Gdansk for the weekend - attractions worth visiting.
Gdansk is a historical thousand-year-old Hanseatic center, which is the capital of Eastern Pomerania. It is located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the shore of the Gulf of Gdansk. Gdansk captivates with its beautiful, stunning architecture and unusual atmosphere. He has always commanded the admiration and admiration of guests, mainly due to his wealth. That is why Gdansk is often and willingly visited by tourists from all over Europe and beyond, which is facilitated by convenient air, land and sea connections even with the most remote corners of the globe. In the past, representatives of different nationalities came here, and many of them settled in Gdansk forever. Among them were outstanding architects, traces of whose activities can still be admired on the streets of Gdansk. Together with modern Gdynia and the famous Sopot, Gdansk forms the Triple City, which is extremely attractive for tourists.
What sights to see in Gdansk?
It is impossible to describe the beauty of this city, you just have to come here and see it with your own eyes. Beautiful in summer, beautiful in winter when it is decorated with lights. It is also one of the greenest cities in Poland. There are beautiful forests, a landscape park, nature reserves and monuments. Read our guide and discover the best places to visit in Gdansk!
1. Mariacka Street in Gdansk
Maryacka Street is the heart of Gdansk, maybe not everyone directs their first steps here, but this is the place that captivates the most in all of Gdansk. Walking through this city, it is simply impossible not to notice. The street is one of the shortest streets in the Main City, but it is amazing, closed off on one side by St Mary's Church and on the other by St Mary's Gate. Unfortunately, Maryacka Street in Gdansk is not original, because, like the rest of Gdansk, it was badly damaged during the Second World War. However, it has been carefully reconstructed and is the only street in Gdansk with a set of characteristic entrances that once adorned many of the streets of Gdansk. Today, in addition to Mariacka Street, they can be seen, for example, on Pivna Street next to several apartment buildings or on the quiet Ogarna Street. At the porch on Mariacka Street, you can often see gargoyles - decorative and charming ends of the gutters. Narrow facades, those flower-decorated porches with gargoyles in the form of fantastic creatures and a narrow pavement make it just fine here. Be sure to visit Mariacka Street during your visit to Gdansk, especially since you can see and who is richer, buy beautiful jewelry and other products from amber - "Baltic Gold".
2. Embankment of the river Motlawa and Crane.
The embankment on the Motlawa River is called Dlugie Pobrzeże, it starts behind the Green Gate, at the Green Bridge. It's worth taking a walk and crossing the bridge here to admire the beautiful panorama of Gdansk with tenement houses, reconstructed granaries and ships sailing on the river. The Crane standing at 67/68 Sheroka Street is striking here - this is the most characteristic building in the whole city, which is a symbol of Gdansk. It was the largest port crane in medieval Europe, it was used for transshipment of cargo and the erection of masts, and at the same time it was a city gate and a port fortress. The crane standing over the Motlawa River is a branch of the National Maritime Museum, as are the granaries on Olowianka and the ship Soldek moored next to them.
3. Dluga and Dlugy Targ Streets in Gdansk
Dluga and Dlugi Targ in Gdansk are the most popular and beautiful streets of the city, forming the Royal Route. Dluga Street runs from the 17th century Golden Gate to the City Hall, where the Long Market begins and leads to the mighty Green Gate, built in the Mannerist style in the 16th century. Both of these gates replaced the earlier, Gothic ones. The Royal Way continues along the Motlawa River to Zhurava. It is on Dluga and Dlugi Targ that the most magnificent buildings of Gdansk are located, such as the magnificent Main Town Hall built in the 14th century, the Ufagen House of the 18th century open to tourists, the Artus Court - a wonderful place for merchant brotherhoods or, of course, the popular Neptune Fountain adorning Dlugi Targ from the 17th century. These are the most famous buildings, but each apartment building here has its own history and attracts attention with unusual decoration. It used to be a place of trade, and the richest residents of Gdansk lived here. Their wealth is surprising even today, although the tenements were reconstructed after war damage.
4. European Solidarity Center
The European Solidarity Center or ECS is a modern and fantastic place founded in 2007 in the famous Gdansk shipyard. The center is dedicated to the fall of communism in Poland and throughout Europe. This is an extremely deep interactive museum, where the words: society, democracy and dialogue take on a special meaning. The center has become really big, you can visit it for hours, listening to the audio guide and watching the various multimedia available at the exhibitions. The little ones will also find their place here in the multimedia educational room called "Play Department". Cafes and restaurants are waiting for everyone. There is an interesting observation deck on the roof of the EKS. The city and the cranes of the shipyard, whose famous gates are known throughout Europe and beyond. In front of the EKS, on Solidarity Square, there are three high crosses with anchors - the Monument to the dead shipyard workers. They weigh almost 140 tons and are 42 meters high!
