What to See in Gdansk: Complete Guide to Baltic City Attractions

Start your walk through Gdansk from the famous Royal Way, also known as the Royal Route. This representative artery leads from the Highland Gate through the Golden Gate, Long Street, all the way to Long Market – the location where the key Gdansk attractions are concentrated. Historically, this was the route that Polish kings followed during ceremonial entries into the city. Today, every step along this trail is an encounter with history – from Renaissance gates to Baroque townhouses. The entire route is about 500 meters long, but the concentration of monuments in this space is truly impressive.

Long Market constitutes the actual heart of the Main Town, where you'll find:

• Neptune Fountain – a symbol of Gdansk since the 17th century, surrounded by legends about the Roman god of the seas
• Main Town Hall with an observation tower offering spectacular 360-degree panoramic views
• Artus Court – former meeting place of wealthy patricians, now a museum with a beautiful knight's hall

Uphagen House – a museum showcasing the life of the Gdansk bourgeoisie in the 18th century

Long Market was the place where the most important city ceremonies, fairs, and festivals took place. The colorful townhouses with richly decorated facades belonged to the wealthiest Hanseatic merchants. Each building has its unique history – from the Golden House to the Ferber House. In the evening, when the illumination lights up, the square takes on a magical character, and the restored architectural details shine in the lamplight.

The largest brick cathedral in Europe undoubtedly constitutes one of the key Gdansk attractions. In St. Mary's Basilica, you can admire the famous astronomical clock from the 15th century, which still keeps time and moon phases to this day. From the 78-meter-high tower, a spectacular view of the city unfolds – climbing to the top requires conquering 400 steps, but the panorama rewards every effort.

The church's interior is captivated by Gothic architecture, and among its treasures are the "Beautiful Madonna" from the 14th century and the main altar from the 15th century. The cathedral's construction lasted 159 years, from 1343 to 1502, making it a true masterpiece of generations of brick masters.

This short yet charming street captivates with its original townhouses, featuring characteristic terraces and gargoyles. It provides an excellent location for a romantic walk through Gdansk among amber boutiques and cozy cafes. The terraces are unique Gdansk balconies in front of townhouses, decorated with carved railings and gutters in the shape of dragon heads.

The street was carefully restored after wartime destruction, preserving its original character with cobblestone pavement. This is where the best amber jewelry shops and art galleries are located. In the evening, the street pulses with life – restaurants serve international cuisine, and the atmosphere encourages long walks.

The Westerplatte Peninsula constitutes a symbolic location where World War II began on September 1, 1939. Monuments in Gdansk related to this area include primarily the 25-meter Monument to the Defenders of the Coast, which majestically towers over Gdansk Bay. During the seven-day heroic defense, 182 Polish soldiers resisted the overwhelming German advantage.

Today, visitors can explore the ruins of barracks, guardhouses, and warehouses on the peninsula, and an educational trail leads through all the most important battle sites. From the monument, a beautiful view unfolds over Gdansk port and the Bay, while the surrounding park encourages contemplation.

Access is possible by tram, bus, or a romantic ship cruise from the city center.

What to see in Gdansk for lovers of seaside atmosphere:

• Brzeźno Beach with lifeguards and Blue Flag certification – a wide, sandy beach ideal for families with children
• Brzeźno Pier – a 220-meter structure perfect for seaside walks and watching sunsets
• Jelitkowo Beach – the most popular beach with full dining and sports infrastructure
• Stogi – a wild, located beach with lakes and forests, ideal for those seeking peace and nature

Gdansk's coastline offers diversity for everyone – from city beaches with full facilities to wild corners at the Vistula mouth. Brzeźno is famous for its family atmosphere and excellent infrastructure, while Stogi is a true nature enclave in the big city. In summer, all beaches are supervised, and the water temperature reaches up to 20 degrees Celsius.

Oliwa Park ranks among the most beautiful parks in Poland, connected with the historic Oliwa Archcathedral. It's worth listening to a concert on the famous 18th-century organs – Monday to Saturday (10:00-15:00) - where playing demonstrations take place, allowing you to hear angels and birds singing in the wooden pipes.

