Poland has to be one of my favorite countries in the world! The prices are low, the food is delicious, and the people are so hospitable. I visited Gdansk for a few days this November to explore this region. There is so much to see and do in this city! Here’s my complete and ultimate guide to Gdansk, Poland—what to do, where to eat, where to drink, the best daytrips, and more!

What to Do in Gdansk

Dlugi Targ and the Neptune Fountain

Dlugi Targ, or the Long Market, is the main drag of Gdansk’s beautiful Old Town. This is the most prominent and beautiful street in the city! It’s the center of everything and easy to get around. One of the main sights on Dlugi Targ is Neptune’s Fountain. This fountain was completed in 1633, and has been renovated several times over the centuries. You can also see a monument to Daniel Fahrenheit, who was born in Gdansk in 1686!

Wander the Old Town

Some of Gdansk’s prettiest streets are located in the Old Town. The best way to explore them is to get lost and have a wander! Some of the most charming streets are Mariacka, Piwna, Chelboicka, Swietego ducha, and Szeroka.

Check out the cool drainpipes on Mariacka! A lot of them have really interesting designs.

St Mary’s Basilica and Tower

One of the main churches in Gdansk is St. Mary’s Basilica. It’s one of the largest brick churches in the world, and has switched off between Lutheran and Catholic services (or even having both simultaneously!).

You can’t visit St. Mary’s Basilica without climbing the 400+ steps up the tower. The viewing platform at the top gives you an unbeatable birds’ eye view of town! A ticket to go up to the tower costs 10 zlotys, or £2 (~$2.60 USD). It’s even cheaper for students, just 5 zlotys! It’s a tough climb up but definitely worth it.

Gdansk History Museum

This museum has quite a few exhibits on local history in the Town Hall. The museum is spread over different floors through the main courtyard. The biggest draw is to check out the view from the top of the tower—unfortunately, the tower is closed during the off season! This tower is meant to be the best view in Gdansk, particularly as it offers a view of St. Mary’s down the street. There’s an entrance fee for the museum, but it’s free on Tuesdays.

Stroll along the Motlawa River

This river runs right through the center of Gdansk. One of my favorite things in the city was strolling along the river banks, enjoying the scenery! There are lots of restaurants and bars lining the river on the Old Town side. The buildings can be beautiful at dusk!

Make sure you stop at the big Gdansk sign for a photo!

SS Soldek, National Maritime Musuem, and the Crane

Along the riverfront, you can visit several branches of the National Maritime Museum in Gdansk. You can see the SS Soldek, the first seagoing ship built in Poland after World War II. You can also visit the National Maritime Museum, which has a range of different exhibitions. Don’t miss the Crane, which is an icon of the city! The Crane was reconstructed based on the old medieval crane, which was destroyed in a fire in 1442, and again during World War II.

Solidarity Museum and Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers

You can’t come to Gdansk and not talk about Lech Walesa and the Solidarity (Solidarność) movement. Solidarity is an independent labor union, formed by Walesa in 1980 in Gdansk. It was the first trade union in a country controlled by the communist Soviet Union government. The Solidarity Musuem, located in the European Center for Solidarity, is a must-see in Gdansk. I knew very little about this, and the museum is absolutely fascinating. You can also see (and walk through) Gate No. 2, which the shipyard workers used in their protests. As several people were killed here during the protests, you can usually see flowers in way of a memorial at the gate.

Outside of the museum, you can also see the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. In 1970, at least 42 people were killed in Gdansk and the surrounding area during protests against the communist regime. This massive monument commemorates them, and their struggle for a free world. You can’t understand Gdansk without learning about Solidarity. If you like walking tours, there is a free Solidarity Walking Tour at 10:30am every other day.

Museum of the Second World War

This museum only opened last year in 2017, but provides a wealth of information on Poland’s struggle during World War II. Stuck between a rock and a hard place (Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union), Poland suffered greatly—and also fought back against immense odds time and time again. The information is presented in a linear, easy-to-follow manner, and focuses on Poland’s experience especially. The museum is free on Tuesdays.

Gdansk Glowny

It’s not every day that I put a train station on a list of things to see in a city! But the main train station, Gdansk Glowny, has the most beautiful exterior and is worth a visit. The station was opened in 1900, and (like many places in Poland) suffered damage during World War II. It’s currently under construction, but you can still see the outside!

Gradowa Hill

This was my favorite viewpoint in Gdansk. Behind the train station, there’s a big hill with a cross on top. It’s the absolutely best place to watch the sunset in Gdansk! I was lucky enough to catch some perfect lighting and colors when I made my way up there. It’s kind of tricky to get to—walk all the way through the tunnel underneath the train station, and when it ends, go right up the steps and then cut through the park. You’ll see the cross through the park.

