16 Must-Visit Attractions in Gdańsk, Poland

Of all the lanes in Gdańsk’s maze-like old town, Mariacka Street is its most iconic – and certainly its most photogenic. This quaint, cobbled avenue is lined with the city’s most renowned amber jewellers. Here you’ll find everything from gorgeous pairs of golden earrings to miniature wooden trees with translucent leaves. Known locally as just Mariacka, the street – which connects St. Mary’s Basilica with the waterfront – is also home to cosy cafés and cool art galleries.

Looking to escape the busy streets of Gdańsk? Stogi Plaza is a short tram ride from central Gdańsk and offers reams of gorgeous sandy coastline, perfect for topping up that tan. Nearby, there are also bars, restaurants and shops, plus parking; though it is more convenient to travel by tram from central Gdańsk. Changing facilities and toilets are also available, alongside a library where you can borrow a book to read on the beach.

No trip to this historic port city would be complete without a stroll along Dlugie Pobrzeze, also known as the Motlawa River Embankment. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s most illustrious architecture – including The Crane and several water gates – and is a popular spot for photo opportunities. In the summer months, the embankment is humming with activity and its cobbled streets are lined with people enjoying a spot of al fresco dining.

Opened in 2017, the Museum of the Second World War is one of Poland’s most popular contemporary tourist attractions. This world-famous war museum offers an in-depth – and haunting – walkthrough of Poland’s involvement and suffering during World War II. If you don’t have time to take a trip down to Auschwitz-Birkenau in the south of Poland, this is the museum you need to visit. Bring snacks – the self-guided tour takes several hours.

Westerplatte provides a poignant reminder of Poland’s heroic efforts against Nazi soldiers during World War II. This site marks the spot where the war started on 1 September 1939. Follow a short history trail along the peninsula, which leads to a monument in memory of the fallen soldiers. The site has been left largely untouched and includes several original barracks and bunkers. It’s easily reachable from Gdańsk via a short boat trip.

St Mary’s Basilica – believed to be the largest brick church in the world – is impossible to miss. This beautiful, gothic-style 15th-century church towers above the city. It is so grandiose in size that it can hold up to 25,000 people. Inside, there are 30 chapels and 300 tombstones, while unrivalled city views can be found atop the bell tower. Be warned though; you will need to scale about 400 steps.

Ulica Długa – meaning the Long Lane in Polish – connects the Golden Gate with the Green Gate. It is arguably the city’s most thriving thoroughfare. Between the iconic gates, you’ll find a pastel-hued street of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars frequented by locals and tourists alike. At the eastern end, the historic Ratusz Town Hall takes prominence, while the World War II merchant house museum, Uphagen’s House, towards the western end is well worth visiting.

St. Dominik’s Fair is the largest open-air trade and cultural event in Poland – and one of the biggest celebrations of its kind in Europe. For over 750 years, it has brought together local traders who showcase regional delicacies, crafts and arts – including a few weird and wonderful wares. Make sure you time your visit over these few weeks in July and August.

Perhaps Gdańsk’s most iconic waterside symbol, The Crane is a medieval port crane that played a huge part in loading and unloading ships that passed through the city’s waterways. The original crane was believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1442, rebuilt two years later and is now a popular tourist attraction showcasing Gdańsk’s maritime history. When standing under the crane, make sure to look up for the human hamster wheel, which powered the mechanism.

Consecrated in 1594, Oliwa Cathedral is an unusually striking building on the edge of Park Oliwski. Sandwiched between two pointed towers, Oliwa is the longest cathedral in Poland and is known for its stunning interiors and famous organ concerts. Bike tours from central Gdańsk can be combined with a short visit to the cathedral. Meanwhile, the surrounding park and its botanical gardens offer a sanctuary from the busy city.

The Royal Way is a spectacular path from the old city gate to the Motlawa river. It is also the main Old Town street, famous due to the Polish kings who used to parade along its length when visiting the city. Some of the main sights on the way are the Golden Gate, the Torture House, the Prison Tower and Neptune’s Fountain. It is advisable to read something of old Polish history before going on a walk there, however it is also a good chance to admire the beautifully reconstructed buildings, some dating back to the 14th century. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.

The European Solidarity Centre is a very new museum, situated in the Gdansk shipyard. However, it has already become one of the best tourist attractions in the city. It is spectacular in both its design and the exhibitions it contains. The Centre celebrates trades unions and their achievements, giving a lot of credit to the Solidarity movement in a series of thought-provoking exhibitions. The building is made of steel and its design is meant to resemble that of a ship, which makes it a worthwhile visit for all architecture lovers. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.

Dlugi Targ (Long Market) used to be the street where the main city market was held, but now it has become a major tourist attraction. Among other objects of interest, it features Neptune’s Fountain, which, according to legend, once started spouting Goldwasser, the trademark Gdansk liqueur. The bronze statue of Neptune was made by Flemish artist Peter Husen at the beginning of the 17th century and is the oldest secular monuments in the country. The Golden House, a beautiful 17th-century building with a richly ornamented facade displaying 12 elaborately carved historical scenes can also be seen on Dlugi. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.

Gdansk Shakespeare Festival is an annual festival held by the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre in the last week of July or the first week of August. It is an international event combining theatrical performances with artistic events, workshops and meetings with theatre directors. The event takes place in a Shakespearean theatre built on the historical site of a 17th-century playhouse where English travelling actors used to perform. It’s a must for all theatre lovers and widely recognised on the international theatre scene. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.

The Abbots’ Palace, located in the beautiful Oliwa Park, is a rococo artwork in itself. It is worth a visit not only for the beautiful surroundings of the park with its winding paths, relaxing ponds, huge hedges and an abundance of greenery, but also for what is contained inside. It is constituted of two parts, the ‘Old Palace’, built in the 15th century, and the ‘New Palace’, added in the first half of the 17th. It now contains the Department of Modern Art of the National Museum of Gdansk, along with a ‘Promotional Gallery’ dedicated to the exhibition of works by young artists. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.

This music festival, held in Gdansk every two years in July, is a good opportunity for every folk music enthusiast to get to know the traditional music of Poland and other countries of the Baltic region. There are ten countries represented in the festival each year: Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Ireland, Estonia, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Sweden and, of course, Poland. The festival invites performers to blend traditional folk music with contemporary sounds, in order to incorporate the genre into modern life and contemporary audiences. Recommended by Ieva Matiejunaite.