Weekend in Gdansk and the Tricity with Friends: A 2-Day Plan

Three cities, beaches stretching all the way from Gdansk to Gdynia and one commuter railway linking them all – a weekend in Gdansk and the wider Tricity (Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia) is one of the best ideas for a trip away with friends. In two days you can see the historic sights of Gdansk, stroll along Sopot pier, look round the port city of Gdynia and enjoy a night out you’ll be talking about for a long time.

Below you’ll find a ready-made two-day plan, with times, ideas for the evenings and practical tips. Your base is Gdansk: it’s the easiest place to find accommodation for a group, and it’s where your party tram will set off.

Before you go: where to stay and how to get around

Book your accommodation in Gdansk, ideally in Główne Miasto (the Main Town) or near Gdansk Główny, the main railway station. From here, SKM commuter trains and regional services run to Sopot and Gdynia, so there’s no need to hunt for a parking space. Leave the car for the whole weekend – everything in the centre is close together, and nobody will want to drive in the evening anyway.

Day 1 – Gdansk

Spend the first day in Gdansk itself: the historic Main Town, the story of the 20th century and the city’s nightlife. Comfortable shoes are a must, as you’ll cover most of the plan on foot.

• 10:00 – start at the Golden Gate (Złota Brama) and walk the Royal Route along Długa Street and Długi Targ (Long Market) to the Green Gate (Zielona Brama)
• 11:30 – Mariacka Street and St Mary’s Basilica
• 13:00 – lunch by the Motława river with a view of Żuraw (the Crane)
• 14:30 – the European Solidarity Centre or the Museum of the Second World War
• 18:00 – dinner at a brewpub
• 20:00 – two hours on a private tram with music and lights
• 22:00 – bars on Piwna and Chlebnicka streets, then a club to finish

The Main Town and the Motława

The Royal Route takes you past the Main Town Hall and Neptune’s Fountain all the way down to the river. If you have the energy, climb the tower of St Mary’s Basilica – more than 400 steps lead up to a viewing terrace overlooking the whole centre. Then head down Mariacka Street to the Motława and walk along Długie Pobrzeże (the Long Embankment) to Żuraw, the medieval port crane that has become the symbol of the city.

History that stays with you

After lunch, choose one of two museums. The European Solidarity Centre (ECS) stands on plac Solidarności (Solidarity Square), next to the historic Gate No. 2 of the shipyard, and has a viewing terrace on its roof. The Museum of the Second World War needs more time – allow at least three hours for the main exhibition – so if your schedule is tight, the ECS is the better choice.

An evening on the party tram

After dinner – at Piwnica Rajców, the brewpub beneath Artus Court, for example – it’s time for the highlight of the weekend. For two hours, a private tram with a sound system and club lighting carries nobody but your group: 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. The tram is perfect for a stag do, a hen party or a birthday, but it’s just as good for a group of friends on a weekend away.

A night out in the Main Town

The ride finishes in the centre, just a few steps from the bars. For cocktails, go to Flisak ’76 on Chlebnicka Street; for a beer in an atmospheric interior, try Józef K. on Piwna Street. If you want to dance until morning, head to Bunkier Klubogaleria, a club in a former shelter on Olejarna Street.

Day 2 – Sopot and Gdynia

On the second day, take the SKM train along the bay. If you’re heading home the same day, ask your hotel whether you can leave your luggage there after checking out.

• 10:30 – a late breakfast and the SKM to Sopot
• 11:30 – Monciak, the Crooked House and a stroll along the pier
• 13:30 – the beach or the view from the lighthouse
• 15:00 – the SKM to Gdynia, Kościuszko Square and the Dar Pomorza
• 16:30 – the Seaside Boulevard and a ride up Kamienna Góra
• 18:30 – dinner in Gdynia and the journey home

Sopot – Monciak and the pier

Ulica Bohaterów Monte Cassino, better known as Monciak, is Sopot’s showpiece promenade, lined with cafés and restaurants and home to Krzywy Domek (the Crooked House) with its wavy facade. At its far end begins the pier – the longest wooden pier in Europe. In season there’s a charge to walk on it. From the lighthouse, which serves as a viewing point, you can take in a panorama of the Bay of Gdansk.

Gdynia – the port and Kamienna Góra

From Kościuszko Square (Skwer Kościuszki) you can see the moored museum ships: the sailing ship Dar Pomorza and the destroyer ORP Błyskawica – check before your visit whether they’re open to visitors. Carry on along Bulwar Nadmorski (the Seaside Boulevard) towards Orłowo, and ride up Kamienna Góra hill, with its panorama of the sea and the port, on the free funicular, which runs all year round. If you have time to spare, wander around central Gdynia: its wide streets and bright modernist buildings look completely different from the Gothic lanes of Gdansk.

Practical tips for a weekend in Gdansk

• Booking the tram – get in touch at least 5 working days before your trip, and much earlier for a weekend in high season.
• Tickets – if you’re planning several journeys on the SKM and local public transport, look into day tickets.
• Weather – by the sea the weather can change quickly, so keep a rain jacket in your bag.
• Organisation – put one person in charge of the bookings and agree a shared budget before you set off.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get between Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia?

The easiest way is the SKM commuter train or a regional train – both run along the bay and link the centres of all three cities. In the evening, taxis are a good option for a larger group.

Where is the best place to stay for a weekend in the Tricity?

For a group of friends, Gdansk is the best base – close to the sights, the bars and the station, from which you can easily reach Sopot and Gdynia. Sopot works if clubs are your priority, but in season it’s worth booking accommodation there well in advance.

Does the party tram also run in Sopot and Gdynia?

No – there are no tram lines in Sopot or Gdynia, so the tram party takes place in Gdansk. The ride can start from almost any tram stop, and a standard ride lasts 2 hours. You’ll find the details and the enquiry form on the TramParty Gdansk page.