41 of the Best Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
If you’re planning a trip to northern Poland, you’ll want to make time for the best things to do in Gdansk. This colorful port city is full of charm, from its pastel Old Town facades to its fascinating maritime history and buzzing waterfront promenade.
It might not get as much attention as Kraków or Warsaw, but it actually quickly became one of our favorite cities in Eastern Europe, and it certainly is one you’l want to add to your bucket list.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the top sights, local experiences, and hidden corners to help you make the most of your time in one of Poland’s most underrated cities.
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The Best Things to Do in Gdansk: a Brief Intro to the City
Before going over all of the fun things to do in Gdansk, Poland, let’s go over some of the basics, like why Gdansk is famous, and whether or not it’s worth a visit.
🤩 What is Gdansk Famous For?
Gdansk is known for being one one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, and for its distinct architecture with colorful facades. It’s an important port city, is a big producer of Amber, and also played an important part in WWII, making it a fascinating city to visit for a variety of travelers.
🤔 Is it Worth Visiting Gdansk?
Gdansk is absolutely worth visiting! The architecture is beautiful, the vibe is great, and there are so many fun things to do in Gdansk. It’s a fabulous getaway for any kind of traveler.
Whether you want to dive into the history, enjoy adventurous activities, or simply party the weekend away, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Gdansk.
⏳ How Many Days in Gdansk is Enough?
Gdansk is the type of city that is perfect for a weekend getaway. 2-3 days is enough time to visit the highlights and enjoy a few fun activities. If you want a more relaxed itinerary, or to really dive into all of the best things to do in Gdansk, then you could easily spend 4-6 days there.
The Best Things to Do in Gdansk
So, are you ready to explore all of the best things to do in Gdansk, Poland? This is the heart of our guide, where we’ll be sharing top sights for first-time visitors, fun food & drink experiences, and unique activities for the adventurers.
There’s something for everyone in Poland’s grand port city, so let’s dive right in and explore all of the best things to do in Gdansk!
👀 The Best Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland: Sightseeing
First thing’s first, let’s go into the top things to see in Gdansk. From exploring the most significant buildings to chasing beautiful views, here are some of the best things to do in Gdansk, Poland when it comes to sightseeing.
❣️ Explore the Historic Center
As soon as you’re visiting any new European city, the first thing you’ll want to do is explore its historic center. Gdansk has some truly stunning architecture, and simply walking around and enjoying its beauty is an activity in itself worth setting time aside for.
🚶🏻♀️ Go on a Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to really discover the city is by taking a free a walking tour. Not only will your guide bring you to all of the main highlights of the city, but you’ll learn important stories and explore hidden gems that make the history of Gdansk so special.
We always use GuruWalk, because the guides are fantastic and are always local. Tours are always 100% free – just remember to leave a tip after!
🤩 Check Out the Top Sites of Gdansk
Now that you’ve wandered around, and maybe have done a tour, let’s look at a list of hot spots to visit. If you haven’t seen all of them, then here are some of the top sites you shouldn’t miss out on.
🏛️ Visit the Top Museums and Historical Sites
Gdansk has a layered and complex history — from medieval trade to World War II and the fall of communism. These are some of the top museums and historical sites to visit while in town:
👀 Best Things to Do in Gdansk: Unique Sightseeing Tours
Tired of walking? Switch things up with one of these fun ways to see the city.
🚙 Retro Car Tour
Cruise through the city in a vintage communist-era car with a local driver-guide. It’s a unique twist on just hiring a driver for the day, and allows you to see the highlights without putting in a million steps.
🚲 Bike Tour
Going on a bike tour is an excellent way to still be active while exploring, but you’ll cover more ground and also discover neighborhoods outside the historic center.
⛵️ Boat Tour
Being surrounded by water, one of the absolute best things to do in Gdansk is to enjoy it by boat. You can find traditional Polish boats that will sail around the city’s waters while you learn about the history of Poland’s top port city.
Here are some fun boat trips you can sign up for to see Gdansk:
🛴 Segway or E-Scooter Tour
Looking for a fun way to move in a group without having to walk? Hopping on a Segway tour or e-scooter tour is a great option.
🏍️ Quad Biking Adventure
Want to explore outside the city in a fun and thrilling way? Then don’t miss the awesome quad biking adventures that take you through the Polish countryside.
🛶 Kayaking or Paddle Boarding
Explore the canals and riverfront while working your arms and soaking up the sun – it’s the perfect way to get some activity in while enjoying the picturesque waters that surround Gdansk.
💦 Jet Ski Rental
This is another fun way to enjoy being out on the water, perfect for the thrill-seekers.
😎 Best Things to Do in Gdansk: Cool Ways to Enjoy the City
Now that you’ve done a bit of sightseeing, let’s look at some other activities you can enjoy throughout the city.
🎡 Ride the Amber Sky Ferris Wheel
Get a bird’s-eye view of Gdansk’s Old Town and Motława River by hopping on the Amber Sky Ferris Wheel – it’s family-friendly, and gives stunning panoramas of this pretty city.
