Gdańsk

Poland’s Baltic Gem Reborn

Gdańsk stands along Poland’s Baltic coast with a long history shaped by trade and resilience. The city grew around its bustling port where merchants from many countries exchanged goods, ideas and cultures. Its Old Town shows influences from medieval Europe through colorful buildings and wide squares. Walking along the Motlawa River feels like moving through layers of time, each showing how Gdańsk adapted to change while keeping local traditions alive. Today, it is a center for education, culture and growing industries that connect Poland with the rest of Europe.

Add to list Map view

City in Poland

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.5

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Younger locals and service staff generally communicate well, but in smaller shops or with older residents, basic Polish or German may be helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Gdańsk Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Strong for maritime history and colorful architecture. Walk historic waterfront streets, visit museums and shipyards and enjoy cafés and Baltic seaside excursions.

Place score

6.9

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Spotless

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

👩 7

Solo

Poland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Polish Złoty (PLN) £1 ≈ PLN 5.25
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widespread in Poland, with credit cards and mobile payment options accepted in most places. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Poland. Rounding up or leaving 10% in restaurants is customary. Small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff are also welcome.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited, though it may be overlooked in certain areas. Consumption is best kept to bars or private settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in public places, including restaurants and public transport stops, with designated areas available.

Constitution Day (May)	Expect patriotic parades and some closures.
All Saints’ Day (November)	Many visit cemeteries, and some businesses may close.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events are common, with closures on Christmas Day.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Free Now, Uber
Other:	Poland is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and hearty cuisine. Public transport is efficient and affordable, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Gdańsk, Poland

🌨️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

☁️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep. - Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

St. Dominic's Fair, a huge street market in the Old Town, runs from late July to mid August

Christmas market on Długi Targ runs from late November to Christmas Eve

Baltic beach season July to August; the sea stays cool and daylight in December lasts under eight hours

Don't miss

🌊 Stroll historic Długi Targ with Neptune’s Fountain
🏛️ Climb Main Town Hall tower for panoramic views
⛪ Visit the majestic St. Mary’s Church and tower climb
🚤 Explore the medieval Crane and Motława riverside
🏢 Tour the European Solidarity Centre museum
🏖️ Relax at Brzeźno Beach and Baltic Sea coast

You've been here?

Why travel to Gdańsk?

If you love cities with soul, Gdańsk is a must. Its Old Town, painstakingly rebuilt after WWII, is a living tapestry of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The city’s maritime spirit is everywhere, from bustling waterfronts to fresh seafood markets. Gdańsk’s layered history – where Hanseatic merchants, Polish kings and WWII echoes all left their mark-makes every stroll a discovery. But it’s not just about the past. Gdańsk buzzes with modern life: trendy cafes, lively bars and sandy beaches just a tram ride away. You’ll find a relaxed vibe, friendly locals and a feeling that you’re somewhere special, but not overrun by crowds. Just be ready for moody Baltic weather and keep an eye on your wallet in busy areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 St Mary’s Church
2 Artus Court
3 Golden gate
4 Archaeological Education Centre "Blue Lion"
5 Solidarity Museum (European Solidarity Centre)
6 Museum of the Second World War
7 Westerplatte
8 South African Crowned Crane
9 Noli Gdansk Old Town

🎡Places for activities

1 Nowy Port
2 Amber Museum
3 Gdański Ogród Zoologiczny
4 Krzywy Domek
5 Teatr Wybrzeże
6 Baltic Opera
7 Hel Peninsula
8 Akwarium Gdyńskie

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Plaża strzeżona "Jelitkowo"
2 Stogi Beach
3 Nalu Beach
4 Motława
5 Oliwa Park
6 Sobieszewo Island
7 Gulf of Gdansk

🛍️Shopping

1 Long Market
2 Galeria Handlowa Madison
3 Forum Gdańsk
4 Galeria Bałtycka
5 Garnizon
6 Bazar Natury

🎈Events

St. Dominic's Fair
Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival
Baltic Sail Gdańsk
Solidarity of Arts Festival
FETA International Street and Open-Air Theatre Festival
Mozartiana Festival
Gdańsk Christmas Market
All About Freedom Festival
Gdańsk Music Festival
Narrations Festival
St. Dominic’s Fair
Baltic Sail
Amberif (Amber Fair)
Jazz Jantar Festival
Gdańsk Marathon
Sea Days Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Walk the Royal Route early; it fills quickly midday.
Bring a light jacket; Baltic winds can feel chilly, even sunny days.
Climb St. Mary’s Basilica tower for views; the long stair climb is strenuous.
For a calmer evening, stroll along the Motława riverfront after dusk when façades glow beautifully.

How to travel to Gdańsk

Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport connects to major European cities and is 30 minutes from the center by train or taxi. International trains and buses (PKP, Flixbus) link Gdańsk to Warsaw, Berlin and beyond. Ferries operate to Sweden and Finland in summer[5].

Access summary

From Gdańsk Airport (GDN): SKM train or bus 210, about 25–40 minutes.
From Warsaw: Intercity trains or long‑distance buses, roughly 3–4 hours.
From Stockholm/Nynäshamn: Overnight ferries to nearby Gdynia, then SKM train to Gdańsk.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Gdańsk

Gdańsk offers everything from boutique hotels in the Old Town to budget hostels and seaside resorts. Most visitors stay centrally for easy sightseeing, but beachside districts like Brzeźno or Jelitkowo are great in summer. Book ahead during festivals.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Sadova

9.2

PURO Gdansk Stare Miasto

Holiday Inn Gdansk - City Centre By IHG

9.2

Hotel Mercure Gdansk Stare Miasto

8.9

Radisson Blu Hotel, Gdansk

9.1

Hotel Gdansk Boutique

9.2

B&B Hotel Gdansk Old Town

9.2

Radisson Hotel and Suites Gdansk

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Gdańsk

Gdańsk’s Old Town is best explored on foot – most sights are within walking distance. For longer trips, use trams, buses or the SKM fast rail for the Tricity area. Taxis and ride-shares are available, but stick to licensed operators. Bike rentals are popular for the seaside paths and parks[5].

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-32 %

Daily expenses in Gdańsk are around 32% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+0 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PLN) is 0% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£36	£78	£208
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£9	£22	£49
🍝 Food per day	£22	£50	£143
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£6	£17

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£21
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£50
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Gdańsk is generally safe, with low violent crime. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded spots — watch your belongings. Avoid unlicensed taxis and be cautious during late-night walks in less busy areas.

Health & Medical

Medical care is adequate and hospitals are accessible. Pharmacies are common. Travel insurance is recommended. Winters can be harsh, so dress warmly and take care on icy streets.

Accessibility

Most main attractions are accessible, but cobblestone streets and old buildings can be challenging for those with limited mobility. Public transport is modern and includes low-floor trams and buses.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink and widely available. Bottled water is sold everywhere, but you can refill your bottle at hotels and restaurants. Public drinking fountains are less common.