Gdańsk, a thousand-year-old port city on the shore of the Baltic Sea, is one of Poland's most enchanting destinations, where the heritage of the Hanseatic merchants, the memories of the Second World War and the story of the modern freedom movement meet. The colourful townhouses lining the Motława river, the Gothic churches and the sea air create a special atmosphere. The city was almost completely destroyed in the war, but the Poles rebuilt it with astonishing precision, preserving the original beauty. Here are the 10 best sights well worth discovering in Gdańsk.
1. Long Street and Long Market (Długi Targ)
Gdańsk's main street and central square are the heart of the city, which from medieval times onwards was the centre of trade and public life. The facades of the ornate Renaissance and Baroque townhouses lining the Long Market were rebuilt after the war based on the original plans. On the promenade running from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate, stunning building decorations and atmospheric cafés await visitors. In the evening, when the facades are illuminated, the square takes on an especially romantic atmosphere.
2. European Solidarity Centre
Standing on the grounds of the Gdańsk shipyard, this modern museum commemorates the Solidarity trade-union movement and the fall of Communism. The interactive exhibition leads you through the history of the Polish freedom struggle from the 1970 strikes to the 1989 change of system. The building's rust-coloured steel facade alludes to the shipyard traditions and is an architectural sight in itself. The visit takes about 2–3 hours, and an audio guide is available in several languages.
3. Day trip to Malbork Castle (UNESCO)
Located 60 kilometres from Gdańsk, Malbork Castle is the world's largest brick castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century fortress of the Teutonic Order comprises three huge castle complexes, which are impressive in scale and rich in detail. You can reach the castle by train in about 45 minutes from Gdańsk, so it's a perfect half-day trip. It's worth setting aside at least 3–4 hours for exploring the building complex, especially if you also want to see the interactive exhibitions.
4. Westerplatte Memorial
The peninsula where, on 1 September 1939, the first shots of the Second World War were fired is now a quiet memorial. The 182-strong Polish garrison held out against the far superior German forces for seven days, and their heroism became a symbol of the national resistance. In the area, ruins, memorial plaques and a monumental monument recall the events. Westerplatte is best reached by the pleasure boat departing from the boat station on the Motława, along the most scenic route.
5. St Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka)
One of Europe's largest brick churches rises above Gdańsk's old town and can hold 25,000 worshippers at once. Inside the Gothic cathedral, built in the 14th–15th centuries, are Renaissance altars, a monumental astronomical clock and beautiful stained-glass windows. You can climb the church's 78-metre-high tower via 400 steps, from where an unparalleled panorama opens over the city and the sea. Mariacka Street beneath the tower is the centre of amber jewellery, where a row of craft shops tempts shoppers.
6. Neptune Fountain
Standing at the centre of the Long Market, this 17th-century bronze fountain is Gdańsk's best-known emblem and a popular meeting point. The statue of the sea god was erected in 1615 and symbolises the city's close connection with maritime trade. The square around the fountain is crowded in summer, but it's a great starting point for sightseeing. According to legend, Neptune crushed the coins thrown in with his trident into gold, hence the Gdańsk Goldwasser liqueur, in which real gold flakes float.
7. Oliwa Cathedral
Standing in the northern part of the city, in Oliwa Park, this Cistercian cathedral dates from the 12th century and is famous for its stunning Rococo organ. The organ contains 7,876 pipes, and the music heard at the regular concerts is a quite special acoustic experience. The instrument's mechanical figures move to the rhythm of the music, which captivates children and adults alike. Oliwa Park around the cathedral invites a pleasant walk among ancient trees and a botanical garden.
8. Day trip to Sopot seaside
Just 20 minutes by train from Gdańsk, Sopot is Poland's most elegant seaside resort, made special by the 515-metre-long Molo wooden pier. The Bohaterów Monte Cassino pedestrian street is full of cafés, boutiques and street artists, and leads directly to the seafront. In summer the sandy beach is a perfect resting spot, while in winter the sight of the waves offers calm. The Crooked House (Krzywy Domek), with its surreal architecture, is also worth a photo.
9. Żuraw – the medieval crane
The timber-framed crane on the bank of the Motława was built in the 15th century and was Europe's largest medieval lifting device, used to raise ships' masts. The stunning brick-and-wood structure is now part of the National Maritime Museum, and inside it presents the history of Gdańsk shipping. The lifting device's mechanism, driven by a human-powered treadwheel, is an especially interesting sight. The crane and the museum ship on Ołowianka Island opposite can be visited on a joint ticket.
10. Gdańsk National Museum
Set up in a former Franciscan monastery, this museum holds the richest art collection in Pomerania, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The collection's main attraction is Hans Memling's triptych "The Last Judgment", which was seized by Gdańsk pirates from an Italian ship in 1473. The museum's Flemish, Dutch and Polish paintings, as well as its applied-art objects, tell of the city's former wealth. The visit takes 1.5–2 hours, and the museum garden is a pleasant resting place too.
Practical tips
- Transport: In Gdańsk the city centre is walkable, and for the more distant points (Oliwa, Westerplatte) the tram and local train (SKM) are recommended. The Tricity (Trójmiasto) SKM line connects Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia, with one ticket you can travel to all three cities.
- eSIM and internet: In Poland, EU roaming applies, but if you have a non-EU subscription, you can buy a good-value Polish data plan from the eSIM Surfer app. Free wifi is available in most cafés and museums.
- Currency: Poland's official currency is the złoty (PLN). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but at smaller stalls and markets it's worth keeping cash. When exchanging, avoid the street "Kantor" exchange kiosks at the airport, the rates are better in the city.
- Buying amber: Gdańsk is the "amber capital", on Mariacka Street and the Long Market, plenty of shops offer handmade jewellery. Watch for authenticity: real amber is warm to the touch and gives off a pine scent when rubbed.
- Timing: You can cover the main old-town sights in one day, but with Malbork Castle, Sopot and Westerplatte it's worth setting aside at least 3 days for Gdańsk and its surroundings.