Gdańsk - guide 
Sights and attractions - What should you visit in Gdańsk? Old Town, Dlouhá Street, Neptune's Fountain,...
Accommodation - Where to stay in Gdańsk? In the historic center or in the countryside outside the center? In a luxury hotel, guesthouse or hostel?
Typical food and drink - What you should try in Gdańsk - certainly various fish dishes, borscht, beer,...
Practical tips - Here you can learn more about local transport, the best way to get to Gdańsk, what to pack for your trip, etc.
Weather - What temperatures and rainfall to prepare for in the four seasons in Gdańsk?
Celebrities - What famous personalities lived and worked in Gdańsk?
AI Poem - What did artificial intelligence come up with about Gdańsk and its history?
Gdańsk, a major city in northern Poland, is located on the Baltic Sea coast at the mouth of the Vistula River. It has a rich history and is one of the most important port cities in the country.
It belongs to Trójmiast (Triple Cities), an agglomeration that also includes the cities of Gdynia and Sopot.
Gdańsk has a long and complex history that dates back to the Middle Ages. In different periods it belonged to different powers - the Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Prussia and then Germany.
In 1945, after World War II, Gdańsk became part of Poland again.
Approximately 470,000 inhabitants live in Gdańsk. This ranks it among the six largest cities in Poland.
Gdańsk is one of the most important economic centers, mainly thanks to its port. The city is also a center of shipbuilding, petrochemical industry and technology.
It is home to many cultural institutions, including theatres, museums and galleries. There is also a university here. The city also hosts various festivals and cultural events.
Tourists are attracted here by the historic center of Gdańsk with beautiful buildings and cobbled streets, Žuraw (a historic port crane and a symbol of the city) or perhaps the Museum of the Second World War (a modern museum that offers an extensive exposition dedicated to the events of the Second World War).
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa International Airport provides connections to many European cities. The city is also well connected with other parts of Poland and Europe by rail and road connections.
Sights and attractions
Old Town (Stare Miasto) - The historic center of Gdańsk, which had to be largely restored after the Second World War. You will find many beautiful buildings and streets with a rich history.
Long Street (Ulica Długa) and Long Market (Długi Targ) - The main pedestrian zone in the city center, which runs from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate. Important buildings such as Dům Artuše and the City Hall of the capital are located on this street.
Neptune's Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna) - Baroque fountain with a statue of Neptune, one of the most iconic symbols of Gdańsk. It is located on the Long Market.
Golden Gate (Złota Brama) - Renaissance city gate, entrance gate to Dlouha Street. It is decorated with statues representing the virtues and values of the city.
Green Gate (Zielona Brama) - Renaissance gate at the end of the Long Market, originally built as a residence for Polish kings.
Marian Church (Bazylika Mariacka) - One of the largest brick churches in the world and the longest church in all of Poland (it measures 107 meters). Here you can admire the impressive interiors and a wonderful view of the city from the church tower.
Žuraw (Gdańsk Crane) - Historic port crane from the 14th century, one of the most famous symbols of Gdańsk. It was used for loading and unloading goods, but also as a city gate.
Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej) - A modern museum with an extensive exposition dedicated to the events of the Second World War. The museum offers an interactive and emotionally powerful experience.
European Solidarity Center (Europejskie Centrum Solidarności) - Museum and cultural center dedicated to the history of the Solidarity movement and its leader Lech Wałęsa. You can find it near the former Lenin Shipyard, where the Solidarity movement began.
National Museum in Gdańsk (Muzeum Narodowe w Gdańsk) - Museum with a rich collection of art, including the work "The Last Judgment" by Hans Memling. It is located in a historic monastery.
Westerplatte - The historical place where the Second World War began. There is a monument and a museum commemorating the defense of the Polish garrison against the German attack.
Gdańsk Shipyard - Historic shipyard where the Solidarity movement was based in the 1980s. Today, you can visit several monuments and museums dedicated to this important chapter of Polish history. In one of the largest Polish shipyards, it manufactures various vessels from small sailboats to large container ships.
