Gdansk Things To Do: An In-Depth City Guide

Gdansk is a city located in Poland on the Baltic Sea coast. It is a popular tourist destination due to its diverse culture and history. It is estimated that the city has around 460,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Gdansk is a city of great historical significance. It was the birthplace of the Solidarity Movement, which was instrumental in bringing down communism in Eastern Europe in 1989. It also played a major role in the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), and is home to Europe’s oldest active port. This port has served as a major trading hub for centuries, and is still going strong today.

Gdansk is also renowned for its beautiful architecture, with many of its buildings displaying a unique mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The city also features many interesting monuments and landmarks, including the Long Market, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary, the Artus Court, and the Golden Gate.

Gdansk is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene. The city’s many bars, pubs, and clubs are renowned for their lively atmosphere and eclectic mix of music. Gdansk also has many excellent restaurants and cafes, offering a wide range of cuisines from Polish specialties to international dishes.

Exploring Gdansk’s Historic Old Town

Gdansk’s Old Town is a great place to start any visit to the city. This fascinating area is home to many beautiful buildings and monuments that tell the story of the city’s history and culture. The Long Market (Dlugi Targ) is the heart of Old Town Gdansk and a great place to get your bearings. This square dates back to the 12th century and is surrounded by impressive buildings such as the Gothic Artus Court, which was once the seat of government in Gdansk.

At one end of the Long Market is the Golden Gate, which dates back to 1612 and is topped with an impressive baroque dome and intricately carved sculptures. Other must-visit sites in Old Town include the Gothic St Mary’s Church, which features a beautiful altar painting by Rembrandt; the Neptune Fountain; and the towering Upland Gate.

Learn About Gdansk’s Rich Maritime History

Gdansk’s maritime heritage can be explored at several different sites around the city. The Harbour Museum (Muzeum Morskie) is housed in a former grain warehouse and tells the story of Gdansk’s port through interactive exhibits and displays. Here visitors can learn about the city’s role in maritime commerce over the centuries, see models of famous ships that sailed from Gdansk’s harbour, and explore a replica of a sailor’s cabin from a 19th-century sailing vessel.

The Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Swiatowej) offers another insight into Gdansk’s maritime history. This museum focuses on the 1939 invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and features audio-visual displays, interactive exhibits, and an extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs.

Discover Gdansk’s Cultural Side

Gdansk is a great place to experience Polish culture first-hand. The Solidarity Museum (Muzeum Solidarnosci) is dedicated to the history of the Solidarity Movement and features interactive exhibits and audio-visual displays about the struggle for workers’ rights in Poland. The European Solidarity Centre (Centrum Solidarnosci Europejskiej) is located nearby and offers an insight into the development of democracy in Poland through its interactive exhibits and multimedia displays.

The National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe Gdańsk) is another must-visit cultural site in Gdansk. This museum houses an impressive collection of fine art, including works by Rembrandt and Rubens, as well as an extensive collection of Polish and European paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Experience Gdansk’s Vibrant Nightlife

Gdansk has a vibrant nightlife scene with many lively bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants to choose from. The city’s Old Town area is a popular nightspot with plenty of venues offering live music, DJs, and entertainment. The nearby Westerplatte Street (ulica Westerplatte) is also worth exploring for its many bars, pubs, and clubs.

For those looking for something more laid-back, Gdansk also has many excellent restaurants serving up a variety of dishes from Polish specialties to international cuisine. Many of these restaurants have outdoor terraces where you can soak up some sunshine during the warmer months or enjoy a romantic dinner with spectacular views over the harbor.

Take a Tour of Gdansk

Taking a tour of Gdansk is a great way to learn more about its interesting history, culture, and architecture. One popular tour option is a guided walking tour of Gdansk’s Old Town area, which takes visitors past many of the city’s most famous monuments and historical sites. This tour usually lasts around two hours and includes stops at sites such as Neptune Fountain, St Mary’s Church, Artus Court, Long Market, and Golden Gate.

Another popular tour option is a guided tour of Gdansk’s harbor area. This tour takes visitors around some of the city’s most interesting maritime sights such as ships’ bridges, quayside cranes, warehouses, and old shipyards. This tour usually lasts around two hours and includes stops at sites such as Harbour Museum, Maritime Museum, Westerplatte Monument, and Long Bridge.

Book an Old Town Walking Tour with Viator

For those looking for an engaging way to explore Gdansk’s Old Town area, an Old Town Walking Tour with Viator may be just what you’re looking for. This tour takes visitors past many of the city’s most famous monuments and historical sites such as Neptune Fountain, St Mary’s Church, Artus Court, Long Market, and Golden Gate. Your knowledgeable local guide will provide an entertaining insight into each site as you explore this fascinating area. The tour also includes access to several museums where you can learn more about Gdansk’s history and culture. To book your Old Town Walking Tour with Viator simply click here.

Book a Harbor Tour with GetYourGuide

For those looking for an exciting way to experience Gdansk’s harbor area then a Harbor Tour with GetYourGuide may be just what you’re looking for. This two-hour tour takes visitors around some of the city’s most interesting maritime sights such as ships’ bridges, quayside cranes, warehouses, and old shipyards. Your knowledgeable local guide will provide an entertaining insight into each site as you explore this fascinating area. The tour also includes access to several museums where you can learn more about Gdansk’s maritime heritage. To book your Harbor Tour with GetYourGuide simply click here.

Conclusion

Gdansk is a fascinating city full of history, culture, art, architecture, and entertainment. Whether you’re looking to explore its historic Old Town area or experience its vibrant nightlife scene there are plenty of things to do in Gdansk to keep you busy during your visit. Taking a tour is also a great way to learn more about Gdansk’s fascinating history or explore its harbor area in more detail. So why not book one of these popular tours today?