy walking or short tram distance of the main sights.
Wrzeszcz: The district north of the main station along the main SKM rail line. More residential feel, lower prices, and good rail connections to the Old Town (around 10 minutes).
Luxury Hotels
Hotel Podewils
Location: Waterfront, Stara Motława | From approximately PLN 650 per night as of 2026
Hotel Podewils occupies a Baroque-era merchant’s house on the Stara Motława canal, giving it one of the most attractive waterfront positions in Gdańsk. The 10 rooms are all individually designed; the restaurant serves Polish dishes with a focus on Baltic seafood. For a small property in a historic city, this delivers strongly on atmosphere and personal service.
Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk
Location: Old Town fringe | From approximately PLN 550–700 per night as of 2026
The Radisson Blu brings the full complement of business-hotel facilities to Gdańsk - large rooms, a fitness centre, meeting spaces - in a building that connects to the historic Long Market area. A reliable choice for travellers who want consistent four-star standards and the bonus of being walkable to the old city.
Hilton Gdańsk
Location: Granary Island | From approximately PLN 600–750 per night as of 2026
The Hilton Gdańsk occupies one of the most dramatic positions in the city, on the converted Granary Island with views across the Motława to the Old Town. Some rooms have direct water views. The pedestrian bridge to the Long Market takes about five minutes. Strong conference facilities, a good breakfast spread, and an outdoor terrace that operates in warmer months.
Gotyk House
Location: Old Town (next to St Mary’s Church) | From approximately PLN 700–1,200 per night as of 2026
Gotyk House occupies the oldest tenement house in Gdańsk, dating to 1451, two minutes from the Motława River. Individually designed rooms combining medieval architecture with contemporary amenities. Rated 9.3 by guests. If exclusivity and Old Town atmosphere are the priority, this is one of Gdańsk’s most distinctive addresses.
Mid-Range Hotels
Mercure Gdańsk Old Town
Location: Old Town | From approximately PLN 380–500 per night as of 2026
Mercure has a well-positioned property in the Old Town area that works well for visitors who want chain reliability with proximity to the sights. Rooms are on the larger side for this price bracket. Breakfast is included in many rate categories. Practical rather than characterful - which suits plenty of travellers.
Hotel Hanza
Location: Waterfront | From approximately PLN 450–580 per night as of 2026
Hotel Hanza is a long-established independent on the Motława waterfront with a solid reputation for service and a consistent standard across its rooms. Some waterfront-facing rooms have direct views of the historic crane. The restaurant and bar at ground level attract both guests and local professionals.
Hotel Wolne Miasto
Location: Old Town (ul. Świętego Ducha) | From approximately PLN 350–520 per night as of 2026
A boutique property in the heart of the Old Town in a historical building. 71 rooms with consistently good reviews for service and room quality. The restaurant is worth visiting even if you’re not staying.
Hotel Admiral
Location: Granary Island | From approximately PLN 350–450 per night as of 2026
Hotel Admiral is a quieter option on Granary Island, with a pleasant terrace and good views toward the waterfront at a price point that undercuts the Hilton by a meaningful margin. The standard of rooms is honest mid-range - clean, well-maintained, no design surprises. Good value for this location.
Aparthotel Neptun
Location: Near the Central Maritime Museum | From approximately PLN 380 per night as of 2026
Aparthotel Neptun offers apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes at mid-range hotel prices. A good option for families or travellers staying more than a few nights who want the flexibility of a small kitchen without paying serviced-apartment rates.
Budget Hotels
Focus Hotel Premium Gdańsk
Location: Near Gdańsk Główny | From approximately PLN 200–280 per night as of 2026
Focus Premium is a reliable Polish chain property with clean, standardised rooms within a tram ride of the Old Town. Good for those arriving by train who don’t want to navigate far on arrival. The breakfast buffet is more substantial than the price suggests.
Puro Hotel Gdańsk
Location: Old Town fringe | From approximately PLN 320–420 per night as of 2026
Puro brings its well-regarded formula to Gdańsk - modern design, compact but properly finished rooms, and a social lobby area. Located on the fringe of the Old Town with easy walking access to the Long Market. One of the better options in the mid-to-budget crossover bracket.
Best Hostels
Hostel Przy Targu Rybnym
Location: Old Town | Dorms from approximately PLN 70; private rooms from PLN 180 as of 2026
One of the most centrally located budget options in Gdańsk, next to the historic Fish Market. Simple rooms, a friendly atmosphere, and the Long Market a few minutes’ walk away. Popular with younger travellers and those travelling solo.
3 City Hostel
Location: Near Gdańsk Główny (2 min walk from Old Town) | Dorms from approximately PLN 65; private rooms from PLN 180 as of 2026
A well-reviewed hostel a two-minute walk from the Old Town with individually decorated rooms, a communal kitchen, and a social living room. Good for solo travellers and those wanting easy tram access to the Long Market.
Seasonal Pricing
Peak season (June–August): Gdańsk is a summer beach destination and prices spike significantly. July and August run 40–60% above the annual average. The Dominiak Fair in August is the single busiest event - hotels within 1 km of the Old Town sell out weeks in advance.
Shoulder season (May, September): Excellent choice. Weather is warm, crowds manageable, and rates typically 20–30% below peak. The Old Town is genuinely pleasant in late September after summer tour groups have departed.
Low season (October–April): Hotels offer good deals, particularly November through February. Exception: the Gdańsk Christmas market at Artus Court draws visitors and causes a spike in late November and December rates.
Practical Tips
- Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) is 10 km west of the Old Town. Bus 210 runs every 20–30 minutes to the Main Train Station; journey approximately 25–35 minutes for around 4.80 PLN. Taxi to the Old Town costs approximately 50–70 PLN; Bolt typically runs 40–55 PLN. Private transfers take around 25 minutes with door-to-door service.
- The Baltic Ferry port (Stena Line from Sweden, overnight ferries from Germany) is approximately 3 km from the Old Town. Taxis from the terminal cost approximately 25–35 PLN.
- Gdańsk’s amber and antique shops along the Long Market and Mariacka Street are worth building into a walk - most are open from around 10am.
- Parking in the Old Town is limited. If arriving by car, use one of the paid car parks outside the historic centre and walk or take the tram.
- The SKM railway connects Gdańsk Główny to Sopot (around 20 minutes) and Gdynia (around 35 minutes) - staying in Gdańsk and day-tripping to both is straightforward.
- Summer evenings on Granary Island and the Long Market waterfront are lively; book accommodation with air conditioning if visiting in July or August.
- The Solidarity anniversary events in late August draw visitors from across Poland - check dates before booking if you’re planning a late-summer trip.
More in Gdańsk
- Gdańsk City Guide - overview of sights, transport, and what makes Gdańsk worth visiting
- Things to Do in Gdańsk - the main sights in depth
- Day Trips from Gdańsk - Sopot, Gdynia, Malbork, and the Hel Peninsula
- Gdańsk vs Sopot - comparing the two Tri-City options
- Poland Budget Guide - what accommodation costs across budget levels in Poland