Is Gdansk worth visiting? My Honest Opinion Based on Real Visits
Gdansk is worth visiting for sure if you're into beautiful architecture, great restaurants, street art, wandering around a historic Old Town area, and traversing a walkable city on foot.
It's easy to spend a few hours just relaxing by the Baltic Sea, walking around the main streets, studying up at one of their informative museums or even beachcombing for amber if you go at the right time of year.
Here’s my top 5 reasons you should visit Gdansk, plus answers to all your burning questions about the city—I know you’ve got a lot of them.
Once you’re convinced, check out my full two-day Gdansk itinerary to see how to plan your trip.
Read more from my Poland travel guide.
1. What is Gdansk famous for?
Gdansk has so much to offer to just about anyone
Gdansk has two major attributes that make it stand out on the global map:
Amber
Gdansk is considered the world’s number-one destination when it comes to viewing, buying, or collecting amber. I’m not sure I’ve ever been anywhere that loves it nearly this much. And I didn’t feel like my visit to Gdansk was complete without taking some home.
I found amber shops everywhere, particularly in the Old Town, and I wasn’t even seeking them out. They’re just that common here.
World War II significance
Sure, almost every European city was affected by the Second World War. But Gdansk’s history here is unique because it’s the home of the first-ever battle that kicked the whole thing off. Westerplatte, the exact location where the first bullets were fired, is memorialized by a giant monument I made sure not to miss.
The war that changed everything started right here in Gdansk. I felt chills walking around knowing that. And that makes it unlike anywhere else in terms of historical significance.
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2. Who will love Gdansk?
Old historical buildings are always a sight to behold, and Gdansk is full of them
Anyone with an interest in European history will have a great time soaking in all the information Gdansk's museums have to offer. And there's a lot of it because of Gdansk's rich, layered past.
The war was not the only critical historical event that started here: Poland’s Solidarity movement also has its origins in Gdansk. I was able to learn all about it with a visit to the European Solidarity Centre (even though I didn’t like it there very much).
You’ll also enjoy Gdansk if you love beautiful buildings. For example, the Main Town Hall in Old Town is worth climbing for panoramic views of the city. Some of the other best places to see are St. Mary's Church—a ginormous church that reminded me of The Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Warsaw—and Dluga Street (Long Market), the heart of the city's Old Town with lots of souvenir shops and gems such as Neptune's Fountain.
Fans of street art will also be pleased. There are plenty of streets you can stroll down with indie artwork all over the walls. It’s not my thing, though, so I skipped that part.
3. Who should skip Gdansk?
Malbork Castle is absolutely worth the trip if castles are your thing
Gdansk isn’t for you if you’re more into castles—you won’t find any here. However, just an hour-long drive will take you to Malbork Castle, the largest in existence today, and an excellent day trip from Gdansk if you decide to come anyway. It was one of the highlights of my Poland trip, and I strongly recommend it.
You also won’t love Gdansk if you’re expecting original architecture. 90% of the city was decimated in the war, and pretty much everything you’ll see is a reconstruction.
Personally, this didn’t bother me at all during my visit since it was all still so stunning. But if it’s important to you, I recommend planning a trip to Torun. This rare European gem of a city escaped the war unscathed, and its architecture is almost completely original.
It’s also not the ideal location if you have a problem with crowds. I encountered a fair share of fellow tourists here, even in March. Expect to brush shoulders with strangers as you walk around the Old Town.
4. Is Gdansk cheap?
St. Mary’s Church was beautiful
I wouldn't call Gdansk cheap. It’s around the same as pretty much every other major city in the region—what I like to think of as “normal European prices.”
Museums and churches vary. For example, climbing the Main Town Hall Tower costs 25zl (USD 7), but St. Mary’s Church is free. It really depends on what other things you want to visit. Personally, I don’t choose activities based on that; I pick based on interest. But it’s good to keep in mind.
Espressos usually go for anywhere between 8 and 20zl (USD 2–5). Predictably, I found the more expensive places in the more touristy areas. I recommend looking for a cool cafe somewhere off the beaten path for a cheaper cup.
I prefer renting a car when I travel, but it's easy to use public transport if you want to save more money. The train station is a 15-minute tram ride to Old Town or a 6-minute drive if you opt for a taxi.
Gdansk is generally on par with Krakow or Warsaw when it comes to priciness, but maybe even a little bit more expensive when it comes to restaurants and accommodation. Not a budget travel pick, but not a wallet destroyer either.
Since we’re on the topic, here’s a hotel I liked in Gdansk: Hilton Gdansk
5. Reasons why Gdansk is a great place to visit
Here are the top 5 reasons Gdansk is worth visiting:
Architecture
As I said before, the architecture isn't original, but that doesn't take away from how picturesque it is. Areas such as Dluga Street and Mariacka Street in Old Town are Instagrammable on every corner and among the best things to see in the city.
