Famous for Its Picturesque Restored Old Town and the Birthplace of the Solidarity Movement
Table of Contents
A. About Gdansk
Nickname: The Pearl of the Baltic
Gdansk, a scenic port city on Poland's Baltic coast, has a rich maritime history and was key to the Hanseatic League. Known for its charming Old Town with colorful facades, Gdansk feels unique compared to other Polish cities.
Although heavily damaged in World War II, the city has been meticulously restored.
As the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, Gdansk played a significant role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. The Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk is where the first battle of World War II took place.
➕ The Good
Gdansk is well-situated on the Baltic coast, providing beautiful waterfront views.
Furthermore, Gdansk is affordable, there are numerous sights, and the city is clean and safe.
Gdansk boasts a rich culinary scene with traditional Polish dishes and seafood.
➖ Negative Aspects
Illustrated by the ranking score table, Gdansk has no real weak point. Remarkably, every category scores at least 5 out of 10, which is quite an achievement.
B. Best Things to Do in Gdansk in 2025 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
Overall, there are over thirty noteworthy sights in Gdansk, with the ones listed contributing to a score of 6.25/10 in this essential category.
# The Royal Way (Dluga Street) 6 
Dluga Street is the main thoroughfare in Gdansk's Old Town, lined with beautiful historic buildings.
It stretches from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate, passing iconic landmarks like the Neptune Fountain, the Town Hall, and the Artus Court.

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Medieval Crane (Zuraw) 6 
The Medieval Crane, rebuilt after the 15th-century original, is Gdansk's most recognizable landmark.
Once a port crane and city gate, today it houses a branch of the National Maritime Museum.

by Rafal Konkolewski / CC BY-SA 2.5
# Old Town 6 
Gdansk's huge and highly impressive Old Town is a vibrant area filled with beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets.

by Andrzej Otrębski / CC BY-SA 4.0
# St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka) 6 
St. Mary's Church in Gdansk is the largest brick church globally, built between 1343 and 1502, featuring Gothic architecture and significant medieval artworks.
The interior can accommodate up to 25,000 people and houses numerous works of sacred art, including an impressive 15th-century astronomical clock.
Visitors can also climb the 400 steps to the tower for stunning panoramic views over the Old Town and the Baltic coast.

by Gyddanyzc / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Golden House 5 
The Golden House in Gdansk is a 17th-century Mannerist townhouse, notable for its ornate gilded facade and architectural significance.

by Kenny McFly / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Oliwa Cathedral 5 
The Oliwa Cathedral, originally built in the 12th century, is famous for its stunning Baroque organ.
It is located slightly outside of the city center in the Oliwa district, within a beautiful park setting.

by Аимаина хикари / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Swiatowej) 5 
Opened in 2017, the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk features a striking design and extensive exhibits, highlighting the global and personal impacts of WWII.

by Jroepstorff / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Town Hall 5 
Gdansk’s Town Hall, an architectural gem completed in the late 16th century, combines Gothic and Renaissance styles and serves as a museum of the city's history.
Visitors can climb the tower for a panoramic view of Gdansk's skyline, making it a popular attraction.

by Kenny McFly / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Artus Court 5 
Artus Court, once a Hanseatic meeting hub, now a museum, features opulent interiors and significant historical artifacts.

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 | Long Quay (Dlugie Pobrzeze) 5 
Long Quay in Gdansk, a historic trade hub along the Motława River, features granaries, the Crane, and the National Maritime Museum, attracting many visitors.
The waterfront is lined with historic granaries, old merchant houses, and modern restaurants and cafes.

