Gdansk, Poland - Travel Guide

Gdansk is a historic port city with a beautifully reconstructed Old Town, vibrant cultural scene, and a strong maritime heritage. Its rich history, picturesque architecture, and lively atmosphere make it a captivating destination.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$35/day

Mid-range$70/day

Luxury$300/day

Known For

DanzigTricitySopotGdynia

🇵🇱 Country Information: Poland

CapitalWarsaw

CurrencyPolish złoty (zł)

Language Polish , English (common in tourist areas), German, Russian

Phone Code+48

Electricity230V (Type C, E)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary in restaurants (5
10% for good service) and for taxi drivers (rounding up)
It's also common to tip hotel staff, hairdressers, and tour guides

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in cities and larger towns
Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in urban areas; cash is still useful for smaller establishments and rural areas
It's good to have some cash, but don't carry large amounts
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is important, especially for appointments
It's common to greet people with a handshake
When visiting someone's home, it's polite to bring a small gift
Dressing neatly is appreciated, especially in formal settings or when visiting churches

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. While same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized, Poland has some legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Public attitudes can vary, but generally, major cities are more accepting.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Public consumption of alcohol outside designated areas is prohibited
Jaywalking can result in a fine
Smoking is prohibited in many public indoor spaces

Common Phrases

NoNie (nyeh)

YesTak (tahk)

HelloDzień dobry (jen DOH-bry)

PleaseProszę (PROH-sheh)

GoodbyeDo widzenia (doh vee-DZEH-nya)

Excuse mePrzepraszam (pshe-PRAH-sham)

Thank youDziękuję (jen-KOO-yeh)

Climate

Climate Zone: Continental Cool

Best Time to Visit

Cold season: Dec
Mar

Getting There

Fly into Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (GDN) from major European cities
Direct trains connect Gdansk with other Polish cities like Warsaw and Krakow
Buses are also available for intercity travel

Getting Around

Public transportation includes trams and buses
Bolt and Uber are widely available ride
sharing apps
Taxis are also readily available

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP, Varicella) are recommended
Hepatitis A and B are also advisable
No specific altitude sickness or malaria concerns
General travel probiotics might be beneficial

Staying Connected

eSIMs are available
Major Polish mobile networks like Play, Orange, T
Mobile, and Plus support eSIMs
Airalo and Nomad eSIM are good options

Local Cuisine

Pierogi must_try

These are traditional Polish dumplings, often boiled or pan-fried, with various savory or sweet fillings like meat, potato and cheese, or seasonal fru

Goldwasser alcohol

A famous Gdansk vodka (herb liqueur) known for containing visible flakes of 23-carat gold. This drink has been a recognizable culinary product of Gdan

Żurek (Sour Rye Soup) regional_speciality

A traditional Polish sour rye soup made from sourdough, often including egg, white sausage, smoked meat, and horseradish. This hearty soup is a staple

Gdańsk-Style Herring regional_speciality

Herring prepared with local flavors, often served with ingredients like apple, red onion, and a creamy yogurt-mustard sauce, topped with crunchy pumpe

Pączek dessert

Traditional Polish donuts, typically deep-fried and filled with rose jam or another sweet filling. They are a popular sweet treat, particularly enjoye

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

World War II Museum and European Solidarity Centre Tickets Attraction

Book 2 weeks to 2 months in advance

These are highly popular attractions, especially during high season, and booking ahead is essential to secure preferred time slots and avoid long queues.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Stutthof Concentration Camp Tour tour_or_activity

Book 1-4 weeks in advance

Organized tours to historical sites, particularly Stutthof, can fill up quickly due to limited capacity per tour guide or transportation availability.

City Guide Services (Private or Group) tour_or_activity

Book 1–3 weeks in advance

High-quality, specialized guides can be overbooked, particularly during the busy summer months.

Fun Facts

1. Gdansk is home to Falowiec, the longest building in Poland, which is a wave-shaped structure hosting 1,792 apartments across four ten-story compounds.
2. The city's historical center is officially divided into the Stare Miasto (Old Town) and Główne Miasto (Main City), and is not simply called "starówka" as in other Polish cities.
3. The local Goldwasser liqueur produced in Gdansk contains small flakes of real gold floating in the bottle, and it is believed to bring luck to those who drink it.
4. Unlike many major Polish cities with a traditional Market Square (rynek), Gdansk is known for its Long Market (długi targ), which is a long, wide-open pedestrian street.

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