Gdańsk: attractions, restaurants, itineraries

Gdańsk

The tourist capital of Poland and its architectural gem, the amber capital — Gdańsk goes by many names.

Despite its centuries-old history, Gdańsk is a very cozy city, where nearly every building captivates with its beauty and uniqueness. People come here to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of old Europe, explore numerous attractions, stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, or simply enjoy the untamed beauty of the Baltic Sea.

The cold waters of the Baltic are hardly suitable for swimming, but the sea air and the sound of the surf give the city a special charm.

Your acquaintance with the architectural heritage of Gdańsk should begin with the Old Town, with its numerous museums, stunning churches, and Renaissance houses that will leave no traveler indifferent.

Also, Gdańsk is abundant in greenery; the Tricity and Oliwa Parks are favored spots for relaxation among both locals and visitors.

When to go?

July and August are ideal for a seaside vacation, when the temperature can reach +30°C. However, even during these summer months, the water temperature in the Baltic Sea rarely rises above +17°C.

In July, the Baltic Sail gathering takes place — the largest maritime event in Gdansk. It attracts several dozen sailing ships from various European countries. The program includes concerts and a parade of sailboats.

Just half an hour's drive from Gdansk, the famous Heineken Open'er Festival is held, featuring pop performers from all over Europe. The festival takes place at the end of June or the very beginning of July.

What to buy?

Walking along Maryatska Street, you will find many small shops where you can buy souvenirs to remember your wonderful journey. Most notably, there is a wide range of amber products and jewelry, as Gdansk is famous for them.

As a gift for relatives and friends, consider Goldwasser ("golden water"). This is a fairly strong and slightly spicy liqueur in a glass bottle, to which flakes of gold foil are added.

Another gift option is beautiful souvenirs with Kashubian patterns, which are applied to bags, napkins, and tablecloths. The design uses 5 colors: blue, black, red, green, and yellow, along with motifs featuring pansies, cornflowers, lilies, and irises.

If you are interested in more traditional shopping, head to the largest shopping center, Galeria Baltycka, located at Grunwaldzka 141. Don't forget to pick up a guide brochure at the entrance to the shopping center, otherwise, you might get lost among the numerous stores.

What to try?

In the local cafes and restaurants, you can try dishes of Polish cuisine. For example, order bigos — a traditional dish made with cabbage, pork, lard, smoked sausages, and also with the addition of mushrooms, tomatoes, and wine.

Since Gdansk is located by the sea, it is not surprising that fish dishes play an important role in the local cuisine. In a restaurant or tavern, you can order grilled trout, delicious fish soup, various appetizers, battered fish, and even potato pancakes with fish.

Cold soup, known as chłodnik, is another national dish that is perfect for lunch on a hot summer day. Chłodnik is similar to okroshka without meat, made from beetroot or sorrel broth.

And to wash down your lunch or dinner, you can have a mug of cold or warmed beer, mulled wine, or Żubrówka — an herbal tincture from the Białowieża Forest, home to the European bison.

Gdańsk, Poland

Gdańsk

When to go?

What to buy?

What to try?