We spent 24 hours exploring the Baltic port city of Gdańsk during our Polish road trip. My itinerary squeezes the city’s highlights into one day. But it really warrants longer and I regretted not being able to stay here a few more days. To stretch the itinerary to two or three days, spend more time in the museums mentioned and add visits to the Museum of the Second World War and Westerplatte.
Gdańsk holds a pivotal place in European history. As the German city of Danzig, it was a major port and shipbuilder. After WWI, it became part of Poland. In 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland, Gdańsk was at the top of his ‘to do’ list. In fact, the first shots of WWII were fired here in Westerplatte, a peninsula jutting out into the Baltic some 6 miles north of the old town.
Then, in the 1980s, Lech Wałęsa’s Solidarność Movement emerged in the Gdańsk shipyards and became the catalyst to the ending of Communism in Eastern Europe. All of these influences are visible on a visit to the picturesque city of Gdańsk.
How to get to Gdańsk
We drove to Gdańsk from Warsaw as part of a Polish Road Trip. It is well connected by road. If you opt to fly, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport is 9 miles west of the city. From here, there is a direct bus service (No 210), which will get you into the old town in around 40 minutes.
Getting around Gdańsk
The Old Town of Gdańsk is best explored on foot. My one day itinerary covers a total of around 3 miles.
Where to stay in Gdańsk
We stayed at Hotel Number One by Grano Gdańsk; a chic hotel in a modern waterfront building on the edge of the old town. It has nice rooms with balconies, secure car parking and a wellness centre with swimming pool.
Gdańsk in 1 Day Itinerary
| Day 1 | European Solidarity Centre Gdańsk Old Town Żuraw Motława River Waterfront Mariacka Street St Mary’s Basilica Długi Targ Neptune’s Fountain Main Town Hall Ice Cream from Grycan Accommodation – Hotel Number One by Grano Gdańsk |
Gdańsk Day 1
European Solidarity Centre
We start at the European Solidarity Centre; a museum charting the history of the Polish Solidarity Movement, Solidarność, which was so pivotal in the overthrow of Communism in Eastern Europe and hence the shaping of today’s political landscape. Having studied East European Studies at University, a visit to the European Solidarity Centre was a bucket list destination for me.
There is plenty of memorabilia on display; Lech Wałęsa’s Solidarity Membership Card, the crane he stood on to speak to workers, the shipyard gates crushed by the militia, the popemobile Pope John Paul used on his visit etc.
If, like me, you’re fascinated by history, you can spend hours wandering around, taking it all in.
Outside, is the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970. This pays tribute to the workers who died when unrest at the dock was violently suppressed.
The European Solidarity Centre is open daily (except Tuesdays between October and April). Opening hours are seasonal. Further details can be found on the website. Admission costs 35 PLN (around £7.10). The price includes a two hour guided audio tour through the exhibition.
Gdańsk Old Town
From here, we head to the Old Town, which lines the waterfront with a combination of original Hanseatic merchant buildings and modern conversions, which adds to the city’s charm. To be honest, all the buildings are beautiful, so I wander around with my camera taking dozens of photos, wishing we’d planned to stay more than one night here.
Żuraw
Dominating the Gdańsk waterfront is the Żuraw; a 15th Century crane, once the largest crane in medieval Europe. The crane could lift four tons of cargo, powered by groups of men, who would walk round two large wooden wheels, rather like giant hamster wheels.
The Żuraw is part of the National Maritime Museum, which you can visit if you have sufficient time (which we didn’t). The museum is across the river from the crane and can usually be reached by ferry (although the ferry isn’t currently running).
Motława River Waterfront
We follow the path along the Motława River Waterfront as far as the pedestrian swing bridge across the river to the other shore, where there is a park, big wheel and neon Gdańsk sign for that all important photo op.
Mariacka Street
Back on the southern bank, pass through St Mary’s Gate and you are in photogenic Mariacka Street, with its cobbled streets and coloured terrace houses. This touristy street, once the domain of wealthy merchants, now lined with restaurants, runs from the waterfront to St Mary’s Basilica.
St Mary’s Basilica
The 14th Century St Mary’s Basilica is one of the largest brick churches in the world. Its 78 metre high tower is impressive to look at, but difficult to photograph in the narrow streets.
Długi Targ
Head a couple of blocks south to the equally touristy Długi Targ (Long Market). Once the city’s main market street, it is now lined with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.
Neptune’s Fountain
The bronze Neptune’s Fountain in Długi Targ dates back to the 17th Century. A fig leaf was added to protect Neptune’s modesty some 350 years later.
Main Town Hall
Half way down Długi Targ, you will find the Main Town Hall with its 81 metre high tower, which you can climb in summer for a view across the city. The building now houses a museum, part of the Museum of Gdańsk.
Ice Cream from Grycan
And that concludes our whistle stop tour of Gdańsk. Just time for an enormous ice cream from Grycan and it’s time to head back to the hotel.
Accommodation – Hotel Number One by Grano
Our hotel tonight is Hotel Number One by Grano. We have received a message from them saying that it is a ‘very new’ hotel and they ‘hope we are up to the challenge’. Sounds ominous. I suspect it translates to ‘you’re sleeping in a building site – we did warn you!’ But it’s actually really nice. It’s located on an island in the river, which consists mainly of derelict warehouses, just starting to be regenerated. We purchase supplies from a nearby shop and have a picnic dinner on our hotel room balcony.
- Trip taken: May 2019
- Updated: October 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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