5. Hevelianum and Mount Gradowa in Gdansk
Hevelianum is a great place for a family vacation where science, history and fun meet. In the buildings of the former fort, the smallest and a little older can learn many secrets of science in the field of physics, astronomy, mathematics or biology, and even ecology. Numerous interactive installations allow you to have fun and at the same time understand the laws of science. The entire Fort was built on Gradowa Hill - the green island of Gdansk, so it is also a great place for walking and admiring the panorama of Gdansk
6. Olivia Star
Olivia Star, grew up in Olivia, Gdansk. This is a brand new building in Gdansk, which quickly gained popularity throughout Poland! Its height is 180 meters, which makes it one of the tallest buildings in our country. This height refers to the famous August 1980 events in Gdansk, and the architecture of the top of the Olivia star refers to the neighboring Gala Olivia. It is impressive that at a height of 130 meters, on the 32nd floor of Olivia Star, there is an observation deck from which you can admire the beautiful panorama not only of Gdansk, but also of the Tricity and the Baltic Sea. This place fills up especially at sunset when the view is amazing.
7. Pivna Street
Pivna Street, next to Mariacka Street, is the second such charming street in Gdansk, with porches, gargoyles and colorful apartment buildings with narrow and high facades preserved in several places. There are many pubs and vegetation, which adds to the atmosphere of this place. On one side Pivnu street is adorned with the famous Basilica of St. Mary, and on the other side it is closed by the magnificent Great Armoury, an impressive richly decorated building. The city arsenal was created in the 17th century and belongs to the Dutch influence. Today it is the seat of the Academy of Fine Arts.
8. Granary in Gdansk
Wyspa Spichrzów is located in Śródmieście, on the Motlawa River. From the north it adjoins the island of Olovyanka. This is the former warehouse part of economic Gdansk, that is, a port on the Motlawa River. Around 1330, the first granaries of the Main City were built here, it was here that representatives of different cultures and peoples met in connection with the trade contacts of Gdansk. Hence, in the old names of granaries there were many references to distant lands and their inhabitants. They were: the Netherlands, Jerusalem, Lübeck, Hungary or Turkey. There were also references to exotic fauna and flora such as: a parrot, an elephant, a whale, a polar bear, a coffee tree, a yellow lion, three lemons, and a palm tree. Currently, a large-scale work has been done to revitalize the Granary, granaries have been erected here, which are partly ancient buildings, and partly represent a modern style, which, however, blends very nicely with tradition here. Wyspa Spichrzów is another trendy and beautiful corner of Gdansk with cafes, restaurants and hotels. The place is still developing.
9. Fountain of Neptune
The Fountain of Neptune, that is, the former Well of Neptune, has adorned Dlugi Targ since the 17th century, when this Roman god of the seas was willingly used in fountains. The famous Gdansk Neptune is located opposite the beautiful Artus Court and delights tourists. It is unlikely that there will be a person who would pass here and not take a picture. The intricate fence of the fountain is decorated with the coats of arms of the city and Polish eagles. The architecture around is so wonderful that it takes your breath away, and I would like to add that a legend is connected with Neptune, namely, that it was Neptune who first created the famous Gdansk liqueur Goldwasser. He was annoyed that tourists threw coins into the fountain, and he broke them with his trident, and these, combined with water, made a delicious drink
10. Basilica of Saint Mary
The famous Church of St. Mary in Gdansk is an extremely impressive Gothic church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - one of the largest brick churches in the world. It has a volume of 155,000 cubic meters and a tower about 80 meters high! You can climb 400 steps! The construction of the Basilica of St. Mary in Gdansk began in the 14th century, more precisely in 1343, and continued for more than 150 years. The façade has retained its Gothic austerity to this day, and in the modest interior you can admire wonderful monuments - valuable works of Gothic and Baroque art. The greatest admiration is caused by a huge astronomical clock, consisting of three parts. It was built in the 15th century by the master Hans Dürner from Torun. The main altar is also impressive - the work of master Michael Schwarz from Augsburg. The Basilica of St. Mary is called the crown of the city of Gdansk.
