Gdansk Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Gdansk, Poland, offers a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, rich history, and a vibrant maritime culture. Key attractions include the iconic Long Market, St. Mary's Church, and the European Solidarity Centre. Visitors can enjoy charming streets, explore museums, and savor local cuisine.
With 295+ hand-picked places to explore, Gdansk rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Gdansk
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with St. Nicholas Church — a historic Gothic church on Świętojańska, reflecting Gdansk's medieval architectural heritage. Just as worthwhile is Targ Rybny: located in Gdańsk, Targ Rybny combines historical significance with a lively atmosphere. Targ Węglowy completes the picture: a historic square that's a vibrant spot for cultural events in Gdansk.
St. Nicholas Church
Gdansk • Famous Landmarks
A historic Gothic church on Świętojańska, reflecting Gdansk's medieval architectural heritage.
Targ Rybny
Gdansk • Historic Squares & Plazas
Located in Gdańsk, Targ Rybny combines historical significance with a lively atmosphere.
Targ Węglowy
Gdansk • Historic Squares & Plazas
A historic square that's a vibrant spot for cultural events in Gdansk.
Brama Wyżynna (Highland Gate)
Gdansk • Famous Landmarks
A Renaissance gate marking the entrance to Gdansk's historical center, reflecting the city’s fortified history.
Museums & Culture in Gdansk
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is European Solidarity Centre: home to the world's largest collection of Solidarity movement artifacts, this museum offers a deep dive into history. Locals will also point you to Museum of the Second World War — ideal for history enthusiasts and families looking to explore World War II’s global impact. And for something different, there's Neptune Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna): a striking landmark reflecting Gdansk's maritime heritage, perfect for a day of city exploration.
European Solidarity Centre
Gdansk • Museums
Home to the world's largest collection of Solidarity movement artifacts, this museum offers a deep dive into history.
Museum of the Second World War
Gdansk • Museums
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families looking to explore World War II’s global impact.
Neptune Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna)
Gdansk • Historical Sites
A striking landmark reflecting Gdansk's maritime heritage, perfect for a day of city exploration.
Oliwa Cathedral
Gdansk • Historical Sites
Located on ul. Biskupa Edmunda Nowickiego, this Gothic cathedral features an impressive organ and stunning architecture.
Best Things to Do in Gdansk
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Krynica Morska Beach Windsurfing — a popular spot along the Baltic Sea, ideal for windsurfing enthusiasts of all skill levels. Cycling Tour of Westerplatte earns its reputation too — ideal for families and history enthusiasts, this cycling tour blends outdoor fun with significant historical insights. Round out the shortlist with Escape Room Bank Heist — incorporate some excitement into your evening plans with a visit to this immersive escape room experience.
Krynica Morska Beach Windsurfing
Gdansk • Outdoor
A popular spot along the Baltic Sea, ideal for windsurfing enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Cycling Tour of Westerplatte
Gdansk • Outdoor
Ideal for families and history enthusiasts, this cycling tour blends outdoor fun with significant historical insights.
Escape Room Bank Heist
Gdansk • Indoor
Incorporate some excitement into your evening plans with a visit to this immersive escape room experience.
Escape Room Gdańsk
Gdansk • Indoor
Located on ul. Rajska, this escape room offers immersive themed challenges in Gdańsk.
Where to Eat in Gdansk
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Stągiewna Street Food Market — ideal for food enthusiasts looking to experience local and international street fare. Just as worthwhile is Gdańsk Food Truck Park: located on Ul. Rajska, this food truck park features a mix of local and international street food options. Mandarin House completes the picture: ideal for couples and groups seeking a refined Chinese dining experience in Gdansk.
Stągiewna Street Food Market
Gdansk • Street Food
Ideal for food enthusiasts looking to experience local and international street fare.
Gdańsk Food Truck Park
Gdansk • Street Food
Located on Ul. Rajska, this food truck park features a mix of local and international street food options.
Mandarin House
Gdansk • Asian Cuisine
Ideal for couples and groups seeking a refined Chinese dining experience in Gdansk.
Pierogarnia Mandu Centrum
Gdansk • Local Cuisine
Located on ul. Elżbietańska, this restaurant specializes in a diverse range of pierogi.