The park was created in French style in the 18th century and captivates with geometric alleys, trimmed hedges, and romantic corners. Here you'll find the famous boxwood labyrinth, whispering grottos with unique acoustics, and a baroque abbots' palace. Oliwa Archcathedral is now the seat of the Gdansk bishopric, and its rich interior houses sacred artworks from various eras. In spring, the park blooms with thousands of tulips, and in autumn, it is captivated by the colors of the leaves.

From the observation tower on Pachołek Hill, a magnificent panorama of Gdansk and Gdansk Bay unfolds. It provides an excellent location for ending your walk through Gdansk. The steel tower is 25 meters high and was built in 1986, offering a 360-degree view of the entire Tri-City. At the foot of the hill stands a monument to the Battle of Oliwa from 1627, commemorating the Polish fleet's victory over the Swedish fleet. The path to the summit leads through the picturesque Valley of Joy, where old trees grow and spring flowers bloom.

This is a favorite spot for photographers and young couples, especially at sunset, when the light sets the sky ablaze over Gdansk Bay.

This innovative museum institution tells the story of the "Solidarity" movement and the transformations that occurred in Central and Eastern Europe. The building immediately catches the eye with its original architecture, resembling a ship's hull or a rusted block – a reference to the industrial past of the Gdansk Shipyard.

Inside, across seven floors, a modern multimedia exhibition unfolds, interactively presenting the journey from the birth of Solidarity in 1980 to the fall of communism in Europe. Here you can see authentic documents, listen to strike recordings, and even enter a reconstruction of an 1980s apartment.

The museum has received many international awards for its innovative approach to contemporary history.

One of the most modern museum institutions in Europe presents the history of the conflict from the perspective of civilian populations. Interactive exhibitions make a tremendous impression on visitors. The museum occupies a modern building, partially underground, which symbolically refers to wartime shelters. On a surface of 5,000 square meters, the fates of ordinary people from around the world who experienced the horrors of war are presented. The exhibition includes reconstructions of Westerplatte streets, bombed Warsaw, and the Gdansk ghetto. Rooms dedicated to the Holocaust and Europe's liberation make a particularly strong impression.

The museum uses the latest VR technology and holograms to bring visitors closer to the dramatic events of 1939-1945.

The medieval port crane, representing the largest such facility in Europe, currently houses the Central Maritime Museum. It belongs to the central monuments in Gdansk, reminiscent of the city's port past. The 15th-century construction served to load goods onto ships and was the most important port equipment of the Hanseatic League. The Crane could lift loads of up to 2 tons to a height of 11 meters, which was a technological marvel of its time. The structure consists of two round towers connected by a gate, and the mechanism was powered by human muscle through a system of mill wheels.

Today, you can visit its interior, see a working model of the mechanism, and admire a collection of ship models. From the upper floors, a beautiful view unfolds over the Motława River and the Green Gate.

On Sobieszewo Island stands Wisłoujście Fortress with a lighthouse from 1482 – one of the oldest on the Baltic Sea. This powerful fortification complex guarded the entrance to Gdansk port for centuries and was known as the "key to Gdansk."

The fortress passed through the hands of Teutonic Knights, Poles, Swedes, and Prussians, with each occupier adding their own defensive elements. The lighthouse, built of red brick, is 27 meters high and has been modernized through the centuries – most recently in 2001, when modern LEDs were installed. When visiting the fortress, you can see bastions, casemates, a drawbridge, and an exhibition dedicated to the history of coastal defense.

For those seeking unique culinary experiences, Secret Room Gdańsk at 7 Stępkarska Street represents an authentic pearl. This innovative restaurant and lounge bar combines exquisite, authentic cuisine with a lounge zone and a musical space. Green interiors, concerts by local artists, and signature cocktails make the restaurant an ideal location for evening outings and discovering a new face of Gdansk gastronomy.

Gdansk stands as the world capital of amber, and the museum is housed in the Gothic Torture Chamber and Prison Tower from the 14th century. The collection of amber inclusions ranks among the richest in the world. Visitors can admire inclusions from 40 million years ago – insects, spiders, leaves, and flowers trapped in coniferous tree resin.

The museum also presents the history of the amber trade along the Amber Route, which connected the Baltic Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. The collections include amber artworks from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, including fragments of the famous Amber Room.

A separate attraction is the workshops, where you can see how contemporary artists work with "Baltic gold." The museum building itself is a monument – the Torture Chamber once housed the city's torture chamber, and the Prison Tower served as an execution site.