11. Oliva Cathedral
Oliva is a quiet and charming district of Gdansk, located at the foot of the Tricity Landscape Park. Here is a delightful post-Cistercian park of the 18th century, the heart of which is the Oliwa Cathedral. This is the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin and St. Bernard, built in the 13th century as a Cistercian temple. This Gothic basilica is the longest church in Poland. It is built in the form of a Latin cross and is 107 meters long. The interior is interesting, and the biggest decoration here is the famous 18th century organ in the Rococo style by master Wolf. Organ concerts are organized here every year.
12. The Old Town of Gdansk with the Old Town Hall
The centerpiece of the Old Town is the late-Renaissance Old Town Hall from the late 16th century, a brick building topped by a soaring tower. This is an example of Gdansk mannerism. Currently, these beautiful historic interiors house the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre. Next to the town hall is a statue of the astronomer Jan Hevelius. He lived on this street and in the 17th century was a councillor, attending city council meetings in this town hall. In the Old Town, you should pay attention to the church of St. Ekaterina. It is here, in turn, that the tomb of Jan Hevelius is located. The temple dates back to the 13th century, and the tower, more than 70 meters high, today houses a carillon, a copy of an instrument from the 16th century, consisting of 50 bells. This is the largest carillon in this part of Europe. It is reported to weigh over 17,000 kg. Near the church of St. Katarzyna impresses with its size. The Great Mill is a witness of medieval technical architecture. It has a huge gable roof and 18 water wheels. Next to the mill there is a fountain with multi-colored night illumination.
13. Lighthouse in Gdansk
The lighthouse of Gdansk stands in the New Port. This building is from the end of the 19th century and at the same time one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea and even on its entire coast. This is where World War II began. In 2004, the lighthouse was made accessible to tourists. Inside, you can admire historical optical instruments and an exhibition of lighthouses. From above, a beautiful panorama of the port of Gdansk, Westerplatte and the Gulf of Gdansk opens up.
14. Zoo in Gdansk
Another attraction of Gdansk is the beautifully located zoo in Gdansk Oliva. It is located at Karwienska 3 and is worth a visit, especially when visiting Gdansk with children. The zoo was founded in the 1950s and originally exhibited animals donated by residents, mostly sailors brought back from long voyages. Then it was mostly monkeys and parrots. Today you will find about 200 species of animals, including babies, which in a special petting zoo allow you to have close contact with your pets.
15. Amber Museum
For many years, the unique Amber Museum was located near the Royal Route in the main city of Gdansk, but now it is located in the friendlier and more spacious interior of the Great Mill in the Old Town. Gdansk definitely deserves the title of World Amber Capital, as amber, the gold of the Baltic Sea, has been used here for centuries to produce both jewelry and household items. The museum offers a modern and multimedia exhibition that will introduce everyone to the extraordinary history of amber. Among the exhibits you will see amber nuggets from around the world, plants and animals embedded in them, as well as masterpieces of old masters and a collection of modern art.
16. Wisloujście Fortress in Gdansk
The Wisloujscie Fortress is located on the Martva Vistula, in the northern part of Gdansk. This is a unique monument, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, today a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Gdansk.
17. Bypass Motlava
The Motlawa River is a former ditch and mouth of the Motlawa, flowing around the bastions of the fortifications of the Lower City of Gdansk. Today it is a beautifully refurbished area that has become a great place to walk, with history in the background. A park for walks and recreation was created here, hiding former forts, such as Gertrude's Bastion, after reconstruction. Almost 10 km of walking and cycling paths delight residents and tourists.
18. Dominican Fair
The Dominican Fair is an annual city celebration. Incredibly, it has been held in Gdansk since 1260! At the turn of July and August and usually lasts about 3 weeks. Today, during the fair, artisans, handicraft sellers, jewelers and hobbyists set up their stalls on many streets of the city. At this time, the city is visited by crowds of tourists.
19. Westerplatte
Westerplatte is a symbolic place in Gdansk, in its northern part, at the mouth of the Martva Vistula River. On Henryk Sucharski Street there is a famous monument dedicated to the unequal struggle against the German invaders in 1939. The symbolic moment of the beginning of the Second World War is considered to be shots from the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein, which were fired at Westerplatte on September 1, 1939 at 4 hours 48 minutes in the morning. The almost 7-day defense of a military warehouse by Polish soldiers was considered heroic, since there were about 200 Polish soldiers and 8 times more German ones.
20. Sobieszewska Island
Sobieszewo Island is a mysterious island that hides World War II memorabilia. This is a seaside area of Gdansk, located about 15 km from the city center. It is one of three islands on the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea and the only Polish island created by human activity. Since 1994, Wyspa Sobieszewska has had the status of an ecological island that invites you to relax in the lap of nature.
