Attractions in the area

What is Gdańsk like?

Open, friendly, full of interesting places, with a historic soul and modern flair. It is a melting pot city: multicultural, diverse, perfectly connected to the whole world. It is a metropolis with a unique atmosphere, in which everyone will find something for themselves – the silence of museums, the atmosphere of monuments, 1000 years of historical knowledge, the sound of the sea, but also live music, modern cultural institutions, restaurants, pubs and much more…

So welcome to Gdańsk – go out on the town and take advantage of all the attractions it offers.

Here are some tips “to get you started”

Adam Mickiewicz Park in Gdańsk-Oliwa

A beautiful, historic park in Oliwa District in Gdańsk, an oasis of peace in the middle of the city. It is impossible to describe this place because, in every of its corners, there is something else waiting for you – the botanical part with specimens of flora from different continents, a magnificent palm house, whisper caves from the eighteenth century, the Oliwa Stream... In one part it is modelled on French baroque garden art, in another, you can admire an English-style park. It was founded on the initiative of abbot Jacek Rybiński in the first half of the 18th century, although as early as in the 15th century a beautiful park already existed in this place. The Abbots' Palace is located there, and right next to it the famous Oliwa Archcathedral. In the summer, visitors to the Oliwa Park include not only lovers of amazing greenery – the MOZARTIANA Festival of Mozart's music takes place there in August, and during the summer holidays, you can also participate in the series of concerts “Music in the Gazebo”.

Museum of the Second World War

It's a place which will leave its mark on you. Opened in 2017, it presents the history of World War II – the history of the most terrible conflict in the history of humanity. The museum has over 2,000 exhibits, 250 multimedia stands, 18 thematic sections, also an exhibition dedicated to children (nearly 5,000 square meters of exhibition). The Museum of the Second World War is also a place for lectures, workshops, meetings with experts as well as a place where lovers of board games (mainly war-themed) can spend their free time.

European Solidarity Centre (ECS)

It is a place whose purpose is to “promote the heritage of "Solidarity" in Poland and other countries and to actively participate in building the European identity”. Located in the vicinity of the historic Gdańsk Shipyard, at Trzech Krzyży Square. ECS conducts educational, publishing, scientific and exhibition activities. In addition to the permanent exhibition (“Roads to Freedom”), ECS headquarters also feature temporary and outdoor exhibitions; there is also a library and media library, a bookshop, a cafe and a garden open all year round.

Westerplatte

When you are in Gdańsk, it is worth visiting the place that is a symbolic beginning of World War II, which also for centuries served as a defence spot for Gdańsk. In 2011, thanks to the Museum of the Second World War, an educational path was opened, which allows you to learn about the architecture and topography of the Westerplatte area – you can see there, among other things, remains of buildings belonging to the Military Transit Depot, a replica of the railway gate, Guardhouse No. 1, as well as the symbolic Cemetery of the Defenders of Westerplatte.

Amber Museum

A must-see when visiting Gdańsk. It is located in the Foregate Complex of Długa Street and has unparalleled amber specimens in its collections which cannot be found in any other museum around the world, including a valuable collection of objects from the collection of Georg Laue, created in Gdańsk in the 16th-17th century. In the museum you can learn the fascinating history of the creation of the “Gold of the North” and inclusions, find out about the healing power of amber or take part in a demonstration of its processing.

Crane

The most characteristic Gdańsk monument is in fact the largest port crane in medieval Europe, as well as the fortified gate that once protected the city from the side of the port. This unusual specimen of the historic port building, a symbol of the Hanseatic power of Gdańsk, is also a beautiful setting for the exposition of the National Maritime Museum, which is located opposite the Crane, on the other side of Motława on the Ołowianka Island.

Artus Court

Among the medieval Hanseatic cities, Gdańsk held a special position, as was the Artus Court, which served the meetings of the city patriciate and city rulers. Such courts were built in the largest Hanseatic cities and were a symbol of the city's wealth and prestige. The Artus Court of Gdańsk is a place with an extremely rich history, and its facade and interior are among the most beautiful in the world. Its collections include hundreds of works of art and handicrafts from several centuries, including late Gothic sculpture “Saint George fighting the dragon”, considered a jewel of woodcarving art. You can also admire the 16th-century beer counter (the oldest bar in Poland) and the ship models unique on a global scale. We cannot fail to mention the 16th century largest tiled stove in Europe, measuring over 10 meters high and having five floors, created from 520 handmade tiles.

Mariacka Street

Pearl of Gdańsk. A walk on this quiet, charming street is a must. The street leads from St. Mary's Church to the long Pobrzeże and is closed by the medieval St. Mary's Gate. Wonderful stoops of narrow tenement houses decorated with fantastic gargoyles, porches decorated with sculptures, beautiful architecture of tenement houses – this is a street that reminds of the splendour and wealth of Gdańsk during the Golden Age. Today, on Mariacka Street, you can buy the most beautiful and unique pieces of amber jewellery, listen to music, drink good coffee and... breathe the atmosphere of old Gdańsk.

St. Mary's Basilica

The construction of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary lasted over a century and a half and it is the most powerful Gothic building in Gdańsk and one of the largest brick temples in the world. It can accommodate up to 25,000 people at a time. In its interior, supported by 27 pillars, you can admire beautiful works of medieval and baroque art, including epitaphs, an amazing high altar created by master Michael Schwarz of Augsburg, a basket chandelier from 1410 and the famous 15th century astronomical clock by Hans Düringer – the so-called “theatre of figures”. In addition to the wealth of historic works, the church also has an 82-meter bell tower, from which you can admire the city's panorama.

King's Road

The most beautiful showcase of Gdańsk and the heart of Gdańsk. It leads from the Highland Gate, through the Golden Gate, then the Green Gate to the Żuławska Gate. This is the path which the royal trains went through, and which Gdańsk burghers admired from the windows of their beautiful, medieval tenement houses with impressive façades. Here you can see, among other things, the fountain of Neptune, ruler of the coastal city, decorated in the Rococo style, situated in front of the Artus Court. This is also here where, in one of the tenement houses, the Uphagen House is located, in which the Museum of Burgher Interiors was created. This is also where you can see the most beautiful Gdańsk market square – Długi Targ.