Gdańsk is a fine city for romance, thanks to its beautiful architecture, charming old town and location next to the breathtaking Baltic coast. Here are some of the most unusual and interesting date ideas in a city with love in the air.
Dine out at the oldest restaurant in the city
Restaurant, Polish, European
Kubicki restaurant in Gdańsk survived the Free City of Danzig, World War II, and the era of communism, and is now celebrating its 100th year of service. It is a cosy and romantic venue, perfect for a spontaneous dinner date – though at weekends you’ll need to book a table in advance. Menu-wise, try the crayfish soup and the local Gdańsk style pierogi. It also happens to be the oldest restaurant in Gdańsk.
Admire the views together from the top of the big wheel
Gdańskhas a large ferris wheel, known as Amber Sky Koło Widokowe. Amber Sky has cosy booths with room for a couple to get close, and head up in their own capsule to get a glimpse of this gorgeous city from above. It’s a quick and easy date idea and nobody will really see you at the very top where you can enjoy a romantic kiss against a magnificent skyline.
Drink craft beer in a wardrobe
Bar, Cafe, Restaurant
Pop into the city’s very cool Cafe Szafa (wardrobe cafe!). Once through the door, admire the nooks and crannies of a special bar with intriguing decor featuring skeletons, various mirrors and hanging bicycles. Once you’ve ordered two pristine craft beers from the bar, head downstairs and get ready for an open door, into a secret room. It’s bigger than your average wardrobe.
Learn Polish together
Cafe, Restaurant
Polish is considered a tough language to learn. So if either you or your date are not native Polish speakers – how about a challenge? Learn Polish together! Get in touch with Pani Alina who runs Learn Polish in Gdańsk and ask for a special lesson. The lesson can be held in the classroom, or to spice things up a bit, ask for a museum or coffee shop lesson. Free tea, coffee, water and biscuits are provided.
Take a cruise on a genuine pirate ship
Bar, Restaurant
The peninsula of Hel is accessible from Gdańsk on a boat cruise – but go one step further and give your partner a date to really remember. Don some pirate attire and board either the Czarna Perła (Black Pearl) or the Galeon Lew (Lion’s Galleon) and head out to sea on board a pirate ship. Tours leave from near the Gdańsk Crane and you should try and book in advance. There is a full restaurant and bar on board the boat.
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Local company Eat Polska operate a food tour in the Tri-City. Although officially it is based in nearby Gdynia, this is well worth the 25-minute train ride. It’s a four-hour non-stop food tour that also includes a visit to the harbour, lunch on a boat and a mandatory vodka shot. Not only will be sampling more than eight mini meals, but it is all authentic local Polish food. You can make it a double date and invite another couple, but be sure to turn up with an empty stomach, as there is a lot of food to consume. The tour starts at Gdynia train station.
Lose your inhibitions at a nudist beach
If you already know your date well, you won’t be shy about losing your clothes together and getting naked. Stogi beach near Gdańsk is the only Polish nudist beach accessible from a big city, by public transportation. You can get there by car, bus or by using trams number 8 or 13. The nude section starts about one kilometre to the right. It’s a good place for a romantic kiss and skinny dipping, even in winter.
Believe it or not, there is a wonderful little restaurant in Gdańsk famous for its potato-dominated menu. Pyra Bar is the perfect place to have a date where you can only eat potato! Well, with a few other interesting items thrown in. They have potato cakes, potato bread, potato casserole and even potato-based desserts. It’s a definite way to impress your partner while also sipping good cocktails, beers or the homemade kefir.
Watch a Shakespeare play
If you’re in the mood for some highbrow culture and have the language skills to match, take your loved one to the stylish Shakespearetheatre and watch a romantic tragedy, or a comedy. Romeo and Juliet perhaps? Or Anthony and Cleopatra? Check the Shakespeare Theatre website for current performances. The venue opened in 2014 and has excellent acoustics.
Drink hot beer at the beach
Bar, Restaurant
Brzeźno is one of a number of splendid beaches in Gdańsk – head out to the district by tram, before making the short walk to the pier. Stop for an ice cream en-route at one of the many stalls, before taking a romantic walk along Brzeźno beach and pier. On the pier itself is the bar Gruba Ryba (chubby fish) – this is the restaurant to end the date with some tasty local seafood and that yummy Polish tipple, Grzane Piwo (hot beer).
Get locked in a room together and try to escape
Once you have broken the ice on your date, head to Escape Rooms where you’ll be locked in a room together and need to solve a puzzle to escape! There are six themed rooms, all with unique and secret challenges: the Amber Room, the Lab Of Dr. Lev Pasted, the Office Of John Monroe, the Room Of The Lost Child, the Flight No. C4, and the Exorcism. The price for two people is 98 PLN ($20 USD).
What better way to enjoy physical exercise, see some sights and spend time with your loved one than a bicycle trip along the coast from Gdańsk to Sopot? En route, make various stops at strategic points for a water break. A good route could start in the Długi Targ(long market square), head through the old town past the bridge of love locks, then through the old Shipyard and along the coast from Brzeźno beach.
Attend a Lechia Gdańsk match
Gdańsk’s beloved local football team Lechia Gdańsk play in a huge amber-themed stadium in the city’s Stadion Energa. This stadium was used in Euro 2012 and has a huge capacity of 43,165. It’s not just about the match either – a day out here is full of fun and surprises. Pre-match you can arrange a tour of the stadium, head to the supporters club shop, have a beer and lunch in the green and white bar and meet the lion! This lion is the lucky charm and mascot of Lechia Gdańsk. Make sure you weer green and white colours and sit in the home end. When the crowd sings, get to know the songs and cheer on the team.
A travel writer, perpetual tourist and long term blogger, Jonny grew up in Northern Ireland but his global adventures have seen him live in Australia, Uruguay, England, Kyrgyzstan, Poland and Hong Kong. With 30 years writing experience, Jonny is a veteran writer with a taste for the unusual and quirky. Jonny's 150 country journey around the world saw him feed hyenas in Ethiopia, play football in Afghanistan, hitch-hike in Iraq and visit disputed regions unrecognised by the UN. Jonny is usually based in Poland but is never far away from another adventure and runs travel blogs in several niches.
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