Gdańsk (Gdynia) / Poland

On the coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe lies Gdańsk, the largest city in northern Poland and the country's main seaport. The conurbation of Gdańsk with Gdynia and the spa town of Sopot, known as the Tricity, is home to nearly 1.5 million people, and especially in Gdańsk, there is definitely a lot to see. A holiday in the city of Gdańsk is also often associated with time spent on the beach, among the most beautiful sandy beaches are Stogi, Jelitkowo, Brzeźno, and Sobieszewo.

The city originated as a fortress at the end of the 10th century and in the Middle Ages, it was an important port and shipyard. In the early modern period, Gdańsk was a Polish royal city and until the 18th century, when its role was taken over by the rapidly growing Warsaw, it was considered the richest and largest city in the entire country. During World War II, the city was occupied by Nazi Germany, and in the 1980s, the Solidarity movement, which played a key role in the fall of communism in Poland, was born on its territory.

Today, visitors to Gdańsk can enjoy a number of monuments and remnants of the medieval city from the 14th and 15th centuries, when the city was a member of the Hanseatic League, and the following centuries. The pedestrian Long Street and Long Market are also called the Royal Route: its beginning and end are framed by beautiful city walls, lined with gorgeous townhouses mainly from the 17th century. Here you can see, for example, the Renaissance tenement house Lion Castle or Uphagen's House, one of the few urban merchant houses in Europe open to the public. The Golden Gate from 1612-1614 replaced the original Gothic gate and is part of the old city fortifications. The Long Market is adorned with the historic bronze Neptune Fountain from the first half of the 17th century or Artus Court, the former center of social life, where one of the branches of the Gdańsk Historical Museum is now located.

Gdańsk also boasts a number of historic churches. St. Catherine's Church is the oldest in the city, and visitors can admire not only its beautiful interior but also the first pulsar, the most accurate clock in the world. The world record is also held by the Basilica of St. Mary from the 15th century, which is the largest brick church.

The architecture of the Green Gate, the former residence of Polish kings from the mid-16th century, was inspired by the town hall in Antwerp, today the building houses the National Museum. Those interested in military history should not miss the newly opened World War II Museum, while art enthusiasts can visit the National Art Museum with a wide collection of Gothic sculptures. Other city attractions include the medieval port crane, Żuraw, from the 15th century, or SS Sołdek, the first Polish ship built after the war. The seven-story Great Mill on the banks of the Motława was the largest in all of medieval Europe.

Local Specialties:

Among the Polish specialties, which are certainly not lacking in Gdańsk, are:

• Pierogi – dough pockets filled with mushrooms, cabbage, or sweet fillings like strawberries
• Flaczki – thick meat soup
• Bigos – stewed meat with cabbage.

General Information:

• Official language: Polish
• Currency: Zloty (PLN)
• Opening hours: Opening hours vary by location – for example, Designer Outlet Gdańsk is usually open from 9:00 to 21:00, with restrictions on Sundays and holidays. It is best to check the exact opening hours of individual shops and attractions on the website of the place.
• Public transport: Provided by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego - there are over seventy bus lines and ten tram lines in operation. An important part of transport in Gdańsk and the surrounding area are suburban trains SKM - Szybka Kolej Miejska.
• Weather: Poland has a temperate climate with cold, wet winters (average in January -8 °C - 3 °C) and moderately warm summers (average in July 20 °C to 28 °C) with frequent rainfall. The weather is variable and difficult to predict, influenced by both continental and oceanic influences.

Places Worth Seeing:

• Long Street – Visit the beautiful historic center with ornate city gates and beautifully reconstructed medieval architecture.
• Long Market and Neptune Fountain – The heart of the old town, bustling with life.
• Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary's Basilica) – Admire the basilica from 1343, the largest brick church in the world, and its majestic sundial from the mid-15th century.
• Golden House – See one of the most beautiful buildings in Gdańsk, a house with rich carvings and sculptures.
• World War II Museum – Learn about the turbulent events of World War II in a modern museum from 2017.
• Westerplatte – The place where World War II began.
• St. Catherine's Church – Set your time according to the first pulsar clock, which is also the most accurate in the world.
• Oliwa – A mysterious district with a beautiful cathedral and a park that you will love.
• Zaspa District – Colorful murals, street art, and vibrant culture away from the tourist hustle.
• Crane (Żuraw) – Admire the beautiful medieval crane from the 15th century and delve into the time when the city was an important trading and port center.
• Sopot – Relax on the beautiful white beach, enjoy a nice park, or indulge in some treatments in the spa town, formerly known as the "Monte Carlo of the North".

Useful Information:

• How to choose the right cruise?
• How to choose a cruise company?