Gdansk in Northern Poland is a perfect city trip destination. The old town is a magical place to stroll and the beach is only 15 minutes away.
Gdansk is a very important city and it always has been throughout history. The port town has been destroyed and rebuilt over time.
Today it is the largest and most visited city in Northern Poland.
Gdansk is a part of the Polish TriCity by the sea. These are the cities that are part of TriCity.
- Gdansk is known as an ancient cultural town which draws a lot of tourists.
- Gdynia has a sea harbour and holds a lot of industry.
- And last but not least, Sopot is a relaxed, little beach town.
How many days in Gdansk?
You can visit Gdansk in a day and still see most of the highlights. Even though one day could suffice, we recommend extra days for a relaxed visit.
Since our itinerary is for three days, we added a few interesting day-trips from Gdansk. Keep scrolling to find out how we divided our 3 days in Gdansk!
Getting to Gdansk
Public transportation in Poland is well developed and accessible. Gdansk Glowny is the main railway station and offers connections to anywhere. A railway system connects the three cities of TriCity, which are Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot.
By air
The airport is located 14 km out of town. If you want to plan an amazing short break to Gdansk, you can book your flight right away!
For your convenience, the airport has a rail connection to the city. You can also get a shuttle from the airport to the city.
By train
The central station is called Gdansk Glowny. Most trains stop here and passengers can get to any destination from this station.
We arrived by train from Poznan and left by train a few days later.
Gdansk Glowny is a cozy train station and it can be reached by night train from Germany or you can include this destination in a great European train journey.
By car
Obviously, Gdansk is also accessible by car. The city is located in the North of Poland, not too far from the Baltic Sea. Highways are provided all the way to the city.
Getting around
Gdansk City isn’t too large. So it’s not difficult to get around on foot and that’s probably the best way to do it. Gdansk is bulking with narrow streets, cozy squares and picturesque old buildings.
But if you don’t like to walk, you can always get a bus, tram or ride the hop-on hop-off bus.
During summertime you can take a water tram to cross the river.
The other cities of Tricity are connected to Gdansk by rail. Again, we recommend rail transportation to move around in the Gdansk area.
Where to stay in Gdansk
Gdansk offers a lot of accommodation possibilities. Staying in town is generally a little more expensive than staying in one of the many charming suburbs.
Get a budget-friendly bed in the popular and modern Hostel Filip 2 or in the High 5 Hostel, which is set in an ancient building in the Old Town.
Looking for a more private accommodation? Check out the beautiful Elewator Hotel in the heart of the city or the beautiful Stay Inn Hotel.
There are many Airbnb hosts in Gdansk and surroundings as well. Another great option is staying in the beach town of Sopot to relax.
Book accommodation on Airbnb with this link and get a 30€ discount on your first stay.
Day 1 - Gdansk Old Town
Walk around Gdansk Old Town
We always choose to go for a walk as the first activity in a new town. This way, you can get a little familiar with your new surroundings. Sometimes we even bump into hidden gems!
Most tourist attractions in Gdansk are located in the city center, close to the main square. The city is bulking with ancients buildings and little streets.
You can also go on an organized walking tour of the city. During the private tour, you will learn the history, culture and loads of interesting facts about Gdansk and Poland, see highlights of Gdansk, discover hidden gems of the city, and learn incredible stories. You will also get some tips about the best Polish food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Gdansk is one of many bucket list destinations in Europe.
City Gates
Golden Gate and the Green Gate city gates are among the most beautiful sights in Gdansk.
Dluga Street
Dluga Street is the iconic street you probably know from all the Gdansk iconic images.
Dlugi Targ Square
This lovely city square draws a lot of tourists because it’s just so beautiful.
Town Hall
Gdansk Town Hall or Ratusz is also a beautiful building with amazing painted ceilings. Entrance to the Ratusz id free.
Motlawa River Bank
The scenic waterfront in Gdansk is called Motlawa River bank. You can find find cozy bars, restaurants and some of the most amazing views in Gdansk.
Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is located by the river bank. The building itself is a pretty sight and you can see it best from across the water.
Shopping for souvenirs in Gdansk
St Mary Street or Mariacka Street is not only great to shop for authentic souvenirs. The street also looks amazing. Furthermore, you can shop for souvenirs anywhere along the way and everywhere in Gdansk Old Town.
If you don’t mind getting a little bit out of the Old City Center in order to visit a Farmers Market, consider visiting Gdanski Bazar Natury.
Popular souvenirs to bring home from Gdansk are amber, painted ceramic handicrafts, locally made art pieces, and traditional liquor.
Day 2 - Beaches in Gdansk
Sopot Relaxed Day by the water
The second day in Gdansk, we move away from the city center and catch a train the the lovely town of Sopot. The train ride only takes 10 minutes from Gdansk Glowny.
Sopot is one of the TriCity towns and locals travel there to relax and enjoy the beach.
We visited Sopot in one day and enjoyed a relaxed day by the water. Sopot is fun to visit in summer as well as during the other seasons.
Take a stroll on the Sopot pier and shop for souvenirs by the water. You do have to pay a small fee in order to get access to the pier.
Have you already seen ‘the Crooked House’ in Sopot! It’s right in the middle of town and it looks quite eclectic!
Explore local food in Gdansk
Return to Gdansk by train and get ready to explore the local food scene. Join this amazing tour to discover all about the local food and how it’s made.
Get to taste delicious Polish food. During 3 hours you get more food than you can eat and visit 3 different specialty restaurants in Gdansk. These tours tend to be extremely successful and chances are good you will go back to one of these places the next evening!
Day 3 - Malbork Castle Day Trip
Malbork Castle
Malbork is a 13th-century castle and fortress, not too far from Gdansk. It used to protect the mainland from intruders coming over the water.
The castle has a rich history and switched ownership a few times. Currently, the castle is beautifully renovated and it’s a great day trip from Gdansk.
You can also visit the castle on a guided tour.
Conclusion 3 days in Gdansk
When planning 3 days in Gdansk, you have the freedom to plan your itinerary to be relaxed and quiet. We added 2 days with excursions nearby because these excursions are definitely worthy of your time.
When we visited Gdansk during our Interrail trip through Europe, we noticed that one full day to discover Gdansk is enough. That’s why we divided the other two days into interesting and fun excursions.
If you enjoy visiting churches and cathedrals, you can easily fill up two days in Gdansk! Then we still recommend one of the excursions for your third day.
You might also like
Pin it!