Kanal Raduni/Most Milosci

One of the most beautiful sights in Gdansk would have to be this canal, Kanal Raduni, and the building behind it. You can get a perfect view of St. Catherine’s Church, the oldest church in Gdansk, in the reflection if you’re lucky. The building behind it is an old mill building, that in the summer opens as a cute café! If you want the best Instagram photos, you can’t miss this.

Nearby is the Market (Hala Targowa) where you can see the ruins of one of the city’s oldest churches, that dates back to the 12^th-century.

Forum Shopping Center

Malls don’t usually make it onto my list of “must-see places” in a new city. But Gdansk’s Forum shopping center is special for one big reason: it has a canal running through it! You can see the canal (with water!) from the outside, disappearing into the mall. If you visit around Christmas like I did, you can see the mall all decked out in its Christmas finest!

Post Office and Monument

This Polish Post Office in Gdansk played a big role in the start of World War II, and shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Gdansk. Today, the building houses the Post Office Museum, so you can learn about this Post Office’s role in the beginning of the war. Nazis attacked the Post Office on September 1^st, 1939 when they invaded Poland and started the war. The Polish defenders of the Post Office held out against much larger Nazis numbers for an unbelievable 15 hours. Following the surrender, everyone was sentenced to death and executed.

There is a massive steel monument to the Defenders of the Polish Post Office. If you walk around the side of the Post Office, you can also see a memorial to those who were executed. There are casings of fingerprints against the wall, where the defenders would have had their hands up prior to execution. The Post Office Museum does have a small charge, but is free on Tuesdays.

Where to Eat in Gdansk

Gdansk has so many great places to eat. I focused mainly on good Polish food, since when in Poland!

Pierogarnia Mandu

This is by far the most popular and best restaurant in town for pierogi. During busy times (it’s always busy!) there can be a bit of a wait for a table, and as pierogi are made to order, they can take up to 45 minutes. However, it’s absolutely worth it! They also do dumplings from around the world—I even got Georgian khinkali here! Any of their pierogi selections will be delicious—I’d recommend the garlic sauce to go with it.

Elżbietańska 4/8 // Website

Bar Mleczny Neptun

Milk bars date back to the Soviet era, where people could go and get hearty, home-cooked food. Set up as a cafeteria, they’re still popular these days for locals (especially students) who are looking for cheap good food done quick. Bar Mleczny Neptun is a milk bar located in the heart of Gdansk’s Old Town, right near the Neptune Fountain on Dlugi Targ. Get a tray and go up and order. Certain dishes (like pierogi) might be sold out, depending on what time of day you go. It’s an experience that’s for sure!

Długa 33/34 // Website

Bar Turystczny

Another milk bar in Gdansk is Bar Turystczny. It’s also located in the Old Town area, and sees tourists and locals alike come for cheap food. This one is slightly bigger than Bar Mleczny Neptun I think. Again, it’s delicious food for low prices! A win-win!

Szeroka 8/10 // Website

Kult Kebab

I’d heard a few rave reviews of this kebab shop in Gdansk, and knew I had to check it out. I’ve had kebabs all over the world, but some of the best kebabs I’ve had have been in Poland. Kult Kebab is not to be missed on the Polish kebab circuit. The Gdansk location is Plac Dominikanski 1/10, in between several other kebab shops and flower shops. Make sure you ask for cheese (ser) on it!

Plac Dominikański 1/10 // Website

Paulo Gelateria

Got a sweet tooth in Gdansk? Head to Paulo Gelateria for the tastiest ice cream in town! The gelato here is so soft and creamy, and they have loads of different flavors. I definitely recommend the salted caramel. They also do all sorts of cakes and coffees too!

Podwale Staromiejskie 96/97 // Website

Where to Drink in Gdansk

Gdansk is full of great, fun bars. I made it a mission to try some of the best of them!

Red Light Bar

Located up a quiet alley in the Old Town, Red Light Bar focuses on craft beer, good drinks, and a fun atmosphere. They have live music in the evenings quite a bit, but it’s nice any time of day for a drink! The bartenders know a lot about local beers and are happy to offer recommendations.

Piwna 28/31 // Facebook Page

Flisak 76

If you want to go out for fancy cocktails, Flisak 76 is definitely the place for you. Located underground in the basement through a doorway above ground, this bar is the definition of cool. Their cocktails are fun and inventive, although they do have a lot of the classics as well. You also get some bar snacks with your drink, which is always a nice bonus! The atmosphere is great but if you’re coming on a busy night, be warned that it might be tricky to get a table.

