Gdansk is a lovely metropolis situated on the Baltic Sea. It’s usually neglected by many vacationers to Poland, in favor of the extra standard spots like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. Nevertheless, this metropolis is properly well worth the journey north. In actual fact, it’s our favourite Polish metropolis.
On the quickest of itineraries, Gdansk will be zipped by in sooner or later. Nevertheless, if you would like the perfect expertise, plan on spending not less than two to 3 days right here. This provides you sufficient time to discover the outdated metropolis, go to two of the perfect museums in Poland, and eat your coronary heart out at some wonderful eating places. You may also take a number of day journeys, if in case you have extra time. Get your Baltic seaside time in at Sopot and Gydnia or go to Malbork, one of many largest castles in Europe.
A Transient Historical past of Gdansk
Understanding a little bit of background data is essential to really admire a go to to Gdansk.
For tons of of years, the town of Gdansk bounced forwards and backwards from being German territory and Polish territory. Whereas underneath German rule, the town glided by the identify Danzig.
On September 1, 1939, the primary combating of World Warfare II started simply exterior of Gdansk. The German forces gained a simple victory, not solely in Gdansk, however in all of Poland. Throughout World Warfare II, Poland suffered underneath Nazi rule, till it was “liberated” by the Soviets in 1945.
In 1980, within the Gdansk shipyards, the Solidarity commerce union motion started. This peaceable motion was one of many first main rebellions towards the communist regime and in the end led to the downfall of communist rule in 1989.
On the finish of WWII, Gdansk endured heavy air raids by the Allied troops and the Soviets. The town was rebuilt within the 1950’s and 1960’s. Architects didn’t need to rebuild the town with the unique Germanic structure that was a part of the town’s pre-war look. Now, the town appears extra Dutch and French than German, a lot completely different than it did in 1939.
Finest Issues to do in Gdansk
Stroll the size of Dlugi Targ
Dlugi Targ, also called the Lengthy Market or Royal Means, is the primary thoroughfare by Gdansk. The complete avenue is just 500 meters lengthy, so you may stroll it in simply 10 minutes, however for the perfect expertise, there are some issues to cease and see alongside the best way.
Dlugi Targ | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
As you stroll down Dlugi Targ, listed below are the perfect locations to go to:
The Golden Gate sits on the western finish of the road. As you look down Dlugi Targ, you may see cafes and retailers lining the road and the enduring City Corridor tower. Through the day, this could be a crowded place. However at evening or throughout the early morning hours, it’s quiet and peaceable.
Dlugi Targ and the Golden Gate within the morning | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
The crowds on Dlugi Targ noon in July.
Trying down Dlugi Targ from the Golden Gate at sundown. | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
Bar Mleczny Neptun. It is a milk bar, a Polish “cafeteria.” These milk bars popped in all places after World Warfare I, as a means for the Polish individuals to get nourishing meals at low cost costs. Now, these are uncommon to seek out in metropolis facilities, though a number of nonetheless stay. If you wish to attempt an inexpensive, native meal or need to participate in a Polish custom, Bar Neptun is likely one of the greatest milk bars in Gdansk.
Foremost City Corridor. Go to the museum and/or take within the view from the highest of the tower.
Neptune Fountain. The Neptune fountain is a extremely popular picture spot in Gdansk. It all the time had a bunch of digital camera wielding vacationers round it (and we had been no completely different!).
Neptune Fountain | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
Artus Courtroom. Simply behind the Neptune fountain is Artus Courtroom, which was as soon as a gathering place for retailers and dignitaries. It’s now a museum.
Artus Courtroom is the sunshine blue constructing on the proper.
Dlugi Targ ends on the Inexperienced Gate. When you go by right here, you step out onto the Inexperienced Bridge (Zielony Most) and the waterfront of Gdansk.
You possibly can mix all of those sights collectively on a non-public strolling tour of Gdansk. This extremely rated tour will be personalized to suit your pursuits. With a educated information, go to the highlights of Gdansk, uncover hidden gems, and get tips on meals and eating places within the metropolis.
The Foremost City Corridor (Ratusz Glownego Miasta)
The Foremost City Corridor is situated on Dlugi Targ, subsequent to the Neptune fountain. Simply search for the inexperienced, Gothic clock tower and you’re in the proper place.
For the perfect view over Gdansk, climb to the highest of the tower. From right here, you may look down on the total stretch of Dlugi Targ, throughout the Motlawa River, and on a transparent day, out to the Baltic Sea.
Additionally within the City Corridor is the Gdansk Historical past Museum, worthwhile for historical past lovers.
View of Dlugi Targ from the Foremost City Corridor | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church dominates the outdated city of Gdansk. It is likely one of the largest brick church buildings on the earth. So far as church buildings and cathedrals go, it ranks low in magnificence and grandeur (in my view). The inside of the church was whitewashed after WWII, hiding the frescoes beneath, and leaving a somewhat drab, forlorn look.
