What Are the TOP Attractions of Gdansk?

What historical places are worth to visit? Gdansk is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Not only in pictures, but also in reality. Interestingly, the first mention of Gdansk dates back to 999, for hundreds of years Gdansk was one of the most important trading ports and commercial centers on the Baltic Sea.

In this post you will get to know the most popular attractions of Gdansk, I will give you some ideas on how to spend your time in Gdansk – these points are absolutely optional, but if you do at least half of them, I will be glad. And, of course, I will gladly accept suggestions for my next visit to the Tri-City (Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot).

Attractions of Gdansk:

Long Market (Dlugi Targ) and Long (Dluga) Street

Beginning at the Golden Gate, Dluga Street, together with Dlugi Targ, form the so-called Royal Route, which is the main tourist route of Gdansk.

Long Market is by far the most popular meeting place for locals and tourists and the heart of the city. Located in Gdansk’s Downtown, the square used to be simply a merchant route. It is here that you will find, among others, the City Hall, Neptune’s Fountain and the Green Gate, close to the Motlawa River. As you stroll down Dluga Street, you’ll have a chance to catch your breath in the numerous cafes and restaurants, and enjoy the sounds of music and singing street players.

A tip for sightseeing in Gdansk: get up at the crack of dawn and go to the Long Market. It’s really worth it! I won’t hide it, I managed to do it once and only once, when I slept in a hotel located on the Long Market. And although I started my walk before 6 am, in my opinion, 5 a would be much better. Why it’s worth it? Empty Gdansk is incredibly impressive. Seeing the beautiful streets of Gdansk without people make also a great vibe for photos. Thanks to this, today I can say (seemingly not bragging, gently stretching the space-time continuum): “Gdansk at five in the morning is simply beautiful.”

Neptune’s Fountain in Gdansk

The historic fountain in the heart of Dlugi Targ, located right in front of the entrance to Artus Court, is a real showpiece of the city. It was created on the initiative of mayor Bartholomew Schachmann and the city council, and designed in 1615 by Abraham van den Blocke, who was also the designer of Gdansk’s Golden Gate. The fountain was launched in 1633, and a year later an ornamental lattice was added, with the coats of arms of Gdansk and Polish eagles on it. Have you been to Gdansk and don’t have a photo by the Fountain of Neptune? A return visit is therefore necessary.

I couldn’t find my photo by the fountain, so I’m uploading this one!

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as St. Mary’s Basilica

The St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, the historic parish church of the Main City, is often referred to as the “crown of Gdansk”. It boasts the title of Europe’s largest brick-built temple. The cornerstone (i.e. the one that starts the building) for the current temple was laid on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord in 1343. Interestingly, the temple was built in stages for as long as 159 years! It was not until July 1502 that Master Henry Hetzel laid the last brick. St. Mary’s Basilica stretches as long as 105.2 meters, with 26 free-standing pillars supporting its magnificent star and crystal vault. It is admired not only for its majestic exterior, but also for its interior, including its tower, which features a viewing platform.

St. Mary’s (Mariacka) Street – “Amber Street”

St. Mary’s Street is undoubtedly one of the most delightful streets of the Main Town, with completely reconstructed anterooms, perfectly reflecting the unique atmosphere of the old buildings of Gdansk. The street’s character is certainly also added by the so-called “Rzygacze”, or Gargoyles, which served to drain rainwater and took the form of animal heads or fantastic creatures. Numerous stores, workshops and stalls offer amber in a variety of forms, most often jewelry, which is an unusual attraction for tourists visiting Gdansk. There is a reason why Mariacka Street is called Amber Street.

Motlawa River

A picturesque river in the Old Town, which surface reflects the magnificent architecture of Gdansk, with the remarkable Crane at the head. This makes the Motlawa certainly one of Poland’s most charming rivers.

During the day you can take a boat ride by Motlawa to Westerplatte, rent a pedal boat or go SUP sailing. It is also worth having lunch by the river in one of the local restaurants. In the evenings, on the other hand, the banks of the Motlawa River become a meeting place for students, tourists and all lovers of good food, music, fun and dance.

Crane Gate

The aforementioned Crane is nothing more than a historic port crane and one of the water gates of Gdansk. It is located on the Motlawa River, at the end of Szeroka (Wide) Street. It is also one of the branches of the National Maritime Museum in Gdansk, as well as the largest and oldest surviving port crane of medieval Europe.