by Henryk Bielamowicz / CC BY-SA 4.0
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Gdansk
#11 | European Solidarity Centre 5 
The European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk is a museum and cultural institution dedicated to the history of the Solidarity movement and the struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Poland and across Europe.
It is housed in a striking rust-colored building symbolizing the hulls of shipyard cranes, the centre stands adjacent to the historic Gdańsk Shipyard, where the movement was born in the 1980s.
Museum and Cultural Institution

by I, Pplecke / CC BY-SA 3.0
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Gdansk
MALBORK CASTLE 7 
Malbork Castle, a 13th-century Teutonic Knights' fortress in northern Poland, is the world's largest brick castle and a UNESCO World Heritage site, consisting of three distinct sections.
Castle 🌍 World Heritage Since: 1997 | Distance from Gdansk: 62 km

by Gregy / CC BY-SA 3.0
Sopot 5 
Sopot is a popular Polish seaside resort renowned for its long pier, sandy beaches, historic spa treatments, and cultural events at the Forest Opera.
City Distance from Gdansk: 12 km

by Emptywords / CC BY-SA 4.0
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Gdansk (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Gdansk for at least three entire days:
F. Detailed Explanation of the Score
Sights and Attractions | 6.15
The beautifully reconstructed Old Town showcases several remarkable landmarks, such as St. Mary’s Church and the Historic Crane. Excursions like Malbork Castle add variety and depth, though the overall range of sights remains more limited compared to top-tier cities.
• Average of the Top 10 Sights: 5.4/10 • Average of the Top 10–20 Sights: 4.5/10
• Total Number of Sights: Approximately 35 significant attractions (Bonus: +0.5) • Excursions: Excellent options include the Malbork Castle, the largest castle in the world by land area, and the seaside resorts of Sopot and Gdynia (Excursion Bonus: +0.25)
Location | 6.5
Gdańsk lies at the mouth of the Motława River, slightly inland from the Baltic Sea and connected to it through a network of rivers, canals, and docks.
A part of the historic center unfolds beautifully around Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów) and Ołowianka Island, creating a distinctive waterfront atmosphere. While its intricate hydrography and riverside charm are undeniable, the absence of direct sea views or dramatic coastal scenery keeps the location score moderate.

Pedestrian Zones | 6.5
Gdańsk’s Old Town features an extensive network of charming pedestrian streets, ideal for exploring the city’s rich history on foot. The wide, elongated Długa Street stands out as one of the most striking pedestrian avenues in Europe. Beyond the spacious central zone, walkability gradually diminishes, as traffic becomes more prominent in surrounding areas.

Affordability (Value for Money) | 5.25
Within a European context, Gdańsk remains a very affordable destination, especially compared to cities in Western Europe. Prices for accommodation, attractions, food, and especially transport are reasonable, offering good value for mid-range travelers. However, on a global scale, particularly when compared to destinations in Asia or parts of Latin America, it doesn't qualify as truly low-cost.
Safety | 7
Gdańsk is widely regarded as a very safe city, with low levels of violent crime and a calm urban atmosphere
. Visitors can walk around comfortably, even in the evening, with basic precautions.
Cleanliness | 7
The city center is exceptionally well-kept, featuring clean streets and carefully maintained public spaces.
Shopping | 6
Gdańsk features several large, modern shopping malls next to the Old Town, along with a broad selection of mainstream retail outlets. Distinctive local products, especially amber jewelry, add a unique regional touch.
Climate | 5.75
July to September offers the most pleasant conditions, with comfortable temperatures, longer daylight hours, and relatively low rainfall.
People | 6
Locals can appear reserved but are generally very helpful. English is increasingly spoken by younger generations. The population is largely Polish, with a growing international student and tourist presence, especially in summer.
Nightlife | 5.25
Gdańsk has a small but active nightlife scene, especially during the summer season.
Cuisine | 6.13
International cuisine is diverse and sophisticated. Local dishes like pierogi, herring, and soups are tasty and widely available. Fine dining options exist but remain modest in number and profile.
Transport | 6
Gdańsk has an efficient and affordable public transport system, with trams and buses covering most of the city and coastal towns. However, they do not run through the Old Town, which is pedestrian-only. Despite the absence of a metro, travel is easy, and both taxis and Uber provide inexpensive alternatives, including to and from the airport.
Size | 5
Gdańsk is a mid-sized city with around 470,000 inhabitants, forming part of the larger Tricity metropolitan area alongside Sopot and Gdynia.
Ease of Travel | 6
Gdańsk is easy to visit for most international travelers, with minimal restrictions.
Total Score | 183.58