For an additional nice view of Gdansk, climb the 408 steps to the highest of the bell tower. It’s an extended, thigh-burning climb to the highest however price it for those who like this sort of factor. I’m glad we did it, however the view from the City Corridor tower is our favourite.
View from St. Mary’s Church | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
The Waterfront and Motlawa River
That is simply as good (and possibly even higher) than Dlugi Targ for a pleasant stroll. For the perfect views (and just a bit extra strolling), I like to recommend strolling down either side of the Motlawa River.
From the Inexperienced Gate, cross the Inexperienced Bridge and stroll north alongside the river. On this facet of the river, numerous development is occurring. Enormous, concrete skeletons of futures buildings are being erected. Ignore these and look throughout the river to the attractive waterfront.
One constructing that stands out is the crane (Zuraw). This crane was used tons of of years in the past to load cargo into ships. The hulking mass is an emblem of Gdansk’s days as an necessary buying and selling metropolis. If you’re , you may take a tour of the crane.
Zuraw | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
Waterfront | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
Cross again over the river and stroll down Dlugie Pobrzeze, the road that runs alongside the brick buildings. This stroll takes you previous some very good eating places and retailers. In the event you proceed on, you may cross the pedestrian drawbridge and take a photograph on the Gdansk signal.
For a distinct perspective of the town, you may as well cruise from the Shipyard to Motława River and the Previous City on a historic Polish boat. Individuals love this expertise and we might love to do that on a return go to to Gdansk.
Stroll Down Mariacka Road
Mariacka Road is likely one of the coolest streets in Gdansk. This avenue retains a few of Gdansk’s outdated structure, with outsized porches spilling out onto the road. Search for the gargoyle heads, known as “pukers,” that spray out water throughout rainstorms.
Mariacka Road | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
This avenue is likely one of the greatest locations within the metropolis to go searching for amber. We additionally had nice espresso right here at Drukarnia Cafe. Wine bar Literacka is a comfortable place to take a break and revel in a glass of wine. It is usually an important place to take cowl from a rainstorm for those who got here to this avenue to see the pukers, like I did!
Climb the St. Catherine’s Church Tower
Right here is our off-the-beaten-path tower climb. Not talked about in any guidebook we learn, we simply occurred to stumble throughout this as we walked again into the town from the Solidarity Middle.
You possibly can climb the tower of the St. Catherine’s Church for a singular perspective, and a really distinctive expertise. That is not like another tower climb we have now accomplished. Somewhat than a slim stone spiral staircase or outdated rickety, wood steps, you climb vast steel steps by rooms which might be lit with colourful neon lights. On exhibit are gears, weapons, and historic artifacts. It’s somewhat odd, however refreshing in its uniqueness.
View from St. Catherine’s Church | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
View from St. Catherine’s Church | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
European Solidarity Middle (Europejskie Centrum Solidarnosci)
On this almost model new, well-laid out museum, be taught in regards to the historic occasions of the Polish opposition to communist rule.
First you will notice the Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Employees of 1970, which commemorates the 42 individuals who had been killed in 1970.
Subsequent, check out the gate with the signal Stocznia Gdanska. That is the doorway to the shipyards and an emblem of the solidarity motion (Solidarnosc).
As soon as inside the museum, step again in time and be taught in regards to the occasions that led to the solidarity motion and the way this peaceable course of helped to alter Poland from a communist state to a democratic one. Solidarnosc was one of many necessary elements that led to the autumn of communism, not solely in Poland, however in different central and jap European international locations.
That is the unique copy of the 21 calls for of the strike committee. This is likely one of the most necessary artifacts contained in the museum.
Price: PLN 30 (contains an audio information)
Hours: Monday by Friday 10 am to six pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 7 pm; diminished hours October by April; get up to date hours on the official web site
Web site: http://www.ecs.gda.pl/
The Museum of the Second World Warfare
Nearly model new (it only recently opened in 2017), this museum covers the occasions that led as much as WWII and the affect the conflict had on Poland.
This is likely one of the greatest museums in Poland and it’s a must-visit, even if you’re not a museum lover. World Warfare II deeply affected Poland and this museum does a superb job educating guests about this essential piece of Polish historical past.
Museum of the Second World Warfare | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
On common a go to lasts about three hours. For the perfect expertise, get right here proper at opening time, earlier than the museum fills with guests. You possibly can ebook your tickets on-line prematurely to avoid wasting you from having to attend within the ticket line. Throughout our go to in July, we arrived at 9:30 am, when the ticket line opens, and had no issues getting tickets.
Price: 25 PLN
Audio Information: 5 PLN (price it!!)
