Here's a list of places worth seeing in Gdańsk during your stay: the Old Town, the beaches, Westerplatte, and Oliwa, all within easy reach of our cottages. A short description of each place follows below.
Gdańsk's Old Town is the natural place to start sightseeing. The townhouses along the main streets were rebuilt after the war in their historic style, so walking between them is genuinely impressive. Most of the action is on the route from the Upland Gate, through Long Street, to Long Market and on to the Motława river. Along the way you'll pass amber shops, cafés and street stalls. It gets busy in summer, especially on weekends, but this is still where most of the city's tourist life is centred.
Why it's worth a visit: it's the heart of the city, and everything else on this list is close by.
Neptune's Fountain stands on Long Market, right by the Artus Court. It's one of the most photographed spots in the city and a natural meeting point. The fountain dates back to the early 17th century and has become something of an unofficial symbol of Gdańsk over the years. Lit up in the evening, it looks quite different from how it does during the day, so it's worth seeing at both times. There are usually people taking photos around it, so come early if you want a shot without the crowd.
Why it's worth a visit: it's a landmark that makes a good starting point for exploring the Old Town further.
Long Market is the square at the end of Long Street, lined with merchants' townhouses and the Town Hall with its tall tower. The Artus Court stands here too, once the meeting place of Gdańsk's merchant elite and now a museum. The square and side streets are packed with restaurants serving traditional Polish food, so it's a good spot for lunch during a day of sightseeing. In summer there are concerts and shows here, and a Christmas market in winter. In the evening the square is nicely lit and less crowded than during the day.
Why it's worth a visit: it's the most representative part of the city, with the finest architecture and the best choice of restaurants.
The Crane stands on the Motława river and is one of the most recognisable buildings in Gdańsk. It's a medieval port crane, once used to load cargo and step masts, now part of the National Maritime Museum. Inside you can see how the mechanism worked and get a sense of the city's old port life. The building itself is easy to spot from the boulevard on the other side of the river, and it's a popular photo spot with the water in the background. Historic ships and boats moor nearby, which you can visit on the same ticket.
Why it's worth a visit: it's the most distinctive building on the Motława and a piece of Gdańsk's port history.
The European Solidarity Centre stands by the Gdańsk Shipyard, where the August Agreements were signed in 1980. The building looks like a rusting ship's hull from the outside, and inside there's an extensive exhibition on the history of the Solidarity movement and the transformation of Poland and Central Europe. A visit usually takes two to three hours, as the exhibition is thorough and well documented. Nearby stand the historic Gate No. 2 of the Gdańsk Shipyard and the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. This is a place of real significance, not just for Gdańsk but for Poland's recent history as a whole.
Why it's worth a visit: it's one of the most important sites tied to 20th century Polish history.
The Museum of the Second World War sits in a modern building a few minutes' walk from the city centre, close to the Crane. The main exhibition walks through the causes of the war, its course, and its consequences for Europe and the world, with a strong focus on civilian experience. It's a very extensive exhibition, so plan on at least three hours. The building itself is striking from the outside too, with a distinctive leaning tower visible from a distance. It's one of the largest history museums in this part of Europe.
Why it's worth a visit: it's one of the largest and best-curated historical exhibitions in Poland.
Stogi Beach lies in the eastern part of Gdańsk, where the Vistula river meets the bay. It's one of the wider, quieter beaches in Gdańsk, with a large stretch of pine forest right behind the dunes, good for leaving a bike in the shade. It's an easy tram ride from the centre, and food stalls and equipment rentals operate here in season. The water tends to be calmer here than closer to the port. This is a good option if you want a beach away from the busiest crowds.
Why it's worth a visit: it's one of the wider beaches in Gdańsk, good for a full day out with kids.
Brzeźno Beach is the busiest beach in Gdańsk, close to the centre and well served by tram. A pier stands right at the beach entrance, and restaurants, ice cream shops and food stalls line the promenade. It gets genuinely crowded in season, especially on weekends and in the evenings, when people come for a walk along the beach and pier. This spot combines a beach with a promenade, so it's worth a visit even without going in the water. Parking can be tight in summer, so it's easier to arrive by public transport.
Why it's worth a visit: close to the centre, with a pier and a promenade full of restaurants right on the water.
Westerplatte is where the Second World War began on 1 September 1939, when the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on a Polish military transit depot. Today it's an open site with the ruins of barracks, a monument to the defenders of the Coast, and information boards along the walking path. You can get there by bus, by car, or by a sightseeing boat from the city centre, the last of which makes for a scenic route along the Motława and the port. Walking the whole site takes about an hour. It's a quiet, somewhat stark place, different in mood from everything else on this list.
Why it's worth a visit: it's where the Second World War began, a genuinely significant site on Poland's historical map.
Brzeźno Pier stretches far out into the sea and is one of the longest piers on the Polish coast. Walking its length gives you a different view of the bay than from the beach itself, and on a clear day you can see the port and ships coming into Gdańsk. It's lit up in the evening and popular for a walk after sunset. Cafés and food stalls operate near the pier entrance, so it's easy to combine the walk with a coffee. It pairs naturally with a visit to Brzeźno Beach, since the two sit right next to each other.
Why it's worth a visit: a different view of the bay than from the beach, and a nice walk at sunset.
Oliwa Park is the former palace park next to the Oliwa Cathedral, first laid out by Cistercian monks and later extended in the English style. Old trees, a few ponds and footbridges, and quiet paths make it a good spot for a relaxed walk away from the noise of the centre. The park is also home to a Palm House with tropical plants, including an old tea shrub. In summer, organ concerts linked to the nearby cathedral take place here. It's a place locals visit regularly, not just a stop for tourists.
Why it's worth a visit: quiet greenery right next to the cathedral, good for a longer walk.
Oliwa Cathedral stands in the Oliwa district, right next to Oliwa Park. It's a former Cistercian abbey church, now a cathedral, best known for its 18th-century organ. In season there are organ concerts where you can hear the instrument played, so it's worth checking the schedule before your visit. The interior is done in baroque style, with richly decorated altars. Oliwa has a different feel from the Old Town, quieter and greener, good for a slower pace of sightseeing.
Why it's worth a visit: historic organs and concerts you won't hear anywhere else in Gdańsk.