15 Things to Do in Gdansk: Długi Targ, Westerplatte and More

Gdansk is easy to fall for on your very first walk. Colourful townhouses along the Motława, Gothic gates, the places where the Second World War began and the Solidarity movement was born, plus a beach within reach by tram – few cities show so many faces in a single weekend. That’s why the best things to do in Gdansk suit a weekend for two just as well as a trip with friends or colleagues.

We’ve picked 15 places worth seeing – from Długi Targ (Long Market) and Westerplatte to less obvious spots, such as the murals in Zaspa and Góra Gradowa (Gradowa Hill). The list is split into sections, so it’s easy to build your own plan for one or two days.

Główne Miasto (the Main Town) – the heart of Gdansk

1. Długi Targ and Długa Street

Start your walk at the Upland Gate and the Golden Gate, then follow the old Royal Route along Długa Street and Długi Targ all the way to the Green Gate on the Motława. On the way you’ll pass the Main Town Hall with its distinctive tower. It houses a branch of the Museum of Gdansk with richly decorated interiors, including the Great Council Hall.

2. Neptune’s Fountain and Artus Court

Neptune’s Fountain is one of the city’s symbols and the most popular meeting place in the centre. Right behind it stands Artus Court – historically the merchants’ meeting place, and another branch of the Museum of Gdansk. Its historic cellars house the Piwnica Rajców brewpub – a good stop for a local beer.

3. Mariacka Street

The most atmospheric street in Gdansk runs from St Mary’s Basilica down to the Motława. Stone front terraces, ornate gargoyles, amber galleries and intimate cafés make it a must for any photo shoot. After the war, the street was rebuilt with great care, using surviving fragments of the destroyed townhouses.

4. St Mary’s Basilica

One of the largest brick churches in the world, it impresses through sheer scale alone. If you have the energy, climb the tower: more than 400 steps lead to a viewing terrace overlooking the whole Main Town. Before your visit, check whether the tower is open.

Along the Motława

5. Żuraw (the Crane)

This medieval port crane is the most recognisable sight in Gdansk. It’s a branch of the National Maritime Museum, with an exhibition inside. You’ll get the best photo from the opposite bank of the Motława – from Ołowianka island or the quayside of Wyspa Spichrzów (Granary Island).

6. Granary Island and Ołowianka

Across the river, old granaries stand side by side with new townhouses, hotels and restaurants overlooking Długie Pobrzeże (the Long Embankment). On neighbouring Ołowianka, in the buildings of a former power station, is the Polish Baltic Philharmonic – an evening concert is a good idea for a quieter day of your trip.

Museums and places of remembrance

7. Amber Museum

Gdansk has been associated with amber for centuries, and the best place to learn its story is the Amber Museum. This branch of the Museum of Gdansk is housed in Wielki Młyn (the Great Mill), one of the city’s most impressive medieval buildings. After your visit, you’ll see the windows of the jewellery workshops on Mariacka Street in a whole new light.

8. Museum of the Second World War

The modern building stands at the northern end of the promenade along the Motława. The main exhibition takes you from the causes of the war through its course to the beginnings of the Cold War. It’s very extensive, so set aside at least three hours, and buy weekend tickets in advance.

9. European Solidarity Centre

The ECS building stands on Solidarity Square, next to the historic Gate No. 2 of the Gdansk Shipyard and the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. Its permanent exhibition traces the road from workers’ protests to the transformation of Poland and Europe. Finish by taking the lift up to the viewing terrace overlooking the former shipyard.

10. Westerplatte

This is where the first shots of the Second World War were fired on 1 September 1939. On the peninsula you’ll see the Monument to the Coast Defenders, the ruins of the barracks and Guardhouse No. 1, which houses a branch of the Museum of Gdansk. You can get here from the centre by bus or on a sightseeing boat from near the Green Gate.

Beyond the Main Town

11. Góra Gradowa and Hevelianum

Not far from Gdansk Główny, the main railway station, rises Góra Gradowa, topped by the Millennium Cross. The old fortifications offer one of the best panoramas of the city, and on a clear day you can even see the Bay of Gdansk. The fort buildings house the Hevelianum science centre, with interactive exhibitions for adults too.

12. Oliwa Cathedral and Oliwa Park

In Oliwa you’ll find the cathedral with its famous organ, decorated with moving figures of angels. Organ recitals are held there regularly – check the dates before you go. Right next door is Oliwa Park, perfect for a peaceful walk after a busy round of sightseeing.

13. Brzeźno pier

You can reach the sea from the centre by tram. Brzeźno has a wide sandy beach and a pier whose history goes back to the 19th century. In summer it’s the place for sunbathing; out of season, for a long walk along the shore towards Jelitkowo and Sopot.

14. The Zaspa murals

This communist-era estate of prefabricated concrete blocks has become an open-air gallery. Several dozen large-format murals have been painted on the walls of the blocks, the first of them back in the late 1990s. They’re best explored on foot or by bike – a great attraction for fans of street art and photography.

An evening with a difference

15. A private party on a party tram

Finally, something you won’t find in guidebooks: a private tram with a professional sound system and club lighting that carries only your group through the streets of Gdansk. The route can run along Wały Jagiellońskie past the Main Town, towards Solidarity Square and even out to Oliwa or Brzeźno. The ride can start from almost any tram stop. See the TramParty Gdansk page for details.

Sample day plan in Gdansk

• 9:30 – the Golden Gate, Długa Street and Długi Targ
• 11:00 – Mariacka Street and the tower of St Mary’s Basilica
• 13:00 – lunch by the Motława and a walk past the Crane
• 14:30 – the European Solidarity Centre or the Museum of the Second World War
• 18:30 – dinner on Granary Island
• 20:00 – two hours on a party tram, then the bars of the Main Town

Save Westerplatte, Oliwa, Brzeźno and Zaspa for the second day. They lie outside the city centre, so plan your journeys by public transport and wear comfortable shoes.

Things to do in Gdansk: frequently asked questions

Which Gdansk attractions can you see in one day?

Focus on the Main Town: Długi Targ, Neptune’s Fountain, Mariacka Street, St Mary’s Basilica and the Crane are just a few minutes’ walk from one another. In the afternoon, add one museum – the ECS or the Museum of the Second World War.

How do you get to Westerplatte?

From the centre you can take a city bus or a sightseeing boat, which leaves from Długie Pobrzeże near the Green Gate. Check the current boat and bus timetables before you set off.

Can you book a party tram in Gdansk for any occasion?

Yes – the tram is perfect for a stag do, a hen party, a birthday or a corporate event. We agree the details individually, and you can choose almost any stop as your starting point. A standard ride lasts 2 hours.