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What to do in Gdansk for visitors

Have you ever wondered what to do in Gdansk that will make your city trip to this stunning Polish city even more momorable? At What To Do In Gdansk our mission is to give you exactly this kind of information and tips. There are plenty of ways to add extra levels of fun and excitment to your Gdansk stay and we do our best to cover them all on our website – in a concise and transparent manner.

However, if you would like to gain a quick overview of what to do in Tri-City's oldest part, browse through the content in this section and find out what are the best things to do and to see, depending on when, how or with whom you visit Gdansk.

What to do in Gdansk during the Summer season?

Two million tourists each year can't be wrong. Summer is the best time to visit Gdansk. Considering the slightly unpredictable Gdansk weather, the so called high season can start as early as in April or as late as in June. Most of the time, though, you can safely plan your Gdansk city trip between May and September in order to fully benefit from everything the hanseatic city has to offer.

What is clear for Polish tourists, yet often not obvious for visitors from abroad, is the fact that Gdansk's beaches are amazing! The Gdansk weather may not always play along, true, but when it does, the broad sandy stripes can easily compete with the ones in the southern parts of Europe.

Gdansk's events callendar is filled with great happennings thoughout the year, but one has to admit that the Spring and Summer season boasts the biggest and the loudest. St Dominic's Fair, FETA International Street Theatre Festival and Opener Festival are just a few examples.

Last but not least, have luch or dinner in Gdansk in one of the picturesquely set restaurant gardens.

Discover all Gdansk Highlights - attractions, sites, beaches and more

Events Calendar - What's up now?

What to do in Gdansk in the off-season?

As much as warm temperatures can make a city trip more pleasant, off-season Gdansk brings other atractions to the table, which surely compensate the fact that you need to wear some extra layers of clothing. For starters, the chances that someone photobombs your picture drop drastically. Between November and March Gdansk visitors generally enjoy more personal space on the streets.

An exception to the uncrowded period is the Christmas season in Gdansk. Usually four weeks before the holidays Gdansk's Main Town shines with millions of lights and only slightly fewer brimming faces – more so during the weekends. The magic of this time of the year is undeniable, especially when combined with a cup of moulded wine and a bite of Polish gingerbread. The answer to what to do in Gdansk in December is basically one – enjoy the fairy-tale Christmas atmosphere.

Guess what's also less crowded in Gdansk in Winter? Yes, the museums and virtually every institution with a permanent exhibition. While they still receive a fair amount of visitors, there's no doubt that places like the Museum of the Second World War or the European Solidarity Center can be experienced more privately during the off-season in Gdansk.

See a great list of reasons why to visit Gdansk off-season

What to do in Gdansk with kids?

Gdansk with children can truly be fun. Moreover, there are places both kids and their parents can enjoy, without making any sacrifices. Something that comes to mind instantly is the Gdansk beach. While the summer season boasts water slides and other attractions on the guarded beach strips of Brzeźno, Jelitkowo or Stogi, this is not the only time when kids appreciate it. Watching swans and seagulls, collecting stones and seashells or building sand castles are kiddie highlights available virtually all year round.

Amusement for kids in Gdansk peeks behind every corner. The Four Quarters Fountain is one of their favourite spots, where they scream with excitment running across the installation and avoiding random water spouts. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy a refreshment at the nearby café.
Older kids will surely be interested in exploring Sołdek, the ship docked next to the National Maritime Museum.

When in doubt, being close to nature is always a good idea for some quality family time, and Gdansk offers outdoor activities galore. Apart from the fantastic beaches, the Tri-City is also a gateway to lush forests covering moraine hills with plenty of hiking and biking trails. And if staying close to the Gdansk Main Town is important, you can always go for kayaking on the Motlawa river.

Full list of things to do in Gdansk with kids

What to do in Gdansk as a couple?

When it comes to romantic spots in Gdansk, the city has a huge advantage compared to other destinations – the whole Main Town is already one giant romantic spot. When you're in Gdansk and amorous, you'll find the spirit of the townhouse-lined streets, like Mariacka, quite enchanting. Across the river, a picturesque walk along the yacht marina at sunset can also prove to be a romantically charged experience.

Still, you might want to leave the oh-so-romantic Main Town for a change of scenery, in which case a half-day trip to the Gdansk Oliwa district is a lovely idea. Stroll through the lanes of the charming Oliwa Park, sit down for a while on one of its benches, listen to the sound of birds and water streams. After you delight sufficiently in Gdansk's green oasis, visit Ryż - a restaurant just outside the park – to pleasure your taste buds with outstanding Asian flavours re-created by a talented chef.

Back in the Main Town, enjoy a slightly different cinema experience at W Starym Kadrze.

Conclude your visit in Gdansk with attaching a lock on the Old Town's Love Bridge and celebrate it with a delicious drink at Craft Cocktails.

What to do in Gdansk as a solo traveller?

Get lost in the maze of the Main Town's beautiful streets lined with ornamental townhouses and pay attention to their facades. Many have been refreshed by contemporary artists in recent years. When travelling with companions you may be too absorbed in conversations to notice these works of art. As a solo traveller in Gdansk, you can focus more on your surroundings and spot numerous of such townhouse gems, for example on Ogarna Street or Szeroka Street.

