Famous for Its Picturesque Restored Old Town and the Birthplace of the Solidarity Movement

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.

The Not-So-Good:

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 2024 (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 3.1 out of 5 stars

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.

Historic Shopping Street

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Medieval Crane (Zuraw) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The Medieval Crane, built in the 15th century, is one of Gdansk's most recognizable landmarks.

Once a port crane and city gate, today it houses a branch of the National Maritime Museum.

Library  

by Rafal Konkolewski / CC BY-SA 2.5

# Old Town 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Gdansk's Old Town is a vibrant area filled with beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets.

City District  

by Andrzej Otrębski / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Oliwa Cathedral 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The Oliwa Cathedral, originally built in the 12th century, is famous for its stunning Baroque organ.

It is located in the Oliwa district, within a beautiful park setting.

Church 

by Аимаина хикари / CC BY-SA 3.0

# St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

St. Mary's Church in Gdansk is the largest brick church globally, built between 1343 and 1502, featuring Gothic architecture and significant medieval artworks.

Church  

by Gyddanyzc / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Golden House 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Golden House in Gdansk is a 17th-century Mannerist townhouse, notable for its ornate gilded facade and architectural significance.

Townhouse 

by Kenny McFly / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Swiatowej) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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.

War Museum

by Jroepstorff / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Town Hall 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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.

Town Hall with Tower  

by Kenny McFly / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Artus Court 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Artus Court, once a Hanseatic meeting hub, now a museum, features opulent interiors and significant historical artifacts.

Gothic Hall 

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

#10 | Long Quay (Dlugie Pobrzeze) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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.

Quay

by Henryk Bielamowicz / CC BY-SA 4.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Gdansk

#11 | Long Market (Długi Targ) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Long Market, Gdansk's bustling pedestrian street, features historical landmarks, vibrant commerce, and cultural events, making it a lively city center.

Shopping Street/Square 

by I, Pplecke / CC BY-SA 3.0

    • European Solidarity Centre 5
    • Ulica Mariacka (Notre-Dame Street) 5
    • Westerplatte 5
    • Academy of Fine Arts 5
    • Wisloujscie Fortress 5
    • National Maritime Museum 5
    • St. Catherine’s Church Tower 5
    • National Museum 5
    • Neptune’s Fountain 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Gdansk

MALBORK CASTLE 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

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 2.5 out of 5 stars

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

Toruń (City, 168 km from Gdansk) 5


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:

🌍 MALBORK CASTLE 7 (62 km away)

The Royal Way (Dluga Street) 6

Medieval Crane (Zuraw)  6

Old Town 6

Oliwa Cathedral 6

St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka) 6

Golden House 5

Museum of the Second World War 5

Town Hall 5

Artus Court 5