Hours: Tuesday by Sunday 10 am to eight pm in July and August, Tuesday by Sunday 10 am to six pm September by June, closed Mondays.
Hyperlink to buy tickets on-line: bilety.muzeum1939.pl
Notice: Count on bigger than regular crowds on Sunday and Tuesday, the day earlier than and after Monday, when the museum is closed.
If you wish to be taught extra about WWII and Gdansk, this two-hour guided tour contains each a go to to the Put up Workplace Museum and the Museum of the Second World Warfare (with the prolonged choice). The value of the tour features a licensed information, transportation, and tickets to each museums.
Eat Your Means by Gdansk
Certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Gdansk was to eat. There are such a lot of nice eating places to select from and new meals to attempt. Plus, meals and alcohol is comparatively low cost, so we dined in a number of superb eating eating places with out breaking the financial institution.
We ate at so many locations in Gdansk that it deserves its personal article, however within the meantime, I’ll checklist a number of of our favorites. Pierogarnia Mandu Centrum is the place to go for dumplings. We had a beautiful meal with an important view at Goldwasser Restaurant, overlooking the Motlawa River. Prologue Restaurant is a gourmand restaurant that makes a pleasant lunch spot after visiting the Museum of the Second World Warfare. And if you wish to give Lithuanian meals a attempt, go to Familia Bistro.
On this extremely rated meals tour, pattern as much as 13 completely different Polish meals, sip on vodka, and stroll by the Previous City.
Dinner at Goldwasser | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
Wander Away from Dlugi Targ
Dlugi Targ, that predominant thoroughfare working by the center of the outdated city, is a superb place to spend a while. However for those who wander the facet streets, even only a few blocks away, it’s possible you’ll stumble throughout some cool spots in Gdansk. There are creative statues, murals painted on buildings, Polish women and men hanging out on benches and in small courtyards, and outdated church buildings and buildings to see.
Road Artwork | Finest Issues to Do in Gdansk
We all the time felt very protected in Gdansk, and a number of other mornings we might go on a run by city and are available throughout every kind of neat stuff I by no means noticed or examine in blogs and guidebooks. In the event you come throughout something fascinating, share your expertise within the remark part beneath!
Have enjoyable exploring Gdansk!
Want Some Concepts for a Day Journey?
Throughout your keep in Gdansk, there are two day journeys to think about.
Malbork Citadel is likely one of the largest castles on the earth. It’s only a brief prepare trip away from Gdansk and our favourite day journey location from the town. Discover ways to go to Malbork Citadel independently in our Information to Malbork Citadel. This highly-rated guided tour from Gdansk additionally contains your transportation.
The Tri-Metropolis refers back to the three cities of Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia, which line the Baltic Coast. Sopot is a ritzy seaside resort city and Gdynia affords quieter seashores and some museums to go to. If you’re visiting in the summertime and need to try the seaside, a go to to Sopot could also be price it. We did this independently and acquired round by Uber, which was low cost and handy. However for those who favor to simplify issues, this non-public tour contains your transportation, a information, and a go to to all three cities.
Plan Your Time in Gdansk
Searching for a suggestion on learn how to plan your time in Gdansk? In our Gdansk Itinerary Information, we offer three alternative ways to spend two days within the metropolis, together with day journeys to Malbork Citadel and the Tri-Metropolis. You probably have greater than two days (that’s nice!) we additionally give suggestions on learn how to spend as much as 4 days in Gdansk.
Excursions of Gdansk
In the event you favor to go to Gdansk with a information or are in search of distinctive issues to do, listed below are a number of extremely rated excursions of Gdansk.
The place We Stayed
We stayed at an residence known as Household Luxurious Nature Condo. We had a two-bedroom one-bathroom residence with a small kitchen, lounge, and a washer. From the residence, it was only a five-minute stroll to get to the Neptune fountain.
This place labored nice for us…glorious location, loads of house for our household of 4, and the wifi labored nice. Our solely grievance, and it’s comparatively minor, is that we might simply hear the hourly tolling of the bells at St. Mary’s Church. And sure, they ring each hour all evening lengthy. The residence doesn’t have air-conditioning, because it by no means will get too scorching in Gdansk. However one or two nights we tried to sleep with the home windows open and had been awoken each hour by the bells. The bells gained and we slept with the home windows shut.
One other suggestion is the Radisson Blu. Our moms, Kathy and Valerie, visited Poland with us, and that is the place they stayed in Gdansk. The lodge is situated on Dlugi Targ close to the Inexperienced Gate, one other prime spot to be in Gdansk. This lodge is barely dearer than our residence, however what you’re getting is a five-star expertise within the coronary heart of Gdansk.
In the event you want extra suggestions on the place to remain in Gdansk, we have now a complete article about the place to remain within the outdated city, with suggestions for funds vacationers, households, {couples}, and extra.
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