Chlebnicka 9 // Facebook Page

No To Cyk

While it’s not a fancy place, No To Cyk is certainly cool. If you’re looking for quirky décor (think mannequins and older memorabilia) and cheap drinks, this is the place for you. Beer is 5 zlotys (a real bargain!), and it’s a funky place to spend an hour or a night. They’re located in the Old Town.

Chlebnicka 2 // Facebook Page

Jozef K

Another of Gdansk’s coolest bars is definitely Jozef K. Also located in the Old Town, Jozef K is spread over two floors and is just cool. The shelves of books and fun artwork give it a great atmosphere, and it’s a perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink and a catchup. If it’s busy it can be really hard to get a table—or even a seat!

Piwna 1/2 // Website

Loft

The only one of these bars that isn’t located in Gdansk’s Old Town is Loft! It was right around the corner from my hostel and again, a really cool place for drinks. Its main focus is craft beer, and definitely a place that sees lots of locals. Bartenders are happy to make recommendations, and you can see some funky beers on tap here! It opens from 2pm.

Młyńska 15 // Facebook Page

Daytrips From Gdansk

Gdansk has a great location in Pomerania, and has lots of connections for daytrips outside of town!

Malbork Castle

This massive UNESCO World Heritage Site is definitely worth a visit when in Gdansk. It’s the largest brick castle in Europe, and has so much to explore! It’s easiest to get there by train: tickets cost 13.50 zlotys each way, and the journey takes 40-60 minutes. From the station in Malbork (get off at the main Malbork one), it’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the castle. Admission to Malbork Castle costs 29.50 zlotys (20.50 zlotys for students), and includes an audio guide to take you around. You can read my full post on this daytrip here!

Gdynia and Sopot

Gdansk is actually part of an area called the Tri-City. The other two cities in this metropolitan area are Gdynia and Sopot! I didn’t make it to Sopot, but I know it’s very popular for its beach and pier, as it’s right on the Baltic Sea. Gdynia is also on the Baltic Sea as well—I visited for an hour when I messed up my trains going to Malbork (whoops). It was pretty quiet when I visited in the morning in the winter off-season, but I can imagine it gets super busy in the warm summer months! There are loads of trains that run frequently between Gdansk, and Sopot and Gdynia.

The Basics

Gdansk is the sixth-largest city in Poland, with a population of 574,000. The total population of Poland is 38 million. The capital city is Warsaw, although Krakow is also a very popular destination. Poland is a member of both the European Union (EU), and the Schengen Zone. The official language is Polish, although most people increasingly speak English as well (nearly everyone in the tourist industry will speak English). The official currency is the Polish Zloty, which is unbelievably affordable for those with pounds, dollars, or euros. Gdansk is easily connected by bus and train to other cities in Poland, and has lots of flights around Europe with budget airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair. You can search for flights on Skyscanner here!

Getting Around Gdansk

Central Gdansk is surprisingly walkable. Nearly everything is within a 20-minute walk away. There aren’t many buses or trams in the Old Town, although there are plenty outside the historic center and near the station. To take a bus or tram, purchase a ticket from one of the machines (3.20 zlotys) before boarding. Once on board, make sure you validate your ticket by inserting it into the machine and getting it stamped! They do check tickets (I saw two other tourists get fined as they hadn’t been able to buy a ticket on board with their credit card), so make sure you follow the rules.

Where I Stayed in Gdansk

I stayed at Midtown Hostel in a 6-bed dorm room for my 4 nights in Gdansk. I honestly can’t recommend this hostel enough. The staff (especially Ania!) are so friendly, the bathrooms are clean and spacious, there’s a well-equipped kitchen, and it’s in a phenomenal location between both the train station and the Old Town. Check out my review of Midtown Hostel here—I’d absolutely stay here again! If hostels aren’t your thing, you can search hotels on Booking.com here.

I absolutely loved my trip to Gdansk. It’s such a beautiful city, and photos just don’t do the historic Old Town justice! There’s so much history to discover as well—and so much good food and drink to be had! I hope this ultimate guide to Gdansk helps you plan your time well in one of Poland’s coolest cities!

You might like my other posts on Poland:

How Much Does It Cost To Travel Poland For 5 Days?

A Daytrip To Malbork Castle From Gdansk

Hostel Review: Midtown Hostel, Gdansk

10 Things You Should Know About Poland

A Guide To Warsaw

Krakow: The Perfect Gateway City

Have you ever been to Gdansk or Poland? What was your experience like?!

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