The Top Things to See and Do in Gdansk, Poland
Situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is Poland’s principal seaport and one of its biggest tourist destinations. It boasts several important historical attractions, such as the Royal Way, famous promenade street of Polish kings, along with historic cathedrals, medieval ports and oodles of cool cafes.
St. Dominic’s Fair
Hosting Saint Dominic’s Fair is definitely one of the longest of the city’s traditions. It was first established in 1260 by Pope Alexander IV and is still running today. The fair takes place for three weeks from the last Saturday of July. The main attraction is a huge market with local and foreign sellers presenting antiques, handmade goods and more. The market is accompanied by a series of cultural events such as street theatre, concerts, parades, sports events and competitions. Every year it attracts around 5 million people and about 1,000 artisans, merchants and artists.
The Royal Way
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.
The European Solidarity Centre
Building, Museum
Mariacka Street
Ulica Mariacka is one of the most beautiful streets in Gdansk’s old town. It contains stunning architectural pieces as well as many souvenir stalls and stores. It is a must for any visitor to have a cup of coffee in one of the lovely little cafes scattered along the street and have a look in the many amber jewellery shops it’s known for. It’s a very romantic street, great for having a walk in the evening when all lit up, or a glass of wine in a spot like Literacka, surrounded by charmingly decorated, colorful old houses.
Dlugi Targ
The Shakespeare Festival
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.
St. Mary's Church
Building, Church
The Abbots' Palace
Museum, Park
Sounds of the North Festival
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.