Discover Art Galleries in Gdansk – A Guide for Culture Lovers

NOMUS in Gdansk opened in 2021 as the city's youngest institution presenting modern art. Located at 14 Stefan Jaracz Street, on the historic grounds of the former Gdansk Shipyard, it occupies a building from 1940 that originally served as a vocational school for future shipyard workers.

After thorough modernization, the building became a modern exhibition space with exhibition halls, educational rooms, a cinema-conference hall, and a reading room. In the lobby, you'll find the "Znajomi znad morza" café, a children's corner, and a bookstore. This place is perfect for meetings and relaxation between sightseeing.

The exhibitions presented at NOMUS focus on the Gdansk Collection of Contemporary Art, which the city has been building since 2017. Works by local artists tell stories about contemporary world problems from a local perspective, but in the universal language of art.

The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A regular ticket costs 15 PLN, reduced 8 PLN, children and youth (7–26 years old) – 1 PLN. On Fridays, admission is free for all visitors.

The largest art gallery in Gdansk is the Gdansk City Gallery, consisting of three branches that have been operating since 2009. Each has its unique character and specialization.

GGM1 at 27/29 Piwna Street focuses on exhibitions of young creators and experimental contemporary art. It's an intimate space where the "Deep Water" program is implemented, preparing ASP students to function on the artistic scene.

GGM2 at 13/15 Powroźnicza Street presents group and individual exhibitions with varying duration dynamics. Through cooperation with renowned galleries in Poland and abroad, the program presents the most important international exhibition trends.

The Gdansk Gallery of Günter Grass (4G) at 34/35 Szeroka Street is a unique place dedicated to the Nobel laureate's work. The gallery's profile was shaped in cooperation with Günter Grass himself, promoting his literary and visual creativity in his birth city.

Every two years, all branches participate in organizing the Gdansk Art Biennale – the most important review of artists' creativity from the Pomeranian region.

The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday: in the winter season (October-March) 12:00 PM-6:00 PM, in the summer season (April-September) 12:00 PM-7:00 PM. Tickets: regular 10 PLN, reduced 7 PLN, group (over 10 people) 5 PLN. On Thursdays and during openings, admission is free.

CSW Łaźnia is a place that perfectly illustrates how history can serve contemporary times. This Gdansk cultural institution was established in 1998 in the historic building of the former City Baths at 1 Jaskółcza Street.

The creation of CSW is connected to the activities of the artistic community from the 1980s, later called the New Gdansk School. Cooperation between Gallery C14, Totart Foundation, and Wyspa Gallery led to the creation of this unique place.

The brutal interiors of post-industrial architecture create an unrepeatable atmosphere for the boldest artistic experiments. Exhibitions in Gdansk presented at Łaźnia often address difficult social and political topics, engaging viewers in important discussions about contemporary times.

In 2012, in the Nowy Port district at 5 Strajku Dokerów Street, Łaźnia 2 was established – an artistic education center with a reading room, animation workshop, and KinoPort cinema. Both facilities participate in the revitalization of Gdansk districts.

Łaźnia is open Tuesday through Friday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM, on weekends 12:00 PM-8:00 PM. Tickets: regular 15 PLN, reduced 12 PLN. Tuesdays are "quiet hours" for people with autism (4:00 PM-6:00 PM).

What's worth seeing in the context of historical art? The National Museum, one of the oldest in Poland, was created from the merger of the City Museum (1870) and the Museum of Artistic Crafts (1881).

The core of the collections is Jacob Kabrun's collection (1759-1814) – several thousand paintings, drawings, and prints by European masters from the late 15th to early 19th centuries. The main building on Toruńska Street (a late Gothic Franciscan monastery) houses the Department of Ancient Art with the famous "Last Judgment" by Hans Memling.

The Department of Modern Art in the Abbots' Palace in Gdansk-Oliwa presents a collection of Polish and Gdansk paintings from the 19th-20th centuries. The baroque interiors of the palace create a unique setting for works by native artists.

The Green Gate at Long Market serves as a space for temporary exhibitions, presenting the most interesting exhibition projects of historical-artistic character.

The Gdansk art scene is much more than grand institutions. Private salons and exhibition spaces offer more intimate but equally fascinating artistic experiences.

Triada Gallery, operating since 1990, is one of the oldest contemporary art galleries in Poland. For 35 years, it has presented the most interesting phenomena in Polish contemporary art, supporting both recognized artists and young talents.