🕰️ Climb the Clock Tower of Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Looking for even more stunning views of the city? This church doesn’t just have a stunning interior, but it has a clock tower you can climb up for some of the best panoramas of the old town.
💎 Go Amber Shopping
Gdansk is famous for its amber, and there’s no shortage of shops and stalls to browse for unique souvenirs. We particularly love Mariacka Street, which is full of vendors, and really picturesque to walk down.
🛍️ Browse the Craft Markets
Gdansk has some incredibly talented artisans, and one of the best things to do in the city is to take something home with you that a local has created.
Since we visited during the holiday season, there were some truly incredible markets to enjoy. I had to be dragged out by Fede because I was spending too much money.
🛥️ Take a Yacht Cruise or Sunset Cruise
We mentioned taking a boat tour as one of the best things to do in Gdansk, but if you’re looking for more of a relaxing or fun ride rather than educational, then check out one of the offers below!
Whether you’re hopping on a romantic sunset sail, renting out a yacht, or joining a catamaran with live music, you’re sure to enjoy a boat ride around this beautiful city.
🍸 Have Dinner and Cocktails at Olivia Star
Head to the top of this skyscraper for some the best panoramic views of Gdansk, along with cocktails, a fine-dining experience, or both!
🍴 Dine at Chleb i Wino
Typically we separate our guides when it comes to food and activities, but we simply couldn’t leave Chleb i Wino out of our guide for the best things to do in Gdansk.
With 3 different locations, this restaurant is one of the trendiest chains you can dine at. Full of vibrant lights, sculpted fountains, and gorgeous chandeliers, this is more than just a meal out.
We ended up spending almost 4 hours at Chleb i Wino trying a variety of plates in a family-style fashion and sipping on cocktail towers. It’s traditional Polish food with a modern twist, and one of the coolest places to have dinner at. Just make sure to reserve well in advance!
🍽️ Best Things to Do in Gdansk for the Foodies
Polish food is rich, hearty, and full of flavor. These activities give you a deeper taste of the local culture, and are definitely some of the best things to do in Gdansk if you’re a foodie.
🚤 Go on a Breakfast Cruise
We’ve mentioned several boat rides already, but seriously – Gdansk knows how to do them. Sail around the city and you enjoy coffee and Polish pastries. It’s the perfect way to start the day.
🍜 Join a Food & Sightseeing Tour
Combine history and bites with a local guide who’ll introduce you to Gdansk’s culinary scene. It’s the perfect blend of education and food.
🥟 Take a Pierogi Making Class
There’s nothing like bringing home recipes from different countries, and in these classes you can learn how to prepare Poland’s most famous dumplings and eat them fresh.
🥔 Try the Polish Vodka & Food Experience
Discover how vodka pairs with traditional dishes while learning about Polish drinking culture – it’s one of the best things to do in Gdansk to enjoy the cuisine and get a little tipsy all in one!
🎉 Best Things to Do in Gdansk for the Partiers
Now that you know all of the best things to do in Gdansk for foodies, let’s have a bit more fun! If you’re looking to liven up your stay and party a little, then here are some must-try activities.
🔫 Best Things to Do in Gdansk for Adventure & Creativity
Looking for some unique activities in Gdansk? These are some fun things to do that are great if you are in a big group or have some extra time in the city.
🚐 Best Things to Do in Gdansk: Day Trips
Have a few extra days? These are easy trips that offer something different from city life.
The Best Things to Do in Gdansk: Final Thoughts & Tips
Now you know all of the best things to do in Gdansk, Poland! Before you go though, we’re going to share some of the basics for visiting the city.
✈️ Getting to Gdansk: Gdansk has its own airport, but also is well-connected to other cities by bus, train, and even by sea.
🚗 Getting Around Gdansk: Most of Gdansk can be done on foot, but you can also use public buses, Uber, Bolt, or taxis.
🚰 Tap Water: You can drink straight from the tap, and also ask for tap water at restaurants.
🗣️ Language: The official language is Polish, and plenty of people do speak English too.
🛂 Entry: Poland is part of the EU and Schengen Zone.
🍴 Food & Drink: Poland has a heavy cuisine based on animal products. The city has a lot of cute cafes, particularly in the Wyspa Spichrzow area.
☀️ Weather: Gdansk has really cold and snowy winters with short days, and sunny, mild summers with very long days.
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know all of the best things to do in Gdansk, Poland and some quick facts about visiting, you’ll probably want to know more of the details of what it’s like traveling in the city. We have a few more guides about Gdansk we can share with you:
🚗 How to get around Gdansk
📖 Complete Gdansk travel guide
So are you ready for an amazing trip to one of Poland’s most beautiful cities? We hope you enjoy all of the best things to do in Gdansk. Want to learn more? Stay tuned for more upcoming guides about this city!
Want to learn about some of the other nearby cities as well? We have several Tallinn travel guides, Riga travel guides, and Vilnius travel guides for you to check out. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates, along with exclusive content and discounts saved just for our email list.
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