Westerplatte

Westerplatte is a peninsula located in the north of Gdansk that is considered the symbolic place where World War II began. The place is also the epitome of Polish resistance against the Third Reich. Today we can admire there the Monument to the Defenders of the Coast, built in the shape of a mound, which is topped by a 25-meter monument commemorating the Polish defenders of the coast in September 1939. At Westerplatte you can also find a hiking trail, a small cemetery, but also a beautiful and picturesque beach.

World War II Museum

If you’re still wondering what to see in Gdansk, the answer is simple. Visit the museum! Depending on what interests you: it can be the National Museum, the Amber Museum or the World War II Museum. The latter stirs up a lot of excitement and, in my opinion, is especially worth a visit.

It is an interactive historical museum, opened in early 2017.  The Gdansk museum is one of the most modern and at the same time the most moving museums in Poland. There are numerous exhibits and interesting reconstructions of pre-war streets of major Polish cities. Youe will also be intrigued by interactive elements, such as films with memories of war participants. It is worth reserving even a few hours to visit the entire museum and go there as early as possible.

European Solidarity Center

This is a modern cultural institution that has set itself the goal of commemorating some of the most important events in Polish history – the victory of Solidarity movement and the fall of communism. Interestingly, the permanent exhibition presents not only the history of Solidarity, but also of other opposition movements in Central and Eastern Europe. You can find multimedia attractions, archival materials, as well as original pieces of equipment from the Gdansk Shipyard.

Amber Museum

Did you know that we have one of the largest collections of amber in the world? Since 2021 it has been in a new location – in the Great Mill and shows a whole new dimension of the amber we know so well. The museum offers more than 1,000 exhibits – from nuggets with inclusions from 40 million years ago, to an amber forest and an amber chamber, to contemporary artists’ designs. The Amber Museum is a magical, surprising place and certainly worth a visit.

The Baltic Sea

Being in Gdansk and not seeing the sea is like visiting Zakopane and not seeing the mountains. Don’t stay in the city, go to the beach! My comment: it’s best to go by any sort of transportation, even a bus. A few years ago I tried to get there from the centre on foot, without water, in the August heat. Halfway there I had to give up…

Gdansk: Restaurants

Where to eat in Gdansk? After you get up at a dawn, as a reward go to some wonderful place for a delicious breakfast. If you don’t want to travel far, I recommend eating at the 5th Floor Restaurant. They serve delicious breakfasts, and the opportunity to peek at the waking Long Market from above is unmatchable.

Dining in Gdansk? There are a whole bunch of tasty places in Gdansk. I’ll recommend you a few spots that I’ve visited. For example, Ostro Pizza serves delicious pizza with a good view, but the best view is at Olivia Star, a restaurant located on top of a skyscraper. You can find vege food, for example, at Not/Meat, but there are many more such places.

Where to Sleep in Gdansk?

In Gdansk, I have slept in a variety of locations, starting from Dluga Street through closer to the city center and beyond. Once I stayed on Ogarna Street and it was really quiet, but on Dlugi Targ a weekend night was hard.

When stopping there, you should remember to check the parking spaces, because as it happens in Polish cities, sometimes there is a problem with it. If you are traveling by train, this problem will not exist, of course.

Accommodation in Gdansk, including those recommended by me, can be found here.

Gdansk – Attractions and Sightseeing

What to do in Gdansk? While in the center of Gdansk, be sure to see the city from a viewing point. My first association is the Devil’s Mill, but it could be Pacholek Hill or Gradowa Mountain. The choice is up to you. There are a whole bunch of ideas on what to do in Gdansk, but in my opinion, the following three simple things will be memorable for you:

• Take a souvenir photo of yourself overlooking the Long Embankment along the Motlawa River.

I do this every time I’m in Gdansk because it’s just a nice place. I associate it with vacation, the sea, freedom.

• Buy something from a street vendor

It doesn’t have to be a souvenir or a painting. One time I paid for a fortune teller. Of course, what she had foreseen  did not come true, but I remember it to this day.

• Get away from the tourists and visit less popular neighborhoods

I won’t impose or recommend anything to you. Click a few locations on the map and choose something interesting.

Undeniably, Gdansk is simply gorgeous. Of course, this makes it extremely popular, so it’s best to visit in the off-season and take pictures really early… in the morning. You can write and write about Gdansk, but if you are going to rest then surely your goal is simply to relax. And that’s what I wish you on a seaside vacation.

If you are looking for interesting places in Poland, be sure to check out the following posts:

TOP 20 Best Cities to Visit in Poland

Things To Do in Warsaw – TOP Attractions & Activities

The Best Museums To Visit in Warsaw

Free Museums In Cracow (Krakow) – List And Free Days

Warsaw for Free. 10 BEST Free Things to Do