Cosma Gallery in the artistic district of Oliwa combines the functions of a gallery and an auction house. Established in 2021, it quickly gained popularity among Gdansk artists. It's an ideal place for collectors and art lovers.

Various exhibition spaces operate at the Academy of Fine Arts at Coal Market, presenting works by students and graduates. The Art Armory regularly hosts the most interesting diplomas by young artists from all over Poland.

What to see in Gdansk beyond traditional galleries? The city is a great open-air museum. Murals in the Zaspa district create the largest street art gallery in Poland - colorful apartment building walls tell residents' stories through the prism of contemporary art.

The historic center hides numerous sculptures and installations. Besides the symbolic Neptune Fountain, it's worth noting contemporary works - installations on Granary Island, sculptures at the European Solidarity Centre, and artistic elements of Forum Gdansk architecture.

Gdansk after dusk shows art in a completely new dimension. Artistic illuminations of monuments, lit installations over the Motława, and night projections on building facades create a magical atmosphere. An evening walk down Long Street is a light spectacle where architecture becomes art.

Discovering artistic spaces combines with the opportunity to experience the city's refined culinary culture, and restaurants in Gdansk that perfectly complement artistic experiences.

Secret Room is an exceptional restaurant where culinary art meets artistic atmosphere. Carefully designed interiors, thoughtful lighting, and an original menu create a space perfect for a romantic evening after a day spent among artworks.

Secret Room's location in the city center makes it easily accessible after visiting the main galleries. Each dish is more than a mix of flavors but also a visual creation – a philosophy that naturally and uniquely combines art with gastronomy.

When planning to discover the city's artistic treasures, it's worth considering the optimal route. The center concentrates the most important institutions – NOMUS, GGM branches, and the National Museum are within walking distance.

The best time for sightseeing is weekdays - fewer tourists, more space for peaceful contemplation. Wednesdays offer free admission to most museums. Weekends are a time for openings and special events.

Public transportation efficiently connects all points on the artistic map. Tram line 6 goes to Oliwa, where the Abbots' Palace and private galleries await. City buses serve all districts with galleries.

Parking in the center can be problematic, but most galleries are accessible by public transportation. Gdansk's city bike is an ecological way to move between cultural institutions.

Gdansk's cultural calendar pulses with events throughout the year. Temporary exhibitions are not only permanent presentations but also a rich program of artistic events.

Museum Night in May is an absolutely unique opportunity. All art galleries in Gdansk open their doors until late hours, often for a symbolic fee. Special events, curatorial tours, and performances create an unrepeatable atmosphere.

The Gdansk Art Biennale, every two years, transforms the city into an international capital of contemporary art. Artists from around the world present works not only in galleries but also in public spaces.

The Narratives Festival in November combines art with history. Artistic interventions in various districts tell unknown stories of the place. What to see in Gdansk during this event? Each district becomes a stage for artistic activities.

Gdansk at night reveals a completely different face of art. After sunset, the city transforms into a great scenography where architecture meets light art.

Some galleries extend their opening hours during special events. Night openings at CSW Łaźnia, late visits at GGM, or special projections at NOMUS are unique artistic experiences.

Attractions for couples in Gdansk gain special charm after dusk. A romantic walk through the illuminated center – from Neptune Fountain through Long Street to Motława – is an ideal prelude to dinner at the exceptional Secret Room restaurant.

Nighttime cultural life concentrates around the Main City. Artistic cafés and pubs near galleries often gather the local bohemia, creating space for informal conversations about art.

Art galleries in Gdansk are a true treasure for every culture lover. This is a place where art is not only presented but lives daily in galleries, on streets, and in public spaces.

The unique combination of history with modernity creates the unrepeatable character of the Gdansk art scene. Medieval works in historic monasteries neighbor avant-garde installations in post-industrial spaces.

What to see in Gdansk is a question to which everyone will find their own answer. Whether it's classic masterpieces at the National Museum, experimental art at CSW Łaźnia, or intimate exhibitions in private galleries, each place offers unique experiences.

The possibility of combining high culture with exquisite gastronomy in places like Secret Room makes attractions for couples gain an additional dimension. Evening in Gdansk is not only beautiful illuminations but a living culture lasting until late hours.

Gdansk deserves regular returns. The dynamically evolving art scene, with constantly changing exhibitions and new cultural initiatives, makes each visit a fresh discovery.