AmberSky - if you want to see Gdańsk from above, you can go on the 50-meter-tall AmberSky Ferris wheel on the waterfront.
Gdansk Beach and Promenade - Gdansk also has beautiful beaches and coastal promenades where you can enjoy relaxing by the sea. Among the most popular is certainly the beach in the city district of Brzeźno, which is easily accessible by public transport.
Accommodations
In picturesque Gdańsk, you can choose from a wide range of accommodation from apartments to hotels, guesthouses, hostels and villas. They will be chosen by lovers of luxury and backpackers looking for the cheapest possible overnight stay. Many accommodation facilities are located a short distance from the beach.
You can enjoy luxurious accommodation, for example, in the 5* hotel Podewils Old Town Gdansk, which is located in the city center, next to the famous Žuraw crane. Breakfast and other meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant with a terrace overlooking the river. At the 24/7 reception, they can arrange transfers, money exchange, luggage storage, sauna, car rental or bike rental.
Accommodation in the countryside far from the busy center is offered by the 3* Hotel Platan. You can relax in the garden, on the sunny terrace or in the wellness area with a sauna and the option of a spa package. You can also rent social spaces in the hotel.
The 2* Hotel Vesper House is located a short distance from the city center. You can stay in a single or double room or in a larger family room. The 24-hour reception will provide you with information, the possibility of transportation to the airport, luggage storage or laundry service. You can park directly in the building.
The smaller guesthouse Noclegi nad Morzem u Kasi offers accommodation near the beach. The guesthouse does not offer breakfast, but you can use the shared kitchen to prepare your own food. You can stay here in a two-, three- or four-bed room.
The pleasant guesthouse Villa AgaTomDom is located near the city center. It offers a garden with a barbecue and a terrace. Children will have fun on the children's playground. You can prepare breakfast and other meals in the shared kitchen.
The classic hostel Hostel Mamas & Papas offers accommodation both in shared rooms and in private double rooms. Accommodation includes breakfast, guests have a fully equipped shared kitchen. The hostel also has a garden with a barbecue. Here you can rent a bike or store your luggage.
For a complete offer of accommodation in Gdańsk, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.
Typical food and drink
Gdańsk, like the rest of the Polish coast, has its own specific gastronomy, influenced by the proximity of the Baltic Sea, historical influences and local traditions.
Śledź (herring) - Very popular herring is served in many ways - marinated, pickled, with onions or in a cream sauce.
Ryba smażona (fried fish) - Fresh fish, such as cod or flounder, fried in or without batter.
Zupa rybna (fish soup) - A thick and rich soup prepared from various types of fish, often with the addition of vegetables and spices.
Bigos - A traditional Polish dish made from sauerkraut, fresh cabbage and various types of meat and sausages. It is often cooked for several days to allow the flavors to blend well.
Borscht – deep red beetroot soup is not eaten with a spoon in Gdańsk, but drunk from a mug with ears.
Beer - Gdańsk and its surroundings have a long tradition of brewing. Local breweries offer a wide range of beers from light lagers to dark stouts.
Coffee - Gdańsk has a growing coffee culture with many cozy cafes where you can enjoy quality coffee and local desserts such as cheesecake, poppy seed or honey gingerbread.
Practical advice for the trip
Mariánská Street (Mariacka) is one of the most romantic streets in Gdańsk. It is lined with small shops, pubs and cafes. Here you can buy jewelry with amber, which is mined on the local Baltic coast.
If you get tired after visiting the historical monuments, during the summer months you can relax on one of the local beaches (Stogi, Molo Gdańsk Brzeźno or Jelitkowo).
How do you get to Gdańsk? Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa International Airport (GDN) is located approximately 12 km from the city center. You can get to the center from the airport by bus, train or taxi.
Gdańsk has well-functioning rail connections with other Polish cities. Gdańsk Główny Central Station is located a short distance from the city center.
Many bus companies offer connections to Gdańsk from various European cities.
Gdańsk has a well-developed public transport network including buses, trams and urban trains (SKM). Tickets can be bought in machines, kiosks or via mobile applications.
The city center can be walked, so you can discover the hidden corners of the Old Town.