Gdansk After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Mandarynka Cocktail Bar: end your day in Gdansk at Mandarynka, where cocktails and ambiance create a perfect evening retreat. Locals will also point you to Wolność Cocktail Bar — a lively cocktail bar on Świętojańska, popular for creative drinks and live music in Gdańsk's nightlife scene. And for something different, there's Cathead Multitap: located on ul. Garbary, this craft beer bar features an extensive selection of local and international brews.
Mandarynka Cocktail Bar
Gdansk • Cocktail Bars
End your day in Gdansk at Mandarynka, where cocktails and ambiance create a perfect evening retreat.
Wolność Cocktail Bar
Gdansk • Cocktail Bars
A lively cocktail bar on Świętojańska, popular for creative drinks and live music in Gdańsk's nightlife scene.
Cathead Multitap
Gdansk • Craft Beer Bars
Located on ul. Garbary, this craft beer bar features an extensive selection of local and international brews.
Klub Ucho
Gdansk • Live Jazz Venues
Located on ul. Świętego Ducha, this venue is a lively destination for jazz lovers in Gdansk.
Where to Stay in Gdansk
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Podewils Old Town Gdańsk — historic charm meets modern luxury in a beautifully restored 18th-century building overlooking the Motława River. Hotel Sopot earns its reputation too — located on J.J. Haffnera, this hotel combines beach access with urban convenience in Sopot. Round out the shortlist with Kamienica Gotyk — ideal for couples and history enthusiasts seeking a unique stay in Gdansk's architectural heritage.
Hotel Podewils Old Town Gdańsk
Gdansk • Luxury Hotels
Historic charm meets modern luxury in a beautifully restored 18th-century building overlooking the Motława River.
Hotel Sopot
Gdansk • Spa Hotels
Located on J.J. Haffnera, this hotel combines beach access with urban convenience in Sopot.
Kamienica Gotyk
Gdansk • Bed & Breakfast
Ideal for couples and history enthusiasts seeking a unique stay in Gdansk's architectural heritage.
Hostel 22
Gdansk • Hostels
Ideal for groups and budget-conscious travelers seeking modern accommodations in Gdansk's center.
Shopping in Gdansk
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Amber Art Gallery — a perfect stop for shopping and learning about Baltic amber while exploring Gdansk's historic streets. Just as worthwhile is Mimi's Vintage Dreams: a meticulously curated selection of vintage garments and accessories from various decades awaits at this Gdansk boutique. Folkstar Gdańsk completes the picture: a shop showcasing a diverse array of traditional Polish folk art and unique souvenirs.
Amber Art Gallery
Gdansk • Souvenir Shops
A perfect stop for shopping and learning about Baltic amber while exploring Gdansk's historic streets.
Mimi's Vintage Dreams
Gdansk • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A meticulously curated selection of vintage garments and accessories from various decades awaits at this Gdansk boutique.
Folkstar Gdańsk
Gdansk • Souvenir Shops
A shop showcasing a diverse array of traditional Polish folk art and unique souvenirs.
Szafa Vintage
Gdansk • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Located on ul. Straganiarska, this shop specializes in curated vintage fashion with a focus on sustainability.
Parks & Green Spaces in Gdansk
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Park Św. Wojciecha: ideal for families and nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat in Gdansk's botanical gardens. Locals will also point you to Oliwa Forest Trail — ideal for families and nature enthusiasts, this trail offers a peaceful retreat in Gdansk's green space. And for something different, there's Botanical Garden in Gdańsk: a vast expanse of diverse plant species, featuring themed sections and local wildlife in Gdańsk.
Park Św. Wojciecha
Gdansk • Botanical Gardens
Ideal for families and nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat in Gdansk's botanical gardens.
Oliwa Forest Trail
Gdansk • Hiking Trails
Ideal for families and nature enthusiasts, this trail offers a peaceful retreat in Gdansk's green space.
Botanical Garden in Gdańsk
Gdansk • Botanical Gardens
A vast expanse of diverse plant species, featuring themed sections and local wildlife in Gdańsk.
Góra Gradowa Trail
Gdansk • Hiking Trails
Panoramic views of Gdansk and the Baltic Sea define this scenic hiking trail.
77 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Gdansk that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Gdansk list:
- Baltic Sail Gdańsk· Festivals
- Cocktail Bar & Club· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- Gdansk Old Town Walking Tour· Walking
- Park Oliwski· Parks
- Motława River· Rivers
Planning where to stay in Gdansk?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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