Contemporary shopping centers offer not only shopping but also entertainment – cinemas, restaurants, and cafes with views of the historic city. Madison Gallery was built in 2009 in place of former shipyard hangars, preserving the industrial character of the interiors. On five floors, over 200 shops are housed, and on the roof, an observation terrace offers a panoramic view of the Motława River.

Forum Gdansk is the newest shopping center, opened in 2019, which attracts with modern architecture and a rich gastronomic offer.

Both complexes are excellently connected to the city center and offer multi-level parking. These are ideal places for shopping during rainy days or evening trips to the cinema and restaurants.

This man-made island constitutes a paradise for nature lovers. The "Bird Paradise" and "Gull Sandbank" reserves protect over 300 bird species. Educational trails lead through dunes and seaside forests. The island was created in 1895 as a result of the Vistula breakthrough and today covers 34 square kilometers.

This is the only place in Poland where you can encounter gray seals resting on sandy beaches.

The "Bird Paradise" reserve is famous for cranes that can be observed during migration, and "Gull Sandbank" is Poland's largest gull colony. A bicycle path leads through the entire island, passing the lighthouse, Wisłoujście fort, and several seaside settlements.

Getting there by bus 186 is an adventure in itself – the route leads across a pontoon bridge over the Vistula Śmiała.

Although destroyed during the war, Old Town has preserved several valuable monuments, including the Gothic Great Mill from the 14th century and the Old Town Hall. The Great Mill is the largest mill in medieval Europe, built by the Teutonic Knights between 1350-1370 on the Radunia River. The structure is 40 meters long and was powered by 18 water wheels, grinding up to 200 tons of grain daily.

Today, the building houses a shopping center, but part of the mill mechanisms have been preserved as museum exhibits. The Old Town Hall from the 14th century survived the war in better condition and currently houses administrative offices and a small art gallery.

In the area, it's worth seeing St. Catherine's Church with the oldest bells in Gdansk and the Executioner's House on Katarzynki Street.

The former Gdansk Shipyard area has been transformed into a contemporary dining and entertainment zone with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs in industrial interiors. The name "100cznia" refers to the centenary of regaining independence in 2018, when the complex was opened. In former production halls, trendy pubs, restaurants serving fusion cuisine, and music clubs are now housed. The original red brick architecture, steel structures, and industrial details have been preserved, creating a unique atmosphere.

This place comes particularly alive in the evenings and weekends, when concerts, gastronomic festivals, and cultural events are organized. For history enthusiasts, an educational trail has been prepared telling about the shipyard's significance for Gdansk and the Solidarity movement.

A walk through the Main Town can be done entirely on foot – most monuments are located within a 1 km radius of each other. For longer routes, use:

• SKM (Fast Urban Railway) – quick connections with Sopot and Gdynia, running every 10-15 minutes
• Trams and city buses with a unified ticket system and jakdojade mobile app
• Bike_S bicycle rental stations are located throughout the city with a self-service system
• Gdansk Shipping ships to Westerplatte – a scenic 45-minute cruise with guide commentary

The city center is covered by a limited traffic zone, making walking a pleasure. Public transport tickets can be purchased at vending machines or through the mobile app, but not directly from the driver. The SKM system connects the entire Tri-City into a single transportation network, enabling easy movement between districts.

What to see in Gdansk from above – panoramas that take your breath away:

• Main Town Hall Tower (82 meters high) – view over the red roofs of the Main Town
• St. Mary's Basilica Tower (78 meters) – panorama over the port and the Motława River
• Gradowa Hill with Fort – perspective over the entire city and its fortifications
• Pachołek Hill in Oliwa – view over Gdansk Bay and the Tri-City
• Lighthouse at Westerplatte – view over the port and shipping channel

Gdansk constitutes a city that offers an extraordinary diversity of attractions – from medieval monuments through contemporary museums to beautiful beaches. What to see in Gdansk depends on your interests, but it's certain that everyone will find something for themselves.

A walk through Gdansk constitutes a journey through a thousand years of history, and numerous Gdansk attractions make you want to return. Don't forget to visit Secret Room Gdansk – a location where tradition meets modernity in culinary expression, creating unforgettable memories from your stay in this exceptional city.

Gdansk awaits you with open arms – a city where every stone has its history, and every monument in Gdansk tells a fascinating story about the past of this unique area on Poland's map.