Gdańsk has an extensive network of bike paths and city bike services (e.g. MEVO) that you can rent.
Eating out in Gdańsk is relatively affordable. Lunch in a mid-range restaurant will cost you around PLN 20-40, while prices can be higher in more luxurious restaurants.
What to pack? Wear light clothing in the summer, but don't forget a sweater or jacket for cooler evenings. In winter, equip yourself with warm clothes.
Rainy days are not uncommon in Gdańsk, so an umbrella or raincoat can be useful.
Since you will likely be walking a lot, wear comfortable shoes.
Poles are generally friendly and polite. Basic greetings like "Dzień dobry" (good day) and "Do widzenia" (goodbye) will make the locals happy.
Weather
Gdańsk has a mild maritime climate, influenced by its proximity to the Baltic Sea. This climate is characterized by mild winters and cool summers.
Average temperatures from December to February range from -2°C to 3°C. Nighttime temperatures may drop below freezing, but there is no danger of extremely cold temperatures.
It often rains or snows, but the snow does not last very long.
In spring, it starts to get warmer (3-15°C) and the days get longer. You will encounter regular light rains.
Average summer temperatures range from 15°C to 23°C, while daily maximums can sometimes exceed 25°C. At night, the temperature usually drops to 12-15°C. In summer you can expect intense rains or thunderstorms.
In autumn, average temperatures drop from 15°C in September to 5°C in November. You can expect rainy days. Autumn leaves and changeable weather give the city a specific atmosphere.
Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk can be windy all year round. Stronger winds are especially dangerous in spring and autumn.
Celebrities
Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687) - Famous astronomer and mathematician, founder of lunar topography. Heweliusz was born and lived in Gdańsk, where he had his own observatory and published important astronomical works. He also brewed beer here.
Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) - Inventor and physicist, best known for creating the temperature scale that bears his name - the Fahrenheit scale. He was born in Gdańsk.
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) - Philosopher known for his pessimism and his work "The World as Will and Imagination". He was born in Gdańsk, although his family later left the city.
Lech Wałęsa (born 1943) - Electrician who became the leader of the Solidarity movement, the first independent trade union movement in the communist bloc, and later President of Poland (1990-1995). Wałęsa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his contribution to the fall of communism in Poland. It is closely associated with Gdańsk, where the Solidarity movement began.
Günter Grass (1927-2015) - German writer, poet, playwright and sculptor who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1999. Grass was born in Gdańsk and his most famous work, "The Tin Drum", was partly inspired by his childhood in that city .
Donald Tusk (1957) - Polish politician, Prime Minister of Poland (2007-2014 and again from 2023) and President of the European Council (2014-2019). Tusk was born in Gdańsk and has a significant influence on Polish and European politics.
Leszek Możdżer (1971) - World-renowned jazz pianist and composer who hails from Gdańsk. Możdżer has an innovative approach to jazz and collaborates with many international artists.
A poem about Gdańsk invented by artificial intelligence
Gdańsk, a city of history and glory
On the shores of the Baltic stands an ancient city,
where history mixes with the present in fables.
Gdańsk, the pearl of the north, proudly
he hides his stories in stones and waters in them.
Here Jan Heweliusz studied the stars with love,
and Gabriel Fahrenheit measured temperatures with exaggeration.
Arthur Schopenhauer understood the world here,
Lech Wałęsa fought tirelessly for freedom.
Where Günter Grass wrote his stories,
there today stands a city that continues to flourish.
With the smell of fish and salt in the sea air,
Gdańsk proudly looks to future circles.
In the streets of the Old Town step by step,
history comes alive, whether it's day or night under the cloak.
Golden roofs and churches, cobbled streets,
Gdańsk is a city of stories, dreams and perceptions.
The Baltic wind sings the songs of the sea,
every stone here hides its past.
From trade routes to war rages,
Gdańsk is a witness of time, full of changes and events.
In the harbor the ships await their new destination,
the city is still changing, but it has never forgotten where its roots were.
Gdańsk, the city of history, hope and beauty,
your stories will forever be written in our lines and poems.