For even more - albeit more apparent – fantastic outdoor art head to the Gdansk Zaspa district and discover the Monumental Art Gallery. Comfortable shoes are advisable, if you want to see most or all of the 60 murals placed on Zaspa's residential buildings.

Meet fellow travellers by choosing to stay at on of Gdansk's social hostels.
Whether you choose to make new connections or not, the Gdansk nightlife is something worth exploring. But again, there are some places where making new friends appears to be easier, like the bustling Lawendowa Street for example. The same goes for the hip night markets at 100cznia (May-September) and Podwórko (June - August).

Best hostels in Gdansk

What to do in Gdansk Wrzeszcz district?

Wrzeszcz is the district north of Gdansk's Main Town and Old Town. From the Gdansk city centre it can be easily reached by tram or by SKM train in just a few minutes. Wrzeszcz is also one of the fastest developing parts of Gdansk – particularly in terms of cultural and social initiatives.

The beautifully revitalised Wajdeloty Street is the heart of the hip Lower Wrzeszcz area, where new trendy cafes and restaurants pop up regularly. One of the street's ends is marked by Park Kuźniczki, a small but welcoming green space. The park lanes also lead to popular yoga centre Studio Joga Park.

The Upper Wrzeszcz area, to the west of the railway tracks, is equally appealing. Numerous beautiful villas are spread along Matejki Street, Batorego Street and many other. If you have more time on your hands, this part of Wrzeszcz is lovely for an afternoon walk. A stroll from south to north can eventually also bring you to another fantastic, yet much newer, part of the district – Garnizon.

Garnizon Kultury is a cultural centre inside the Wrzeszcz Garnizon residential district. Former military buildings have been transformed into friendly spaces, including several restaurants, galleries, a brewery and a concert venue - gathered around a big grass lawn, perfect to chill on sunny days.

When in Garnizon, the famous Monumental Art Gallery is already a stone's throw away. Zaspa – the residential area which serves as canvas for the art - is technically a separate Gdansk district, but the impressive murals are located close enough to include them in your visit to Gdansk Wrzeszcz.

There are three big shopping malls in the Gdansk Wrzeszcz district – Galeria Bałtycka, Manhattan and Metropolia.

What to do in Gdansk Oliwa district?

Not only is the Oliwa Park a delightful destination in itself, it also boasts several attractions inside and around, thus making it the number one reason to visit the Gdansk Oliwa district.

The park's rococo Abbot's Palace hosts the highly recommended Museum of Modern Art, while the neighbouring Abbatial Granary is home to the Etnographic Museum. Both are worth to be explored thoroughly.

Right next to the park, the famous Oliwa Cathedral invites for very unique music concerts performed on 18th century organs. This ornamental instrument installed inside the church is attracting visitors from around the world.

Oliwa is home to the University of Gdansk campus.

What to do in Gdansk in the evenings? Gdansk nightlife tips.

Nightlife in Gdansk during the Summer season is mostly defined by two factors – craft beers and cool outdoor events in post-industrial surroundings. Places like 100cznia, Ulica Elektryków or Podwórko seem to attract more crowds than most of the popular clubs. Live music performances are usually part of the deal on weekends, alongside food trucks and various other attractions. The space between three pubs on Lawendowa Street boasts a similar vibe in the Summer.

Even so, clubbing still exists in Gdansk. Bunkier Klubogaleria is one of the most interesting ones, located in a WWII bunker, thus boasting the most unique interiors. It hosts club parties with various themes. Miasto Aniołów, on the Main Town's riverbank, offers a musically more neutral, yet more touristy experience. Its location is superb, though. Fahrenheit and Parlament are two more favourites inside the Main Town grid.

A phenomenon that seems to be unstoppable nowadays, are craft breweries. But who in their right mind would like to stop such a fantastic phenomenon? In 2008 Brovarnia Gdansk was the first to set up a microbrewery in an old granary. Ever since, several of such initiatives emerged in and around the Main Town, bringing back Gdansk's – once legendary - brewing traditions. Beer fans won't be dissappointed.

Full list of the best nightlife spots in Gdansk
Night Markets in Gdansk
Events Calendar

What to do in Gdansk – Where to do shopping in Gdansk?

For extensive shopping in Gdansk there are several big shopping malls and outlet centers that have the power to absorb a shopaholic for a whole day. However, this is not what we recommend you to focus on – especially, if the time of your visit in the city is limited.

Shops of local Polish designers and small manufacturers that pop up throughout the city regularly are what we wish to recommend to Gdansk visitors the most. Place of Art, Galeria Grobla or Osiek10 are just a few to name. Nothing bad in a refrigerator magnet purchased in a souvenir shop, but if you'd like to bring something more interesting back home, go for the (most of the time reasonably priced) authentic crafts or unique accessories.

Also, check our events calendar occasionally to find out about fashion fairs promoting local design in Gdansk. Each year more such initiatives come to life in the Tri-City.

Lists of the most interesting boutiques, shops and malls in Gdansk