And there are other lovely areas to explore, like strolling next to the Motlawa River or chilling at one of the many little beaches you may stumble upon as you explore this lovely area.
History
Poland is truly a treasure trove of enlightening museums, @ Museum of the Second World War
Chaos famously erupted when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939 and set the stage for humanity's deadliest war. It all started here in Gdansk. Yes, it was a global tragedy, but the history buff in me got a little bit giddy at that knowledge.
One of the best things I did here was spend a few hours at the Museum of the Second World War, reading personal stories and learning about the history in the place where it began. There’s really nothing else like it.
Day trips
Gdansk is a coastal city right along the Baltic Sea in northern Poland. Besides the sun and sand, one of my favorite things about its location is how easy it is to get to other Polish destinations from here by train.
You can easily head to Gdynia for a day trip, which is another Polish seaside city worth visiting—especially in the summer if you want that beachy, relaxing vibe. And it’s only a 15-minute train ride (or 30-minute drive) away.
Or you can take the train to Warsaw, which is only two and a half hours away. Doable if you want to hit both on the same weekend. I chose to do them separately, but this is also a good option.
Torun is also within reach because it’s even closer than Warsaw, just two hours away by train.
Amber shopping
The Museum of Amber was wonderful, the lighting inside really brings out the beauty of the amber (and me)
Gdansk is known as the "city of amber" for good reason. It's so integrated into Gdansk’s culture that one of the most common pastimes here is beachcombing for it. It was a little too chilly when I visited for that, though. Maybe next time I’ll get luckier.
Because I couldn’t stumble upon any for free, I went amber shopping to be sure I still took some home. I headed to Old Town's Mariacka Street, which locals nicknamed "Amber Street" because of all the galleries there that sell amber products—particularly jewelry. We quickly found something my girlfriend was eager to wear.
If you're a guy, you can just purchase some pure Baltic amber. That's what I did, and it's one of the best things I've ever bought as a souvenir.
If you just want to look at some, there's even a museum dedicated to it in the heart of the Old Town. Seriously, it's everywhere.
The food
If you’re looking for traditional Polish cuisine, Gdansk is the place to be. I found no shortage of milk bars around the city center. These are classic, budget-friendly Polish establishments that will give you the full Gdansk experience.
Piwna Street in particular has a bunch of them, so if you're traveling on a budget, this is a good area to explore. But I personally recommend Old Mill Pierogarnia. This is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Poland. And you know, Polish people know their pierogi. Because of this, be sure to make a reservation.
Their pierogi selection is really nice. My only complaint is that the service could have been better, but I guess that’ll happen when your venue is always crowded.
6. Where to eat in Gdansk, Poland?
From one foodie to another, Gdansk is definitely worth a visit
Check out Secret Room, a really cool restaurant on the bank of the river. Service is in English. It’s sort of a twist on Asian cuisine.
It has really delicious food, plus a wide range of interesting cocktails to spice up your dinner and occasional live music.
7. Is Gdansk worth visiting in winter?
The river might make it feel a little colder, so just make sure to pack warmer clothing when visiting during the winter/early spring
Gdansk is famous for its Christmas markets, which are some of the highest-rated in all of Europe. It's worth visiting in winter for that reason alone.
I visited with my girlfriend in March. March is kind of an awkward month for a trip because the cold weather prevents you from having a true beach day like in the summer months, but it's also too early to see the Christmas markets. However, we still had a fantastic time. You could even go there in the fall and have a blast.
So a November or December trip would be like ours, plus the markets as an added bonus. Sounds like a win-win to me.
8. Is Gdansk safe?
Even at night, the city felt nice and safe
There's no reason not to visit Gdansk if safety is a concern. My girlfriend and I never felt unsafe at all as we walked around the city, even at late hours. Violent crime is rare in Poland, so it's also a good country for solo female travelers to explore.
The only thing to be aware of is pickpockets in the city center who target unsuspecting tourists. But honestly, that's true for like any European city. Just stay vigilant, and you'll be totally fine.
Final verdict: Is Gdansk worth the visit?
Architecture, cuisine, history—Gdansk has it all (except for castles)
I hope this overview has given you a good idea of why my answer to this question is such a resounding 'yes.'
From the Old Town and its stunning Neptune's Fountain, to the tower where you'll get incredible views of the architecture all around you, a visit to Gdansk is truly one of the best things you can do in Poland. Honestly, I think it’s the third-best in Poland overall, right behind Krakow and Warsaw.
If you like walking along the water, you'll get both a river and a sea to choose from. You won't feel unsafe when you're alone at night. And any time of year, whether it's fall, summer, or Christmas, is a good time to go.
Ah, Gdansk: not even Poland's most famous city, but still such a gem. It's places like these that are why I love traveling around Europe.
Sometimes, all you need to do is take the first step... I've filtered out the best hotels in Gdansk for you
Save it for yourself to come back to later, or share with your friends on social media!
I've already planned your ititnerary for the trip, complete with my travel tips.
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